Worship
Early Worship 8:30 am
Liturgical Worship 11 am
Witness to Reconciliation
Each Sunday throughout the season of reconciliation at 11 AM worship, a member of our congregation is asked to speak to the notion of personal reconciliation in their own lives. Each will be given a few minutes during our time in worship. These stories have proven over the course of the years to be some of the most memorable and powerful aspects of the season of reconciliation.
Adult Education
Sundays, 9:40-10:40 am
- January 18 – Breaking Down the Barriers to Discussing White Privilege
Facilitated by Pam Koch, Hope College Sociology Professor. Pam will describe white privilege from a sociological perspective but also how to discuss it with a predominantly white audience in ways to create engagement. - January 25 – Why Racial Reconciliation Seems Out of Reach in the Christian Church: One Theory
Pastor Jill Russell will facilitate discussion on why racial reconciliation continues to seem so elusive for the Christian church in America. According to the author of a new book entitled Dear White Christians: For Those Still Longing for Racial Reconciliation, there is a reason why efforts at racial reconciliation have failed within the church. Jill will lay out the thesis of this book which includes constructive suggestions for change and lead the class in a discussion of its themes. - February 1 – Among the Tulips
Angel and Janelle Lopez will discuss their experiences as a young multi-ethnic couple in Holland MI and participate in facilitated discussion about how to create a welcoming environment. - February 8 – Summary
The members of the Reconciliation Ministry will facilitate a summation of the season of reconciliation and the steps that we can take collectively and individually to effect change.
Book Study
Thursdays at 2:00 pm or 6:45 pm
January 15, 22 & 29 and February 5
Learning to Walk in the Dark
Sessions are structured in a format similar to the October book study, with a brief fellowship time followed by about 90 minutes for discussion of the book. Rachelle Oppenhuizen will be facilitating. In this book Barbara Brown Taylor explores the themes of the Via Negativa—darkness, silence and absence. She writes to spiritual seekers who may be eager for some guidance when life brings them to the brink of the abyss often termed “The Cloud of Unknowing”. Taylor helps us to see the salvific nature of some feared aspects of the darkness, without and within.
Please sign up on the sheet in the Gathering Area. Books can also be purchased in the Gathering Area for $20.00. Enrollment is open to non-Hope Church Members so feel free to invite an interested friend.
Restorative Circles
Introduction to Restorative Circles
Tuesday, January 20th at 7:00pm at Herrick District Library, there will be an introduction to Restorative Circles for those who would like to learn more about this process for supporting communities in handling conflict. Introduction sponsored by the Holland Restorative Circles, Hope Church, and the Holland Human Relations Commission.
Restorative Circles Facilitator Training
Friday, February 6, 9am- 4pm
Saturday, February 7, 9am- 4pm
Training for Restorative Circles has been a part of the Season of Reconciliation for the past 3 years. The mission of restorative circles melds easily with the message of reconciliation that is central to the season. The training will give a comprehensive overview of Restorative Circles and will provide more detailed information on each phase of a Restorative Circle. There will be opportunity to practice all three rounds of dialogue used in a Circle. Register online at HollandRestorativeCircles.org or call the Hope Church office at (616) 392-7947. Brochures with more information are available in the gathering area.