Adult Education
ADULT EDUCATION is a forum devoted to spiritual investigations. These programs run on the school calendar. For information or suggestions, contact Dan Beaupre, An Duclos, Theresa Gleason, or Diane Nancekivell. You are invited to come 15 miunutes early for refreshments and fellowship. All our programs are held at 9:00 am Sunday in St Stephen’s Upper Meeting Room. You are invited to come at 8:45 for refreshments and fellowship. The public is welcome to attend.
If zoom is offered: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87490029176 Passcode: AdultEd
Sunday, Nov 9, 9 am, Meeting Room
Who’s a Heretic?
Blurry Boundaries in Medeival France
By Louisa Burnham
BETWEEN 1318 and 1329, 110 individuals were burned at the stake in southern France because authorities considered them to be dangerous heretics. They preferred to be called the Poor Brothers and Sisters of Penitence and while they said they were “just talking about God,” they also thought the end of times was upon them and the Antichrist was near.
In this talk, Middlebury College historian Louisa Burnham explores the nature of “heresy” and “orthodoxy” in the Middle Ages and the confusing line between them in the case of the Beguins of Languedoc.
Sunday Nov 23, 9 am, Meeting Room
What Does Spirituality Look Like to an Atheist?
with Jesse Carse
DOES THE DIVINE EXIST? Jesse Carse, a biology teacher, musician, and recording engineer, will explore this question and others, from the perspective of an Atheist.
Language aids us in communicating our vast and rich internal world; it is the closest we get to sharing our experiences with those around us. With Jesse, we will ask what meaning, if any, does spirituality have for non-believers, through the lens of language and its possible misperceptions.
What are some of the reasons for non-belief? How do Atheists resolve the dilemma of spirituality without the divine? How do they struggle with the loss of universal meaning, and of religious centers for community life?
If you wish, you might try a brief read of Wittgenstein which can help in thinking about language and meaning.
Adult Education Schedule, Fall ‘25
All Programs at 9 am in the Meeting Room
Sunday, Oct. 19 Francis of Assisi Part 1– His Extraordinary Life and Conversion, Led by Gaen Murphree
Sunday, Oct. 26 Francis of Assisi Part 2 - His writings, prayers & theology, led By Gaen Murphree
Sunday, Nov 9 Who is a Heretic? Blurry Boundaries in Medieval France, Led by Louisa Burnham
Sunday, Nov 23 What does Spirituality Look Like to an Atheist? Led by Jesse Carse
Sunday, Nov 30 Our words of Faith, led by Henry R. Carse – Part 1
Sunday, Dec 7 Our Words of Faith, led by Henry R. Carse – Part 2
Sunday, Dec 14 The Many Faces of Mary, by Diane Nancekivell
Programs from the past
