How We Grow Spiritually

 Adult classes and groups | Youth activities | Children’s education

Lake Street Church encourages spiritual enrichment through the programs described below. Anyone may attend these programs, whether or not he or she is a member.  For detailed information on our current program offerings, please see our current June Events document, or pick up a copy in the church office.

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Adult Classes on Sunday Mornings

From 9:30 to 10:15 am on Sunday mornings during the program year, adults gather before the worship service for all kinds of learning.  During the program year, the classes noted below meet regularly throughout the church building. 

Abwoon Study Circle - Gather around the ancient wisdom and mystical truths of Christianity, Judaism and Islam as we seek inspiration and guidance for the challenges we face in life and in community.  Our resources are the writings and inspiration of Neil Douglas-Klotz, a brillant scholar with heart whose words have the power to reconnect us with our sacred source.  Join us in the Rose Window Room each Sunday before the worship service.

Crystal Ringers - Adults and children of all ages are invited to join the Crystal Ringers tone chimes ensemble.  No musical experience is required - only the ability to count to four!  Think about joining us in the Choir Room, we have lots of fun, and there will be opportunities to play in worship services throughout the program year.

Dream Sharing is led by a clinical Jungian psychologist who enables people to reach the deeper dimensions of their soul through their dreams.  This class meets in Room 103. 

Poetry:  Language of the Spirit program can cut to the bone, gladden the heart, or open our eyes to what it is right before us. If you would like to read and talk about some of these guides to the spirit, please join us in the Parlor on Sunday, June 9.

Sunday Morning Prayer Circle - Come sit in Sacred Space, and spend time in silence or in spoken prayer.  Bring joys and concerns for yourself, loved ones, the church community and the world. Location - Aztec Room beneath the Sanctuary.

Teachings of Compassion:  A Buddhist Perspective - began on Sunday, September 9 at 9:30 am and will conclude for the summer on Sunday, June 23.  The teachings of compassion are nearly universal to all religions, but Buddhism offers a particular focus on them to diminish suffering for all living beings.  Together we'll explore and reflect on their application to our lives.  We will be working from the book Introduction to the Middle Way by Chandrakirti.  It is published by Shambala and translated by the Padmakara Translation Group.   

The lecture series Why Evil Exists began on Sunday, September 9 at 9:30 am and will continue thru June 16. This new lecture series by University of Virginia Professor Charles Mathewes will once again be projected on the big screen, again, facilitated by Jean Gillies. A quote from Charles Mathewes follows:

"Explaining the existence of evil in a divinely governed or morally ordered world has been at the heart of every major religion and many secular philosophical worldviews, as well.  Charting the various formulations of this problem and the different answers people in the West have given to it are the goals of this course."

Upcoming topics are:

Sunday, May 26 - Life in Truth - 20th Century Poets on Evil

June 2 - Science and the Empirical Study of Evil

June 9 - The "Unnaming" of Evil

June 16 - Where Can Hope Be Found?

Adult Groups throughout the Week

In addition to classes at 9:30 on Sunday mornings, adults connect through book discussion groups, affinity groups, and opportunities for meditation and spiritual growth.  For more information about these adult programs, see the monthly calendar or contact the Church Office at 847-864-2181.

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Youth Activities

For a BIGGER picture of what's happening during the 2013 Winter/Spring schedule with our Middle School Youth Program click here.

For a BIGGER picture of what's happening during the 2013 Winter/Spring schedule with our High School Youth Program click here.

For information about youth activities, contact the Chair of the Youth Committee, Michelle Brewer (babybrewer@sbcglobal.net).

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Preschool Rainbow Room is an introduction to the church for toddlers 2 to 5 years old. Children have the choice of free play, a story, or a project–all in a nurturing atmosphere.

The Beginner Room for children in kindergarten and first grade is taught by an early-childhood educator assisted by Lake Street Church youth and adults. The foundation of the curriculum is The Family Story Bible, through which the children become familiar with the stories of the Christian tradition, and includes stories, songs, enactments, art projects, and playtime.

Sunday School is offered to 2nd through 5th graders. The curriculum is chosen to reflect Lake Street church's "rooted, connected, transformed" philosophy, with interfaith learning as a key element. Through readings, art, music, drama, games, and service projects, the children develop a sense of both personal and communal spirituality.

For information about children's programs, contact Joan Roe, Director of Children’s and Family Programs, at 847-864-2181, ext. 112, or jroe@lakestreet.org.

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