You are invited to join us for a 4-week Bible Study of the book of Ecclesiastes!  The purpose of these Adult Education sessions will be to study Ecclesiastes and by doing so to grow in our knowledge and understanding of Scripture, to hear God's word for us and for the church today, and to grow in our friendship with one another.

Sometimes considered the most curmudgeonly and cynical of all the books of the Bible, Ecclesiastes is also praised for telling it like it is. It addresses eternal problems that have always troubled human society: the problem of pain, the fruitlessness of overwork, the vanity of ambition, the age of anxiety, the fear of death and being forgotten. Ecclesiastes reminds us that these are not 21st century problems.

This book of wisdom also reminds us that the great joys in life are fairly simple: snuggling under the covers, having close friends and/or a sweetheart, sunlight, rest, eating good food and drinking good wine, and a good days' work. It offers soothing certainty about what it means to enjoy the good life: waiting, expecting, with open arms, to receive day by day the good things that come from God.

The book study will be held on Thursdays in May, starting May 6th, from 7 to 8 pm.  We'll be using Pilgrim Press' Listen Up! Ecclesiastes study as our main resource. This study was written by Molly Baskette, a member of the StillSpeaking writers' group.  You can read her bio here: https://www.firstchurchberkeley.org/molly-baskette/ There will be reading and a short homework assignment you will be expected to complete before each class.

Please sign up by Tuesday, April 27th so we can order books for all those who will be participating in the study.  You will receive a copy of the first session's assignment and the class covenant when you register.