Short Circles

Short Circles are two to three week classes, held on Zoom and led by Riverside clergy and ministerial staff. These classes will allow our Riverside community to connect around various topics and themes, deepening their faith and spirituality, and getting to know one another and the Riverside clergy team.

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SCHEDULE

If YouTube Preached a Sermon with Rev. Jim Keat
October 23 and 30, 2024 | 7:00 – 8:00 pm ET | Zoom

While it’s common to gather for church one hour a week, people around the world spend over seven billion hours a week watching content on YouTube. What could we learn about faith and spirituality if we look at some of the most popular YouTube content with theological lenses? In this two week class we will invite YouTube videos to step into the pulpit as we explore and discuss the theological implications in our lives and in our world. (TLDR: Let’s watch YouTube videos and talk about progressive theology and spirituality!)

Who Do You Say that I Am?: Jesus and Jewish Messianic Expectations with Rev. Tim Dalton
November 13 and 20, 2024  | 7:00 – 8:00 pm ET | Zoom

First we will look at the Hebrew scriptures that present the seeds of the Messianic ideas, then examine a sample of intertestamental writings (such as the Dead Sea Scrolls) where messianism flowers into unique expressions, and finally explore the Gospel/New Testament accounts and ask an open question as to whether Jesus, in his life and ministry, actually reaps and applies these rich and differing images of the messiah to himself. 

Rev. Mira Sawlani-Joyner
December 11 and 18 | 7:00 – 8:00 pm ET | Zoom

For Such a Time As This: Esther as a Radical Model for Faith in a Secular World  with Rev. Tim Dalton
February 12, 19, and 26, 2025 | 7:00 – 8:00 pm ET | Zoom

A Theology of Running with Rev. Jim Keat
March 12, 19, and 26, 2025 | 7:00 – 8:00 pm ET | Zoom

For many people, running is about so much more than running. In this three week class we will explore what Rev. Jim has learned about God, faith, theology, and spirituality through running as well as talk with other runners and how running has impacted their faith and spirituality. It doesn’t matter whether or not you are a runner – this class will inspire you and teach you more about what it means to be human!

Rev. Dr. Lisa M. Weaver
April 23 and 30, 2025 | 7:00 – 8:00 pm ET | Zoom

Rev. Charlene A. Wingate
May 14, 21, and 28, 2025 | 7:00 – 8:00 pm ET | Zoom

Rev. Jabe Ziino
June 2025 | Zoom

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