Upcoming Sessions
Fall 2026/Spring 2027 Spiritual Enrichment Sessions
September 13, 2026
Update on Middle East
Tom Mockaitis returns, two years further into the Gaza conflict and 7 months into the Iran conflict, to give us an update on the Middle East from a military and history perspective.
September 20, 2026
The Odyssey: A Hero's Journey
We’ll discuss ideas of crisis and transformation found in the ancient classic along with the 2026 film adaptation.
September 27, 2026
How movements within White Evangelicalism led to Christian Nationalism
Calvin University history professor Kristin Kobes Du Mez delivers the 2022 Meador Lecture on her latest book, “Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation.”
October 1, 2026
Field Trip: Irreconcilable Differences: The First Amendment and Christian Nationalism
Join SE members to travel to Chicago and hear Dr. Randall Balmer, John Phillips Chair in Religion at Dartmouth College speak on Christian Nationalism. The annual Christian Century lecture and reception will be with speaker Randall Balmer, John Phillips Chair in Religion at Dartmouth College. The push to anoint the United States as a “Christian nation” distorts history and ignores America’s best idea for ensuring a vibrant and healthy religious culture: the First Amendment. Current attempts to level the historic wall of separation between church and state not only threaten the nation’s political stability but also compromise the “free marketplace” of religion guaranteed by the First Amendment. Dr. Randall Balmer, who has authored more than a dozen books on America’s religious history. This lecture and receptioin will take place at The Arts Club of Chicago on Thursday, Oct 1 at 7 pm. SE attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets on their own and let Alan Bayert know if carpooling is desired.
October 4, 2026
Taking Action on Data Centers
WCC welcomes IL Majority House Leader Robyn Gabel, (D-18) to inform us about her legislation designed to create oversight for Data Centers in Illinois. Gabel has served in the House since 2010 and is chair of the Rules committee, a member of the Medicaid Working Group and Energy Working Group.
October 11, 2026
What is the crisis of Mass Incarceration?
Dr. Christophe Ringer has spent 25 years supporting mission-driven institutions in moving beyond isolated instances of injustice to examine broader patterns, practices, and policies, and turning them into strategies for measurable social impact. He teaches a course at Chicago Theological Seminary called: Mass Incarceration, Politics and Public Theology, and has written a book calling it a religious crisis. His scholarship will add to our study of The New Jim Crow (WCC October Book Discussion.)
October 18, 2026
Little Pieces of Hope
Lele Barkhausen will lead a discussion utilizing the book, Little Pieces of Hope, by Todd Doughty to help reflect on "Happy-Making Things in a Difficult World".
October 25, 2026
How the Languages We Speak Shape the Ways We Think
Cognitive Scientist Lera Boroditsky has been fascinated with how language influences the way people think. We will watch her presentation at UC San Diego detailing her recent book, "7,000 Universes: How the Languages We Speak Shape the Way We Think."
November 1, 2026
Having Braver Conversations
WCC member Mike Meiners returns to talk more about his work with Braver Angels, an organization whose mission is to inspire and equip Americans to practice courageous citizenship across political differences through skill-building, convening, and collaborative action.
November 8, 2026
How to Make a Difference
Marjorie Moss, Social Worker, will speak to us about her work with the Social Work Advocacy Project which works with pro bono clients of the Bluhm Legal Clinic at Northwestern to help interrupt the cycle of justice and recidivism in Chicago.
November 15, 2026
Makers Creating Calm
Teaching artist Morgan Steorra will help us explore how making with our hands can help us slow down, focus, and reconnect with the present moment through a creative activity designed to encourage calm and mindfulness, while discussing why hands-on learning is important and therapeutic in schools and beyond.
November 22, 2026
How WCC Inspires
Long-Time WCC member and ordained pastor, Rev. Janet Smith, recalls how the inspiration and innovations of WCC have impacted our community and her own journey.
November 29, 2026
An American Conscience: The Reinhold Niebuhr Story
In the decades after WWI and WWII, Reinhold Niebuhr became the voice of conscience to an America that was reaching the pinnacle of its economic/political power and has influenced many American leaders.
December 6, 2026
The Prayerful Poetry of Howard Thurman
Howard Thurman was an American author, philosopher, minister, theologian, Christian mystic, educator, and civil rights leader, and a surprisingly soulful poet. We will journey through some of his Christmas selections.
December 13, 2026
Mary Through The Centuries with Jarislov Pelikan
Alan Bayert leads us through the different manifestations of Mary, Mother of Jesus, as depicted by Jarislov Pelikan and others.
December 20, 2026
A different look at Christmas Hymns
What significance to Christmas hymns, and secular songs, mean to you? Bring your traditional and untraditional favorite Christmas hymns!
January 3, 2027
Stripped for Parts
Stripped for Parts is a movie about journalists fighting back for the survival of journalism, available on PBS. We will watch over 2 Sundays and discuss on Jan 10 (so vacationers can catch up at home).
January 10, 2027
Stripped for Parts, Part 2
Stripped for Parts is a movie about journalists fighting back for the survival of journalism, available on PBS. We will watch over 2 Sundays and discuss on Jan 10 (so vacationers can catch up at home).
January 17, 2027
A Rabbi's reflection
Welcoming Rabbi Bruce Elder from Congregation Hakafa back to WCC to continue his discussion of the current challenges of the world as it is.
January 24, 2027
Music in God's Church: My Calling to Service and Joy
Join Victoria Marshall, WCC's Music Director, as she shares how God is shaping her journeys of faith, music, and life-long learning.
January 31, 2027
The Poetry of Wallace Stevens
WCC member Bill Fuller will lead us through some poems from Wallace Stevens, one of America’s most important 20th century poets.
February 7, 2027
The Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America
Colin Woodard wrote a seminal book detailing that America is not divided by 2, but rather by 11; that there are 11 regions across America that all have their particular traits and values, and this helps explain some of our American cultural divisions. We will watch a lecture and discuss.
February 14, 2027
Navigating Biblical Interpretation in the Sex and Gender Debates
Dr. Ken Stone will explore ways in which biblical and theological scholarship can help us navigate debates about gender, sexuality, and the Bible, including debates about gay marriage, Trans issues, etc.
February 21, 2027
Learning about Islam with Omer Mozaffer
Chaplain Omer Mozaffer returns to WCC to continue the rich educatioan and discussion about Historic and Modern Islam: tenets of faith, cultural diversity, and politics across the globe.
February 28, 2027
Learning about Islam with Omer Mozaffer, Part 2
Chaplain Omer Mozaffer returns to WCC to continue the rich educatioan and discussion about Historic and Modern Islam: tenets of faith, cultural diversity, and politics across the globe.
March 7, 2027
The State of Affairs
We will get an update on government issues from one of our elected officials.
March 21, 2027
Culture before Abraham
WCC member Carol Jansson will lead a discussion about what the world looked like before the time of Abraham.
March 28, 2027
Easter Sunday
No Spiritual Enrichment
April 4, 2027
The Story of Plastic (2019)
A look into the environmental and human rights abuses that occur throughout the lifecycle of plastic, and we can do to fix the issues.
April 11, 2027
The Story of Plastic (2019), Part 2
A look into the environmental and human rights abuses that occur throughout the lifecycle of plastic, and we can do to fix the issues.
April 18, 2027
What we need to know about Microplastics
Freshwater scientist Elizabeth Sutton returns to educate us on microplastics in our water.
April 25, 2027
Green Sisters & Ecopiety
WCC's own Sarah McFarland Taylor, professor of religious studies at Northwestern, will lead discussion on some topics from her published books on how we can integrate sustainable practices as an expression of our faith.
May 2, 2027
Understanding Women in the Arts
Explore Women inthe Arts (WITA) through the personal stories, experiences, and perspective of WCC staff member and artist Amy Falkowski.
May 9, 2027
One Word Prompts from the Christian Century
Lele Barkhausen will lead us in discussion on one of The Christian Century's enduring columns, inviting readers to reflect on one word.
May 16, 2027
Theologian Martin Buber and his Importance in Reform Judaism and Protestantism
Mitchell Brown returns to do a 2-part deep dive comparison between Jewish theologians Martin Buber and Leo Baeck.
May 23, 2027
Theologian Leo Baeck, and his importance in Reform Judaism and Protestantism
Mitchell Brown returns to do a 2-part deep dive comparison between Jewish theologians Martin Buber and Leo Baeck.
May 30, 2027
The Poetry of Walt Whitman
Greg Frezados will lead us through some poetry from one of the most influential poets in American history
