Sessions are between 9 am and 11 am Worship - starting shortly after 10 am.

Events are located in the Westwood Room.

​

On many Sundays between worship services, Westwood hosts speakers and an educational series for life-long learning called "Westwood U." Speakers and topics will often connect to this year's theme, "Leadership in a Culture of Grace," or our core values. Details, including dates and speakers, are listed below.

(Click here if you need Westwood U for Confirmation students) 

 

If you are unable to attend, most recordings can be found on Westwood's Vimeo site or on the Worship page under "Past Worship Recordings & Videos."

                                                                           -----

 

September 15, "Leadership in the Old Testament - Extraordinary Characters or Extraordinary Things through Ordinary People?":

Are the stories of the Bible about heroic people or a God who works through ordinary people to do extraordinary things? Dr. Katherine Schifferdecker, Old Testament professor from Luther Seminary, will be with us to review several of the Old Testament stories we'll be focusing on this fall as we unpack the theme around Leadership in a Culture of Grace.

 

September 22, "Vocation of Parenting - Part 1": 

Raising smart kids in a dumb world. This two-part series will focus on the work of Jon Acuff and his book "Soundtracks: The Solution to Overthinking."  Dannica Olsen will present how this book helps break down, from a faith perspective, the ways we can raise kids who are mindful of the way they think and the thoughts that help or hinder them in the long term.

 

September 29, "Vocation of Parenting - Part 2": 

Raising smart kids in a dumb world. Dannica Olsen continues the discussion from last week  regarding important learnings from the book "Soundtrack: The Solution to Overthinking."

 

October 6, "Green Your Home":

Are you interested in learning more about reducing your home's carbon emissions? We welcome Buff Grace from Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light, as well as members of the Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota. They will discuss ways to Green Your Home regarding efficiency and electrification. Participants will leave the event with increased knowledge of options that reduce reliance on fossil fuels and have clear ideas of actions to achieve their energy goals. Come with your real-life questions.

 

October 13, "Rural Realities in Minnesota":

Westwood welcomes Rev. Jon Anderson, Director of Rural Ministry for Luther Seminary.

Are you curious about our society's rural/urban divide and how to bridge it? Do you wonder how farmers in MN approach environmental sustainability? Rev. Anderson will debunk several rural and urban life myths and focus on what we all care about most.

 

October 20, Westwood Town Hall Meeting - Bridge Appeal Updates:

The congregation is invited to come and hear updates about the Bridge Appeal projects. This meeting will include the results of the Environmental Audit and the Safety and Security Audit.

 

October 27, "Staying Grounded During Election Season":

As election day nears, we will take time to step back and reflect on where and how we get hooked on the very addictive temptation of outrage. We will reflect on the difference between peacefulness and passivity and take away a faith-grounding practice that can carry us through uncertain times. Westwood's own Anna Martinez will lead this session.

 

November 3, "Loving Our Neighbor…Always": 

No matter who is elected or how the results play out in the coming days or weeks, we are called to love our neighbor. In our time together, we will reflect on the call to love our neighbor as ourselves and what influence we have as those called to be people of peace. This will be a time of reflection and connection. Westwood's own Anna Martinez will lead this session.

 

November 10, Stewardship Town Hall Meeting: 

Please join us in this session designed to share the impact of our Westwood financial gifts in 2024 and as we each consider our financial pledge to Westwood in 2025.

 

November 17, Family Stewardship event:

We invite all families or anyone interested in this topic. We will examine strategies to engage our young people about the call as people of faith and the connection to financial generosity.