Our first book of 2026 will be "Klara and the Sun," by Kazuo Ishiguro, the intriguing story of an Artificial Friend who joins a family and builds relationships there. It will be discussed at the Plowshares event after worship on January 25 and is background material for the Willard Lecture on March 1. The discussion and lunch are free, but reservations are requested. From her place in the store, Klara, an Artificial Friend with outstanding observational qualities, watches carefully the behavior of those who come in to browse, and of those who pass on the street outside. She remains hopeful that a customer will soon choose her, but when the possibility emerges that her circumstances may change forever, Klara is warned not to invest too much in the promises of humans. In "Klara and the Sun," Kazuo Ishiguro looks at our rapidly changing modern world through the eyes of an unforgettable narrator to explore a fundamental question: what does it mean to love? Books will be available for purchase before and after worship on Sundays for $12, or you can purchase a copy online.

In this two-part retreat, we’ll look at common stressors in marriage and learn practical, grace-filled ways to respond that build resilience instead of resentment. This will be a judgment-free, “you don’t have to have it all together” space to be honest about both the joys and the hard parts of marriage, and to connect with other couples who get it. Our facilitator will be Dr. Tommy Bischoff, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Saturday’s session will conclude with a simple “homework” assignment: a date just for the two of you. Childcare will be provided, as well as breakfast and two lunches. Registration will be $25 per person ($30 if childcare is needed). Registration will open January 1–February 7.  Retreat Schedule Saturday, Feb. 14 | 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. – Main retreat sessions, breakfast and lunch included Sunday, Feb. 15 | 12:30–2:00 p.m. – Closing luncheon and debrief Cost & Registration $25 per person (includes meals) $30 per person with childcare Registration opens January 1 and closes February 7

Our world has shifted from face-to-face conversation to speaking through machines, and now "we have taken a further step and speak not just through machines to but to machines. This is a turning point. When we consider conversations with machines about our most human predicaments, we face a moment of reckoning that can bring us to the end of our forgetting. It is an opportunity to reaffirm what makes us most human.” (Reclaiming Conversation, p. 17) Dr. Turkle favors a mindful integration of the digital into our lives by balancing ethics with our use of technology. In her lecture, she will explore Artificial Intimacy and how relying on machines sidesteps the process of mourning, discourages resilience, and undermines empathy. But she won’t leave us there - she will also guide us to consciously reclaim and nurture empathy in our workplaces, communities, schools, and homes. Schedule: Lecture: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Q&A 6:30-7 Meet-and-greet and book sale 7-8 p.m. Tickets are $15 and go on sale January 14.