Sunday Groups: Winter 2026

Winter Sunday Groups 

January–March 2026

9:30–10:30 am

Foundations for Faith 

January 4, 11, 18, 25; February 1, 8, 15, 22; March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Facilitator: Steve Smith

This Sunday Group is primarily a Bible study class led by a rotating team of teachers. Teachers will lead sessions that focus on various themes, Books of the Bible, or other faith-based topics. The format includes lectures and lots of open discussion.

Sessions will be taught by Pam Hunter-Dempsey, Chalice Overy, David Walley, and Jim Jarrard. These four offer a rich mix of life experiences in theological study, teaching, parish leadership, and social justice activism — promising a rewarding, stimulating class experience.

There are no prerequisites for this class; no Bible study experience is necessary. We invite all ages, singles, and couples to join us.

Beautiful and Terrible: Critically Engaging with Civil Rights History

January 11, 18, 25; February 1 and 8

Facilitator: Steven Lechner

What if I told you that many of our common understandings of the civil rights movement are built on myth? With A More Beautiful and Terrible History by Jeanne Theoharis serving as our primary resource, let us confront this possibility together in this five-week course. We’ll examine how polite racism, media narratives, and government resistance shaped and often distorted our collective memories, and discuss how the civil rights movement’s expansive vision of justice can speak to contemporary Christian discipleship (Micah 6:8). 

This class invites honest conversation, historical rigor, and faithful action grounded in truth rather than fables. It is not necessary to read the entire book to attend this group.

The Sunday Group facilitator, Steven Lechner, originally hails from the Catskill Mountain region of New York State. He now resides in Garner with his wife, Jennifer, his daughter, Grace, and his son, Abe. Read Steven’s biography here.

Faith in Action: Exploring Environmental Justice in Our Community — A Tale of Environmental Racism in Southeast Raleigh and Opportunities to Solve Consequent Challenges

January 25; February 1, 8, 15, 22

Facilitator: Sarah Brim (Partners for Environmental Justice)

Partners for Environmental Justice (PEJ), a Pullen partner, will join us for an inspiring five-week Sunday Group series that explores the Environmental Justice movement and its profound impact on our local community. Together, we’ll journey through the history of environmental racism in and around Raleigh, uncover how rezoning and development shape neighborhoods and ecosystems, and discuss what it means to prepare for future emergencies like catastrophic flooding. 

We’ll also look at Wake County’s bold 50-year “One Water” plan, which treats all water resources as one connected system.  

This series isn’t just about learning; it’s about living out our values. On Saturday, January 24, we’ll roll up our sleeves for a community litter cleanup event — a chance to care for creation and strengthen our bonds as Pullenites.

Come ready to listen, share, and deepen our understanding of justice and sustainability, while making a tangible difference. 

Book Study and Discussion — Strange Worship: Six Steps for Challenging Christian Nationalism by Drew Strait

February 15, 22; March 1, 8, 15, and 22

Facilitators: Cherry Crayton and Amy Marschall

This six-week study explores what Christian Nationalism is and how to disrupt it, using as our guide Strange Worship: Six Steps to Challenging Christian Nationalism by Drew J. Strait.

Ethics of AI: Part 2

February 15, 22; March 1, 8, 15

Facilitator: Andrew Hutzel

In this Sunday Group, we’ll briefly cover what artificial intelligence (AI) is and what ethical issues it interrelates with, such as dishonesty. We’ll spend more time on what religion says about those issues, including the despair and fear that always come with such big and inevitable issues. Practicing solutions to those fears makes us much more effective as we take action.

Resurrection: The Story, The Myth, The Meaning

March 15, 22, 29

Facilitators: Ministerial staff

In preparation for Resurrection Sunday (April 5), this three-week Sunday Group will engage participants in conversation about the resurrection story in the Christian tradition, explore other resurrection stories, and, in the last session, consider the meaning of resurrection in our lives and world today.

Questions to consider: Is it possible that Jesus was literally resurrected from the dead? What meaning does the resurrection story take on from a faith perspective if not read literally? How do other resurrection myths compare to the story of Jesus’ resurrection? How does the story of Jesus resurrecting Lazarus from the dead differ from Jesus’ resurrection? Taken as a metaphor, how do we name and give meaning to resurrection stories today?

Pullen 101

March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; April 12, 19, 26

Facilitator: Chalice Overy, Associate Pastor

Are you thinking about joining Pullen, or just want to learn more? Pullen 101 is a unique opportunity to hear from Pullen staff and members about our history, values, and the ways we put our faith into action. This intimate eight-week class gives you an opportunity to ask questions and get to know other people at the church.

Pullen 101 is for those who are new to the community, thinking about joining, or want to get a better sense of who we are.

If you are interested in joining Pullen 101, please email Chalice Overy.