Adult Christian Education January May 2015 Sunday Mornings 9:00 10:00 a.m. Room #109 (The Meeting Room)
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES Christian education is defined as an educational process in which God works through committed teachers, biblical methods and materials to build disciples with a biblical world view, character, and the skills necessary to fulfill God's calling. The contents of this booklet outline the options for Sunday morning adult education. There is no registration or sign-up required for any of the adult education classes. All adults are welcome to join any class, regardless of prior attendance in that track. Some speakers will present for two or three consecutive Sundays, and you are encouraged, but not required, to attend all sessions by that presenter in order to maintain topical continuity. All Christian education classes take place in room #109 (the Meeting Room) which is located on the main level.
January 2015 4 Vibrant, Faithful Conversations! In Over Our Heads Presenter: RoseAnn Blair Scriptures: Genesis 4:1-17, 6:5-8, 7:1-5, 8:1, 9:7-17, Psalm 51, James 4:1-8 When does storytelling tend to get us in trouble? How do you respond to the comparison between stories and scientific theories? Let us examine the stories of the Bible together and see how they change from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Join the group for discussion and reflection. Evening Educational Opportunity at 6:00 p.m. Presenter: Henry Golde As a witness to Holocaust horrors and atrocities in Poland, Germany, and Czechoslovakia, Henry recounts his life from ages 11 to 16 at a series of internments in nine different labor and concentration camps of German-occupied Europe. 11 Starting the New Year off Healthier with Simple Changes! Presenters: Kerry Evers, Nutritionist from Nutritional Healing and Amy Cebulski, Wildtree Organic Foods Do you know what is really in your food? Is there really any fruit in fruit flavored foods? Learn how to read a food label. Find out how simple changes can make a big difference, and how eating healthy is simpler than you think. 18 Integrating Counseling with Spirituality Presenter: Rosangela Berbert, Samaritan Counseling Center of the Fox Valley People seek counseling for many reasons. Feeling lost and disconnected are common phrases clients use to explain why they are seeking counseling. In times of struggles, concerns, and fears, a person may have difficulty engaging faith and spiritual values in order to cope. When spirituality is integrated with psychotherapy in the counseling process, mind and spirit come together to help individuals derive hope, meaning, purpose and understanding from their lives. Come learn how clinicians at the Samaritan Counseling Center of the Fox Valley practice spiritually integrated psychotherapy to help clients connect mind and spirit so they can thrive. 25 Should Christians Get Tattoos and Piercings? Presenter: Dr. Kathleen Corley, Professor of Religious Studies, UW-Oshkosh You will be surprised to learn that the Bible deals with these very modern customs of our youth. We will discuss the reasons why the Bible opposes and forbids these practices and their origins in what the Bible considers idolatry.
February 2015 1 Vibrant, Faithful Conversations! Why We Worry, Why We Judge Presenter: Gary Cebulski Scripture: Matthew 6:19-7:12 Are we over-anxious? Are we too judgmental? How do you respond to the idea that we don t know we are loved? Does imagining God as a loving friend help us in more ways than imagining a parental God? Join the group for discussion and reflection. 8 To Be Announced 15 Grief/Loss - A Spiritual Journey Presenter: Rev. Rose McCurdy, Bereavement Care Coordinator with AseraCare Hospice Have you ever thought about the passage Jesus wept, or wondered about God s sorrow in the midst of sorrow? Have you ever felt like you have no words to offer a friend who is grieving? Have you found yourself lost in your faith following the death of a loved one? Then this class is for you! We will look at scripture passages alongside the grief process in order to see the spiritual journey surrounding loss, transition, and grief. We hope this class will help you understand new ways to discern the Divine presence in the face of suffering, loss, and pain. 22 Texts of Terror Presenter: Richard Moore Many who have read extensively through the Bible have discovered portions of scripture that raise serious and troubling questions for them. Our discussion will center on how we might understand these passages and still keep faith with the authority of scripture.
March 2015 1 Vibrant, Faithful Conversations! Spirit of Service Presenter: Amy Cebulski Scriptures: Matthew 23:1-12, John 13:1-15, Philippians 2:1-11 God meets us where we are, in our neighborhood, on our level, and where we need Him most. Share your stories about times when you served someone else along with times when you were served. Or just come and listen and get to know each other just a bit better. 8 Women in World Religions Presenter: Brian Smith, Professor of Religion at Ripon College This is an overview of how five major religions of the world - Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam teach about the role of women in their scriptures and how over time the traditions of these religions have treated women. 15 Neenah-Menasha Emergency Society Presenter: Hilary Armstrong, Co-President, Neenah-Menasha Emergency Society The Neenah-Menasha Emergency Society was organized in 1906 by a group of local woman in response to the devastation caused by the San Francisco earthquake. After providing supplies and support to the victims of that earthquake, the group redirected its efforts to the local area. For over 100 years, NMES has provided emergency financial assistance to residents so that they can provide for their basic needs. The organization consists of all volunteer members and distributes over $70,000 in assistance annually. Come hear more about NMES! 22 Music and Worship Explorations, in the Analog Age Presenter: Dr. Robert E. Dedmon, MD The 60 s and 70 s were a time of cultural upheaval, innovation, and exploration. There were no personal computers, smart phones, or Web. Several music and worship innovations were explored, including the ORFF program for children, a church orchestra for Christmas and Easter, and most notably the children s musical: It s Cool in the Furnace by Buryl Red in 1972. British composer Benjamin Britten s Chancel Opera, Noye s Fludde (Noah s Flood, 1958), set the stage for children s musicals. We will discuss these, along with other musical ventures of that period. Check YouTube for clips of Noye s Fludde and It s Cool in the Furnace. 29 Gardening Presenter: Bill Kordus Spring is almost here! It s a great time to come and hear Bill talk about his extraordinary gardening secrets.
5 Easter Brunch April 2015 Join us in the Fellowship Hall for Easter Brunch. Eggs made-to-order, sausage, fresh fruit, pastries, milk, orange juice, and coffee are on the menu. (Church school classes will not meet.) 12 Canon: Mining For The Word Presenter: Sara Jordan How did early Christians select the books that would form The Bible? Should more recently discovered gospels be added? How do we find God s Word for us in these ancient and sometimes contradictory writings? Join Sara for a discussion about the process of canonization, featuring a video entitled Canon: Mining for the Word by Eric Elnes. 19 How Women Invented Christianity Presenter: Dr. Kathleen Corley, Professor of Religious Studies, UW-Oshkosh The narrative of the origins of the Christian church is usually dominated by male characters Jesus, Peter, and James. You will learn through this discussion the vital and creative role of women in the creation of such things as the practice of the Eucharist, the telling of the Christ story, and the attestation to the resurrection. 26 Women in Haiti Presenter: Dr. Robert Hilgers, MD, GYN-Oncologist Dr. Bob is a board certified GYN-Oncologist with extensive international experience and a 2014 Bergstrom Grant recipient. For the past several years, he has concentrated his efforts to help the women of Haiti as they have the highest rate of GYN cancer in the world. Dr. Bob will speak about his work and the clinic he has opened in Gonaives, Haiti.
May 2015 3 Vibrant, Faithful Conversations! Spirit of Love: Loving Your Neighbors Presenter: Anne Bennett Scripture: Acts 10:1-48, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Where the Spirit is moving, love for God always, always overflows in love for neighbor. More than ever before in our history, we need a new kind of personal and social fuel. Not the spirit of hostility, but the Holy Spirit of hospitality. 10 To Be Announced 17 Pros and Cons of Medical Marijuana Presenter: Heidi Keating, re:th!nk Coalition Coordinator, Winnebago County Health Department What are the main concerns for legalizing medical marijuana? Is it really medicine? Should it be sold like other medicines? Have we considered what medical marijuana dispensaries would do to our state? Could medical marijuana increase use rates among teens? Let us have a thoughtful discussion about the implications of medical marijuana and understand why medical marijuana is an important step in legalizing recreational use. First Presbyterian Church Adult Education Task Force Maureen Bourland Kathleen Corley Kathy Grinsel Jennifer Hillend Paul Huxtable Sara Jordan Richard Moore Sharon Soper Gina Struensee Diane Underhill
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