Adult Sunday School Opportunities
Classes Begin Sunday, March 9 - Sunday, May 25 at 9:30 a.m.
Four Enriching classes will be offered this spring 2008:
What Went Wrong? A continuing conversation on the history of religions: a comparison of Islam and Christianity from the 1500s This class will be facilitated by Tom Watkins, with shared leadership. The book we will be using is "What Went Wrong" by Bernard Lewis. An easy-reading book that asks why the Islamic world, so far in advance of Europe for several centuries, failed to keep pace with the West from the 1500s. Books will be ordered on the first day of class. All are welcome! This class will meet in Fellowship Hall #3.
The Life of Meaning This class will be facilitated by Susan Verbrugge. Many of us yearn to live lives that are driven by a meaning beyond ourselves. In this class, we will read together parts of a book called "The Life of Meaning: Reflections on Faith, Doubt, and Repairing the World", by Bob Abernethy and William Bole. This book is compiled from contributors to PBS's Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly program. We will read an excerpt each week and wonder together how individual fiath can help heal the broken world. Some of the contributors include Desmond Tutu, Anne Lamott, Madeleine L'Engle, the Dalai Lama, Harold Kushner, Jimmy Carter, Phyllis Tickle, and many others. This class will meet in Westminster.
Parables of Jesus in Luke Facilitated by Alex Evans. The gospel of Luke is rich in parables- The Good Samaritan, the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin, the Lost Younger Son, the Lost Older Son, Zacchaeus, the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, and others. In this class we will review these parables and watch together a vido with Dr. Kenneth Bailey, an excellent teacher and Presbyterian minister who spent 40 years living and working in the Middle Eastern Cultural View will give to these parables a depth of perspective and increased inspiration that will feed our faith and encourage our lives. We will consider Jesus as a theologian and teacher in sharing these parables. We will reflect together on how these stories speak to and challenge our lives today. Come for the fellowship and for a fresh look at stories that can transform us as people on the way. This class meets in Hatcher Conference Room.
University Class This class for university students, facilitated by Jonathan and Angela Anderson will continue its faithful conversations about what it means to live Christian lives in a complex world. We will read Shane Cliborne's book, "Irresistible Revolution", and challenge each other to deeper faith and discipleship. This class will begin meeting in our newly renovated building after spring break. Watch for details.
Additional Adult Enrichment Opportunities
Walk to Jerusalem This is a 12 week exercise program to promote physical and spiritual well-being. The goal is for participants to accumulate enough miles of exercise to walk from Blacksburg to Jerusalem by Easter. Anyone can participate. We will be joining several other local churches to see who can do the most miles. Participants started keeping track of their miles on Sunday, December 30, 2007 and finish on Easter-March 23, 2008. Please contact Beth Abbey for more information at 540-250-6221 or eabbey@vt.edu.
Bible Workbench Continues Join in a continuing group that digs deep into scripture, its historical context, and how it applies to our lives today. This series, Bible Workbench, follows the lectionary cycle and challenges us to live out scripture in our lives. In preparation for the class each week, participants will read the scripture lesson, some background material by leading theologians, and parellel readings from other sources which help illuminate the passage and the themes with the passage. Susan Verbrugge will lead the discussions. We will meet together weekly on Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. for one hour (yes, that does say a.m.) in Hatcher Conference Room. Start your day off in scripture. Coffee will be provided! Your morning bedroom slippers are optional!
Come and find your place and experience the growth and fellowship! All are welcome.