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Family & Youth

From the Adult Ministry Committee

Adult Education Seminars: 2008

Adult Ministries

Sunday mornings at 10:00 am

March

Religious Track
"The Beatitudes: A Study."

March 30-May 4

The Beatitudes are blessings set at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. We will examine the Old Testament roots and context of the Beatitudes and explore the contemporary implications of these powerful words. Participants will discover fresh understanding and insights to enrich faith. The leader of this study is the Rev. Ruth Moore. The class meets Sundays at 10:00 a.m. in Room 110.

  • March 30: The Poor in Spirit
  • April 6: The Mourners and the Meek
  • April 13: The Merciful
  • April 20: The Pure in Heart
  • April 27: The Peacemakers
  • May 4: The Prophets of Righteousness

Issues Track
 “Today’s Political Scene”

April 6-May 18

Come and learn about the candidates and the issues as we explore the political scene in our community.

  • April 6: Robin Winston will speak on the “Indiana Gubernatorial Race.” What are the issues and who is running?
  • April 13: Kurt St. Angelo on “Third Party Politics.” What voice do other political parties have in local, state, and national races? What do they have to say?
  • April 20: Kurt St. Angelo on “The Morality of Voting.” What does it really mean when we cast a vote?
  • April 27: Matt Tully on state and local politics, key issues, and an overall preview.
  • May 4: Dr. Terri Jett on “A Breakdown of the Presidential Race.”
  • May 18: Brian Varguson on “Polls, Campaign Strategy and Voters’ Decisions: A Tangled Governing Web.”

The Top 10 Issues before the General Assembly
May 18 at 10AM.
In late June members of PCUSA will head to San Jose, CA, for the biennial General Assembly. This is the highest governing body of the church and will set direction for the next two years. Learn about the issues that commissioners will be addressing at General Assembly.

Sunday, April 6: Join us for “The Good News and the Daily News.” The first Sunday of each month a group gathers in Calvin Hall to look at the news of the week and how our Christian faith can or cannot be reconciled to the current headlines. Bring your own topic to pose to the group or come to discuss topics that have impacted others. The Rev. Dave Crittenden is our discussion facilitator. If you would like to eat lunch (salad and bread), call the church office at 251-9489 for reservations.
12:00-1:30PM in Calvin Hall.

Adult Education Summer Series
Strong Was Her Faith: Women of the New Testament

Based on the book Strong Was Her Faith: Women of the New Testament by J. Ellsworth Kalas, this study focuses on several women of great faith who were crucial, in ways both obvious and understated, to the story of the New Testament. We will examine the Scriptures to see what we can learn about these women, what we can learn from them, and how each woman is part of and shaped the New Testament story. The chapters include:

  • Elizabeth: A Friend in Need
  • Anna: She Knew How to Wait
  • Martha: The Disciplines
  • Mary: The Extravagant
  • The Mighty Widow
  • The Anonymous Evangelist
  • Mary Magdalene: When Love is Greater than Faith
  • Mary, the Mother of Mark
  • Dorcas: Worth a Miracle
  • Lydia: The Businesswoman
  • Mary in Life and Legend
  • Why Mary?

Wednesday Enrichment
"Parents with a Passion," 6:15-7:30 PM, Knox Room. Each week a different topic (selected by the group) is discussed. Leader is seminary intern Andi Martin.

Why Adult Education?

The Church, challenged first by Christ and His teachings, obligated to/by our mission, mandated by the Book of Order, and historically called, has routinely and systematically educated in and for the faith. This educating takes form certainly in worship and carries through with church school, mid-week programs, and in some cases a parochial school. Please note that this educating (i.e., growing in THE faith, one's faith and response) has no age limits. Northminster does a great job in worship and children's and youth's education. We are on the margin when it comes to Adult Education, particularly on Sunday mornings. It's time to step up and for a change. The Adult Ministry Committee is preparing to challenge each member to seriously consider changing their mind-set, if already not in that mode, and commit two hours to being at church each Sunday – worship and . . . worship and music/choir, worship and teaching, worship and adult ed class attendance. (Our goal – start slowly and continually add seminar offerings in the years to come – we welcome your input.)

Thank you,

Donald R. MacPherson

Parish Associate


Christian Ed Corner - by the C.E. Team

Christian Education at Northminster Presbyterian Church this year will follow the Lectionary calendar from the pulpit to Children's Time to the Sunday Church School classroom for ages 3 through adult. We have adopted "Seasons of the Spirit," a reformed international lectionary-based church school curriculum that "builds strong faith communities by centering the ministries of Christian education, worship, and service around common scriptures each week." Through use of activities, discussion, current events and the arts, we hope to be "on the same page" together each week. You may preview our curriculum at www.spiritseasons.com or by stopping by the Christian Education office.