Adult Ministries Educational Opportunities Winter, Spring 2007

One definition of theology is that it  is “faith seeking understanding.” As Christians at FPC, we are not content to merely say “I believe,” and stop there.  As people of faith we believe we have a responsibility to continue the lifelong process of seeking further understanding so our knowledge of who God is and what God has done in Jesus Christ can grow. When we study together we build our community of faith and grow both individually and as a church community. Please consider attending the following classes offered throughout the week.  For further information, please contact Cindy Merten, Director of Christian Education at 248-644-2087 Ext. 145.

     Class currently meets

Sunday Mornings

Welcome to Our Neighborhood: The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers
11:15 a.m. Sundays January 7 and 21 in Fireside
Mister Rogers was a composer, television personality, Presbyterian minister, humanitarian, and neighbor to children of all ages.  Come share memories of the ministry of Fred Rogers with Tom Trenney as we read together The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers. Books are available for purchase in the main office.

Saving for College
9:00 a.m. Sunday, January 21 in Red Sea Cinema
Learn about different strategies and alternatives for saving for your children’s college education.  Tim Schafer, a financial representative of Lucido-Morris & Associates, will walk parents through the many alternatives.  Childcare for children 4 and under will be available in Room 102 and a service project for kids 5 and older in Noah’s Art.   

What Do Our Neighbors Believe? Questions and Answers on Judaism, Christianity, Islam
11:15 a.m. Sundays, February 4, 11, 18 and 25 in Fireside
The neighbors we encounter these days do not always hold the same religious beliefs we do. This fact of contemporary life is visible in our places of worship: synagogues, churches and mosques.  Retired pastor, Hank Borchardt will lead discussions on this book by the same title that seek to provide access to beliefs of three major world religions so that we may better understand what our neighbors believe. Books are available for purchase in the main office. 

Christianity for the Rest of Us
11:15 a.m. Sundays, February 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25  in Fireside
In our own time of transition, this important book study led by Parish Associate Dr. Ernest Krug offers hope for Presbyterians eager to remain faithful to their traditions while becoming a vital spiritual community.  For decades, the accepted wisdom has been that America's mainline Protestant churches are in decline, eclipsed by evangelical mega-churches. Church and religion expert Diana Butler Bass wondered if this was true, and this book is the result of her extensive, three-year study of centrist and progressive churches across the country. Her surprising findings reveal just the opposite – that many of the churches are flourishing, and they are doing so without resorting to mimicking the mega-church, evangelical style.   Ms. Bass’s book will be available for purchase in the main office.

Estate Planning
9:00 a.m. Sunday, March 4 in Red Sea Cinema
Join fellow First Presbyterian member and estate planning lawyer, Diana Moak, in the Red Sea Cinema to learn and discuss the in’s and out’s of estate planning.  Childcare for children 4 and under will be available in Room 102 and a service project for kids 5 and older in Noah’s Art.

Inquirers’ Class
11:15 a.m. Sundays, April 22, 29 and May 6 in Fireside
The next Inquirers’ Class will meet in April, with new members received in worship on May 13.  This class will provide information about our church and about Presbyterian beliefs and heritage.  All are welcome to come and explore joining the church.  For more information, contact Mary Austin at 248-644-2087 ext. 128. 

Weekday Classes

Tuesday Morning Bible Study
7:00 a.m. Tuesdays in Room 141-142
Early risers meet to share prayer concerns, study scripture, and share a little fellowship with each other.  The group has been studying Romans, but the topic changes as requested by the participants.  All are welcome.

Morning Readers’ Circle
10:00 a.m. Third Tuesday of the month in Fireside
This book group meets each month to read and discuss current books.  Contact Kathy Nyberg at 248-644-2906 or email bknyberg@yahoo.com for additional information.  All are welcome.

Tuesday Evening Book Club
7:00 p.m. Second Tuesday of the month in Fireside
This book group meets on  the second Tuesday of most months for those who prefer an evening meeting.  Call Ginny Axon at 248-835-5747 or email her at ginnya@ameritech.net.  All are welcome.  Below is a list of upcoming books. (Remember to follow the link at the bottom of our home page if you're planning to purchase any of these books from Amazon.com.)

January 9 – The Sisters: The Saga of the Mitford Family by Mary S. Lovell

February 13 – The Wilder Shores of Love: The Exotic True-Life Stories of Isabel Burton, Aimee Dubucq de Rivery, Jane Digby, and Isabelle Eberhardt by Lesley Blanch

March 13 – Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

May 8 – City of Fallen Angels by John Berendt

June 12 – I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron

Beginning Yoga
4:45 to 5:45 p.m. Wednesdays, January thru May in Fireside
If you're curious about yoga, need a relaxing place to unwind in a no-pressure class, or want a kind teacher, this is the class for you.  Drop in any Wednesday with your mat.  Beginning Yoga instructor, Linda Pruss, will teach the class for free as part of her teacher certification process.  

Third Wednesday Bible Studies
9:30 a.m. Third Wednesday of the month in the Chapel
All are welcome to join Presbyterian Women for this study of In the Beginning:  Perspective on Genesis.

Reel to Real
4:30 p.m. Wednesdays, January 10, 17, 24 in Red Sea Cinema
One definition of spirituality is the "art of making connections." Take a break and join librarian, Ceci Marlow and others for popcorn and pop culture as we view movie clips and discuss their theological significance.

Digital Photography 101
4:30 p.m. Wednesdays, January 10, 17, 24, 31 in Biblical Bytes
Did you receive a new digital camera for Christmas? Bring your camera and its instruction book, and join Diane Lea in the computer lab as we explore tips on photography as well as information needed to get the most from your digital camera.  Learn how to get prints, store your pictures on your computer, and upload them to the web and share them with your friends. 

Grief Support Group
3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, January 10, 17, 24, 31 and February 7 at First United Methodist Church
Reeling from the holidays?  Know someone having a hard time after a loss?  If you, or someone you know, could benefit from support during the grief process, this group is just what the doctor ordered. Sponsored jointly by our church and the First United Methodist Church next door, Rev. Mary Austin and the Rev. Lynn Hasley are co-facilitators.  Participants should plan to attend all five sessions.  Anyone in either church or the community is welcome.  To register, please contact Mary Austin, ext. 128.

Creations in Clay
4:30 p.m. Wednesdays, January 24 and 31 in Martha’s Table
Are you itching to try something new, to explore your God given creativity in a different medium? Retired art teacher, Tom Kirchhofer leads in the spiritual practice of creativity in this hands-on class where you may discover, enjoy and experience working with clay.

Getting the Most from Google
4:30 p.m. Wednesdays, February 7 and 21 in Biblical Bytes
Did you know that the verb "to google" was officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary on June 15, 2006? Want to learn to google to the max! Join Diane Lea as we explore tips and tricks to finding what you're looking for using the Google Internet Search Engine.  We will also discuss some of the other great things that Google has to offer. 

Leaving Home with Faith
4:30 p.m. Wednesdays February 7 and 14 in Fireside
Every parent wants their child to leave home with a rock solid faith.  Author Elizabeth F. Caldwell of Leaving Home with Faith: Nurturing the Spiritual Life of our Youth puts it this way:

“We hope that by the time they are eighteen and leave home for college, jobs, or families of their own, we have stuffed enough in their backpacks, so to speak, that they will contain everything they need to see them through the journey to adulthood.”

So what as parents or caring adults of adolescents, do we need to do?  What do we need to make sure is in that backpack?  This class will explore those questions and many others that will come up during these sessions.  If you are a parent, no matter what age your child is, this book and discussion group is for you!  This class will be led by Christine Gannon, Pastoral Associate and Skyline Director. Books are available for purchase in the main office.

Creating a Life with God:  The Call of Ancient Prayer Practices
4:30 p.m. Wednesdays, February 28, March 7, 14, 21, April 4 in Fireside
Journey through Lent with companions of the past, who discovered different prayer practices that drew them closer to God and equipped them to respond faithfully to a broken world. Explore how the lives they lived long ago can shed light on our twenty-first-century living.  Discover how their spiritual practices help us become aware of human needs and God's gracious presence in the face of those needs.  Led by Rev. Kate Thoresen, a spiritual director and Sabbath retreat coordinator who works with the Ecumenical Theological Seminary and St. Francis Retreat Center programs of Sustaining Pastoral Excellence. Books of the same title will be available for purchase in the church office. 

Are You Ready for Summer Camp?
4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 18 in Fireside
Before you know it summer will be here.  The decision on whether or not to send YOUR child to overnight camp will be a topic around your dinner table and in the car on the way to school and events.  How do you determine if your child is ready?  This discussion will help parents (and their children) discern whether this is the year for them to pack their trunk and head off to camp, whether it’s for the whole summer, a week, or a few days.  Tips on how to lessen homesickness and what both of you need to do to get ready will be shared.  This class will be led by Christine Gannon, Pastoral Associate and Skyline Director.

First Friday Flicks
7:00 p.m. First Friday of each month in Red Sea Cinema
Join your friends on a cold winter’s night for a Friday night movie at 7:00 p.m. when the doors of the Red Sea Cinema open.  Popcorn, movies and conversation make for a fun Friday night.  For more information, contact Al Huberty at ahuberty@comcast.net. 

Reformed Theology 
Fridays and Saturdays, February 17, 18,  & March 17, 18 at Northbrook Presbyterian Church, Beverly Hills
Dr. Donald McKim, author, professor and pastor teaches a 30 hour course on Reformed Theology offered by the Detroit Presbytery.  Dr. McKim most recently wrote Presbyterian Questions, Presbyterian Answers: Exploring the Christian Faith (Geneva Press, 2003) and is currently Academic and Reference Editor for John Knox Press.  The cost of each weekend is $15 with lunch included.  Call 248-642-0200 to register for this outstanding opportunity.