Adult Education Opportunities

Spiritual Growth Opportunities for Adults

Education is a lifelong process. We never stop being learners. This is particularly true of our need for ongoing Christian formation. Our Adult Christian Education Program at South Church is designed to help all of us, at whatever stage of life, deepen our knowledge and faith, and to integrate our faith and our gifts into our lives within this rapidly changing world. Opportunities are offered throughout the year in a variety of formats so that each of us may find ways to grow and mature as Christian believers.

We hope everyone will be able to find something of interest within this list of Spiritual Growth Opportunities and special events. Whether you are just considering membership, are a new member, or longtime parishioner, this is your opportunity to get involved at South Church.

WARM YOUR WEDNESDAYS THIS WINTER!

The Wednesday evening Women's Study Group will start again this Wednesday January 20th. We will be reading "May I Have This Dance?" by Joyce Rupp. Please come join us for 12 weeks of joyful and peaceful discovery as we walk together in meditation, prayer, support, and encouragement in our personal faith journey. Please know that you need not make a full 12 week commitment to each week if life sometimes gets in the way. We welcome your presence! If you we like to join us, please contact Sherry Tupper @ 474-8943 for further details.

FAITH FORUMS: SUNDAY MORNING
SPIRITUAL STUDY/DISCUSSION

Sundays, 9:15-10:15 A Green Theme for the next 5 weeks April 25 and May 2- “RENEWAL” Documentary DVD, view and discuss stories, environmental stewardship, actions May 9^th, 16^th, 23^rd – Led by Green Team members
Read and discuss “Deep Economy” by Bill McKibben

ALL ARE INVITED, Come join the stimulating conversation!

Join us each Sunday morning before worship for a "wake up" cup of coffee, stimulating conversation, and a caring community.

Additional topics will be announced later. If you have a topic you would like discussed, please see one of the facilitators.

Day:	Every Sunday, beginning Sept. 20 - early June
Time:	9:15 am-10:15 am
Location:	Church Library
Facilitators:	Deanna Atchison, Janet Clarke & Bill Schroeder

LENTEN BOOK STUDY
DISCOVERING JESUS

Professor William Barclay was a renowned and popular Scottish interpreter of the New Testament. He was Professor of Divinity and Biblical Criticism at Glasgow University and author of more than fifty books and a seventeen-volume commentary on the New Testament. The course, intended for people without extensive knowledge of the Bible, will provide an overview of the life and key teachings of Jesus.

Time:	Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
Location:	Chapel (3^rd floor, elevator available)
Dates:	March 10, 17, and 24
Instructor:	John Zehring
Text:	Discovering Jesus, by William Barclay (Westminster John Knox Press). Available through amazon.com or email Linda Hacker in the church office to order a copy for you.

MAY

ADULT CONFIRMATION 101
A Confirmation class for adults modeled on South Church’s youth confirmation program. Rev. Jonathan Drury will lead the 3 sessions. The first two will concentrate on the aspects of the Holy Trinity and the last will focus on how we apply our faith to our morel choices and decision making. A portion of the time will be spent sharing and reflecting on our own faith journey. Open to all ages past high school. Dates: May 18, 25 & June 1, 7-9pm.

Thanks to our South Church Staff for modeling leadership in our first Adult Education Mini Series. I look forward to hearing from many of you who would be willing to lead other “Adult Education Mini Series” in the future. South Church is indeed filled with many skilled and wise people from whom it would be a pleasure to learn. It will be an honor to help you plan and promote these mini courses in the future. Roxy Barry,
Dean of Adult Education (978-475-8024, rbarry@andover.edu)

ALL ARE INVITED! Sundays, 9:15 - 10:15 am. A Green Theme continues. Discussion on “Deep Economy” written by Bill McKibben, and led by members of the Green Team: May 16 -Mark Bohrer; May 23, - Candy Dann.

At his recent visit, Rev. Dr. Jim Antal suggested that the whole congregation read and discuss books together. Let’s start with “Deep Economy”. Books are $10. See Bill Schroeder or Janet Clarke. Bill McKibben is a noted environmental author, has appeared on NPR and the Colbert Report, is founder of 350.org, and is a Scholar in Residence at Middlebury College. Twenty years ago his first book The End of Nature, offered one of the earliest warnings about global warming. Come join the stimulating conversation! Hope to see you there! Bill Schroeder

EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY (EFM)

Education for Ministry is a program designed for laity to provide theological study and reflection rooted in the Scriptures and traditions of Christianity. The curriculum covers the study of the Old Testament, the New Testament, the history and growth of Christianity, and theological and philosophical insights. The program is designed for four years, with each year being a successive commitment. The group consists of members of both Christ Church and South Church and meets once a week at South Church on Tuesday evenings beginning in January 2010, with a break for the summer.

Even though there is a set curriculum for each year, each session covers not only the particular section for each of the years but also personal growth through association with the other members. There are devotions, a time to share and an opportunity to reflect upon one’s discoveries and theological position. The sessions are small enough to allow all to participate fully. Open and respectful sharing is practiced faithfully.

The sessions are led by one or more certified mentors, whose roles are to enable, rather than to teach. I am a co-mentor with Rosemarie Buxton of Christ Church, who has a doctorate in religion and teaches at Merrimack College.

EFM is a product of The School of Theology at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. The curriculum relates to all Christians and beyond. I have enjoyed EFM greatly throughout my four years, not only gaining deeper theological insight but also rejoicing in new friendships. God has blessed me with this opportunity. I would be happy to tell you more should you think EFM might be for you!

Contact: Glenn Rogers at 978-475-6082 or gro@mindspring.com

Usually available during Fellowship Hour.

ADULT SMALL GROUPS

An important dimension of spiritual development and being a faith family is gathering in small groups. BOOK NOOKS offer short-term discussions of a particular selection. (See the shelf in the library for past offerings.) Currently, Sherry Tupper and Deanna Atchison are exploring Joyce Rupp's THE CUP OF OUR LIFE. (Call either of them if interested). JOURNEY GROUPS also have a focus reading but are often longer in duration and have the added stated exploration of an inward and outward journey of faith. Julie Cameron, THE ARTIST'S WAY: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity has generated interest.

Some groups share leadership amongst the group, others have stated group facilitators. Both have a group covenant, varying and depending on its members.

If you are interested in small groups and/or want to start one, please contact the church office.

BOOK NOOKS

You are invited to join a new women’s study group on Wednesday evenings from 7pm– 8:30pm. Deanna Atchison and Sherry Tupper will coordinate a study of the book, “The Cup of our Life- A Guide for Spiritual Growth,” by Joyce Rupp. This practical guide shares how the ordinary cups that we use each day can become a vessel to connect us with life and draw us closer to God.

This 7 week study will begin on Wednesday September 30^th at the church. Bring a cup with you and come explore how the cup is a rich symbol of life, with its emptiness and fullness, its brokenness and flaws and all its blessing. RSVP to Deanna - 978-475-8221, Sherry Tupper – 978-474-8943 or the church office.

ALL past BOOK NOOK books are now available in the church library. The Adult Education ad-hoc committee purchased the books offered in study groups over the past 5 years, as well as a collection of books written by J. Philip Newell, with the profit earned at the Phillip Newell Retreat. The books are stored on a reserved shelf under the window along with a list of all books available. If you missed reading one that you were interested in, you now have a chance to borrow the book for your own enjoyment.

INTERGENERATIONAL STUDY

Our intergenerational study group at Edgewood continues, and we encourage you to join us! We welcome all, whether you are a resident of Edgewood or elsewhere!
On September 22^nd we began the study of Peter Gomes’, THE GOOD BOOK. Call the church office or email katekallis@comcast.net if you wish a book (group is almost full-act now). The group meets every other Tuesday (until Dec. 15^th) at 10:30am.