The Adult Education Council is offering exciting education opportunities. The goal is to offer both traditional and non-traditional topics that will challenge and nurture our community.

Weekly Bible Studies

Wednesday Afternoon Bible Study: Noon to 1 p.m.
Under the Tree of Life Disciple Bible Study led by Frank Lyman Meets until June 9, 2010
Rather than the “normal” 33 weeks of 3 hours per week that is “Disciple’s norm”, the class will take its time with its Wednesday noon class. The themes include the writings of the Old Testament, the Gospel of John, letters of John and Revelation of John.

Wednesday Evening Bible Study: 6:30 p.m.
Conquering Fear: Living Boldly in an Uncertain World by Rabbi Harold S. Kushner and led by Frank Lyman. Meets until June 9, 2010
The class continues through June 9 and meets from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. In his latest book, Rabbi Harold Kushner expands upon the wisdom of Mark Twain who wrote, “Courage is not the absence of fear but the mastery of fear.” Books are available in the church office for $16.50.

Sunday Mornings at 9:30 a.m.

Jan. 3 – Jan. 31
Honest to Jesus: A Fresh Look at the Gospels and the New Testament (Discovery Room, main level) Led by Dr. Robert C. Smith. The class will be reviewing the texts from a historical point of view using writings from historical scholars including, Robert Funk, N. T. Wright, Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan, John Shelby Spong, Ed Dobson and others.

Jan. 24 – Jan. 31
UMW Sudan Study, led by Nichea Ver Veer Guy in the Fireside Room. The Beauty and Courage of Sudan, is the current geographical study of United Methodist Women. It will give you info on the sense of place that Sudan has in the world, but giving insight into the politics of war in Darfur, the presence of the UMC, the peace work of the women of Sudan and the hope that is coming out of this amazing country.

Feb. 7 – Feb. 28
Parables of Jesus, led by Miriam Taber in the Discovery Room. The Parables are familiar to most Bible students, but we will focus on their meaning for our lives today. Parables are: Of the Kingdom of God, About Discipleship, Of Jesus, Of God’s Judgment.

Feb. 14 – Feb. 21
Spirituality & Healing, led by Betsy Willey in the Fireside Room. The class will focus on how to connect more deeply to a divine source of love and healing and how to develop personal spiritual practices from an interfaith perspective. Betsy Willey is a Certified Healing Touch Practitioner and author of Footprints of the Soul, A Creative Guide for Spiritual Journey: Groups and Individuals.

Mar. 7
Jerusalem’s Stones are Crying Out, led by Arthur Bud Chrysler in the Discovery Room. Bud Chrysler, owner of Eastown Frame Gallery, and co-author of the book Jerusalem’s Stones Are Crying Out, will present an archaeological overview of Jerusalem from the time of Abraham until the time of Christ. This will be an informative presentation linking recent archaeological discoveries to biblical texts.

Mar. 7 – Mar. 14
Who You Callin’ a Bully? Bullying & Internet Bully’s, led by Bill Chowning in the Fireside Room. The two week class will cover bullying by children in the home, school and community. It will address: what bullying is, types of bullying behavior, myths and facts about bullying, etc.

Mar. 14 – Mar. 28
Islam: Principles, Truth, and Facts, led by Ali Metwalli in the Discovery Room. The seminar will discuss the origin, the facts, the pillars and the truth about Islam. Ali Metwalli will present the similarities between the three major religions and also the role of women in Islam.

Apr. 11
The Myths of Dan Brown, led by Alice Chapman in the Discovery Room. This class will address the major concepts presented by Dan Brown in his book, The DaVinci Code. There will be a discussion about the development of the biblical canon and in relation to the Gnostic texts.

Apr. 18
Divergent Forms of Christianity Before Nicea, led by Alice Chapman in the Discovery Room. The topic will explore major Christian communities that developed within the first three centuries of Christianity.

Apr. 25
Character Counts, led by Bernie Hynes in the Discovery Room.

May 2
Ethical and Moral Responsibility: Situation Ethics, led by Don Strobe in the Discovery Room. Are there eternal standards of right and wrong? Are ethics relative? And relative to what? Is conscience the best guide? These are some of the ethical questions this class will discuss.

May 9
Ethical and Moral Responsibility: Give Me a Break! led by Jim Hynes in the Discovery Room. How is it we make our ethical and moral decisions? Jim Hynes offers a few of the inconsistencies in our ethical and moral values and then offers some specific suggestions and guidelines for making reasonable ethical and moral decisions.

May 16
Ethical and Moral Responsibility: UMC’s DNA, led by Chuck Garrod in the Discovery Room. The UMC’s understanding of the gospel is found in our Social Principles. This class will study the development of the Social Principles and how any UM can petition the General Conference for a change in what they say.

May 23
Ethical and Moral Responsibility: End of Life Ethics, led by Bob Horton in the Discovery Room. The class will cover: what I want my family to know when I die. For example: what to do in preparation; decision someone must make; other information to compile and share.