Adult Education at Christ Church

Will you continue in the Apostles' teaching and fellowship?
 

I will, with God's help.

Episcopalians enjoy learning. They enjoy deepening their understanding of their personal faith, their Church and how their faith is lived in the world.

The Education Hour for Adults

Sunday mornings provide a time dedicated to this learning. Between the worship services, people of all ages gather to enjoy each other’s company as well as to share ideas and questions about their faith journeys. Classes for all ages begin at 9:15 each Sunday morning. Childcare is available during this time.

The Adult Forum offers two tracks each week from 9:15 until 10:15 a.m.

TRACK 1 is organized so that you may participate in a variety of offerings including presentations, discussions and book studies. A schedule is printed below -- click on the topic for detailed information.

TRACK 2 is Studying the Word that Is Heard: Lectionary-Based Bible Study. Ever wonder about the readings we hear Saturday evening and Sunday morning? What do they mean in their historical context? What do they mean theologically? And how can we apply them to our lives? Come and discuss the Old and New Testament readings assigned for each weekend. No preparation necessary--just curiosity and a willingness to learn! Bring your Bible. Coordinated by Charles Crawley. The schedule is also printed below.

    TRACK 1   TRACK 2    
    click or scroll for topic synopses   Old Testament Gospel Leader
Sept. 13   The Rector and Stewardship   Proverbs 1:20-33 Mark 8:27-38 Charles Crawley
Sept. 20   Rector’s Roundtable   Proverbs 31:10-31 Mark 9:30-37 Charles Crawley
Sept. 27   Health Care Issues   Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 Mark 9:38-50 Ron Andreatta
Oct. 4   Rector’s Installation: no Education Hour today
Oct. 11   Book Study: The Shack   Job 23:1-9, 16-17 Mark 10:17-31 Sherry Peyton
Oct. 18   Book Study: The Shack   Job 38: 1-7 (34-41) Mark 10:35-45 Sherry Peyton
Oct. 25   Food, Glorious Food   Job 42:1-6, 10-17 Mark 10:46-52 Sherry Peyton
Nov. 1   Food, Glorious Food   Wisdom 3:1-9 John 11:32-44 Sherry Peyton
Nov. 8   Food, Glorious Food   Ruth 3:1-5; 4:13-17 Mark 12:38-44 Jim Sliney
Nov. 15   Food, Glorious Food   1 Samuel 1:4-20 Mark 13:1-8 Jim Sliney
Nov. 22   Rector’s Roundtable   2 Samuel 23:1-7 John 18:33-37 Charles Crawley
Nov. 29   Thanksgiving weekend: no Education Hour today
Dec. 6   Bethlehem Cave   Baruch 5:1-9 Luke 3:1-6 Jim Spencer
Dec. 13   Bethlehem Cave   Zephaniah 3:14-20 Luke 3:7-18 Jim Spencer
Dec. 20   Bethlehem Cave   Micah 5:2-5a Luke 1:39-45 (46-55) Ron Andreatta

 

September 13: The Rector and Stewardship
Meet with Martha and the Stewardship Commission. Find out who makes up the Stewardship Commission and give your opinions and input on the budget making process and the financial doings at our Church. Bring your comments, questions and thoughts to share. Facilitated by the Rev. Martha Rogers.

September 20: Rector's Roundtable
Do you wonder about things going on at Christ Church? Or in the diocese or beyond? Do you just want a chance to get to know our new rector better? The Rector's Roundtable may be the answer. Meet with Martha for an open discussion of various issues surrounding our life as God's children and as Episcopalians. Facilitated by the Rev. Martha Rogers.

September 27: Health Care Issues
From a Christian perspective is there an ethical or moral imperative for the state to provide or be concerned about health care? How would scripture, reason and tradition help us understand our current dilemma? Is there a possibility that Christians could offer a "third way" to the current polarizing climate? Join in a discussion that hopefully will look a bit different from many of the others currently being held. Facilitated by the Rev. Dr. Barbara Schlachter.

October 11 & 18: Book Study—The Shack
This work by Paul Young has been compared to John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress in terms of its spiritual relevance for our generation. The subtitle to The Shack reads Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity. It might just as well read How God Relates to Us and We to God When We Suffer from a Very Evil Event. This is a work of fiction, but it probes the deepest theological dimensions of the inner life of the Holy Trinity, the problem of evil in our lives and what our role is in helping God heal the horrible wounds we and others suffer in life. In this two week class we will we have an opportunity to think out of our usual theological box. The experience of reading The Shack will stay with you long after reading and discussing it. Facilitated by Jim Sliney.

Oct. 25, Nov. 1, 8, 15: Food, Glorious Food
Learn to be better stewards of what we take from the earth and put into our mouths. Whether you are the person who shops for the groceries, prepares the food or enjoys the finished meal, everyone makes decisions of what to eat and how much to eat. Soaring food costs and rising obesity rates beg the question: when will it stop? Based on three insightful books, Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating by Mark Bittman, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto by Michael Pollan and The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite by Dr. David A. Kessler, this class will offer practical steps on making changes in what you eat. The result? More energy, manageable weight loss and a smaller carbon footprint. A 5th class session will be scheduled in the evening when a delicious, healthy, budget-friendly meal will be served. Facilitated by Libby Slappey.

November 22: Rector's Roundtable
What is the difference between religion and spirituality? Let’s explore these terms with our Rector and see where God leads us. There will also be time available for general questions and observations you may want to share with your rector. Facilitated by the Rev. Martha Rogers.

December 6, 13 and 20: Bethlehem Cave
Back by popular demand! Come hear and share the Good News in poetry and music. The Gundrum Parlor is transformed into a place where we deepen our preparations for the birth of Christ and the incarnation in our own lives. Everyone is invited to share a poem, a song, or a reading. Of course, we will offer that wonderful cup of coffee or tea to enjoy while reflecting on Christ in our lives. Facilitated by Ray Larson.

 

St. Arbuck's Coffee House

“Enjoy heavenly coffee and earthy conversations”

We will be serving delicious coffee every Sunday morning in the parlor. There are tables for people to relax with their coffee and enjoy the morning, reading the paper or a book, or conversation with others.

In case you are wondering, here is a brief description of how St. Arbuck’s came to be.

The Story of St. Arbuck, a biography conceived in the Celtic tradition

Arbuck arrived from Wales, washed up on the flood plain of Cedar Rapids, in her coracle (a rudderless boat). In the coracle she had a keurig and two corgis. She hitched the corgis to the coracle and told them to take the keurig to wherever it was meant to be.

Those little dogs pulled all day and they pulled all night—and they collapsed on 40th St. and said, “Hey, babe, can you spare a cup of this java? We’re knackered.” So Arbuck got out of her coracle and set up her keurig and made a cuppa for the corgis.

They pronounced it the best coffee ever—and then they revealed they were the Queen’s corgis that had been sold into slavery. When the Queen received word that her dogs were well and in the care of Arbuck, she, who is the Head of the Church of England, made Arbuck a saint and declared that Exceptional Coffee should be served in this church parlor in perpetuity.

So come and get it at St. Arbuck’s where heavenly coffee is served with earthy conversation. Let the steam rise!

Week Day Opportunities

These gatherings have an educational element, but are indeed fellowship opportunities. For more get-together options, please check out our Small Groups, Weekly Suppers, and other areas of our web site.

Monday Evening Men’s Group. Every Monday evening at 5:30 to 6:30 men are invited to a life application study of the scripture. Looking to the scripture and the lessons one learns from it provides a foundation for all that life gives us today. All men are welcome in this conversation group. Contact: Joe Antisavage, 378-8737 for more information.

The Bodacious Women’s Bible Study Group. Women in the Bible is the focus for this group that meet each Monday at 5:15 to 6:30. Using the books of the Bible, the group studies the women and their roles in that book. Contact: Barbara Schlachter, 363-2029

Wednesday Eucharist 10:30 a.m. A study of the weekly lectionary scripture text follows the worship service. Refresh yourself with this midweek Eucharist and lively discussion group. Contact: the office, 363-2029 for more information.

Friday Morning Men’s Breakfast. Are you an earlier riser? Join this group of men for breakfast and conversation based on the scripture and its relevance to today’s issues. Contact: Joe Antisavage, 378-8737 for more information.

Education for Ministry (EFM). EFM is a more formal study of the scripture, the Church, and ministry. Participants enroll for a year at a time in this four year program. The group meets weekly for reflection on the reading assignments and dialogue about various topics raised in the lessons. This program is offered through the University of the South in Sewanee, TN. Contact: Aileen Chang Matus, 362-0895.

 

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