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Classes for Adults Winter 2008

This is our list as of November 19, 2007.. There may be changes.

A. Surprises Around the Bend (Session 1 only)

"Surprises Around the Bend: 50 Adventurous Walkers” will be the title of Dr. Hasler’s class based upon his new book to be published by Augsburg Fortress Press early in January, 2008 The class will meet at 5:15 p.m. each Wednesday, January 9 through March 12 as part of the Wednesday Night Alive program.

In the Introduction to the book the author explains why he wrote the book: “As I have read about famous men and women through the years, I have been struck by the fact that so many of our most creative people in history have been ardent walkers. Further, these same people testify that walking has played a significant role in their creativity. Still further, not a few of them have cited a particular walk that proved to be a serendipitous experience leading to personal transformation.

Some people walk for physical fitness, others walk for mental renewal, and still others walk for spiritual rejuvenation. In the this latter category we have those who engage in prayer-walking as individuals and others who walk in groups on behalf of various causes, such as “Relay for Life” in the battle against cancer, or walk together in fighting hunger, racial discrimination , and many other worthy causes.

The class will focus on such walkers as Francis of Assisi, Robert Frost, Clare Boothe Luce, Johnny Appleseed, Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. In addition the class will explore scriptures related to the walking theme, engage in discussion questions, and give each participant the opportunity to share personal walking experiences.

People have a variety reasons for walking. We will honor the different approaches. Our aim is to get someone started walking who is not presently doing so, and to offer support and guidance to those who are actively walking in one form or another.

As Dr. Michael Rozen, heart specialist at the Cleveland Clinc, contends, “even thirty minutes of walking a day works miracles.”

The class will be led by the author, Dr. Richard A. Hasler who is a former interim pastor in our church.

B. Water Cooler Christianity (Session 2 only)

"I don’t believe in God. There’s no proof for Him." We run into many roadblocks that leave us speechless in daily conversation. We know we believe in God, in Christ, in the Bible … but how might we respond to those around us who genuinely don’t see what we see? In this course, we will look into the book "What’s So Great About Christianity" by Dinesh D’Souza. D’Souza is on the forefront of the Christian-Atheist debate in our culture, providing cogent and Biblically solid answers to today’s opposition to a Christian world view. This course will be taught by Pastor Ross Slaughter.

Alternate class description

Can an intelligent, educated person really believe the Bible? Or do the atheists have it right? Has Christianity been disproven by science, debunked as a force for good, and discredited as a guide to morality? These are the questions that our society is asking. Atheism is on the rise as philosophers and writers Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins come out with best seller after best seller and move about from talk show to talk show. Now, the movie "The Golden Compass" is coming out putting atheism into a family-friendly format. Christians need to know the issues and the answers. This course will take a close look at Dinesh D'Souza's book "What's So Great About Christianity?" and study his strategy for defending a Christian world view. Dinesh D'Souza is a provocative, enlightening twenty-first century successor to C. S. Lewis's way of thought and presentation. This course will be taught by Pastor Ross Slaughter.

C. Getting The Most Out Of Your Bible

A significant number of members have signed on to "Year of the Bible", a congregational program for reading the Bible through in one year. This course is to help you get an informative and helpful overview of the Bible … how it is organized

… major themes to notice … who’s who

… how to get through the "boring" stuff and get to the good stuff in scripture …

and how to hear God speaking to you through His Word. This course will be lead by Douglas Steidl and Kathy Craddock. There are no resources to buy. Be sure to bring your Bible!

D. Card Making Ministry (Session 2 only)

Sending a card lifts the spirit of both giver and receiver. Making that card offers the additional benefit of being able to pray for the recipient. Join the UPC Card Making Ministry. Each week our participants will learn to make new cards. Absolutely no artistic skills are necessary! We will start at a beginner’s level and build upon the learned concepts week by week. There will be an additional cost for materials. Led by Jill France

E. Worship and the Arts. Adults also have the option of participating in the same Worship and the Arts that youth are involved in. As with the youth, the program will be designed around your talents and interests. Led by the Creative Arts Team

Puppets (Session 1)

Scripture or songs may by acted out by puppets. They can also be used to tell a story for a children’s message.

YOUthtube (Session 2)

Multimedia workshops can mean creation of slides used during worship and also production of videos that can be used. It can also be coordinated with other arts to enhance dramas, puppet shows or dance. The multimedia program will be designed around needs and interest of participants.

Drama (Session 2)

Drama can be used to enhance the worship experience. One use is to connect real life events with Scripture or the sermon.

F. The call to serve. It takes many people to make Wednesday Night ALIVE work. The program provides you with an opportunity to serve and also be served. Many people serving makes the burden lighter for everyone. Hopefully no one should have more than a one hour weekly commitment. We ask to you prayerfully consider your call to serve. If you feel led to serve please indicate on this form a particular area of interest. Examples are kitchen help, dining hall set up or clean up, working with youth and children teaching, assisting in activities or in areas of worship such as drama and music.