Vocabulary of the Church
led by Kit Crissey
Sunday, January 31 in Fellowship Hall
Have you ever wondered about the 1000 to 2500-year-old roots of religious vocabulary? Where did the words come from, the Hebrews, the Greeks, the Romans or the Anglo-Saxons? Are the modern meanings of the words exactly the same as their classical predecessors? Come to Fellowship Hall for adult education on Sunday, January 31, at 9:00 a.m. to hear wordsmith Kit Crissey present the second installment of his series on the vocabulary of the church. He will tell the tales of forty-four words that were not covered in the first presentation.
"Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality: Explode the Myths, Heal the Church"
led by Dick Wohlschlaeger*
Sundays February 7 through 28 in Fellowship Hall
Issues of human sexuality continue to swirl around us, both in the secular world (e.g., the definition of marriage in the court system, state legislatures, and the voting booth) and in the church (e.g., ordination and leadership roles in congregations). Our own denomination has been wrestling with these issues officially since 1978 and, unofficially, for much longer. To help us better understand what’s going on in our denomination’s polity and also to aid us in “thinking theologically” about human sexuality, our adult education program is pleased to welcome Jack Rogers as our theologian-in-residence Saturday,
February 20, and Sunday, February 21. This 9:00 class will be a book study in preparation for his visit. Copies of his book, "Jesus, the Bible, and Homosexuality" will be available in paperback beginning Sunday morning, January 24 during coffee hour, in class at 9:00, and in the church office throughout the week Cost is $12.00, payable either in cash or by check.
*The February 21 class will be led by the author, Jack Rogers.
Passion Art: Images of Christ's Last Days
led by Susan Untereker
Sunday, March 28 in Fellowship Hall
All four gospel writers depict Jesus’s last week as crucial to understanding his ministry. Through the centuries, artists have also deepened our appreciation of His suffering and ultimate triumph with great emotional and visually exciting impact.
You can experience some of that artistic impact during a “gallery tour” of Passion images from the permanent collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Palm Sunday, March 28. Paintings, sculptures and engravings by Western European, American and Mexican artists will be discussed in the context of Christ’s message of faith and forgiveness.
Easter Tidings
Sunday, April 4
Adult Ed classes will be on hiatus Easter Sunday due to the additional worship service scheduled at 9:00. Traditional worship services at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. celebrate the resurrection with a cross adorned with fresh flowers (please bring one!), trumpets, and and Handel's joyful "Hallelujah Chorus."
Dying with Grace
Sundays, April 11 through April 25
in Fellowship Hall
While we all die, doing so filled with God’s grace is the challenge we will explore together in this three part series. Our focus will be on persons and their family and friends who know their death will be soon. In the first session we will discuss medical issues and choices at the time of death; in the second legal and family issues; and in the third religious and spiritual ones. The first and second classes will begin with brief panel presentations and will include time for substantial question and answer sessions and interactions among those attending. In the third class we will focus on how Christians understand death,
and what it asks of us, with time for small group reflection.
Sunday, April 11 A Good Death?
Panelists: Doctors David Eberly, John Hirshfeld, and Barbara Turner
A panel of physicians, with practices ranging from specialty care to general practice, will speak on medical issues present in end-of-life care. Questions to be explored include: Is there a “good death?” Can everyone expect one? What are the choices for us and for our loved care givers as death is near at hand? What are the choices for those moving from life-sustaining to end-of-life medical care and what ethical implications arise about these? How can we best engage medical practitioners in our stewardship of death?
Sunday, April 18 A Death in the Family
Panelists: Lew Beatty and Trisha Hall, attorneys; Peg McCauley, licensed professional bereavement counselor
This panel will introduce social and legal implications of dying. How does the prospect of death bring out the best, and worst, in our family dynamics? How can individuals best communicate and prepare to have their wishes carried out by partners and children or other caring persons? Who should, and how can one, initiate conversations about death and last wishes? What formal preparations are wise? How can we plan for a death which reflects our values and includes good stewardship of our material goods? How does one deal with conflict in the family over end-of-life decision making? How can we do the last or unfinished work in our relationships as we contemplate our deaths or those of the ones we hold dear? Several webpages that may be of use as you think about and respond to these issues are:
American Bar Association | PCUSA - Estate Planning Tools | Charitable Giving
Family Discussions involving Estate Planning
Sunday, April 25 In Life and in Death, We Belong to God
led by Rev. Lisa Day, Associate Pastor for Congregational Care and Older Adult Ministry
In this final week of the series, we will discuss: What does our faith teach us about death and dying? How final is death? Is there a false dualism between body and soul? What are Christian perspectives on death and what comes next? We will
look at ways one might be present in hope and consolation with those who are dying. We will consider what a fitting memorial service or funeral looks like and what steps one might take in advance to prepare.
Inquirers' Classes
Sundays, April 11 through May 2
9:00 a.m. in the Study
Twice each year — in the spring and in the Fall — Dick Wohlschlaeger, with the support of our membership committee and a number of our elders, leads a four-week class for those interested in exploring membership. We call it an Inquirers’
Class because it creates opportunities for questions to be asked and answers thoughtfully given. Classes include the dissemination of some practical information and discussion about just what it really means to be Presbyterian, a little background about SPCincluding how the infrastructure of our church and its many committees is organized, and a chance to meet each of our pastors and several of our elders. If you would like to be part of this group, or know of anyone who has been attending recently and might, please contact the church office (610-543-4712 or spcparish@swarthmorepres.org); we would like to send them an invitation. Walk-ins are also always welcome!
Adult Education Future Planning
Sunday, May 2
9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall
facilitated by Paige Morse, chair of the Adult Education Committee
Did you love a particular adult education offering this year and want to see more of it? Did you not like any of the offerings and want to see something else? Do you have thoughts about programs, teachers, formats, coffee or anything else? Come share your thoughts. We need your input, your critiques, your request and your ideas. As we believe that the Holy Spirit moves through the collected Body of Christ, we’ll discuss as a group adult education at SPC – where we are and where you want us to be.
Mission Report from the Philippines
Sunday, May 9
9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall
led by Dave Morse
Cobbie and Dessa Quesada Palm, our
mission co-workers in the Philippines, have in recent years been welcome visitors among us quite regularly — almost annually — conducting Sunday morning classes, leading
A Time with Children, and meeting interested members over lunch. Rarely have any of us had the chance to reciprocate. So it was a privilege last summer for Dave Morse, a member of our World Mission Task Force, to visit Silliman University, see Cobbie and Dessa in their place of ministry and to meet the student we sponsor there, Sarah Jean Cuyag. This morning Dave shares what he learned during a most memorable few days, explains the work of our overseas friends, and fields questions from to all who can attend at 9:00.
Mission Report from Nicaragua
Sunday, May 16
9:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall
led by Tom Stephenson and Erin Floyd
Tom Stephenson (a member of our World Mission Task Force) and Erin Floyd (a veteran Nicaragua traveler and Swarthmore College student) report on the recent trip to Nicaragua and new developments in our partnership with ASODECOMAT.
Spiritual Gifts Redux
Sunday, May 23
9:00 a.m. in Fellowship HallHave you taken the Spiritual Gifts classes and would like to discuss your discovery, development and deployment progress with others? Would you like to hear how others have found insights as to what church activities to say no to and how to seek and actively embrace others that better suit their gifts? Do you just miss the time with your classmates? If the answer is yes, please join us in the Study on Sunday morning.
If you did not take the class but are interested in what this Spiritual Gifts class means to others, please join the discussion facilitated by Tasha Knob and Joyce VanRavenswaay Sunday morning.
Program Year Concludes Sunday, May 23
Ideas for next year welcomed!
Our program year concludes Sunday, May 23. Many thanks to our adult education committee for all their good work gathering ideas, recruiting leaders, and processing feedback from participants. Each year's offerings are developed organically, with input from all interested parties welcome. And as you might suppose, the process of developing next year's offerings has already begun and will continue throughout the summer. Your ideas - for topics, formats, potential leaders - are not only welcome but greatly appreciated. Please be in touch with the chiar of our Adult Education Committee at education@swarthmorepres.org or Rev. John Weicher at john.weicher@swarthmorepres.org to share your thoughts.