The
following four Adult Christian Education classes will be offered this winter/spring.
Church Membership Exploration, offered as a mini-course, will meet on February
14, 21, and 28. The other three courses will meet on 10 Sundays from February
14 – April 25.
Church
Membership Exploration (Feb 14, 21, 28) This three-week series is intended for
people who have been attending Faith Mennonite Church and would like to
consider becoming a member. Participants will have a chance to share with each
other the faith commitments that draw them into a faith community, learn more
about the history of Faith Mennonite Church, and review the Confession of Faith
in a Mennonite Perspective. Led by Pastor Joetta and the deacons.
Making
the Connection: Parents and Children, Church and Home Parents, do you ever
wonder what your child is learning in Sunday School? Do you spend a frustrating
ride home from church trying to get her to share what her lesson was about? To
strengthen the connection between church and home, we will be offering an adult
education class that focuses on the same weekly theme and scripture passage
that your child is covering. This will enable the possibility of having
meaningful family faith conversations and at-home application of weekly
biblical themes. The Gather 'Round curriculum is designed to nurture people of
all ages, in order that they may become followers of Jesus. The Gather 'Round
Handbook will be used as a resource; families are encouraged to get a copy.
(Sign-up sheet for the handbook is located at the back of the church.) Kami
Blackwell Kinney will lead the class.
Speaking
of Faith will focus on questions and ideas regarding faith and belief. Why/how
does our personal Christian belief system remain intact in a sea of other
ideological systems? What can we learn from these other systems that will
inform our Christian faith? Krista Tippet’s book, Speaking of Faith (and other
resources) will be used as a “springboard” for the discussions. (Class
participants should sign-up for a personal copy of Tippet’s book on the sheet
located at the back of the church.) Joan Kreider will lead the class.
Ways
of Praying Author Anne LaMott writes that there are two basic prayers:
"Help! Help!" and "Thank you! Thank you!" While that may be
true, 2,000 years of Christian practice have produced a number of different
prayer forms through which we express these simple words. In this class we will
explore a variety of prayer forms including silent contemplation, lectio divina
(holy reading) with Scripture, the daily examen, labyrinth prayer and more. We
will practice these prayer forms together in the class and then individually during
the week. Each successive session will include time for feedback about our
individual experiences during the week. Coordinated by Pastor Joetta, with the
assistance of others.