727 Harvard Ave, Swarthmore, PA 19081
(610) 543-4712
Adult Education / Upcoming Adult Classes
Education is an important part of our continuing faith development, especially for adults. We strive to present engaging, relevant and even fun learning opportunities for our adults. Classes meet Sunday mornings at 9:30am unless otherwise indicated. Winter/Spring 2013 offerings are outlined below.
Sunday, May 19
Recycling God's Gifts to Us: Composting
led by Master Gardener, Sam Barnett
Sam Barnett, a Master Gardener at Penn State's extension campus, teaches us the basics of home composting -- a practical way to reduce our environmental impact in our own back yards. Throughout the year - most recently in the Lenten series "Lent 4.5" - we have considered how to be responsible stewards of God's creation - and today's session seems a fitting and useful conclusion to Adult Ed's program year.
Sunday, May 12
Liturgical Banners
led by Phyllis Heller and Julie Everett
Phyllis Heller and Julie Everett invite you to take a closer look at the confessional banners that hang in Loeffler Chapel. The class meets in Loeffler this morning to learn about the symbolism and theology that each banner represents. Both Phyllis and Julie were personally involved when many of these banners were created, and enjoy sharing what they learned along the way.
Sunday, May 5
Durufle on Tap
led by Dick Wohlschlaeger
At 10:30 this morning in Traditional Worship, our chancel choir and many guests (both singers and professional instrumentalists) will present Maurice Durufle's Requiem. Dick Wohlschlaeger conducts this class to provide a little background, both on the Latin requiem mass itself and on the composer who has woven so much Gregorian chant into this particular interpretation.
Sundays, April 14--28 in Fellowship Hall
Queen Bees and Wannabes
led by Ashley Kuly
Children’s Ministry Coordinator Ashley Kuly conducts a three-week discussion on the increasingly complicated world of teen and pre-teen girls. Topics to be covered include Relational Aggression, Technology and the Media, Cliques and Popularity, and why “mean girl” behavior starts in 2nd grade.
Sundays, April 14--28 in the Study
U.S. Presidents and Their Faith
led by Ken Wells
Did you know George Washington refused to take the sacraments? Dwight D. Eisenhower was raised as a Jehovah's Witness? Ronald Reagan interpreted Revelation's symbolism apocalyptically? Ken Wells leads an engaging series of discussions on the influence of faith in the lives and decisions of U.S. presidents. Ken has assembled discussion packets using materials drawn from private diaries and public statements of our chief executives; the limits of class time require us to be selective in our discussions but there is bountiful rich reading in the materials that will be distributed weekly. Classes will be organized in chronological groupings:
April 14: George Washington — Andrew Johnson (1789-1869)
April 21: Ulysses Grant — Franklin Roosevelt (1869-1945)
April 28: Harry Truman — Barack Obama (1945-2013)
Sunday, April 7 in Fellowship Hall
Celebrating our Renovated Sanctuary and New Organ
led by Lori Sonntag
Sanctuary Task Force chair Lori Sonntag welcomes members and guests in Fellowship Hall as we kick off the dedication of the new chancel and organ with a celebration of the process that led us to this stage. Lori will lead us through the history of the project with a multimedia presentation that rejoices in our commitments in the present and the promises for the future.
Sundays, March 10 -- March 24 in the Study
Centering Prayer
led by Lelia Calder
Sponsored collaboratively by our Adult Education Committee and PW (Presbyterian Women), Lelia Calder will be conducting three Sunday morning workshops on meditation. A local meditation instructor, Lelia will be familiar to those who attend the Lenten Retreat on Saturday, March 2. The topics for our Sunday morning workshops are as follows:
Sunday, March 10 -- Martha and Mary: Choosing to Sit
Sunday, March 17 -- Seeing in the dark: Using the Spiritual Senses
Sunday, March 24 -- The Welcoming Prayer: Surrendering
Participants are welcome to bring yoga mats if they wish; all are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes.
Sundays, February 17 -- March 24 in Fellowship Hall
Lent 4.5 Christian Simplicity
leadership varies weekly
Join us Sunday mornings for a Lenten journey focused on living more simply -- using our God-given resources responsibly. Lent 4.5 is based on the recognition that if one divided the usable area of the planet evenly so that each person received a share, we would each be entitled to 4.5 acres. In the U.S., it takes a staggering 22.3 acres per person to support our lifestyle! It is not sustainable. In this 6-week series we will wrestle with some of the major areas of concern: The first session, February 10, Simplicity, offers an overview. It is followed by Transportation, Water, Consumption, and Energy. We conclude on Palm Sunday, March 24, with Gratitude and Generosity. Materials from all 6 sessions will be available at an Environmental Stewardship display in Fellowship Hall during coffee hour throughout this time.
Sundays, February 10 -- March 3 in the Study
Inquirers
led by Rev. Richard Wohlschlaeger
Calling all prosepective members! If you have been worshipping here for some time or have heard from friends or family that this is a good place to be, then please join us on Sunday mornings in the Study. It is a time of asking quiestions, learning what is means to be Presbyterian, and getting to know others who are finding their way through a journey of faith. There are no wrong answers. At the end of 4 weeks you will make your own decision to join or to wait until another time.
Sundays, January 27, February 3, & February 10 in Fellowship Hall
The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully
led by Kathy Wohlschlaeger and KayAnne Day
A three week discussion of this collection of inspirational reflections by the noted nun, activist and author Joan Chittister. Among the topics discussed in this book are fear, forgiveness and legacy. Copies of the book will be available in the church office for purchase in early January for $10, payable in cash or by check.
Sundays, January 27 and February 3 in the Study
Families on TV: The Changing Face of America
led by Tom Stephenson
The changing structures of families in the 21st century are represented in many ways in the popular media. In this two week series, we will examine and discuss examples draw from series such as The Simpsons, Modern Family and The New Normal.
Sundays, January 6, 13, 20 in Fellowship Hall
Parenting Teens in 2013, and Beyond
Experienced parents will lead a discussion of some of the challenges faced by today's parents and grandparents:
January 6: Parenting in Text Messaging World
led by Jacky and Scott Sisson
Understanding and negotiating the world of text messaging and cell phones.
January 13: The Sandwich Generation
led by Alexis and Geoff Anderson
One out of eight Americans ages forty to sixty is raising a child while caring for a parent.
January 20: Bullying: Sticks, Stones, E-mails and Texts
led by Lori and Rick Sonntag
Some facts about bullying and suggestions for what to do.
Sundays, January 6, 13, and 20 in the Study
Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers
led by Lauren McKinney and Greta Ham
Based on the book by Anne Lamott. Discussion will invite responses to readings taken from the book, but it is not necessary to have read in advance. Paperback copies will be available in class ($10 payable in cash or by check).
Adult Education Archive
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