Adult Education on Sunday Mornings
Held in the Parish Hall -Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
Adult Education – Where we are and where we are going
by Ralph Zaorski
When we talk about education in church, the assumption is that the topic is biblical or otherwise “Christian.” At St. Richard’s our adult education program tends to be more eclectic. Certainly, we discuss biblical and Christian topics, but we also discuss topics that concern other religions or even purely secular issues. Our justification is that this is God’s world and “it is good.” For us to understand the wonders of God’s creation, we need to familiarize ourselves with the world around us. Our adult education program exposes us to subjects that are both interesting and challenging – at least that is the intent.
The program starts each Sunday morning at 9:30 am. Expand your mind and see how our Christian faith interacts with the “real world.” As an added incentive, come early for the coffee and donuts.
ADULT EDUCATION SCHEDULE
The Advent season in upon us. Since many people are planning family gatherings and travel over Thanksgiving, there is no Adult Education program planned for December 1. On December 8 and December 15, we will be talking about Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. When did Christians first celebrate the birth of Jesus? Why are narratives in Luke and Matthew so different? Why are Mark and John silent about the birth of Jesus? How does the celebration of Christmas differ in different Christian communities? What are the origins of Christmas songs, Christmas traditions, and secular symbols like Santa Claus? Over a two-week period, we will explore answers to these and many other questions about both the religious and secular celebration of Christmas.
There is no Adult Education scheduled for the weeks of December 22 and 29.
Our recent series on the Parables of Jesus was well received and many expressed an interest in hearing more from the presenter, Amy-Jill Lavine. As part of the “Great Courses” series, she presents a course on the Hebrew Scriptures, known to Christians as the Old Testament. Many Christians over the years have thought that the “Hebrew God” and “The God of the New Testament” were two different entities. Lavine clarifies many of our misconceptions about the Old Testament and reminds us that the “Hebrew God” is the “God of Jesus.” Many of us have found Levine an interesting lecturer with a unique perspective. Come to Adult Education, starting January 5, 2020, to get a new perspective on the Old Testament.
We have Adult Education between the 8:00 and 10:30 services most Sunday mornings starting at 9:30. The schedule for December 2019 and January 2020 is provided below.
December 1 No Adult Education
December 8 Christmas Presentation
December 15 Christmas Presentation
December 22 No Adult Education
December 29 No Adult Education
January 5 Old Testament – In the Beginning
January 12 Old Testament – Adam and Eve
January 19 Old Testament – Murder, Flood, Dispersion
January 26 Old Testament – Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar
Come to feed on food for the brain and for the spirit. Most Sundays we also provide food for the body in the form of coffee and donuts.
Children’s Education (Age 5-Grade 5)
Sundays 10 a.m.- 10:30 a.m.
All children Grade 5 and under are welcome to Kid's Club! (Parents we ask that if your child is pre-school age at least one parent accompanies them to Kid's Club). We will continue to welcome chidlren to the Godly Play Room, Classroom 3 in the Classroom/Office wing.
We are aiming to build community between the kids, teachers and the church at large. Sharing the love of Jesus and building faith through relationships will be our main goal. We are remaking Sunday School! Each week starting September 8 your children will be greeted by one of four teachers:
1.Story Telling / Carol Alvis
2. Creative Music and Movement / Cindy Borr
3. Meet you in the Garden / Linda Jakubisin
4. Catch the Light / Maria Sciaino & Zenaida Rollins
The first Sunday of each month starting in October, the children will be invited forward at announcement time to tell the congregation something about their life that is exciting, challenging, wonderful or maybe even sad. This is the effort to ensure that the congregation knows the children they are promising to support in their Christian faith and life.
Youth Ministry (Grades 6-12)
Fall is on the way and it’s time to think about our youth group plans for this coming year. Because almost everyone is busy in other areas of church life such as choir or acolyting or actually working in the real world, we will not have a weekly Sunday morning class. Rather we will meet the second Sunday of each month for a fun-enriching experience where we can enjoy each other’s company and share what’s going on in our lives. The 8th of September is our first outing. We’re going to New Smyrna beach for sun and sand and food and surfing and swimming. We will all come to the 10:30 a.m. service and sit together. Then we’ll leave after service.
Parents are of course welcome to join us and we will need a couple to drive. PUT THIS DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR NOW! Other events will include bowling, miniature golf, movies, hiking in a forest, canoing the Wekiva River and other excitements.
Bible Studies
Wednesday Morning Bible Class—The Gospel According to Mark
On Wednesday mornings from 10-11 Robert McClure leads a class in the Gospel of Mark. Dr. McClure is a Ph.D. in Latin and Greek and taught for many years at the University of California and Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park. He has been reading the Greek New Testament for over 60 years. At his side is Jim Christoph, another veteran Bible teacher, whose Ph.D. is in Hebrew and the Old Testament.
This is a traditional course looking at Mark as a literary and religious document. There is no homework or tests, but outside readings are suggested. There is weekly continuity, but you are welcome to come whenever you are able.
Tuesday Night Bible Study Discussion: The Revelation of John
Gathering at 6:30 p.m. each week in the Conference Room, we read slowly and carefully verse by verse the book of the Revelation to John and consider this book in the wider scope of the Apocalyptic tradition of literature. Dr. Jim Christoph has taught Apocalyptic literature in his 30 year tenure as a professor of Hebrew and Old Testament studies at Warner University in Lake Wales, FL and brings his expertise to the table for discussion.
Holy Eucharist, Sundays 8am/10:30am
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