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
We have Adult Education between the 8:00 and 10:30 services most Sunday mornings starting at 9:30. We are studying the Old Testament. The presenter is Amy-Jill Levine who is University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies and Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt University Divinity School. The schedule of presentations for February, March and April is provided below. There is an opportunity for discussion after each lecture.
February 9 The Jacob Saga -- The story of Isaac's sons Jacob and Esau (beginning in Genesis 25) provides an example of the insights that can be gleaned from "form criticism." This approach attends carefully to metaphor, double meaning, narrative voice, physical descriptions, handling of motivation, and use of dialogue.
February 16 Folklore Analysis and Type Scenes -- Source and form criticism can help us understand common biblical plot lines, or "type scenes." Type-scene analysis, a method pioneered by folklorists, reveals narrative art and teaches about community heroes and values. Here we focus on betrothal scenes.
February 23 Moses and Exodus -- Combining folklore, morality, theology and, perhaps, historical memory, Exodus 1–15 offers quick-witted women, a reluctant hero, and a mysterious deity. This lecture introduces "text criticism" while discussing slavery in Egypt, Moses' infancy and commission, and the Exodus itself.
March 1 The God of Israel -- More than an account of the liberation of Hebrew slaves, the opening chapters of Exodus also provide insight into the name of the deity and the sources employed in the Pentateuch's composition.
March 8 Covenant and Law, Part I -- Knowing the forms that legal contracts could take in the ancient Near East helps us understand the character of the covenants that the deity makes with the people (through Moses), and with individuals such as Noah, Abraham, and David.
March 15 Covenant and Law, Part 2 -- Likely products of centuries of development, the Torah's laws concerning diet, farming, and sexual practices mark the covenant community as a holy people. Scholars still debate the laws' origin, symbolic meaning, and implementation.
March 22 The “Conquest” -- With this lecture we move to Joshua, the first prophetic book. After looking briefly at the account of Moses' death and the function of "holy war," we address Joshua through three major explanations for Israel's presence in Canaan: conquest, immigration, and internal revolt.
March 29 The Book of Judges, Part I -- In essence a large type scene of apostasy, punishment, repentance, and rescue, Judges ultimately spirals into idolatry, rape, and near genocide. Yet this deep tragedy is leavened by high comedy, which this lecture introduces even as it raises historical, theological, and moral questions.
April 5 Palm Sunday – No Adult Education
April 12 Easter Sunday – No Adult Education
April 19 The Book of Judges, Part II -- Returning to Gideon's son Abimelech and then introducing the tragic judges of Jephthah and Samson, this lecture unveils the increasing instability of the judge as political leader and the descent of Israel's tribal confederation into moral and political chaos.
April 26 Samuel and Saul -- This lecture begins with Samuel, who represents the transition from charismatic leader to prophet, and then turns to the tragedy of King Saul to reveal the benefits and liabilities of monarchy.
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.
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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