Previous Sessions - Fall 2009
----------------------------------------------
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Advent - Karen Stokes
The season of Advent is filled with potential for beautiful, dramatic and celebratory worship. The music; the decoration of the Sanctuary; the ancient and powerful Biblical stories of prophets, angels, dreams and visions; all inspire creative approaches to the Sunday morning experience. Are you interested in exploring these possibilities with an ‘interdisciplinary’ group of MPC musicians, artists, theologians and lovers of liturgy? Karen will bring us together in a time of reading, discussing and planning the four weeks of Advent, plus the Christmas Eve services.
Karen Stokes is the pastor of Montclair Presbyterian Church.
Dates: Wednesdays, Sept. 23, Oct. 7, 14, Time: 7-9 pm
Location: Thornhill Room Class Size: no limit
Convener: kstokes@mpcfamily.org  No Fee
----------------------------------------------
Three Foreign Women: The Stories of Hagar, Rahab and Ruth - Jeffrey Kuan
In this series of studying the Old Testament, we will explore the stories of Hagar, Rahab and Ruth to see how these foreign women function within the story, telling the world of ancient Israel and the roles they play in Israel’s “historical” memory.
Jeffrey Kuan is Associate Professor of Old Testament at Pacific School of Religion.
Dates: Sundays, Sept. 27, Oct. 4, 11, Time: 8:30-9:45 am
Location: Room 10 Class Size: no limit
Convener: Marjorie Moser, 632-9868 Fee: $15
----------------------------------------------
Yoga - Diane Bessette
Starting October for four consecutive Thursdays at 10:30 am Diane Bessette will guide you in a 60 minute yoga class. Classes will be suitable for all levels of yoga practitioners, including absolute beginners. We will focus on alignment, breath work, balance and building physical strength.
Diane just finished the Advanced Studies program at Piedmont Yoga Studio and is a certified yoga teacher. The PYS program is Iyengar-based but incorporates concepts from other yoga schools. Please bring a mat, if possible.
Dates: Thursdays, Oct. 8, 15, 22, 29, Time: 10:30-11:30 am
Location: Family Room Class Size: no limit
Convener: Christine Petersen Fee: $12
----------------------------------------------
Awakening Soul Force: Foundations for Becoming an Agent for Nonviolent Change - Pace e Bene
Gandhi knew that nonviolent action must be grounded in each person’s truth or “soul force”. In these dramatically uncertain times of radically opposing views we seek to uncover our own truth, our personal “soul force”. ENGAGE participants and everyone interested in finding out how to deepen the ENGAGE concepts of nonviolence are invited to this new workshop. It will be conducted in the same lively and interactive way, and be practical at both the personal and global level.
Ken Preston and Patty Caramagno-Robertson of Pace e Bene will be the presenters. They offer training in the practice of powerful, creative, nonviolent ways of living using compassion, cooperation, connection and concerted action.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 10 Time: 9-4
Location: Thornhill Room Class Size: 15
Convener: Mary Smith, 925-943-4986 Fee: $40
----------------------------------------------
Utilize Your Imagination to Reduce Stress and more….Guided Imagery Catherine Walters
Discover how you can use your own mind power to reduce stress, improve sleep, assist recovery, lose weight, improve attitude and confidence, and enjoy overall vibrant wellness. Learn proven techniques to create your own guided imagery script. In each session, there will be relaxing group guided imagery.
Catherine is a certified clinical hypnotherapist and Reiki Master/Instructor. Her background is in bibliotherapy, education, meditation, yoga. She is dedicated to facilitating the healing of others and helping them to visualize and clarify their goals and dreams.
Dates: Tuesdays, Oct.13, 20, Nov. 3, 10, Time: 7-8:30 pm
Location: Thornhill Room Class Size: 15
Convener: Tom Eelkema, 336-1384 Fee: $20
----------------------------------------------
Computers and the Internet - Phil Reagan
This course will improve your knowledge, skills and confidence in using computers and the Internet. We will cover the basics of computer and Internet use: computers, e-mail, accessing information, writing, working with and e-mailing photos. Bring your questions. A detailed outline will be posted. Come to the sessions you need. Bring a laptop if possible.
Phil has been working with personal computers for 25 years and has been developing and teaching computer classes for nearly as long.
Dates: Wednesdays, Oct., 21, 28, Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25 Time: 7-8:30 pm
Location: Office Class Size: 5 to 8
Fee: $3 per session
Contact Phil at preagan@mindspring.com
----------------------------------------------
Digital Photo Workshop - Phil Reagan
So now you know how to take pictures with your digital camera…now what? We will show you easy ways to get your photos from the camera, edit them, print them, create slideshows on your computer or online, e-mail photos and more. Instruction sheets for each activity will be provided. Bring your camera and a laptop if you have one.
Phil has been working with personal computers and been teaching computer classes for almost 25 years. He is a longtime Friend of the Family.
Date: Oct. 14 Time: 3-5 pm
Location: Thornhill Room Class Size: 6 to 12
Convener: Margaretha Derasary, 339-2282 Fee: $5
Contact Phil at preagan@mindspring.com
----------------------------------------------
The Heart of Christianity - John Hadsell
With the growth in our time of inter-religious dialogue, along with the “new atheism”, we Christians need a wise guide to help us re-understand and re-new our faith and there is none better than Biblical scholar Marcus Borg. In this course we’ll read his book “The Heart of Christianity” to see how authentic Christian faith can speak directly to our hearts, minds and spirit. We’ll use the very helpful Great Books “Interpretive Question” methodology.
Our leader will be colleague John Hadsell, Theologian in Residence at Montclair Presbyterian Church for many years.
Dates: Sundays, Oct.18, 25, Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22 Time: 8:30-9:45 am
Location: Room 10 Class Size: no limit
Convener: Marjorie Moser, 632-9868 Fee: $15
----------------------------------------------------------
Parenting: The No-Lose method for Resolving Conflicts - Susan Hunn
This class will be aimed at teaching skills to parents and children, age 8 and up. These skills can apply to any situation. Adults without a child are welcome. However, families can really benefit from learning these skills together. Participants will learn a method of problem-solving and have a chance to practice through role-playing.
Susan Hunn is our Associate for Children and Youth.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 17 Time: 9:30-12 noon
Location: Thornhill Room Class Size: no limit
Convener: SHunn@MPCFamily.org No fee
----------------------------------------------
Tai Chi - Gail Sprung
This Tai Chi class includes Qigong (chee-gung), which helps with relaxation by integrating the mind, the breath, and the movement. The Tai Chi form is a sequence of movements that can be considered a moving meditation. Tai Chi practitioners experience improved health through this gentle exercise that teaches how to completely shift the weight, regulate the breathing and cultivate the inner qi (or energy). The Tai Chi form that we do is the short Yang style. The Qigong is the Soaring Crane Qigong.
Gail uses the curriculum from Grandmaster Sam Tam with whom she continues to study. She is an active member of the International Arts Association for health and Enlightenment. She also teaches in Berkeley.
Dates: Fridays, Oct. 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20 Time: 10-11 am
Location: Family Room Class Size: 4-10
Convener: Christine Peterson Fee: $10
----------------------------------------------
Israel and Palestine Updated: Cooperation or Continuing Conflict? - Jean Mudge
Jean Mudge was swept into the issues that have so long kept Israel/Palestine in turmoil. She planted olive trees with Palestinian farmers and met with experts on both sides of the conflict as part of the KEEP HOPE ALIVE program, which she documented in her video about the trip, “Planted in Palestine.” This course offers an update on the situation, using the Presbyterian booklet STEADFAST HOPE, articles by noted writers, DVDs of important films such as the controversial documentary “Rachel Corrie” and a panel discussion by guest speakers.
Jean currently chairs MPC’s Peacemakers Committee and is a member of the Faith Trio.
Dates: Wednesdays, Jan. 6,13,20,27, Time: 7:30-9 pm
Location: Thornhill Room Class Size: no limit
Convener: Jean Gregory, 635-8838 Fee: $15 (incl. booklet)
----------------------------------------------
Help for Handling Difficult Conversations - Betsy King
This discussion group based on our reading of the book “Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most” (of the Harvard Negotiation Project) explores what it is that makes conversations difficult, why we avoid them, and why we often handle them badly. It applies to how we deal with children, parents, students, neighbors, customers, bankers, brokers, team members, employees, and colleagues of any kind. We will learn the pitfalls of conversations and how to recognize the blame, emotions, and threat to our identity that usually emerge. We will role-play the step-by-step approach for conducting our toughest conversations with less stress, greater understanding, and more success.
Betsy King’s background is in education. She now does professional development, training teachers in mathematics.
Dates: Saturdays, Jan.9, 16, 23, 30 Time: 9-10:30 am
Location: 1155 Harvard Rd. Piedmont Class Size: 4 to 20
Fee: $ 12 for book
----------------------------------------------
Encountering Paul, Warts and All - Eugene Park
This class will study the life and work of Paul as they are reflected in the New Testament and other early literature: 1. Paul the Pharisee and his call to be an apostle of Christ for Gentiles. 2. Beginning of the conflict: The Antioch Incident and the Galatian Incident. 3. The Corinthian Incident and his final journey to Jerusalem
Eugene Park is Professor of New Testament at San Francisco Theological Seminary.
Dates: Sundays, Jan. 10, 17, 24 Time: 8:30-9:45 am
Location: Room 10 Class Size: no limit
Convener: Sloan White 339-8728 Fee: $15

Updated 6/6/10