Montclair Presbyterian Church

How to Participate in Adult Education Classes

Adult Education classes are open to all adults. Participation means a commitment to

1. attendance
2. any assigned preparation
3. notification to the convener when an absence will be unavoidable

For additional information about the offerings, please come to sign-up tables during registration at family hour on Sundays or contact the church office for more information. If you need to reach the contact person for a class, please check the MPC Directory or leave a note at the church office.

Fall 2011 Classes

REGISTRATION DURING FAMILY HOUR, SEPTEMBER 18 AND 25, 2011

WHAT IS THE OLD TESTAMENT…REALLY?                                          
STEED DAVIDSON

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  This introduction to the Old Testament will explore the main historical events that form the background of the Old Testament. We will cover the long historical period from the emergence of ancient Israel as a nation to its decline during the Babylonian period and continued existence in various places. In the process, we will examine some of the main personalities who helped shape the history, take a look at the major divisions and classifications of the Old Testament, and come to understand the ordering of the books both for Jews and Christians.
Dr. Steed Davidson is Professor of Old Testament at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.

DATES: Sundays, October 2 and 9                                       TIME: 8:30-9:45 am
LOCATION: Room 10                                                            CLASS SIZE: 10-20
CONVENER: Minda Lucero, 510-523-3619                           FEE: $10

WHAT IS A PRESBYTERIAN…REALLY?                                            
CAROL MILES

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  In a season of American religious life that some have called “post-denominational,” this course asks not only the question, “What is a Presbyterian…Really?” but, more pointedly, “Does it matter?” Lifelong Presbyterian (and sometime Presbyterian apologist!), Carol Miles will answer our questions about what the word “Presbyterian” means, what Presbyterians believe, how we organize ourselves, and what it means to be in a tradition that claims to be “Reformed, and always reforming.”

The Rev. Dr. Carol Miles is well known to MPC.
DATES: Sundays, October 2 and 9                                       TIME: 4:00 to 5:30 pm
LOCATION: Thornhill Room                                                  CLASS SIZE: 10-20
CONVENER: Marjorie Moser, 510-632-9868                         FEE: $10

THE SOUL OF MONEY                                                                                 
TOM DEBLEY

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  As the “Great Recession” continues, we will explore its ethical dimensions and how we modern Christians might/can respond. We will compare causes and responses both to the Great Recession and the Great Depression, and explore extremes – from a 1940s business leader’s faith-based response, to destructive prospects if American business repeats pre-Depression era abuses, to the 1980s philosophy that “greed is all right.”  Our context will be the 1908 “Social Creed of the  Churches,” developed to respond to the first era, and “A Social Creed for the Twenty-First Century,” adopted by the Presbyterian Church USA General Assembly in 2008.

Tom Debley is a long-time member of MPC who has been pondering these matters for some time; he recently retired from serving as the historian and archivist at Kaiser Permanente.
DATES: Wednesdays, October 5, 12, 19, 26                         TIME: 7:30 to 9:00 pm
LOCATION: Thornhill Room                                                  CLASS SIZE: 10-20
CONVENER: Paula Moseley, 510-339-8570                         FEE: $10

THE FIVE OLD TESTAMENT “SCROLLS”                           
ANNETTE SCHELLENBERG

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  In this Bible Study we will read and discuss five Old Testament books called the “Scrolls”: Ruth, Esther, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and Lamentations.  Each book is a little “pearl” and together they give an excellent insight into the diversity of literary forms and theologies in the Old Testament.  We will study one book in each session, reflecting on the messages of these books, how they are shaped by the time of their origin and what impulses we can gain from them for our own times.  (Please read the respective book before the class; they are all short!). 

Annette Schellenberg is Associate Professor of Old Testament at San Francisco Theological Seminary.

DATES: Sundays, Oct. 16, 23, 30, Nov. 6, 13                       TIME: 8:30-9:45 am
PLACE: Room 10                                                                   CLASS SIZE: 10-20
CONVENER: Minda Lucero, 510-523-3619                           FEE: $20

A THEOLOGY OF CHRISTMAS CAROLS                                               
CAROL MILES

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  Singing Christmas Carols is a favorite activity of Christmas. But sometimes the words we sing contain biblical allusions or reference theological themes that are lost on us. In this class we’ll explore the meaning of Christmas expressed in some classic Carols; with greater understanding, singing the Carols—and celebrating Christmas itself—will never be the same. Carols will include: “O Come, O Come, Emanuel,” “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence,” “Lo, How A Rose E’er Blooming,” “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” and “Joy to the World!”

The Rev. Dr. Carol Miles is well known to MPC.
DATES: Sundays, December 4 and 11                                  TIME: 8:30 to 9:45 am
LOCATION: Room 10                                                            CLASS SIZE: 10-20
CONVENER: Linda Benson, 510-865-1215                           FEE: $10     

CONVERSATIONS AROUND DEATH AND DYING                                           
FORUM

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  We are a smart nation and a smart people.  We have much information available to us.  We know about services in our community which give physical support in later life, but we do not talk about death and dying.  Different cultures and different people handle the end of life differently.  Some have fear, some suffer great loneliness, some feel left and some find acceptance.
Four Sunday afternoons in January 2012 we’ll be in a Forum mode to look at ideas and experiences about death and dying from psychological, philosophical, cultural and spiritual viewpoints.

Classes will be led by Rodney Chan, Reverend Beth, Carol Miles and someone to be announced later.

DATES: Sundays, Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29                                     TIME: 3:00-4:30
LOCATION: Thornhill Room                                                  CLASS SIZE: no limit
CONVENER: Marjorie Moser, 510-632-9868                         FEE: $15

Many Faces of God
Sharon Noteboom

COURSE DESCRIPTION: We read books that expand our understanding of our own faith tradition and explore other religions. Discussions are always lively and spirited. We invite you to join us.

Sharon Noteboom is a teacher, student and longtime member of our church.
DATES: 2nd Saturday of the month
TIME: 10:00-11:30 am
LOCATION: Room 1
CLASS SIZE: 6 to 10
CONVENER: Jean Gregory
FEE: $10 to join