Christian Education Course Catalog
2007 - 2008

Fall and Winter Courses

Finding my Place in the Christian Tradition

Although St. Mark’s people read and absorb spiritual material from a variety of sources, the fact that we are part of a Christian church, attend Christian services with some regularity, and live in a nation suffused with a largely Christian heritage and culture makes the Christian tradition an important part of all our lives no matter what our personal beliefs may be. The stories of that tradition in the ancient text that is the core teaching of Christianity, the Bible, mean different things and hold different values and problems for all of us. They have also resonated differently at different stages of each of our lives–sometimes merely acceptable (perhaps boring), other times deeply meaningful, occasionally abhorrent. Because St. Mark’s seeks to honor our core mission of “welcoming people wherever they are on their faith journey,” this class will help participants explore and clarify where each of us is today in valuing the parts of the Christian story we find meaningful, while honoring our equally strong feelings of doubt and rejection for others.

Note: Because this class will take place over only three, one-hour sessions, the format will largely consist of small group work and end with a “sermon seminar” on the class experience during the final class. There is no limit to the class size since it will meet in the nave where there is plenty of room, and there will be no sign up. Please join us in exploration.

Dates & Time: September 16, 23, October 7, Sundays, 10:00 - 11:00 AM.
Location: Nave
Leaders: Bill Jordan, Penny Hansen, Bart Barnes; Marilu Sherer, supervisor
Cost: Donation

MEN: The 2007 Model Year and Beyond

Please join us as we struggle with a host of issues confronting men today in the post-9-11, post-Iron John, post-metrosexual, post-Promise Keepers world. We’ll explore what it means to live as an authentic man with integrity today and going forward. This class is for all men: fathers, sons, husbands, partners, and friends. The class meets on 6 Tuesdays from October 16 to November 20. The weekend away to Blue Ridge Summit is November 16-18. Sign up soon as the class is limited to 14 participants.

Dates & Tme: October 16 – November 20, Tuesdays, 7:30 - 9:30 PM., Weekend November 16 – 18
Location: Adams Room
Leaders: Bob Ewald, Rob Hall, Stuart Andrews, Will Long; Tucker Harris, supervisor
Cost: $175 (scholarships available)

Transition: Recreate Yourself and Survive Uncertainty

Transition into retirement. Becoming an empty nester. Getting married. Getting divorced. Having a child. Changing careers. The death of a loved one. Becoming a grandparent. What these events have in common is that they call on you to dig deep into your inner resources to accept a loss, live with uncertainty about who you are now and then identify a new you in the making. This is a major spiritual challenge. Come to a two hour session to learn how to cope and even thrive during transitions that are as inevitable as they are uncomfortable.

Date & Time: Saturday October 20, 10:00 AM. – Noon
Cost: No cost but please come and bring a friend and a brunch goodie to share with the group
Leader: Peter Sherer

Beyond the Frame Series: National Gallery of Art–America - Through Edward Hopper’s Eyes

American “realist” Edward Hopper captured earlier 20th century urban and rural life, its inhabitants in their inner and surrounding space in a uniquely compelling way. Many of his paintings have become icons of American life of an earlier time. We will discuss the exhibit over lunch at the museum, followed by a creative workshop at St. Mark’s inspired by the viewing and discussion.

Date & Time: Saturday, October 20, mid-morning to mid-afternoon
Facilitators: Sara and Bill Rau, Marilyn Stiles
Cost: $25 plus admission and lunch
Supervisors: Penny Farley, Marilyn Stiles

Beyond the Frame Series: Corcoran Gallery – Lens, Looking At Our Lives

Lens, perspective, focus, subject–these are all words that help us look at our lives. We will attend two exhibits at the Corcoran: Ansel Adams, highlighting six decades of images that help us consider beauty, space, and America’s great wilderness areas. Annie Leibovitz–A Photographer’s Life, 1990-2005, encompassing well-known works of famous people and American landscapes, as well as personal photographs of her family and close friends. We will return to St. Mark’s for an afternoon light lunch and creative session to explore “snapshots” of our own lives.

Date & Time: Saturday, November 10, mid-morning to mid-afternoon
Facilitators: David Evelyn, Jane Michael
Cost: $25 plus admission and lunch
Supervisors: Penny Farley, Marilyn Stiles

Shame and Anger, a conversation for parents

Shame and anger are powerful primary emotions that figure prominently in the lives of families as parents try to teach their children about good and bad behavior, mistakes, jealousy, teasing and bullying. Because most of us don’t understand the hardwired connection between shame and anger, and because these feelings are often difficult to talk about, the emotional lives of our children can be baffling and frustrating.

Shame and anger also figure prominently in the Bible. Adam and Eve discover shame in the knowledge of good and evil. Despite God’s warning, Cain is overwhelmed by anger when he is ashamed that God prefers Abel’s offering. This class will provide parents of young children a chance to discuss the challenges of dealing with these powerful emotions, some emotional intelligence skills that can be useful, and some of the spiritual implications.

Dates & Time: November 4, 18, December 2, 11:00 AM. - 12:15 PM.
Location: TBA
Leaders: Charlotte Murray, Brock Hansen; Martha Connor-Donnelly, supervisor
Cost: TBA

Transitions

As much as we long for stability and control in our lives, we also need excitement and new discoveries. Change is inevitable. We love promotions, marriage, moving. We’re faced with endings and loss. How can we make the internal and external transitions called for? In a functionally led class called Transitions, we’ll look at the emotional and practical issues involved in change as well as how transitions are part of our faith journey and part of our spiritual practice and part of our need for faith community.

Dates & Time: February 11 – March 17, Weekend March 14 – 16, Mondays, 7:30 - 9:30 PM.
Location: Adams Room
Leaders: Nadine Hathaway, Jan Lipscomb, Tom Wickenden
Cost: $175 (scholarships available)

Exodus

On two Sundays in Lent preceding Palm Sunday, St. Mark's will offer two interactive classes on the Book of Exodus in place of the usual sermon seminar. The classes, exploring the theo-political and personal meanings of the exodus story for Christians and Jews, will be taught jointly by Emily Guthrie, Susan Ryerson, Michael Lindner, and Richard Rubenstein. "Exodus I: Moses and the Pharaoh," offered on February 17, will focus on the origin myth and character of Moses, his relationship with the Pharaoh, the Ten Plagues, and the miracle at the Red Sea. "Exodus II: The Covenant in the Desert," offered on March 2, will deal with Moses's leadership in the desert, the covenant entered into on Mt. Sinai, the episode of the Golden Calf, and the origins of Judaeo-Christian ritual. The classes will be highly interactive, inviting participants to consider and discuss the personal meaning of these ancient events for them and for our society today.

Date & Time: February 17 and March 2, 10:00 - 10:45 AM.
Location: Nave
Leaders: Emily Guthrie, Michael Linder, Susan Ryerson, Rich Rubenstein
Cost: Donation

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