Adult Education

Mission Of Adult Education

At Westminster Presbyterian Church, we seek to nurture our members, at all stages of their faith journey, in ways that strengthen biblical, spiritual, and moral foundations and affirm what we believe as Reformed Christians. Throughout the Adult Education program we work to cultivate an environment in which diversity is valued and different opinions are respectfully engaged. Our Sunday morning classes are designed to be communities where members and visitors are invited to join the journey growing deeper in faith and fellowship. Some classes geared more for "age and stage" of life, while others are intentionally intergenerational. During the year, special classes and speakers are arranged for the whole church to experience learning together. All are welcomed to become part of what God is doing through the education ministry at Westminster.

Adult Education Offerings (Sundays at 9:45 am)

Covenant:  Begun in the fall of 2006, the Covenant Class is geared especially for parents of Westminster youth  and was 
started as a response to a spoken need on behalf of many of the parents for such a class. It is a community of mutual support, 
intentional growth, fellowship and service. Many former  Pathfinders and Westminster 100’s have found a Sunday school class home here.
Alex Buchanan, class coordinator. (Fellowship Hall)

In A Word This is a new class starting this year that is scheduled to meet every Sunday. About this new class Donovan writes: “In this class I will seek to lead us in a playful give and take with the lectionary texts for Sunday. It is my contention that by playing with the text that we are pushed by it to inquire more deeply into our souls, and in turn we discover our need for God.  We may find what ails us and also what heals us. The format is lecture and discussion. It begins anew every Sunday, so 
you are free to pop in at anytime. Please join us.”  - Donovan 
Led by Rev. Dr. Donovan Drake (Goodpasture Hall)

Murdoch MacLeods 
Named for a former pastor who helped lead the congregation to its current location, this class is 
for men who seek in-depth Bible study, world religions studies, and fellowship. Wilford Fuqua, teacher. (M-305)
New Member Class: Offered two to three times a year, this six week class allows those interested in learning  more about  
Westminster or those seeking to unite in membership to explore topics such as Reformed Theology, worship, mission and service with members of the staff and lay leaders. 
Wilford Fuqua and Eli Richardson, class coordinators. (M-305)

New Members - Beginning Sunday, January 8, 2012
The New Member Classes work to assimilate new members into the life and work of Westminster. Class members get to 
know one another, as well as many members of our congregation during each of six weekly meetings of the class. 
The classes are held during the Sunday School hour and  introduce the participant to all aspects of church life. Ordained 
staff and/or Chairs of the various Committees of the Church come before the class to make presentations and answer          
questions.
Topics covered include: 
• Reformed Theology
• Polity and Westminster organizational structure
• Worship
• Music
• Children’s Ministry
• Youth Ministry 
• Adult Education
• Outreach
• Witness
• Stewardship
The classes provide a means of fellowship and the opportunity to explore discipleship in this community of faith. Class will meet in room M-308 (on the third floor) beginning at 9:45 am.

The New Member class will meet on the following Sunday:   February  26.
• The New Members' dinner will be Tuesday, January 31.
• New Members will be received into membership on Sunday, February 26.
Jim Hartman, coordinator; Rev. Carson Salyer, staff. (M-308)


Search
Are you looking for that fellowship group where you might find others who share your concerns and questions? Feel 
too young for some classes and too old for others?  Have questions or concerns about your faith that you’re not sure how 
or where to raise? Search is a small group that, although focused on a theological theme, consists of group discussion and gentle leadership around the theme. Search can often be found at the movie theatre or Starbuck’s. 
Dr. Joan Schleicher, class coordinator. (M-311)

January - February 2012

Israel/Palestine by Alan Dowty

“What explains the peculiar intensity and evident intractability of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Of all the "hot spots" in the world today, the apparently endless clash between Jews and Arabs in the Middle East seems unique in its longevity and resistance to resolution. Is this conflict really different from other ethnic and nationalist confrontations, and if so, in what way?”

Tweeners  
If your children are in the  “pre-teen”  years of  adolescence (generally 8-12) or if you are “in between” usual age 
and stage groupings, this class is for you. The focus of the class is topical ranging from traditional Bible study and spiritual nurture to issues around family balance, the role of sports, and the impact of culture. Quarterly fellowship opportunities and service options are also being planned. The class has been  meeting in  E-287, but has had to relinquish the classroom to the Youth  department this year since PDA has taken over Youth Space.   
Marguerite Orndorff, class coordinator. (M-110)

Young Families
If you have young children  (infant - elementary) no matter how old you are, come join this group for
regular social events, many for the whole family and some just for grown-up nights out. Many parents have children in the 
Westminster School for Young Children.
Jennifer Larson and Lee & Lindsay Ballew, class coordinators. (M-111)

February Sunday School Offerings

On February 26th , we are having Kem Hinton (pictured left), founding partner in Tuck-Hinton Architects, to speak on “Solomon’s Temple and the 2nd Temple.” Kem developed an interest in The Temple while teaching Sunday school and has been asked to give the class at the annual AIA national meeting in Washington, D.C. this summer. Kem will have just gotten back from Jerusalem where he has done further extensive study. He brings a trained architects’ eye and knowledge of building to help us understand the importance of the Temple to God’s people. All classes are invited to learn together in Fellowship Hall from 9:45 – 10:40 am.

A Look Ahead

Looking ahead to the Adult Education program, we are pleased to announce that Dr. A.-J. Levine will be with us for Sunday School in the fall from September 9 – October 7. She is currently teaching a series at The Temple on Tuesday evenings entitled “The Bible and Civility: Listening to Multiple Voices” on the role of faith and politics.


Click here to print and view directions to the Sunday School classrooms.