Adult Church School Classes Fall 2008

Church School is for all ages from 9:30-10:30am Sundays, September through May. Binkley’s tradition is to offer adult classes by semester, giving us opportunities to explore new topics and meet new people.

• Emmaus Class:  On the road home to Emmaus, a stranger joins the conversation of two disciples trying to make sense of the events surrounding Jesus’ death. They invite the stranger to dinner, where the risen Christ is revealed in the breaking of bread.  The Emmaus class provides a place of hospitality for developing relationships in the context of our faith journeys. Pondering life events, the stranger that joins us may be a newcomer, a biblical text, the experience or viewpoint of another. Our openness to these encounters deepens our joy and renews us for acting faithfully in our communities, families, and world. Matthew and Carol Ripley-Moffitt will facilitate this class, meeting in the Sun Room.  For information on the Emmaus Class curriculum, please visit  www.bibleworkbench.com
  
• Coffee and Conversation:  This Sunday Church School hour offering is for the adult learner who drops off the kids or spouse at the door for Sunday School, grabs a paper, magazine, or book, and heads to the  coffee shop for a little solitude.  While solitude is important for the life of the individual spirit, the Binkleyite devoting him/herself to it during the Church School hour might like to try the "Coffee Talk" class.  Bring that cup of Joe and your thoughts about the week's events with you as learners look at life, the world and lessons in faithful living, together.  This is a dialogue class, centered in questions rather than doctrine.  The only preparation needed is the willingness to explore the presence of God in our world and relationships. 
   
• Moral and Spiritual Giants: This class will present portaits of some moral and spiritual heroes who have provided major inspiration and guidance to churches and society in recent times.  Attention will be given to the life story, the thoughts, the work and the significance of each figure for his/her day, and for our day.  Some of the "giants" to be discussed throughout the year are Dorothy Day, Clarence Jordan, Albert Schweitzer, Rosemary Radford Ruether, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Thomas Berry, Sister Evelyn Mattern,  Reinhold Niebuhr and Howard Thurman.  

• Choices for Sustainable Living (9/14-10/26); Healthy Children/Healthy Planet (11/2-12/14): These two independent courses are discussion-oriented and may be taken together or separately.  "Choices for Sustainable Living" explores the meaning of sustainability: connections between lifestyle choices and their impact on the earth, and steps that can be taken individually, institutionally and communally.  "Healthy Children/Healthy Planet" considers the effects of advertising, media and consumer culture on children:  ways to create meaningful family times and healthful environments, and means to develop connections with nature and foster creativity.