Category: Adult Education

Adult Education – Sunday, September 24, 2017

On: By: David Both
Kaye B. Ward - Program Asst. for Transition, Interfaith Prison Ministry
Kaye B. Ward – Program Asst. for Transition, Interfaith Prison Ministry

Kaye B. Ward, with the Program Asst. for Transition, Interfaith Prison Ministry, will speak to us Sunday, September 24.

In this final presentation of a 3-part series on prison ministry, Kaye Ward will speak with us about her journey and how the support of her mentors and sponsors helped her embark on a new life after serving nearly 4 years in prison. Kaye’s story is compelling and a good example of how St. Mark’s ministry to formerly incarcerated women can make a difference another person’s life.

Follow-up on Sept. 10 Adult education about the NC Center on Actual Innocence

On: By: David Both

Last Sunday, September 10,  Chris Mumma, executive director of the NC Center on Actual Innocence, gave an inspiring, factual, and provocative presentation on her work in exonerating prisoners who are innocent and have been imprisoned due to a miscarriage of justice.

As a follow-up to her presentation, Chris sent the following information on the legislation for which we can advocate:

http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions /2017/Bills/House/PDF/H216v3.pdf

Chris Mumma
Executive Director
N.C. Center on Actual Innocence

Adult Education – Sunday, September 17, 2017

On: By: David Both
Dennis Gaddy - Executive Director, Community Success Initiative
Dennis Gaddy – Executive Director, Community Success Initiative

In this 2nd of 3 Sunday morning offerings on prison ministries, Dennis Gaddy – Executive Director, Community Success Initiative, will speak to to the St. Mark’s adult class on Sunday, September 17, 2017.

The vision of Community Success Initiative (CSI) is to create communities where people discover their potential, set worthy goals for their lives, and take action in a positive way, with an emphasis on men and women who are transitioning from prison and jail, or who otherwise find themselves entangled in the criminal justice system. Dennis Gaddy, Executive Director, Community Success Initiative, will share the work of CSI, his own personal story, and how transformative a second chance can be in the life of an individual and their family.

Join us at 9 am Sunday, Sept. 10; we have breakfast, sign up, and first classes

On: By: David Both
St Mark’s invites all children, from preschool to fourth-graders, and youth from fifth-grade to high school seniors, and adults to join us for the Sunday School kick-off on Sept. 10 at 9 am in the Courtyard area. There will be light breakfast items as well as juice and coffee to be enjoyed by all. Sunday School will start at 9:30. Your Christian Education Committee is looking forward to seeing you! 
The Sunday School chalk on the walk.
The Sunday School chalk on the walk.
In addition to a robust Adult Education program with thought-provoking speakers and presentations, St. Mark’s offers three engaging youth programs: 
Godly Play: This is for children from preschoolers through fourth graders. Godly Play is a Montessori-based method of Christian Education that allows the children to wonder and respond to Bible stories told each Sunday. We offer “work sessions” periodically to allow the children more time to explore the stories and respond using the stories, the “desert box” and various art supplies or journals.
Rite 13 and Journey to Adulthood: Youth programs at St. Mark’s focus on building relationships, seeking the holy and searching for answers to tough questions. We take seriously the need to deal with what is real for young people, to honor their questions, and to assure them that they are real people with real, valid, and authentic experiences.  We use the Journey to Adulthood curriculum, a program that balances Bible study, prayer, and both serious and playful activities to nurture the whole person. Rite 13 (Grades 5-8) and J2A (Grades 9-12) classes can be found in the CLC.

Adult Education – Sunday, September 10, 2017

On: By: David Both
Chris Mumma - Executive Director, NC Center for Actual Innocence
Chris Mumma – Executive Director, NC Center for Actual Innocence

Chris Mumma, Executive Director, NC Center for Actual Innocence, will speak to the St. Mark’s adult class on Sunday, September 10, 2017. 

Life in prison is a nightmare for those who commit crimes. Imagine what it’s like for those who are in prison for a crime they did not commit. In the 1st of 3 Sunday morning offerings on prison ministries, Chris Mumma will speak to us about the NC Center for Actual Innocence, their work to exonerate those falsely accused, and her passion for this work.

The following 90-minute video about the exoneration of Greg Taylor is one example of Chris’s work.

http://www.wral.com/news/local/documentaries/video/10950827/

Classes for Sunday, May 7

On: By: David Both

Walter Brueggemann: The Prophetic Imagination

Krista Tippett is a Peabody Award-winning broadcaster and New York Times best-selling author. She is the creator/host/executive producer of “On Being”, a weekly program that is broadcast on WUNC radio. Walter Brueggemann is the William Marcellus McPheeters professor emeritus of Old Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary, author of numerous books, and is considered one of the foremost Old Testament scholars of our time. 

In 2011 Ms Tippett and Dr. Brueggemann sat down together for a conversation that has been broadcast twice on “On Being.” In this first of two sessions facilitated by Larry Gaissert we will listen to their conversation and reflect on its relevance for both our individual and corporate lives. Please join us at 9:30 a.m. in CLC-4.

If you are so inclined, here are some suggestions for reading prior to the class: Jeremiah 4:23-26, Isaiah 43:18-21, and “The Pickaxe” a poem by Rumi.

Other Classes

Godly Play: classes for preschool through second grades and third through sixth grade Our children hear the stories of the Bible and of Christ’s ministry to our world. Parents and any adults who are interested are also invited.

Rite 13 and Journey to Adulthood: Youth programs at St. Mark’s focus on building relationships, seeking the holy and searching for answers to tough questions. We take seriously the need to deal with what is real for young people, to honor their questions, and to assure them that they are real people with real, valid, and authentic experiences. We use the Journey to Adulthood curriculum, a program that balances Bible study, prayer, and both serious and playful activities to nurture the whole person.

Christian Education for Sunday, April 30

On: By: David Both

“Suzanne Barakat: Islamophobia killed my brother. Let’s end the hate.” A TED Talk

On Feb. 10, 2015, Suzanne Barakat’s brother Deah, her sister-in-law Yusor and Yusor’s sister Razan were murdered by their neighbor in Chapel Hill. The perpetrator’s story, that he killed them over a traffic dispute, went unquestioned by the media and police until Barakat spoke out at a press conference, calling the murders what they really were: hate crimes. In this TED Talk, as she reflects on how she and her family reclaimed control of their narrative, Barakat calls on us to speak up when we witness bigotry and express our communion with those who face discrimination. A guest at the session will be Lamine Niasse, native of Senegal and now a U.S. citizen. Lamine is a Muslim who was a friend of Deah.

Please join us in CLC-4 at 9:30 a.m. this Sunday, April 30, to view her TED talk and participate in the discussion to follow facilitated by Jim Jacobs.

Other Classes

Godly Play: classes for preschool through second grades and third through sixth grade Our children hear the stories of the Bible and of Christ’s ministry to our world. Parents and any adults who are interested are also invited.

Rite 13 and Journey to Adulthood: Youth programs at St. Mark’s focus on building relationships, seeking the holy and searching for answers to tough questions. We take seriously the need to deal with what is real for young people, to honor their questions, and to assure them that they are real people with real, valid, and authentic experiences. We use the Journey to Adulthood curriculum, a program that balances Bible study, prayer, and both serious and playful activities to nurture the whole person.

Real Davids, real Goliaths: What’s the point of the story? – Classes for April 23

On: By: David Both

Christian education classes meet at 9:30 in our Community Life Center.

Adult class – David and Goliath It’s a classic underdog tale: David, a young shepherd armed only with a sling, beats Goliath, the mighty warrior. The story has

transcended its biblical origins to become a common shorthand for unlikely victory. But, asks Malcolm Gladwell, is that really what the David and Goliath story is about?  You can see the video in advance at https://www.ted.com/talks/malcolm_gladwell_the_unheard_story_of_david_and_goliath. Jim Jacobs leads the discussion. Let’s talk about real Davids and Goliaths in our own lives.

Godly Play: classes for preschool through second grades and third through sixth grade Our children hear the stories of the Bible and of Christ’s ministry to our world. Parents and any adults who are interested are also invited.

Rite 13 and Journey to Adulthood: Youth programs at St. Mark’s focus on building relationships, seeking the holy and searching for answers to tough questions. We take seriously the need to deal with what is real for young people, to honor their questions, and to assure them that they are real people with real, valid, and authentic experiences. We use the Journey to Adulthood curriculum, a program that balances Bible study, prayer, and both serious and playful activities to nurture the whole person.

Christian Education for April 9 – Immigration and refugees: Advocating for our neighbors

On: By: David Both
Christian education classes meet at 9:30 in our Community Life Center. 
This special series of six classes for adults for Lent focuses on active outreach into the world. Please join us for this important series.
Adult Sunday School: Immigration and refugees In this, the last of our adult classes for Lent, we hear an update on immigration and refugees and
how we as people of faith can advocate for our newest neighbors. Guest Speaker: Jennie Belle of the North Carolina Council of Churches.
Godly Play: classes for preschool through second grades and third through sixth grade Our children hear the stories of the Bible and of Christ’s ministry to our world. Parents and any adults who are interested are also invited.
Rite 13 and Journey to Adulthood: Youth programs at St. Mark’s focus on building relationships, seeking the holy and searching for answers to tough questions. We take seriously the need to deal with what is real for young people, to honor their questions, and to assure them that they are real people with real, valid, and authentic experiences. We use the Journey to Adulthood curriculum, a program that balances Bible study, prayer, and both serious and playful activities to nurture the whole person.