Adult Sunday School Classes 2006-2007

Track I Scripture
Track II Christian Living 24/7
Track III News & Reviews
Track IV History, Theology, and Spirituality
Track V ABCs of Discipleship

Track I Scripture
The Young Church in Action: The Acts of the Holy Spirit
Leaders: Bishop Bill Frey, Bishop John MacNaughton, and Shirley MacNaughton
Some scholars have dubbed the Book of Acts the “Acts of the Holy Spirit” because of the Spirit’s pre-eminent place in the narrative. The palpable power of the Holy Spirit produced results in the lives of believers that far exceeded their natural abilities, hence the sub-title, “ The Acts of the Holy Spirit.” Thanks to Luke’s meticulous research and active participation we have a fascinating picture of at least one part of the early Christian community. By careful examination of this extraordinary adventure we expect to find fresh hopes for our contemporary Church life.

Sunday Mornings in Lent: Forty Days of Purpose
Leader: The Rev. Malcolm A. Ellis
The entire Parish is invited to participate in this six-week Sunday morning class. Led by Dr. Ellis, Father Prehn, and a team of facilitators, we shall enter upon a common quest to go deeper into our purpose in life as Christian persons and families. In the Bible, the number 40 is an important symbol of fulfillment, fruition, and completion. God can accomplish much in 40 days! Using materials provided by Rick Warren, the best-selling author of The Purpose-driven Life and The Purpose-driven Church, members of St. Luke’s Church – and, by all means, bring your friends and neighbors! – will have a chance to “grow in the knowledge and love of the Lord” and to learn how God wants to transfigure our hectic days and weeks into purposeful and satisfying lives. Begins February 25. More information about Forty Days of Purpose will be available after the first of the year.

Women of the Bible
Leader: Diane Thrush
The Bible is full of stories about women of faith who have played important roles in the history of our faith. We will look at some of these women, from the famous Mary to the not so famous Huldah, and learn the unique gifts they bring to us today. top

Track III News and Reviews
Leaders: Andrew Morrison, James Dennis
A continuing, usually provocative, sometimes controversial, and never dull examination of current events in the religious and secular worlds with an eye to the moral and ethical content of these events. The class is designed to raise the ethical and moral issues in our contemporary culture and to provoke our thought about appropriate religious and specifically Christian responses to them. While the subject is carefully prepared, the class encourages full discussions from the participants. top

Track IV History, Theology, and Spirituality
Henry the Eighth and All That: The History and Character of Anglican Christianity
Leader: The Rev. Walter L. Prehn III
A continuing, usually provocative, sometimes controversial, and never dull examination of current events in the religious and secular worlds with an eye to the moral and ethical content of these events. The class is designed to raise the ethical and moral issues in our contemporary culture and to provoke our thought about appropriate religious and specifically Christian responses to them. While the subject is carefully prepared, the class encourages full discussions from the participants.

Prayer Workshop “You learn to pray by praying.” Henri J. Nouwen
Leader: Susanne Methven
During class we will practice a variety of ways to pray - with words (for example, the prayers in The Book of Common Prayer), in silence, with the scriptures, with images, or with the body, so that we may bring these practices to our homes and daily lives. Whether we are novices or seasoned people of prayer, we will seek to be more receptive to God’s presence and intentional about offering our lives as a prayerful response to God’s love.Preparin
g the Soil the Soul for the Seeds of Contemplation: A Reflective Class Contemplative
Preparing the Soil of the Soul for the Seeds of Contemplation: A Reflective Class on Contemplative Writings of Thomas Mertonritings of Thomas Merton
Leader: Sylvia Maddox
Thomas Merton was a Trappist monk and spiritual writer whose love of the contemplative life spread beyond the confines of the monastery to people in all vocations and of all Christian denominations. In his understanding, “ the seeds of contemplation and sanctity . . . are planted in every Christian soul at Baptism. But these seeds must grow before you reap the harvest.”

In this class we will have the opportunity to explore together the seeds of contemplation, such as the importance of silence and solitude, the value of our true self in Christ, the mystery of paradox, ways to express the contemplative dimension in life, and the intersection between contemplation and the world of action.

An Introduction to Rowan Williams
Leaders: Gill Cook and James Dennis
We will examine the work of Dr. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury and the leader of the Anglican Communion. He is a noted poet and widely recognized as perhaps the best Anglican theologian of our time. Like our Church, Dr. Williams at times presents a very orthodox theological vision and at other times seems quite progressive. Thus, he is not a stranger to controversy. Some believe the breadth of his vision may help to bridge the widening chasm in the theology of the northern and southern hemispheres, between liberal and conservatives, and between high church and low church.

Islam - a Very Short Course
Dr. Frank Garcia-Treto, Farris Railey King Professor of Religion, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX
Although the influence of Islam and of the Islamic world in the development of Western Civilization has been considerable and goes back to the times of late antiquity, we have unfortunately tended to ignore this third of the “Abrahamic religions” unless, as at present, a tragic crisis develops. While extremist factions in contemporary Islam, such as the Taliban and jihadist groups like al-Qaeda, present a hostile and aggressive face of Islam to the West, they do not represent the majority of Muslims, nor the entirety of Islam as a religion or as a culture. There is much that we need to know about Islam in order to be able to enter into constructive dialogue with our Muslim neighbors, and even to understand the roots of the current conflict.

This course will attempt to begin the process of learning about Islam. Topics that will be discussed include Muhammad and his world; The Qur’an; Islamic practice: the “Pillars of Islam;” Islam as an “Abrahamic religion;” Jesus in the Qur’an; Islamic views of Christianity and of Judaism; the spread and varieties of Islam; fundamentalism and Islamic alternatives. top

Track V The ABC’s of Discipleship

The purpose of this Track is to provide some basic information about the doctrine, discipline and worship of the church, particularly as we understand it and live it as St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. In addition to the monthly Newcomer Class, St. Luke’s Church will offer a series of short Sunday morning classes through the course of the program year geared to those who are new to the Parish, the Episcopal Church, or the Christian faith.

The ABCs of Discipleship will explore the most basic Christian doctrines and Anglican theology but also offer participants practical steps and guidelines for becoming committed disciples of Jesus Christ. The series is comprised of the following components (dates to be announced):

A Newcomer Class will meet on the first Sunday of each month of the year (except July). All Newcomers to St. Luke’s are urged to attend this class. This is a basic orientation to St. Luke’s Church, an introduction to our faith, our mission, our worship, and our many opportunities to serve the Lord and advance the Gospel through ministry and mission.

A is for Alpha
The 10-week Alpha Course, an introduction to the heart of our Faith, will be offered to anyone who wishes to participate on Wednesday evenings.

B is for Believing
The Believing class is an introduction to Anglican theology, the Episcopal Church, and how we at St. Luke’s Church in particular live out the baptismal covenant. This 4-session course is required for those who wish to be confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church. Sunday mornings

C is for Commitment
It is one thing to say that we are committed to “Christ and His Church.” What practical, “hands-on” instruction is required that we might be all we can be for Christ’s sake? The Commitment class is a 3-session course on discovering God’s vision for our lives through the spiritual gifts He has given us. Once we have discerned what we can do by way of our natural and supernatural gifts, then we can decide what we will do– if God wills it– as to real ministry and mission at St. Luke’s and in the world.

D is for Discipleship
The Discipleship class will reflect upon what Jesus taught about believing, commitment, and true discipleship in the real world. This several-session class is an opportunity to deepen our spirituality and see how to be Christ’s committed people at home and in the workplace. Sunday mornings

Newcomer Class
Are you new to St. Luke’s? Are you interested in becoming part of this dynamic community? Join us to learn more about the broad spectrum of worship, music, and ministry opportunities at St. Luke’s. top