CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Fall 2017
Christian Education at Pine Street
for Fall 2017
SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 8:45 A.M.
BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 10
Sunday School Classes for Children and Youth
Children’s Classes
Two broadly graded classes for our children provide strong opportunities for Christian nurture, learning, and fellowship. Devona Van Nest leads a class for children ages 3 through kindergarten (Room 108), and Lisa Milletics leads a class for children who are in grades 1 through 5 (Room 107). There is also a music component led by our Minister of Music and Worship, Brett Terry, and many volunteers. Our Parish Associate, the Rev. Heather Sigler, liaises this ministry. During worship on Sundays, our children are dismissed following the children’s sermon to attend the Wonder of Worship program in Room 109.
Junior and Senior High
Led by Mike Brittain and John and Leslie Luciew, this class of youth grades 6 through 12 focuses on small group discussion around a variety of topics (Room 106).
Sunday School Classes for Adults
Bagels and Belief
October 1 and November 5. All adult groups meet in the Fellowship Hall.
Discovery Class, Room 103
Teacher: Marty Gruver. Founded in 1995, this lively class studies the Bible and is a warm and welcoming fellowship. They will continue their study on King David: Trusting God for a Lifetime. The focus will be on how David handled the pressures of success and failure and how he grew as a man “after God’s own heart.”
Peg-A-Way Class, Room 309
Teacher: Marna Holt. This class of delightful seniors uses the Present Word Curriculum, which is based on the International Sunday School Lessons. The theme for this fall is “Covenant with God.”
Insight Forums for Adults
These forums bring a diversity of speakers and topics to give us insight into our world and faith. Held in the Fellowship Hall.
Basic Christian Doctrine
Dr. Lee Barrett, Professor of Theology, Lancaster Theological Seminary September 10, 17, 24
One of our most popular teachers, Lee Barrett, will present key points of Christian doctrine and thinking. “Truth is in order to goodness,” we say!
Decoding ‘The Da Vinci Code’
Rev. Dr. Russell C. Sullivan, Jr., Pastor, Pine Street Presbyterian Church October 1, 8, 15
Dan Brown’s popular book, The Da Vinci Code, was a publishing phenomenon several years ago. An exciting thriller, the book proposes several conspiracies based on church history. What’s truth and what’s fiction? Did the Emperor Constantine compile the Bible? Was Jesus married? Was Jesus divine? Did the church conspire to hide the truth? What you’ll get out of this forum is a ride through church history and the real basis of our beliefs. Purchase your own copy of The Da Vinci Code at the Welcome Center when available.
Rendering to Caesar: Christ, Culture, and Public Life
Dr. Dean C. Curry, Professor of Politics, Messiah College
October 22, 29; November 5
For two thousand years Christians have wrestled with the dilemma of what it means to be “in the world but not of the world.” In this three-part series, we will examine the different ways Christians have understood what it means to be a citizen of God’s kingdom as well as a citizen of the world. We will also see why a faithful presence in the world requires that we not remain silent about the connection between our most deeply held beliefs and the common good. Related issues to be explored include: the connection between Christianity and democracy, the blessing and limits of politics, the right and wrong way for individual believers and the Church to engage public life. Dr. Curry’s published writings include books and articles addressing issues related to global politics, war and peace, religion and public life, and … Wilt Chamberlain.
The State of Hate in PA … And the Good News!
Anne Van Dyke, The Community Responders Network
November 12
Recently retired from the Pennsylvania Human Resources Commission, Ms. Van Dyke is an expert on extremist groups operating in Pennsylvania. Who are they? How do we respond?
Policing in Harrisburg
Thomas Carter, Harrisburg Police Chief
November 19
Chief Carter will share with us his vision of compassion and policing in our city.
Gospel Overture: The Christmas Story According to Matthew
Rev. Dr. Russell C. Sullivan, Jr., Pastor, Pine Street Presbyterian Church
November 26
Themes found in the infancy narrative in Matthew are restated and reinforced throughout the body of the Gospel. As a result, the Christmas story can be understood as an overture to the Gospel, in much the same way that the music at the
beginning of an opera introduces the themes that will be repeated in the body of the opera. Find out in Matthew’s version of Jesus’ birth what his main purpose is.
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AT 7:15 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 13, 20, 27, AND OCTOBER 4
FELLOWSHIP HALL
“Terrorism
and Nuclear Security Issues”
Our teacher, John Ricca, has more than 30 years of experience as a weapons of mass destruction (WMD) counter-terrorism analyst. He was certified as a technical target analyst and employment officer for nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. For approximately two decades, he conducted annual independent assessments of the North Korean and Iranian nuclear programs. Recently, he has served as a WMD counter-terrorism technical instructor and advisor for the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security. In 2015 he conducted an independent analysis of the nuclear agreement with Iran. John retired from fulltime status in 2005 but still works part-time as a technical advisor to the Office of Nuclear Matters in the Pentagon, and as a technical instructor at the Defense Nuclear Weapons School in Albuquerque.
Sign up at the Welcome Center, or e-mail your attendance plans to office@pinestreet.org.
Islam, Part 1
September 13
Five Basic Pillars of Islam; The Quran & Hadith; Shia, Sunni, Kurds; Middle East Racial Bias; Sharia Law; Fundamentalists versus Moderates
Islam, Part 2
September 20
The term “Islamic Terrorism;” Examples of Islamic Culture; Analysis of Christianity and Islam - World-Wide and in the U.S.; Analysis of Radical Jihad - World-Wide and in the U.S.; Conclusions
Al Qaeda and ISIL
September 27
Origin and Evolution; terms ISIS versus ISIL; Goals; Recruiting; Funding; Terrorist Capability; Military Capability; U.S. Strategy Options & Consequences; Conclusions
Nuclear Issues: Iran and North Korea
October 4
Iran’s Nuclear Program; 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), a.k.a. the Iran Agreement - Goals, Objectives and Results; $1.3B Transfer to Iran; Threat Assessment; Conclusions; North Korea’s Nuclear Program; Missile Program; Biological Program; Threat Assessment; Conclusions
INTRODUCTION TO THE ENNEAGRAM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18 FROM 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
FELLOWSHIP HALL
The enneagram is an ancient system that can help us understand human behavior. Having been used by spiritual guides for over 2000 years, this system describes nine personality styles with many variations. Although it is first and foremost a journey of self-discovery, learning this model can also increase understanding and harmony in our family relationships and with our work colleagues. It explores what motivates us, what we tend to avoid, how we react to stress, and when we are at our best. It challenges us, shows us our strengths and weaknesses, and offers a path for personal and spiritual growth.
Our presenters for this workshop are Ellen Kanagy, LCSW, and Rhonda Myers, LPC. Both are therapists at Samaritan Counseling Center in Lancaster, PA. Both have studied and learned from the enneagram for many years and found it to be a helpful tool personally and relationally. Ellen is also a former staff member of Kairos: School of Spiritual Formation in Wernersville, PA, and a certified spiritual director through Kairos.
There is a $15.00 charge for the workshop. Register at the Welcome Center, or e-mail the church at office@pinestreet.org. Mail your check to Pine Street and annotate it “Enneagram Workshop.”
