All adults are invited to the following adult education programs. No registration is needed unless otherwise noted. Meeting rooms will be listed in the Westminster Updates in the weekly worship bulletins. Contact Director of Adult Education and Women's Ministries Clara Beth Van de Water at 703-549-4766 ext. 120 for further information.
Now available to order: A book of Bible Stories for Adults, by Dr. Richard Neff, Presbyterian minister and brother-in-law to members Becky and John Davies. The Bible contains different types of literature and stories do not always appear in historical sequence, often making parts of the Bible daunting to read and understand. Dr. Neff wrote Bible Stories (Old Testament) to address this. The book is neither a simple retelling or academic commentary. Rather, it offers the clarity and explication to help people of faith renew appreciation and gain insights into timeless defining Biblical narratives.
The book has 32 chapters. Ways to read include a chapter per day or week. Reading will increase your Biblical literacy! Adult education planners decided to make the book available for those who order it to begin reading home in October. Contact Director of Adult Education and Women's Ministries Clara Beth Van de Water by September 1 to order a copy. The book cost is $15. Payment is required when you pick up the book in October.
Sunday Classes
All adults are invited to attend any of the following classes.
Classes for Fall 2010 Announced
Proverbs: Sayings, Stories and Profound Religious Wisdom, led by Dr. Larry Hayward, Sunday evenings from 4:30 - 5:50 p.m., September 12, 19, 26 and October 4. The Old Testament Book of Proverbs is a compendium of maxims and sayings that, in the words of one scholar, represents the moral experience and trained intelligence of genuinely religious people. Recent scholarship has shown that part of the profound religious wisdom behind the Book of Proverbs may lie in an overarching story and a careful arrangement of the parts. Join us as we explore this book together at Westminster.
September 12 Preparing to Leave the Nest
September 19 Must I Repeat Myself?
September 26 Do I Contradict Myself? Very Well Then, I Contradict Myself
October 4 A Man Shall Leave His Father and Mother and Cleave Unto His Wife
Reinhold Niebuhr: American Power in Theological Perspective, complementary courses led by Dr. Bruce Douglass and Dr. Larry Hayward. Each session will be self-contained, but we encourage regular attendance for continuity. If you are able to take only the morning or evening class, attendance will still be beneficial. George Kennan, Martin Luther King, Jr., Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama claim his influence on their philosophies. Douglass, a political analyst, will discuss the prominent themes.
Dr. Douglass will lead a Sunday morning class from 9:45 -10:45 September 19 - October 10 in the Haverkamp Room. These sessions provide a theological grounding for Niebuhr's thought.
Dr. Hayward will lead a Sunday evening class from 4:30 -5:50 p.m. October 17 - November 21. These sessions will discuss articles published by Reinhold Niebuhr in The New Republic during the 1950s and 1960s.
Genesis from the DISCIPLE Program, a ten week Bible study of the first book of the Bible, whose foundational stories still form our thinking today, led by Elders Kathy Harkness and Connie Ring beginning September 12 from 9:30 -10:45 a.m. Register and purchase a book at the first class.
The New Atheism, a lecture on modern-day atheism, which is rooted in ignorance of religion, and therefore different from earlier informed atheism which rejected religious knowledge, by Dr. John Haught, Georgetown University, September 12. No registration needed.
Pivotal Points in the History of Christianity Dr. Anthony Tambasco, Professor of Theology at Georgetown University, April 11 - May 16, 2010. Tambasco will describe the shifts in thinking that caused decisive changes and transformative moments in Christian history, impacting church leaders struggling to define what it means to be Christian.
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6
Use and Abuse of the Bible in Today's Politics. Dr. Jacques Berlinerblau, Georgetown University, March 21, 2010. Audio
Why Not Be Reformed: The Reformed Tradition Through The Eyes Of Its Critics. Examine the important criticisms of Reformed beliefs and practices that have been made by opponents and the Reformed responses. The lecturer is Dr. R. Bruce Douglass of Georgetown University, and Director of The Reformed Institute of Metropolitan Washington.
Week 1 Audio
Classes were held November 9 – 23, 2008, led by Dr. Larry R. Hayward, Senior Pastor, and Dr. Paul Stetsenko, Director of Music Ministries
Understand and discuss overviews of worship (Nov. 9) Part 1 Part 2
Preaching (Nov. 16) Part 1 Part 2
Music at Westminster (Nov. 23) Part 1 Part 2
Evangelistic Christian Mission vs. Interreligious Dialogue and Understanding
Class was held October 26, 2008, led by Dr. John Borelli, Special Advisor to the President of Georgetown University on Interreligious Initiatives.
Part 1
Part 2
The Epistle of James: A Window into Jewish Christianity
Classes were held April 19 - May 17, 2009, led by Dr. Anthony Tambasco, Professor of Theology, Georgetown University. This letter is associated with James, the brother of Jesus, leader of the early church in Jerusalem.
James’ Exhortation in the Face of Suffering - Part 1 Part 2
Poverty and Riches in the Epistle of James - Part 1 Part 2
Wisdom and Integrity in the Epistle of James. - Part 1 Part 2
The Royal Law of James and Paul's View of the Law - Part 1 Part 2
