Adult Education

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Now you can access many of the documents from our educational offerings just by clicking the link below! Check back often for all those classes you're most interested in:

	Class Documents

Fall 2010 Theme: Following Jesus

Friends on a Journey - Begins September 12, Graham Hall (click here)

Theme: “How do you hear the voice of God in your life and who has he called you to be?”

	September 12	Rich Webster - Following Jesus: Saying Yes—It’s Just Not that Hard
	September 19	Rich Webster - Following Jesus: The problem and the solution
	September 26	Chris Girata - Following Jesus in Jerusalem.
	October 3	John Shuster - A former member of Saint Luke’s, Sunday school teacher and psychiatrist.
	October 10	Lars Porter - Saint Luke’s Youth Minister, track coach and member of our most recent confirmation class.
	October 17	Janice and Peter Newton - Leaders of Advent House Prayer and Healing Ministry who teach the art of intercessory prayer as well as welcome guests in need of prayer.  Peter has been a parish priest in Great Britain for many years.
	October 24	Fisher Humphreys - A retired professor of theology, Samford University, and author, introduces his book, I Have Called You Friends: New Testament images that challenge us to live as Christ followers.
	October 31	Drayton Nabers - Drayton will report on his mission trip to Africa.
	November 7	Eddie Finn - A member of Advent’s Five O’Clock Band, psychiatrist and champion of our Cursillo community in the Diocese of Alabama.
	November 14	Bill Wortman - Associate Director of Fixed Point Foundation in Birmingham, a scholar of Biblical languages and a gifted Bible teacher.
	November 21	Mark LaGory - A deacon, professor of sociology at UAB, and our very own.
	November 28	Chris Hartley - A postulant for Holy Orders.
	December 5	Shaun Pezant - Leader of our own Crossties and an outstanding jazz pianist.

Inquirer's Class
Begins October 17

This class meets every Sunday through November 21. There is also a dinner and Instructed Eucharist at 6:30 pm on November 21. This is for adults wanting to be confirmed or interested in learning more about the Episcopal Church.
The Chapel, The Rev. Richmond R. Webster

Studying Our Sunday Scriptures
Begins October 3

Using a lecture/discussion format, Father Steve relates Sunday readings to their place in the themes of the season of the church year and to everyday Christian living. Discover how the Scriptures of the day reflect on each other and explore their historical context.
Room 232, The Rev. Stephen DeGweck

Small Group Studies
Begins October 3

Looking for a small group on Sunday morning? Join Chris Girata and other leaders as we find God working in and around us through the week’s current events. We will rely heavily on digital media to uncover social trends that matter to us, always returning to ground those trends in scripture. This group will be discussion based, so come ready to meet a new friend and get to know old friends better!
Room 212, The Rev. Christopher Girata and friends

Friends on the Journey
Begins October 3

Telling their own stories of following Jesus, speakers within our church community and beyond inspire and encourage us. Some of our speakers: Dr. John Shuster returns to speak about God’s call to us. Our own Chris Girata followed a call to Jerusalem.  He brings pictures and stories of what he found there. The Rev. Peter Newton and Mrs. Janice Newton describe their call to a ministry of prayer and healing at Advent House in Birmingham and at their church in Nottingham, England. Dr. Fisher Humphreys, author of “I Have Called You Friends,” shows how New Testament images for early followers of Christ, such as servant, soldier, friend and child offer guidance for a life of faith. Click here for our full schedule.
Graham Hall, Facilitated by the Rev. Rebecca DeBow

The Old Testament
Begins October 3

An introduction to the history, literature, and theology of ancient Israel as seen through the pages of the Hebrew Bible. The so-called Old Testament’s pages contain literature ranging from myth and saga, to law and proverb, history, theology, and poetry. It is a people’s sacred story; inspired word that is both the foundation for Judaism, and the first part of the canon of the Christian Church. We will look at its pages both as history, literature, and sacred story. The course involves a short reading assignment from the Old Testament, a weekly film, and small discussion groups.  It is structured around a series of thirty minute lectures on the Old Testament given by Amy-Jill Levine, eminent scholar and Professor in the Divinity School at Vanderbilt University. This is a class for beginners as well as seasoned Bible class folks, for skeptics, progressives, and orthodox alike.
The Founders Room, The Rev. Dn. Mark LaGory

Sunday School for Sunday Nights!

Anglican Voices – Meets from 4:00-4:50 pm in Graham Hall - Birmingham is blessed with a wealth of educated and accomplished clergy.  We’ll hear from the following and more:

	September 12	The Rev. Dr. Wilton Bunch - How can a good God allow the existence of evil?
	September 19 & 26	The Rev. Dr. Barry Vaughn - The Impact of the Evangelical Movement on the Episcopal Church
Childcare available through 5K during the programs.

Wednesday Night Supper and Worship - From September 8 through April 13

Dinner with Your Saint Luke’s Family
5:30-6:30 pm • Graham Hall

Join your Saint Luke's family for dinner in Graham Hall -- it's always a great time!

Children's Programs and Fellowship
6:30-7:15 pm • Various

Following dinner, childrens programs will take place in various locations around the church (information will be posted on Wednesdays). For adults, you are invited to worship in the chapel, remain in Graham Hall for fellowship, or attend one of these offerings:

Read Some Books with Your Priests!
Clergy Book Study (monthly, more or less)
Join your clergy Wednesday, Oct. 6 from 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm in the courtyard (or small dining room in bad weather) to discuss Jesus Freak  by Sara Miles (careful, it’s edgy).  Feel free to come even if you haven’t read the book.

Men’s Bible study.    Led by John Scott, this group will study Jesus Mean and Wild:  The Unexpected Love of an Untamable God by Mark Galli.  Wednesdays, 6:15 pm to 7:15 pm in room 212 and starts September 15.

Women’s Bible study.  This group will view a Rob Bell video and discuss the ideas and scripture it features.  No preparation is necessary.  Please come even if you can only attend occasionally.  The video’s are engaging and helpful, and the discussion is relaxed and renewing—just the thing for a busy woman in search of refreshment.  For more information, contact Rebecca (802-6202 or redebow@saint-lukes.com).  Wednesdays 6:30 pm to 7:15 pm in room 232 and starts September 15.

Saint Luke's at Night: Holy Eucharist in the Round
6:30-7:15 pm • Chapel

Candle light and contemplative music accompany a simple service of Word and Table in a unique and intimate setting. Meets weekly year round.

Special Events:

September 8 – 6:30-7:15 pm - The Rev. Becca Stevens and Friends - Becca is Chaplain at Vanderbilt University and Founder of Magdalene House and Thistle Farms, organizations that assist women who have survived lives of violence, prostitution and abuse. Her friends are two women who are participants in these ministries. Prayer and music at this event take the place of worship in the chapel.

Midweek Offerings

Almost every day of the week, friends meet to study scripture and Christian faith in gatherings just for men, for women, and for mothers of younger and older children. Topics and facilitators vary as the Holy Spirit leads us, and there’s something for everyone. Watch the Dialogue and our website for specific offerings.  Please contact the Rev. Rebecca DeBow (802-6202 or rdebow@saint-lukes.com) if you need help finding the small group or study that’s right for you.

MONDAY

Finding Balance: Loving God with Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength

This shows how stories of women in the New Testament can help us examine how we balance service and worship, duty and devotion, doing and being. Each week we’ll read the Bible, see a video of Becca Stevens, author and Episcopal priest, chaplain to Vanderbilt University, and founder of Magdalene House and Thistle Farms (ministries to homeless women), discuss the reflections and questions provided in the Participant’s Book, and pray.  For more information contact Diane Weatherford at 879-0894, dewbhm@aol.com; Warren Cain at 870-0358, granwassie@att.net; or Rebecca DeBow at 802-6202, rdebow@saint-lukes.com.
Two time slots on Mondays 9:30-11:00 a.m. and 5:30-7:00 p.m. in Room 224; Childcare available for the morning session.

Seasons

This study and support group is open to all mothers with young children (through preschool age). For information contact Lisa Beck (lbeck@capitalsouthbank.com or 879-6818). Childcare is available. 10:30 am to 11:45 am, Tilson Room. This class does NOT meet the first Monday of each month.

TUESDAY

Men’s Bible Study

Dreams and visions, handwriting on the wall and a fiery furnace—explore the strange, apocalyptic world of Daniel. Newcomers are welcome to join us at any time. Call Al Smith for more information (967-0593). 6:30 am, Tilson Room.

Jesus in the Gospels

This group invites believers to look at Jesus in each of the four Gospels and ask the question, "Who is the Jesus that you see?" The quest is to deepen discipleship through better understanding of the biblical texts and their message.  This study takes an approach different from the familiar "life and teaching of Jesus" approach of reading stories and accounts of what Jesus said and did in order to draw conclusions about their meaning and about who Jesus was; instead, this study looks at the way each Gospel writer presents events and teachings and at the picture of Jesus that emerges in each of the Gospels.  Contact Joe Palmer 591-5669, joesusan@mindspring.com or Betsy Smith at 322-7056, smith3521@aol.com for more information.
Tuesday Morning  9:00 -10:30  Small Dining Room

Second Seasons

A Bible study and support group for mothers of elementary age school children. Everyone is welcome to bring a lunch. For more information, please contact Livy Abele (586-6069 or livyabele@yahoo.com). Noon, Room 214.

Women’s Bible Study

Spend some quality time with Sunday’s Scripture. Women of all ages and stages enjoy studying the lectionary. 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm, Tilson Room. Contact Diana Plosser for more information (967-9216; PLOSSERD@mtnbrook.k12.al.us)  Tuesday 5:00-6:00 pm  in the Tilson Room.

WEDNESDAY

Men’s Bible Study and Breakfast

Led by the Rev. Richmond Webster, This group will study Paul’s letter to the Romans. Breakfast is served, and the Bible study will conclude by 8:00 sharp. 7:00 am, Graham Hall.

Wednesday Night Program

Note about Wednesday nights: Every Wednesday night we have supper from 5:30-6:30.  From 6:30-7:15 there is a contemplative, informal Holy Eucharist with candlelight and music in our Chapel—unless there is a very special event involving the entire parish.
As always, we hope people will use their Wednesday evening time at Saint Luke’s  in whatever way suits them best.  Some choose worship or a more formal educational gathering.  Others meet for coffee and conversation or just a time of quiet.  After supper, it’s “gather and scatter.”

The First in our Wednesday Night Speaker Series:

The Rev. Becca Stevens and two residents of Magdalene.  Stevens is an author, Episcopal priest, chaplain to Vanderbilt University, founder of Magdalene, home for abused, drug addicted women, and Thistle Farms, where the woman make soaps and lotions to earn income. Wednesday evening, September 8, 6:30-7:15 in Graham Hall

Read Some Books with Your Priests!
Clergy Book Study (monthly, more or less on a Wednesday evening)
Join your clergy Wednesday, Oct. 6 from 6-6:30 p.m. in the courtyard (or small dining room in bad weather) to discuss Jesus Freak  by Sara Miles (careful, it’s edgy).  Feel free to come even if you haven’t read the book.

Men’s Bible study.    Led by John Scott, this group will study Jesus Mean and Wild:  The Unexpected Love of an Untamable God by Mark Galli.  Wednesdays, 6:15 -7:15 p.m. in room 212 and starts September 15.

Women’s Bible study.  This group will view a Rob Bell video and discuss the ideas and scripture it features.  No preparation is necessary.  Please come even if you can only attend occasionally.  The video’s are engaging and helpful, and the discussion is relaxed and renewing—just the thing for a busy woman in search of refreshment.  For more information, contact Rebecca (802-6202 or redebow@saint-lukes.com).  Wednesdays 6:30-7:15 p.m. in room 232 and starts September 15.

Listening Hearts Ministry—informational meeting.   How do we distinguish God’s voice from other voices calling for our attention?  How can we hear what God is saying when we can’t hear the words?  Listening Hearts ministry allows us to engage in “the silence of prayerful listening.”
Join John Douglass and Barbara Powell at an informational meeting to learn more about the learning process that leads to this ministry.  Contact Rebecca DeBow for more information at 802-6202 or rdebow@saint-lukes.com. Wednesday September 15 at 5:45 in the Small Dining Room. 

THURSDAY

Bishop’s Bible Study

Named in honor of the late Bishop Furman Stough, this class is led by the Rev. Richmond Webster. Currently studying Paul’s letter to the Romans, the class if open to all women. 10:30 am, Room 232.

ANYTIME

Small Groups  A small group can focus on any subject—from cooking to yoga to Bible study.  Participants may be members of another church!  Saint Luke’s will supply you with a room, coffee, ice water, and suggestions for study. 

COMING SOON!!

Small Group Leadership Training  Interested?  Talk to Rebecca DeBow or Chris Girata.