Academy & Spiritual Growth Course Descriptions 

                               Fall 2010

The Art of Westminster

  Facilitator:

  Don Jost, Church Historian

  Dates   September 21 through October 5 (3 weeks)
  Time   Tuesday Evenings, 7:00-8:30 PM
  Location   Chapel

This course, comprising more than a hundred slides, will explain the art and architecture of our church.  Some fascinating stories and a lot of history lie behind the diverse collection of art and artifacts we have accumulated in more than a century of serving Christ in the Greater West Chester area.  Come and learn, experience this rich history and beautiful art, and enhance your spiritual life at Westminster.

 
Breathe: Creating Space for God in a Hectic Life

  Facilitator:

 Rev. Arnell ArnTessoni

  Dates  September 22 through November 17
  Time  Wednesday Evenings, 6:30-8:00 PM
  Location  Rooms 407-408

A new study for women where we'll study the book Breathe by Keri Wyatt Kent.  The book is an excellent tool for self-reflection and change in the area of our busy -- make that crazy busy -- lives!  Come and learn how to breathe again!  Purchase the book ahead of time and begin reading!

 
Science, Faith, and Atheism - Online Class

  Facilitator:

 Grant Wadley

  Dates  Begins week of September 26
  Time  
  Location  

This course will involve a survey of some of the popular intellectual obstacles, and objections to religious faith by critics such as Richard Dawkins, scientist and author of The God of Delusion (2006). Online discussion concerning the modern perception that religion is contradictory to science and whether this need be the case; or whether science and religion are rather two inseparable descriptions of one reality.  We will conclude by discussing the way that our conclusions should affect evangelism - the way that we explain our faith to the unsure and the skeptical.

 
Abraham: The Covenant, The Land and The State of Israel

  Facilitator:

  Rev. Dr. Robert D. Young

  Dates   September 26 through November 7
  Time   Sunday Mornings, 9:00 AM
  Location   Chapel

What is the origin of the promise of land to Israel?  Does the Old Testament promise of land still apply?  Is God behind the state of Israel in an unusual way?  Do Palestinians have a legitimate claim to the land?  How might the Old Testament prophets (Isaiah, Amos or Micah) view the Middle East today?  In class discussion, we will get our bearings from Bible study and be guided by the booklet, Steadfast Hope: The Palestinian Quest for Just Peace reading as much as time permits and viewing the included DVD.  The class will be a broad brush approach to modern history of the Middle East and the origin of the state of Israel in Zionism.  We will also visit our recent General Assembly's Middle East Study Committee report.  It represents the Presbyterian position on Israel and the Palestinian predicament and advocates for a 'two state solution.'  Does it repreent your position?

Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense

  Facilitator:

  Gary ArnTessoni

  Dates   September 26 through December 5
  Time   Sunday Mornings,  9:00 AM
  Location   Room 413

What is the core of Christian faith?  What have most Christians in most places and times believed?  Is Christian faith reasonable for modern people?  Join the well-known biblical scholar and Anglican bishop N.T. Wright in an exploration of these and other vital issues.  N.T. Wright offers a fresh presentation of the timeless truths of Christianity, making the case that faith is reasonable and rewarding for us today.  In this course, Wright expands on the themes of his acclaimed book Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense in ten inspiring and informative video lessons.  Simply Christian is for anyone and everyone desiring a deeper head and heart knowledge of the way of Jesus. Topics include: justice and spirituality, relationships, beauty, God, Israel, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, worship and prayer, Scripture, church and new creation.

 
Love and Logic

  Facilitator:

  Carey Garvey

  Dates   November 2 through December 7
  Time   Tuesday Evenings,  7:00-8:30 PM
  Location   Choir Room

 

Love and Logic is a philosophy for raising children which allows parents to be happier, empowered, and more skilled in their interactions with their children.  Love allows children to grow through their mistakes.  Logic allows children to live with the consequences of their choices.  Love and Logic is a way of parenting children that puts parents back in control of the things that are important, teaches children to be responsible, and prepares young people to live in the real world, with its many choices and consequences.  This program, created by parenting experts, Jim Fay and Foster Cline, M.D. is designed for use with toddlers through teens.  It will put a smile on your face and give you practical skills that you will look forward to using immediately!

EntreLeadership with Dave Ramsey
  Date   November 5
  Time   Friday, one-day seminar
  Location   Spellman Hall

 

The Early Christians

  Facilitator:

 Greg Klimovitz

  Dates  November 14 through December 5
  Time  Sunday Mornings,  9:00 AM OR Thursday Evenings, 7:00 PM
  Location  Chapel

   Have you ever wondered what the churches and faith communities looked like at the grassroots level in their earliest beginnings?  What were some of the distinctives of the Jesus movement?  Join us as we glimpse into the first four centuries of Christian church communities and their particular practices of baptism, Eucharist, and catechesis.  Even more, explore the early Christian movement's relationship to contemporary and missional churches.  This course will be pursued in two parts, come to one and/or both:

  • Sunday Mornings at 9:00 AM:  interactive classroom format with readings from early Christians and Scripture, insights from contemporary authors and church communities, and online discussions to generate conversations in between classes.
  • Thursday Evenings at 7:00 PM:  come for some food, drinks, and off-the-record conversation about life, culture, and faith.  Feel free to bring a frined, a neighbor.

 

 What Difference Does Christmas Make?

  Facilitator:

 Gary ArnTessoni

  Dates  December 12
  Time  Sunday Morning,  9:00 AM
  Location  Chapel

 

Second Chapter: A Divorce Recovery Group
  Facilitator  Diane McCabe, Leslie Wehr, Gary ArnTessoni
  Dates  September 20 through November 29
  Time  Monday Evenings, 7:00-8:30 PM 

For More information Contact Gary ArnTessoni

 
Celebrate Recovery
  Dates  Ongoing
  Time  Sunday Evenings 6:00-8:00 PM

You may be thinking that recovery is just for alcohol or drug problems.  The truth is that many of us have created unhealthy or painful methods for handling life.  Whether its an emotional, relational, financial, or spiritual strugle, CR teaches how to make the healing choices that will help you become the person God created you to be and provides a healthy "recipe" for living life.  For more information, you are invited to attend any CR Large Group meeting on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month from 6:00-8:00 PM or contact Pastor Gary at 610-399-3377 ext 109.

     
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