| Date |
Topic |
Speaker |
| February 1 |
The apostle Paul is called a saint but is he a saint for all people? How do we take the conflicting letters from Paul on such topics as women, marriage, and the body? How do his ancient ethics speak to us and our modern sensibilities?
One of our favorite presenters, Professor Benny Liew, Chicago Theological Seminary, is back with us for three sessions on the ethics of the Apostle Paul.
|
Professor Benny Liew |
 |
| February 8 |
Hot Ethical Issues in Health Care
Our own Dr. Rick Fessler and Dr. John Nanninga outline some of
the hotly debated ethical issues in the health care. What ethical issues do new
advances in fields such as genetics raise? Are we prepared to deal with them?
What is the potential of new technological developments and what are the
dangers? How do these issues impact all our lives?
|
Dr. Rick Fessler
and
Dr. John Nanninga |
|
| February 15 |
Advance Directives and End of Life Issues
John Katonah from the Pastoral Care service at Evanston Hospital helps us
address some of the key challenges individuals and families face in making
health care decisions as the life of a loved one is ending.
|
John Katonah |
|
|
February 22 |
Health Care and the Impact of Genetics in Adults
Theresa Frezzo is NUgene research coordinator at the Center for
Genetic Medicine. She will continue our discussion on the advances in genetic
research and its implications.
|
Theresa Frezzo |
|
| February 29 |
What Will Be the Cost of Health Care in the Coming Years
We look to our own Tom Prince to share with us new
developments and the debate over National Health Care. Is there a way out of the
health care crisis?
|
Tom Prince |
|
| April 18 |
Do You Listen While You Pray?
What forms
and methods of prayer are available to us in our spiritual practice? What's the
difference between "saying prayers" and "praying", between "talking to God" and
"listening to God", between guided meditation and non-cognitive meditation?
These are some of the questions we will be exploring.
|
Ron Miller |
|
|
| April 25 |
Why Mel Gibson Is Not a Good Model
of Dialogue
Certain
questions precede dialogue. How is the language I use
understood in the community with whom I intend to dialogue--e.g. "the power of
the cross", "a holy crusade"? How are the stories I tell understood by others--e.g.
"Joshua destroyed Jericho", "the Jews killed Jesus"? What shared history
precedes my present contact with the group with whom I want to dialogue? We
will explore how these questions are answered in the context of Mel Gibson's
depiction of the Passion of Christ. Join us for this special presentation on a
Sunday when we celebrate Interfaith Dialogue in our worship service as well.
|
Ron Miller |
|
|
| May 2 |
What
We Are Learning About Generational Poverty
We thought we knew a lot about poverty and its
effects. We thought we had lots of solutions. What we have discovered is that
our learning curve was at least as big as that of the family with whom we are
working. Come join us in an hour of learning with members of WCC who have
helped our adopted family move out of poverty. You'll see
how our eyes have been open to the multi-layered difficulties and realities
faced by families in generational poverty. Also, experience with us some
of the great joys working with a family from a different cultural setting.
|
Members
of WCC |
|
|
| September 19
September 26
October 3 |
This fall Sunday morning Adult
Education will be exploring the topic of Faith and Politics. To begin
the series we have invited our United State Congressional candidates as our
first two presenters. Representative Mark Kirk will be with us for the first
seminar for the year, September 19. Democratic candidate Lee Goodman will
speak on September 26. There will be time allowed for you to ask each candidate
questions that concern you. Then on October 3rd, Chicago Theological
Professor, Dr. Benny Liew, will entertain issues of
Jesus’ political involvement with the topic "Jesus and Imperial Politics."
Benny is an excellent biblical teacher with lots of insight and humor. All
session begin at 8:45 a.m. in the Centennial room. Plan to join us.
|
Representative
Mark Kirk,
Candidate
Lee Goodman
Dr. Benny Liew |
|
| October 24 |
Not in My Backyard? Fair Housing on the North Shore
We take on the
controversial issue of fair housing with Gail Schechter from Interfaith Housing
and Nicholas Brunick from Business and Professional People for the Public
Interest as our guest presenters. What are the facts and how are we to respond
as followers of the one whose parents found no room at the inn.
|
Gail Schechter
Nicholas Brunick |
|
| October 31 |
No Adult Education this
Sunday |
|
|
|
November 7 |
The Night Ministry: Responding to Homelessness and Poverty
Many of our members have
gone out on a cold winter night and have served meals to the homeless through
the Night Ministry. Tom Behrens – Executive Director of the night ministry will
join us to discuss issues and solutions to homelessness.
|
Tom Behrens |
|
|
November 14 |
Protestants for the Common Good
Please join us as we learn
from Walter Boyd, Director, Ex-Offender Opportunity Program, how the Protestants
for the Common Good are helping convicts return back to the community with a
clearer path to choose a life without crime. Walter has served the Lawndale
Employment Network from 2001 to February 2004. He received his Bachelor of
General Studies with honors in the social sciences from Roosevelt University in
1992.
|
Walter Boyd |
|
| November 21 |
Center for Neighborhood Technologies: new technological possibilities for saving
the environment
Over the years we’ve seen
the development of new technologies that allow us to care for the environment.
What are some of those household technologies we can implement in our homes and
lives? Rev. Clare Butterfield, the interfaith liaison for the Center for
Neighborhood Technologies, shows us the possibilities for transforming our homes
into safe and environmentally friendly environments.
|
Rev. Clare Butterfield |
|
|
| December 5 |
Fair-Trade: How Our Purchases Hurt or Help People & the Environment
A new outreach group in our
church has formed with the conviction that we have far more power to change the
plight of the poor and the environment than we usually imagine. We make a
difference through simple purchasing decisions. We take a look at these issues
in this session and will have an opportunity to buy fair-trade coffee and gift
items that day during fellowship.
|
Outreach Group |
|
|
| December 12 |
Our Annual Christmas Music Program with Peter Cosyns
Once again, back by popular
demand, our own Peter Cosyns treats us with a treasure of Christmas music that
heartens our souls and prepares us for the season.
|
Peter Cosyns |
