ADULT MINISTRY
Adult Ministry at Idlewild Presbyterian Church encompass a great variety of opportunities for study, fellowship and spiritual development.
The Reverend Dr. Gayle Walker
Associate Pastor for Adult Ministry
726-4681 ext. 46
gwalker@idlewildchurch.org
Sundays, 9:40-10:40 a.m.
Harlan Room (Sanctuary Building)
This combined adult forum explores a wide variety of topics, led by ministers, congregration members, and community leaders. Click below for dates and speakers, and to read about the fascinating topics for each week.
SUNDAY MORNING SUMMER SERIES - DATES, TOPIC, SPEAKERS
The John Knox class (see below) will meet at the regular time/room throughout the summer. The LeMaster class will reconvene on July 11. All other classes are combined in the summer. All adults are invited to the Sunday Morning Summer Series class!
SPECIAL STUDIES
A Photographic Journey into Faith
This special class offers students the opportunity to explore the many connections between faith and photography, refine your photography skills, and relate photography to their own journey of faith. The class, taught by Dr. Matt Mathews, meet weekly and takes several Sunday afternoon excursions. Please check back to see when the next class begins
Online Class Gallery
The online class gallery is updated with works from different students. Check back often to see more photos. [Left: Photo by Matt Mathews]
ADULT CHURCH SCHOOL CLASSES
All classes are open to new members, and visitors are most welcome! Classes meet Sundays from 9:40 to 10:40 a.m. Most of these classes meet regularly from September through May. The John Knox and LeMaster classes meet year-round. Click here for the complete winter/spring 2010 Christian Education brochure.
A Covenant Conversation
The Truth Shall Set You Free: Scandalous and Liberating Truths of the Christian Faith
Jones Bldg., Room 304W
Through sustained—and often hilarious—conversation, the class discovers scandalous truth within seemingly prosaic and comforting truth. Conversations grow out of common readings that the class chooses collectively. Through honest engagement with serious questions of faith, we find ourselves again liberated by truth. The class has discussed poverty, predestination, the relationship between science and creation, how the Bible was formed, and many other topics. Learn to understand how the Bible’s historical context affects its meaning for today. Led by Kendra Hotz, Department of Religious Studies, Rhodes College.
THE PRODIGALS: Luke from the Underside
Jones Bldg. 303W
For people who don't do faith like others do faith. Anne and Casey bring their imaginative and playful reading styles from the Big Questions class to the Gospel according to Luke. Join them if you're interested in interpreting scripture in a new way, if you're interested in laughter, if your're interested in getting slapped upside the head from God when you least expect it. No experience necessary, but participation is. Designed for young adults. Open to everyone. Led by Anne Apple, Parish Associate, and Casey Thompson, Associate Pastor.
Pathfinders Class
Jones Bldg., Room 303W
Open dialogue in a warm and friendly environment is encouraged. The Bible is studied in relation to theological and current religious issues, civic and ethical concerns in our community, and issues related to parenting.
Peacemakers Class
Sanctuary Bldg., Harlan Room
In an ongoing attempt to bring God’s peace to bear on current issues, Peacemakers Class looks at a variety of topics ranging from the roots of racism to a new creed for churches today.
Timothy Class
Sanctuary Bldg., Strock Room
Class members, professors and other guests lead discussions on social and theological issues in relation to Biblical text, with application to religious history, world religions, civic problems and broad ethical concerns in our world today. Timothy Class has its own website at www.idlewildtimothy.webs.com.
Stephen Class
Jones Bldg., Room 306W
No prerequisites—everyone who likes to read and explore is welcome. Lively class discussion focuses on literature that is a combination of times: class members bring “old time religion” to bear on themes in modern fiction (or vice versa), then ask where truth or redemption is to be found. You may begin the class anytime, even if you haven’t yet started the current book. As an added treat, when a novel has been made into a movie the class often enjoys a social gathering to see the film.
Covenanters Class
Jones Bldg., Room 111E
This class considers traditional subjects of Christian faith including Bible study, doctrine and theology, church history and ethics. Lively discussion and dialogue are encouraged. Contacts: Bob and Shirley Schroeder.
John Knox Class
Sanctuary Bldg., Conference Room
Meets through the summer
This is an intergenerational small group focusing on Bible study. What does the Bible say? What does it mean? How does the Bible apply to the way we live today? The group welcomes new members who want to study, share and discuss the great relevance the Scriptures have for us in living faithful Christian lives.
LeMaster Class
Jones Bldg., 114E
Meets through the summer
An in-depth, teacher-led Bible study with strong teaching and careful textual analysis of books of the Bible. The class continues a study of the book of Judges. Led by Lewis Donelson.
Inquirers Class
This four-week series is held 2-3 times each year for persons who want to know more about Idlewild Presbyterian Church or may be considering membership. Pastors and members talk about what it means to be a Presbyterian, and provide information about our many ministries and activities.
Topics include: What it means to be Presbyterian (theology, history), the history of Idlewild, opportunities at Idlewild, and a tour of the Church. Led by Steve Montgomery, Perre Magness, Casey Thompson and Jim Eikner.
If you would like to attend the next Inquirers Class please contact Casey Thompson, 726-4681.
STUDY & ACTIVITY GROUPS
Most study groups meet regularly from September through May. For more details please call the church office, 726-4681.
Wednesday Morning Study
Harlan Room, Sanctuary Building
Wednesday, 9:30-11:00 a.m.
Explore the Christian faith in the Wednesday morning adult study. The class focuses on five distinct theological and artistic perspectives throughout the year, with each session led by a different teacher.
Amazing Grace Women's Study Group
Conference Room, Sanctuary Building
Thursday, 9:30–11:00 a.m.
Young women meet weekly for Bible study, theological reflection, and fellowship in a relaxed and caring environment. The resource for study will be selected by the group at the first meeting. Conveners: Mary Allison Cates and Corinne Nienhuis.
Thursday Morning Bible Study
Sanctuary Bldg., Parlor
Thursday 10:00 a.m.
In a congenial and welcoming atmosphere, adults of all ages connect Bible study with their daily lives. Led by the Reverend Dr. Brooks Ramsey and Pastor Steve Montgomery.
Men's Friday Bible Breakfast
Sanctuary Bldg., T.K. Young Room
Friday 7:00–8:00 a.m.
The Reverend Dr. Denton McLellan leads Bible study, based on the Sunday lectionary, for men of all ages. This is a wonderful opportunity for fellowship with other Idlewild men while enjoying a great breakfast buffet. Breakfast is $7.
Natural Spirituality
2nd and 4th Mondays, 2:30–4:00 p.m.
Conference Room, Sanctuary Building
This women’s discussion group meets twice a month to explore ways of getting in touch with one’s spirituality through dreams and other less traditional means. The study will be determined by members at the first meeting. Convener: Corinne Nienhuis.
Presbyterian Women
All women are invited to study circles and activities of Presbyterian Women! Presbyterian Women Gatherings, which include program and lunch, are at the church on the third Tuesday of September, January, April and May.
Presbyterian Women Circles meet on the first Tuesday, October–May, for Bible study and fellowship. (Times/locations are announced in the previous week’s Sunday bulletin.) This year’s study guide is Jubilee! Luke’s Gospel for the Poor by Dale Lindsay Morgan. Come and learn how, once Jesus enters a person’s life, nothing will ever be the same again.
OWLS (Older Wiser Livelier Seniors)
Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors (OWLS) gather monthly for programs at the church or for day excursions to museums, parks, picnics and other adventures. Please call the church office, 726-4681, for more info on OWLS trips and events.
OWLS Book Club
4th Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Church Parlor
Bring a sandwich for lunch and join the discussion. To find out what book the group is reading call Regina Benson, 458–2970.
Disciple Bible Studies
The Disciple planning team invites you to prayerfully consider participation in one of these transformative Bible studies in the future. Details will be posted when new sessions are scheduled. For more information and to register please contact Gayle Walker, 726-4681 or gwalker@idlewildchurch.org.
This fall Reverend Casey Thompson will offer a ten week study on Romans from the Disciple Bible curriculum. The class will meet on Sunday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. Click here to register.
ChristCare Groups: Transforming Lives. Making Disciples.
ChristCare groups are small communities (5-12 participants) of faithful people who meet regularly to care for one another, to help one another grow in faith, and to support one another in Christian discipleship. Each gathering includes mutual care and encouragement, prayer and worship, relating of biblical principles to life, and service to others.
Although the interests of the individual groups are diverse — for example, spiritual formation, blended families, spiritual themes in movies, hot topics, relationships, spiritual discipline, theology and the arts, and men in mid-life — each ChristCare group includes prayer and worship, community building, Bible study, and outreach.
Contact Anne Apple at 726-4681 for more information about ChristCare.
Dinner Groups
Some meet in restaurants (eat-out), some gather in homes (eat-in). All are wonderful ways to get to know others in the Idlewild church family. Please call the church office at 726-4681 for more info or contact the group organizers.
Third Friday Eat-Out: Ann and John Fain, 682–9813
First Friday Eat-Out: Carol Good, 726–4681
Third Sunday Eat-Out Lunch: Jody Hunter, 682-2297, or Betty Galloway, 758–9070
The Idlewild Adult Choir
New choir members are always welcome! Rehearsal is Wednesday evening at 7:30, plus Sunday morning before 11:00 worship. Contact Ted Gibboney, Idlewild's Organist/Music Director, at 726-4681 ext. 12 or gibboney@idlewildchurch.org.
Wednesday Evenings Living and Learning (WELL)
WELL dinners and programs are held each week from September through May.
Wednesday Evenings Living and Learning (WELL) at Idlewild Presbyterian Church is designed to offer individuals and families a wellspring of options for deepening their relationships with God and one another. Participants may select from various offerings that accommodate a wide spectrum of interests and schedules. Courses change approximately every six weeks, allowing adults to alternate between study and discussion groups, recreational, and arts and crafts classes. Activities for children and youth are consistent week-to-week, with changes for special events.
The Church Library
Idlewild's church library offers an extensive selection of books and periodicals available for loan and on-site study. Come and acquaint yourself with our broad collection of classic and contemporary reading materials, including Biblical study guides, theological texts, spiritual formation resources, and Christian fiction and non-fiction. The Library is open Sundays mornings, and on weekdays by appointment through the church office, 726-4681. Check it out!