Guide to the Adult Seminar


Seventh in a series on groups that can connect you to the life of the church


BY NICOLE MCGALLA One hidden gem within our church is the adult Church School class entitled “World and Faith Seminar,” which occurs during the 9 a.m. hour each Sunday and focuses on the ways our faith and daily lives intersect. Why not expand your mind (perhaps while your children are at Church School) by attending this dynamic session? It is always filled with thoughtful dialogue that will leave you thinking all week long about what was discussed.


We have had many interesting seminars over the years. Many times, guest speakers—who have included prominent professors from local colleges, nonprofit leaders, and representatives from community groups—have discussed such things as how others see Jesus; interfaith dialogue about religion; how our church community can grow and help others, especially in our own community of Allentown; and the study of many Bible passages and history.


We oftentimes learn to reflect on the Bible by studying what the local politics were like when a certain passage was written. When reading the Bible from this context, we discern how the interpretation of any given passage might have changed over time and may be shaped according to our own personal perspectives.


FPCA staff member Pam Weiss, along with the World and Faith planning team, is leading the charge this year after Christine Guenther coordinated and led the team for many years but moved back to her home country of Germany last summer. Pam is a constant mentor who challenges us all to question and ponder a lot of difficult yet thought-provoking issues that surround our faith, how we utilize our gifts to help others, and how we can ultimately serve God and grow in our faith.


I invite anyone who has a yearning for personal growth to attend the class. Drop in once a month or every week, and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.


ON THE SEMINAR SCHEDULE


The World and Faith Seminar’s current series is on Discipleship. In recent weeks Pam Weiss has conducted classes on “calling” and “sending,” followed by two weeks of folks speaking on their experiences of having been sent.


The final series for the year begins the week after Easter and goes until Pentecost. The theme for the series is “growing.” Donna Barnwell, FPCA’s director of mission, will speak April 8 as part of the Discipleship series. Then the focus will shift to growing as disciples through mission.


Final arrangements for the rest of the series are under way. Planned speakers include David Fagerstrom, executive director of the YMCA, who will speak to growing in body and spirit, and Dr. Jill Peters of Moravian Seminary, who will speak about a growing church.


5


“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not


seen.” —HEBREWS 11:1


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