The Christian Education Commission works to plan and implement Christian Education programs for children, youth and adults. Special events as well as regular Sunday morning classes during the school year provide opportunities to nurture faith and encourage all of us to live our faith every day.
From Sam Cole, Dir of Christian Education
Barbara Brown Taylor (January 22)
Two books I can recommend by Barbara Brown Taylor are: An Alter in the World (2009) and her earlier Leaving Church, both very readable, inspiring, and New York Times Bestsellers.
Her biography as a graduate student, Episcopalian pastor, writer, and college professor are easy to goggle for. To see videos of her speaking go to www.youtube.com and enter her name. Good samples include: notes about experiencing “Hard Times” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w133SkyuRBA (3 minutes; she videotaped it) video of whole service at DUKE University Chapel, and she does the sermon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMrGK1JG4GA I loved the whole thing! It’s “High Church.” (90 minutes)
BOTH PARTS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Part 1 of a radio interview, nice, well organized, informal background http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0XBO1STC_8 (6 minutes) AND Part 2 is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M46h9CpVV30 (5 minutes)
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Dr. Martin Luther King (January 15)
I played our DVD on those 1960’s B/W newsreels and his “I Have a Dream” speech. But his essays and books, definitions and contexts of civil rights, and biblical interpretations are superb (and generally not what the public hears).
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AMAZING GRACE (February 5)
Again, I apologize for the technical difficulties, and thanks again for John Cottrell’s help. This hymn/song/tune has so much universality, so much rich history, SO MANY VERSES!, so beloved, it was a joy researching it, but what you rec’d, I’m afraid, was only a hint. When I’m totally convinced in the technology, I’ll update and re-do this presentation.
In the meantime, here is Wintley Phipps in Carnegie Hall. He talks bout Negro Spirituals played on black piano keys only, and sings AMAZING GRACE as only he can. Beautiful. (8+ minute clip) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMF_24cQqT0
He’s on several other YOUTUBE clips.
And here’s an excellent biographical sketch of John Newton who penned the first verse. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtzEtBR_HN8 It’s about 5 minutes and has the basic facts of Newton’s conversion and career. Newton didn’t write the tune but his verses gave the hymn wings. Somewhere I’ve read that there are now over 45 verses to AMAZING GRACE. (I didn’t get to play this clip for you.) See page 280 in our Hymnal. The scholarship on John Newton is excellent. How and why this particular hymn is so powerful and so universal is an amazing story.* * *
The Whys and Hows of Forgiving. (February 12)
To know that you can forgive, and to know how you can forgive, and that you can forgive WITH God, and that you can forgive yourself (and dump the pride) is one of the most powerful, most important spiritual practices I can think of. Perhaps you were surprised that “the ways” of forgiving aren’t scripts, that you lead with your heart, that you’re working to heal yourself, and possibly another. And you can forgive those who’ve passed on. Again, the amazing grace of God.
Here’s the Barbara Crafton video we got half-way through before the technology let me down: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14V6pXBO4Z0
And here’s her biographical sketch and web site: http://www.beliefnet.com/Video/Preachers-and-Teachers/Bios/Barbara-Crafton-Preacher-and-Teacher-Bio-Page.aspx
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Looking Forward
February 19
Our own Jill Winegar spent over a week in Haiti as part of a Habitat for Humanity work crew. She’ll show slides and we’ll get a sense of the “Habitat” organization and helping others.
February 26, downstairs in the Fellowship Hall
Join me for “Walking the Labyrinth” …a little talk, mostly walk.
Peace.
From Cherie Kennedy: Chair, Christian Education Commission
April 1 – Palm Sunday Intergenerational Event
This is the final week of Lent when we move from the celebration of Palm Sunday to the passion of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. The theme for this week of Lent at Milwaukie Presbyterian Church is: “The Light of Christ is Never Extinguished”.
Following worship on Palm Sunday, the Christian Education Commission asks you to please join us in Schmidt Hall for a special intergenerational event.
We will have refreshments and everyone is invited participate in a Stations of the Cross display. There will be pictures to view, scripture readings, suggested questions to ponder, and at some of the stations there will be activities you can complete. You may choose to simply “walk” the Stations of the Cross.
NO Regular church school classes on Palm Sunday or Easter Sunday.