November 4 - December 12, 2007
(Please consult individual course descriptions for times and starting dates.)

Theme Courses marked with this symbol (at left) are directly related to the theme for the 2007 - 2008 year Changing Times...Changing Seasons, which focuses on Daniel 2:21.

Bible

B118 • Old Testament Part II: Wisdom and the Prophets
Katherine C. Dunn
Sundays, 9:30 am - 10:45 am
November 4 to December 9

“The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak justice.” (Psalm 37:30). This course will begin with an overview of Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament, looking particularly at Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes, and will then explore the Latter Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel) and the Twelve Prophets (particularly Amos, Obadiah, Jonah and Micah).

Church History

CH218 • Mainline on the Sideline?
Mary E. McNamara
Tuesdays, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
November 6 to December 4

Many have called the 20th century the “Christian Century.” Long before that century ended, mainline denominations were losing a significant number of members and watching their national and regional staff numbers and mission capabilities erode. This course will look at the question of how these trends are continuing and changing for congregations, for missions in the U.S. and abroad, and for seminary education. Our discussion will reference changes in evangelical and secular perspectives and voices and the religious role of the United States as a “Christian nation.” We will conclude by developing shared predictions for future.

Literature and the Arts

LA101 • Creative Writing
Emily Dunlap
Section I: First and Third Tuesdays, 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm
November 6 and 20

Section II: Second and Fourth Tuesdays, 4:00 pm - 5:15 pm
November 13 and 27

Continuation of the course begun in Term 1 (see here).

Class is limited to 12.

Practical Theology

PTCL120 • Reframing: Creative Techniques for Exploring Different Ways of Seeing Things
Elizabeth Matta
Wednesdays, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
November 7 to December 12

Participants in this course share with each other their “maps of the world”—the world as they see it. Charts with pictures and photos are shown that invite varying interpretations by others. Participants work in pairs, exchanging ideas about the meaning they find in the pictures. They listen with respect and close attention to each others’ thoughts, becoming more “other” oriented in the process. We will uncover spiritual resources within us that help us change unwanted habits that don’t serve us in our Christian lives.

Class size: 16

PTCL122 • How to Select a Preschool for Your Child
Karen and David Liu
Saturday, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
November 17

It’s not easy raising a child in New York City! Please join us for a fun, interactive, hands-on workshop exploring the process of selecting the correct preschool for your child. We will discuss how to help your child prepare for preschool, researching schools, what to look for when visit­ing a school, questions to ask, developmentally appropriate activities, public versus private schools, licensing and standards, transitioning to kindergarten, resources available, and how to make this a “family friendly” journey. Handouts and homework will be distributed in class.

PTCL211 • Handling Data Dumps and Explosive Feelings
Daryl Hall
Saturday, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
December 15

This is the first of four courses designed to provide you with skills to meet the demands of discipleship in everyday situations and with a variety of “difficult” people (anyone who doesn’t agree with you!).  Each course builds on the skills learned in the earlier courses. This course covers techniques for: Managing the intake and retention of enormous amounts of facts; Managing the environment, emotional filters and our own behaviors that get in the way of communicating with another; Figuring the unspoken message in emotional statements; and Selecting the best techniques for responding to others when they are afraid, angry, sad, and/or happy. Please bring a brown bag lunch; coffee and tea will be provided. You might want to think about also enrolling in the follow-up class – Speaking the Truth in Love – which will take place on Saturday, January 26.

Class size: 20

PTCL290 • Environmental Dimensions of Poverty
Jane Carter Ingram
Mondays, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
November 5 to December 3

This course will explore the environmental dimensions of international development and poverty reduction. The curriculum will address: the connections between the environment and human well being; global trends and changes in the natural world, such as deforestation, climate change, resource degradation and species extinctions; the impact of these environmental changes on human development and poverty reduction efforts; the role of natural resource conservation in international development efforts; and global responses to these challenges, such as the Millenium Development Goals. The majority of the course will focus on these issues in developing countries such as Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Kenya and Costa Rica.

PTCL294 • The Bliss of Contentment
Janet S. Gibbs
Sundays, 11:15 am - 12:30 pm
November 4 to December 9

Contentment is a gift of grace which like all gifts must be received in order to be given. We all play an active role in achieving contentment. Not everyone has the capacity to do what that requires. We must allow it in order to possess it. In this course we will discuss what leads to contentment: what interferes with it, and what qualities nurture it.

PTCL332 • The Quest for Security in an Insecure World
Robert F. Smylie
Sundays, 11:15 am - 12:30 pm
November 4 to December 9

Terrorism, wars, environmental changes, economic globalization, economic underdevelopment, and energy shortages, among other things, have bred and fostered incredible insecurity in the world, between countries, between religious communities, and between the “haves” and the “have-nots.” What is the Biblical understanding of human security? What might be required to achieve security in the 21st century, what contributions might the United States make to the achievement of security or the continued presence of insecurity, and what might be learned from our theological and ethical traditions? The course will seek to explore these issues through interactive study and discussion.

A packet of resources will be available for a modest price.

Theology

T106 • What We Believe (Intensive Course)
Randolph L.C. Weber
Sundays, 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
November 4 and November 11

Same description as Term 1 (see here).

Mission Accomplishments

PTCL119 • Next Ministries Mission Trips and Service Projects Cherryl Martin
Sunday, December 9

Hurricanes. Hunger. Homelessness. What is the appropriate response for Christians and moreover, what is our best hope for lasting change? For FAPC young adults, the answer is simple...“Mission.” Join us then as Cherryl Martin who participated in the 1999 mission trip to Jamaica, leads a discussion on the continuing relevancy that mission has in the 21st century for 20's/30's adults in New York. Highlights include a report from our inaugural mission team to Orange Grove, MS, as well as
our plans for the future.

No registration required.

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