2009 Christian Education Committee Report

This past year the CEC focused on adult Christian education programs. Overseeing our purpose and direction, Pastor Barbara agreed that a program with a definitive start/finish agenda would best meet the interest of most of our parishioners. With this in mind we began with a five-week Lenten educational series featuring a made for TV production on the life of Jesus. This series was attended faithfully by as many as 15, at one session or more, during the weekly gathering. We began the evening by enjoying a light supper consisting of soup, bread and fruit, followed by viewing a segment of the production. A discussion on key topics prepared by Pastor Barbara was also part of the format. We concluded with the service of Compline.

During the fall, after both the 8 am. and 10:30 am. service we featured another discussion series. On this occasion we viewed and discussed an excellent DVD entitled the Gospel of John. This production was amazingly Biblically accurate following the Good News Bible translation. Participants were encouraged to follow along with whatever translation available (King James, Revised Standard Version, Living Bible, etc.) While the participation was not as well attended as the Lenten series, those that committed were faithful and contributed greatly to the discussions following. Again Pastor Barbara prepared the discussion points.

For 2010 we are offering another discussion series based on the ministry of Peter and Paul. This series will be conducted on Wednesdays during Lent beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 24. We will view segments of the 1981 production of the movie Peter and Paul starring Anthony Hopkins and Robert Foxworth. We expect this series to generate questions and positive opinions regarding the lives of these two early Christian martyrs.

We will again enjoy a light supper prior to the DVD viewing and discussion. Compline will again conclude the evening's program. See a future issue of Pathways for more detail.

Historically, summer has proven NOT to be a popular occasion to conduct study series as the season's secular activities prevent many from committing to another parish obligation. That said the chairperson is considering another book review with dessert, much like that of what we conducted last year after reading the fictional novel "The Shack."  Several books are under consideration.

The CEC invites any interested parishioner to join the committee membership which currently is of an informal nature and meets when required. Suggestions regarding future programs or curriculums are invited.

Respectfully submitted,

J. Charles "Bud" Hart 

CEC Chairperson