FCUCC Adult Forum Reminder

This Sunday at 9:00 May 29: Discovering Joshua's Altar: A Biblical Archeology Adventure – Jim Smelker, a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church, will present a lecture/slide show of his 1985 experience on an archeological "Dig" in the West Bank of Israel. Besides being part of this dig, he has traveled to the Holy Land several other times; he has also visited 30 other countries.

There is little archaeological evidence of Israelite tribes returning to their "Promised Land" after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness east of the Jordan River under the leadership of Moses. After Moses died, leadership turned to young Joshua, who "fought his way" in Canaan. Archeologist Adam Zertal of Haifa University has made a career of identifying Iron Age Israeli remains from 2500 BC in the arid mountain area west of the Jordan. He claims that the site of an altar in Mount Ebal was that ordered by Moses where the reading of 'the Curses' took place (Deuteronomy 27). Zertal has argued for over 30 years that this site is the best historical evidence that links the Bible to Israel's claim it has a God-given right to the Holy Land, which the Palestinians say is theirs. Jim will tell the story of how he volunteered for this dig. "It was a fabulous experience and I look forward to sharing it with you."

FCUCC Forum Reminder

No matter what the Times-News says, this Sunday May 22 at 9:00 is Can You Be the Voice For a Child?: Guardian Ad Litem  with Linda Sue Barnes- The Guardian ad Litem (or GAL) program of the North Carolina Court System, established by statute in 1983, requires the appointment by a judge of a citizen volunteer and an attorney advocate for each child alleged by the Department of Social Services (DSS) to have been abused, neglected or abandoned. This Forum will address how the program works to help children and what GAL volunteers do. 

Ms. Barnes has been a GAL in Henderson County for five years and has dealt with about 15 children, some of them for as long as three years. After 13 years as a bureaucrat with municipal and federal agencies and 43 years running her own consulting firm, Linda Sue's faith journey found her recruited for the GAL program. 

She says of that experience, "I have worked with children, parents, foster parents, teachers, counselors, and social workers in both the best and worst situations. This Guardian ad Litem experience has been one of the most frustrating, satisfying, and ultimately spiritual activities I have ever undertaken. I look forward to sharing some of this with you." 

FCUCC Forum & Pentecost Reminder

Remember to wear red for Pentecost, the church's birthday.

This Sunday, May 15 at 9:00: On Being an Atheist – Dr. Don Emon who has presented at our Forum several times in the recent past, has been an atheist all of his adult life. He will describe the things that have happened to him that has led him to the conclusion that there is, in fact, no loving, caring, all-powerful God. He has written a poem titled God of Love? And will share it with us. Don often feels like he is in the minority and that it requires some amount of courage to speak up when religion is discussed. An important part of his talk is to listen to, and respond to, comments from the audience. Don has been retired from the U.S. Department of Energy since 1991. Extremely active in the community, he has been President of Compassion and Choices of the Western Carolinas for 15 years. Very active in area speaking circles, he often serves as discussion leader for various Unitarian – Universalist churches. He has over 10 years volunteer experience as an intake worker for IAM, Interfaith Assistance Ministry…. Don has a Ph.D. in Nuclear Science and English and two Master's degrees.

FCUCC Forum Reminder

This Sunday, May 8 at 9:00 (no matter what time the Times-News says): Changing the World, One Man At a Time: The Mankind Project – Bruce S. Noll -The Mankind Project (MKP) is a vibrant, world-wide movement of some 60,000 men whose purpose is to foster a redefined role of males in modern society. The 33 year old, non-profit organization has as its mission the creation and fostering of authentic, honest, openhearted men who acknowledge and accept the combination of masculine and feminine energies at work within both genders.  The signature training program of the Mankind Project is called the New Warrior Training Adventure Weekend. Many men find it a transformational workshop. It is one of the few male rituals of initiation that is not sponsored by the military or gang-related. Bruce Noll, a longtime trainer and facilitator of men's groups in our area, is one of two coordinators for the Mankind Project's Greater Asheville Community. He will also introduce several guests who will talk about the training experience, available locally, and what it has meant to them.