FCC Adult Discussion Forum: Follow-Up to John Shelby Spong Lectures

FCC Adult Discussion Forum: Our June Forum sessions will begin this Sunday, June 10 at 9:15 with our own Larry Anderson and Jill Bierwirth leading a follow-up discussion to the recent John Shelby Spong lectures. Be sure to bring your notes, impressions and questions for an open discussion.


Remember that if you missed any of the lectures you may order the CDs by calling the church at 828-692-8630 or emailing fccucc2@bellsouth.net.

"Where would we be without St. Paul?"

This Sunday, May 27 at 9:15 our Moderator, Mark Fagerlin will answer the question, "Where would we be without St. Paul?"

Mark says,"There were two missions in the early church,one operating from Jerusalem under the leadership of Peter and the sons of Zebedee, and later James, the brother of Jesus, and other members of his family. The other mission was run by Paul, from various centers. The two missions were agreed about the supreme significance of Jesus, but little else. How we got where we are today has a lot more to do with Paul than with Peter. And, how I got to First Congregational Church has everything to do with their story."

As always, our discussion is open to all.

Remember next Sunday, June 3 there will be NO forum due to John Shelby Spong's visit. Please spread the word about our excellent lecture series.

Pickin’ and Grinnin’ with Phil and Larry

This Sunday, May 20, at 9:15 a.m. our own Rev. Larry Anderson and our neighbor Dr. Phil Cohen, Rabbi of Agudas Israel will present “Pickin’ and Grinnin’ with Phil and Larry,” a combination of music and musings like only they can do! It'll probably be a spirited, spiritual, harmonious, possibly hilarious,session.

Hawaiian (Polynesian) Kahuna Spirituality

This Sunday, May 13 at 9:15, our own Ed and Romella Hart O’Keefe will introduce us to Hawaiian (Polynesian) Kahuna Spirituality. The teachings of the kahuna tradition of Polynesia/Hawaii are thousands of years old. They begin with concepts of the “Three Selves” that make up human beings and include lessons that teach individuals how to reconnect with the inner sources of wisdom and power we all possess. A brief outline of these teachings will be presented along with resources for further study and reading.

A White Person Looks at White Privilege

This Sunday at 9:15 am, Dr. Marc Mullinax will be speaking to us.  Marc works at Mars Hill College, where he is a professor of Religion (since 2001). He is also the faculty sponsor for a student spirituality group called Ethos, the only one of its kind at the college that does not do worship, or mention Jesus on a regular basis. Instead, students gather over dinner to discuss in confidence matters and issues relating to spirituality, and never leave without connecting their conversations to social justice. 

His forum is entitled A White Person Looks at White Privilege.  Using the story of Jacob and Esau as a launch, Marc will probe whiteness, racism, and other color codes in American society. For example, when did it become necessary for a group of people to identify themselves as “white”? Against whom did they wish to demarcate themselves? In the talk, there will be first hand testimonies to the quiet powers that race, orientations, education, and other life-conditions actually do play in the USA. He will invite those gathered to dive deep and surface with their own understandings of how they play (or benefit from others’ playing) the cards of race or power or status. Are our privileges and gifts so many entitlements that blind us to, or are they lenses by which we may actually see more clearly, the inbreaking of God’s Realm on earth as it is in heaven?

Please plan to join us for this thought-provoking session.  Everyone is welcome.

Saturday Panel and Sunday Forum

 Hi folks,

This Saturday, April 21, 3 - 4:30 PM, we will sponsor a free educational opportunity to help voters make an INFORMED DECISION about the Constitutional Amendment on the May 8th primary ballot.

 At "NC MARRIAGE AMENDMENT : A Question of Civil Rights”  (refreshments following) you will learn facts, like how the amendment's passage may affect same-sex and opposite-sex, unmarried couples, from this expert panel: Rebecca Chaplin, MSW, Gerontologist, local Council on Aging; Clay Eddleman, M. D., Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine; Brian Fitzsimmons, Chief Operating Officer of the Sorin Group, The Rev. Dr. Douglas F. Ottati, Distinguished Professor of Reformed Theology and Justice Ministry,Davidson College and Susan Wilson, Esq., Mediator and Attorney specializing in Mediation, Collaborative Law and Domestic Partnership. After each panelist makes a brief presentation, they will take questions from the audience.

This Sunday, April 22 in our Adult Forum at 9:15 AM, Dr. Ottati will speak on “Some Reflections on Gay Marriage and Same Sex Unions in a Reformed Perspective."

For worship at 10:30 AM Dr. Ottati will preach on the theme: “A Time to be Counted Against Injustice.”  

Try to attend all these enriching educational opportunities.

BELIEF MANAGEMENT – WHAT IS AVATAR?

This Sunday, April 15 at 9:15, Ed & Romella Hart-O'Keefe, who joined our church on Christmas day last year, will present 

BELIEF MANAGEMENT – WHAT IS AVATAR? which they describe in the following:

“Let it be done to you according to your belief.” Matthew 8:13

How do your beliefs affect your reality and how can you change the

blueprint you habitually operate from? The Avatar course enables people to

discover the hidden beliefs they unconsciously hold that might be limiting their

progress and success. Once these beliefs are recognized, unique methods are

taught that actually allow one to “discreate” them.

Avatar, a series of consciousness-raising exercises, was designed by

American teacher Harry Palmer and has been taught all over the world since

1987. There are tens of thousands of “graduates” in dozens of countries now

leading happier lives and actively working to achieve the overall goal of Avatar –

an Enlightened Planetary Consciousness. For additional information, see the website,

TheAvatarCourse.com

Also remember to attend the Congressional Meeting and Vote during Coffee Hour.

See you Sunday.