September

The United Church of Christ in World Wide Perspective

Sunday, Sept 25, 2005, during Worship (9:30) and Coffee Hour (10:30)

Speaker: Rev. John Thomas, Executive Minister The United Church of Christ Church

Program: Today we are fortunate to have the head of our denomination to preach in worship and answer any questions you might have about the United Church of Christ. Rev. Thomas has knowledge of our mission world wide. In addition, he can speak to a number of issues we are engaged in nationally and internationally in social justice and outreach. Undoubtedly, he will share with us some of the results of our national advertising campaign "God is Still Speaking" that highlighted the inclusive mission of the United Church of Christ.

	October

Presentation: Living with Arthritis

Sunday, Oct 2, 2005 during Coffee Hour (10:30)

Speaker: A representative of the United Arthritis Foundation

Program: We will address issues of living with arthritis as well as hear about the latest efforts in research on how to treat it. Since arthritis is such a common health malady, this forum will be helpful for those that have the disease or who have an member of your extended family.

Panel Discussion: The Grand Plan for Housing in Summit

Sunday, Oct 16 2005, during Coffee Hour (10:30)

Speakers: Vito Gallo, the Summit Housing Authority, Summit Mayor Jordan Glatt, and Summit Council members

Program: Summit is in the early stages of formulating a Master Plan for housing in order to fulfill our legal requirements from the Mount Laurel decision that mandates each municipality develop low income housing into their Master Plan. In an effort to develop a holistic plan, we want to educate our residents as to what the requirements are, what the housing issues in Summit are, so that we might all participate in developing a mature plan that creates a community we want to see. The challenges are considerable, so your input is important.

	November - December

"Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room" The Documentary

Sunday, Nov 20 2005 during Coffee Hour (10:30)

Speaker: Alex Gibney, producer, likely Oscar nominee, President of Jigsaw Productions; Producer of "The Blues" series shown on PBS

Program: Summit resident, Alex Gibney, has made a wonderful documentary "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room". He traces the way the Executives established a culture which encouraged "win at any cost" that ultimately destroyed the company and shareholders' investments. The documentary also explores the way that the financiers were encouraged to collude in the fraudulent depiction of what was actually taking place. Alex will show a portion of the tape and take questions and answers on the film, provoking a discussion about ethical issues we face every day.

	January

Workshop: Just Eating? Part I

Sunday, Jan 8 2006, during Coffee Hour (10:30)

Speaker: Cathy Robertson

Program: Just Eating? Practicing Our Faith at the Table uses scripture, prayer and stories from the local and global community, to explore five key aspects of our relationship with food: the health of our bodies, the challenge of hunger, the health of the earth that provides our food, the ways we use food to extend hospitality and enrich relationships the opportunities for action, renewal and transformation in our eating practices -- as individuals and as faith communities.

Workshop: Just Eating? Part II

Sunday, Jan 22, 2006, during Coffee Hour (10:30)

Speaker: Cathy Robertson

Program: Just Eating? Practicing Our Faith at the Table uses scripture, prayer and stories from the local and global community, to explore five key aspects of our relationship with food: the health of our bodies, the challenge of hunger, the health of the earth that provides our food, the ways we use food to extend hospitality and enrich relationships the opportunities for action, renewal and transformation in our eating practices -- as individuals and as faith communities.

Presentation: Global Warming

Sunday, Jan 29 2006, during Coffee Hour (10:30)

Speaker: Dr. Cynthia Rosenzweig, Goddard Space Center

Program: Dr. Rosenzweig will walk us through Goddard's modeling forecasts that predict the scope and shape of global warming in the coming decades. As well she can answer more general questions on the subject and give us a better understanding of the state of academic research on the subject of global warming.

	February - March

Presentation: Stem Cell Research

Sunday, March 5 2006, during Coffee Hour (10:30)

Speaker: Dr. Gary Friedman

Program: On Sunday March 5th we are pleased to have with us an expert in the field of stem cell research, Dr. Gary Friedman. Dr. Friedman is a transplant specialist and is thus able to bring us up to date on some of the promising protocols that stem cells can support. He speaks widely on this subject to churches and synagogues and is particularly helpful at helping define what is not controversial about stem cell research. Governor Corzine made stem cell research one of his platform priorities in his inaugural address and we all need to be informed on the possibilities and pitfalls of this research.

Presentation: Everything You Wanted to Know about Islam But Were Afraid to Ask

Sunday, March 19, 2006, during Coffee Hour (10:30)

Speaker: Anisa Mehdi

Program: Anisa Mehdi will be with us to answer your general questions about Islam. Ms. Mehdi is a regular contributor on National Public Radio. She has made a very important documentary film on the Hajj for the National Geographic Society. In that film, she follows three pilgrims as they complete the sacred journey to Mecca with more than a million other Muslims. She is an Iraqi-American, a graduate of Wellesley College, and a friend of Wellesley Alumnae Penny Vigilante and Nora Wong. Reverend Rush will preach that day on the spiritual meaning of repentance, drawing upon the Hajj for inspiration. Ms. Mehdi will answer questions not only about the Hajj, but also on a variety of issues including the recent impasse over editorial cartoons. For more information, visit Anisa's website.

	April

Presentation: Is Hamas Holy?

Sunday, April 2, 2006, during Coffee Hour (10:30)

Speaker: Rev J Martin Bailey

Program: The Reverend J. Martin Bailey, a noted author and a member of the non-profit organization "A Different Future," will lead an adult education discussion on the outlook for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. An ordained UCC minister, Mart and his wife Betty have recently returned to the United States after serving as missionary volunteers with the Middle East Council of Churches in Jerusalem. "A Different Future" (www.ADifferentFuture.org) is dedicated to providing a voice for those Arabs and Israelis who work together in mutual respect, but who are seldom noticed by the media and little known to the general public.

In addition to his missionary work, Mart is the author of several books on reconciliation and peace, most recently (with his wife) Who Are the Christians in the Middle East?

Mart will present insights and a point of view that is probably not what you are used to seeing on the media, and will answer your questions.

Presentation: If these Stones Could Talk

Sunday, April 23, 2006, during Coffee Hour (10:30)

Speaker: Rev Chuck Rush

Program: Dr. Rush will review some of the sites that he visited on Sabbatical in England, Ireland, and Scotland that have Stone Henges or circles. Specifically, he will look at Avebury in England (near Stonehenge), Newgrange in Ireland, and Brodgar in Scotland. Looking at the way our Celtic ancestors buried their dead, these neolithic sanctuaries are an opening into the Celtic spiritual pathways that help us to better understand what they were like. It will also make you more interesting at cocktail parties.

Presentation: Making of the Documentary Film 'Street Fight'

Sunday, April 30, 2006, during Coffee Hour (10:30)

Speaker: Marshall Curry

Program: Academy-Award nominated producer Marshall Curry grew up in Christ Church and made a very interesting documentary film on the rise of Cory Booker, the City Councilman from Newark that ran against Mayor Sharpe James in the last election. Mr. Booker is a compelling figure in his own right, but the film ended up capturing all of the features of Sharpe James' re-election campaign that give New Jersey politics it's reputation. Since the election for Mayor is this May, we should be able to have a constructive and timely discussion about the present state of affairs.

	May

TBD

	June

Presentation: DNA, Evolution, and the Soul - Intelligent Design?

(Postponed to the Fall)

Speaker: Laura Bothwell, Union Theological Seminary and Center for the Study of Science and Religion (CSSR) of the Earth Institute at Columbia University

Program: Through the Center for the Study of Science and Religion, Laura has been working primarily on a project to advance dialogue between scientists and clergy. She has been drawn to this program vis-a-vis her abiding belief in the capacity and necessity of religion to remain connected to the natural world and contemporary society in order to maintain an accurate understanding of social justice needs. She is interested in the ability of cross-field interaction to address and dispel fears that religious people may have of science and that scientists may have of religion. Laura is also doing a degree at Union Theological Seminary, with emphasis on Eco-Theology.

Adult Education Committee Members:

Robertson, Cathy (Chair)
Elaine Dooman
Larry Pistell

Kristen DeSanto, Chair, Christian Ed
Rev. Chuck Rush
Rev. Julie Yarborough

Your feedback on the Adult Ed program and suggestions for future events are welcome. Contact any Committee member.