Adult Christian Formation Opportunities, Fall - 2002

The Christian Formation Ministry of Grace Episcopal Church
Presents For You:

Answering Jesus: Cycle of Violence Series
Adult Christian Formation Opportunities
Fall 2002

Sundays
9:10 a.m. - 10:10 a.m.
Parish Hall

September

September 15th & 22nd
Christian Responses to Violence: Just War and Pacifism
William A. Barbieri Jr.

Catholic teaching today embodies a tension that runs through the Christian community as a whole: how can Jesus' biblical witness of peace be reconciled with a millennium and a half of just war theory?

This tension will be explored in its historical development and in its relevance to contemporary problems. Questions to be addressed include:

• What are the varieties of Christian pacifism?
• What are the requirements of the doctrine of the just war (jus ad bellum and jus in bello)?
• What does just war theory have to say about humanitarian intervention? Terrorism? Contemporary military technologies?
• What alternatives do nonviolent techniques offer?

In light of these considerations we will discuss 9/11, the U.S. attack on Afghanistan, and potential future expansion of the "War on Terrorism": in Iraq and elsewhere.

Biography
William A. Barbieri Jr. studied Religious Studies and Ethics at Duke and Yale. He has lived and worked in China, Germany, and Israel. He has served on the Catholic University faculty since 1994, where he is now an associate professor of religion and director of the peace studies program. His courses, which cover a range of topics in ethics and moral theory, include "War, Peace and Revolution in Christian Tradition" and "Ways of Peace in World Religions."

September 29th
No Forum
Parish Weekend

October

October 6
Religious Tolerance - The Middle East
Ending the violence in the Holy Land.

October 13
Religious Tolerance - Judaism
A Rabbi speaks to Christians.

October 20
Tolerance: a Limited Virtue?
Tolerance can be a way to live and work together, but can it also become a barrier to growth at a deeper level?

October 27
Discussion on Sept. & Oct. presentations.
Often there is not enough time in our hour to discuss the issues we have heard presented. We have set aside a full forum to discuss the subjects presented to date.

November

November 3 & 10
What Are You Afraid Of?
What are our fears? What does that do to our relationship with God and others?

November 17 & 24
World Peacemakers speak to The Potential of the Church in Shaping Domestic and Foreign Policy

December

December 8 & 15
Annunciation Stories
Gabriel made the famous one, to Mary. But the Christmas stories of Luke and Matthew are filled with vibrant annunciations made to the faithful by angels, as well as other ordinary folk, filled with the holy spirit. Come hear these stories as told by Grace parishioners.

December 22nd
Exploring the Annunciation through the eyes of an Art Historian and some works of art that may inform and enrich your perspective on the Annunciation to Mary.

Upcoming Speakers

Rabbi Tracy Klirs was the first woman rabbi to lead a congregation in Canada. She has served as Rabbi or Assistant Rabbi in several congregations throughout her career. Other positions include Director of Education and Youth at Congregation Emanu El in San Bernardino; Head of Judaic Studies at the San Diego Jewish Academy; and Director of Education and Youth at Agudas Achim Congregation in Alexandria. Rabbi Klirs is currently the Executive Director of Melitz America. Melitz Centers for Jewish-Zionist Education is a leading Israeli provider of informal Jewish education in Israel and the United States.

Berit M. Lakey, PhD, is a senior consultant with BoardSource, the premier resource for practical information tools and best practices, training, and leadership development for board members of nonprofit organizations worldwide. During her 25 years in consulting, training, communications and nonprofit management, Berit has acquired unique insights into the complex nature of nonprofit organizations. She's filled such diverse roles as teacher, staff administrator, executive director and board member. She's worked with health and human services organizations as well as churches, foundations and associations, including the National Association of Community Health Centers, Women Organized Against Rape, and the Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic. She also served as an adjunct assistant professor in the graduate school at the University of Maryland University College.

Bill Price has been a member of The Church of the Saviour (C of S), an Ecumenical Church in Washington D.C., since 1971. In 1974, at the age of 55, he retired from a 30 year career in the USAF Civil Service so that he and his wife could serve as full time volunteers at C of S. In early 1978 Bill joined with C of S Pastor N. Gordon Cosby and Dr. Richard J. Barnet in founding World Peacemakers, and has served as it's volunteer Coordinator since the beginning. Currently he is President of World Peacemakers and co-founder of the rapidly growing Every Church A Peace Church movement.

Continuing Program

Wednesdays
Prayer Group
7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Grace House
Assistant Rector Ann Moczydlowski and other prayer group members facilitate this weekly meeting of parishioners who come together to pray and study new ways that prayer can be meaningful in their lives. We are presently studying Verna Dozier's book, "The Dream of God."

Our format is as follows:

• 10 minutes of sharing
• 30 minutes book discussion
• 20 minutes of centering prayer
• 5-10 minutes of intercessory/thanksgiving prayer

(Note: Time and day may change. Please contact Ann if you plan on attending for the first time, or have been away for a while. Information will also be posted on the boards in the Narthex and Undercroft.)