Rohr's What did Jesus really teach, and non-dualism

This coming Sunday we'll have a look at Richard Rohr's view on what Jesus really taught (which we often conveniently ignore) and his interpretation of one of my favorite scriptures, John 10:31-39. It's radical stuff. Plus, a bonus video of Carie Newcomer. Join us. We're fun.

Revisionist History -- Generous Orthodoxy

This Sunday we'll hear and discuss Malcolm Gladwell's podcast episode "Generous Orthodoxy," part ofe Revisionist History series. This is an empassioned tale of the Mennonite struggle with accepting LGBT members -- the story of father and son. There's something of a broader view of struggles with power structures. It's a powerful story. Please join us. We're warm and friendly.

What you thnk about addiction is wrong

After not posting for several weeks while we watched the very excellent Michael Moore film, "Where to Invade Next", we're carrying on with a couple of short videos on addiction and the weight of connectedness. Here's a link to a TED talk, and here's one that'll serve as a short introduction.
Join us. We're fun.

What you thnk about addiction is wrong

After not posting for several weeks while we watched the very excellent Michael Moore film, "Where to Invade Next", we're carrying on with a couple of short videos on addiction and the weight of connectedness. Here's a link to a TED talk, and here's one that'll serve as a short introduction.
Join us. We're fun.

One Nation Under God?

That's the title of Rev. Ray Rogers' latest sermon. Join us as we watch it and rabble-rouse afterwards. It'll be fun. Here's a link for a preview: Click me.

For July 9th, "Flashes of Insight"

Based on recommendations from some of our most outstanding members, this coming Sunday we'll view and discuss the sermon "Flashes of Insight". Here's the blurb: "Knowledge is not wisdom. We often know a lot of things that we do not allow to change our lives for decades or centuries. This sermon identifies the crucial intuitive move of Paul towards liberation, freedom from legalism and piety and encourages us to embrace knowledge more quickly and turn it into wisdom especially as relates to our awareness of the abuses of a million Americans in prisons and jails awaiting a cultural dawning of compassion and intelligence in the treatment of criminals."

The sermon is given by Rev. Roger Ray, pastor of Community Christian Church of Springfield, Mo. It's a liberal prespective from a liberal church in a town that is easily as conservative as upper East Tennessee.

Here's a link if you'd like a preview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Raab9rlHpvE

Join us. We're fun, smart and good-looking.

Addiction, Spiritual or Chemical?

This Sunday, June 12th, we're going to use an episode of Radiolab (The Fix) as the basis of a discusion on the nature of addiction. The sides of the debate are whether the nature of addiction is a spiritual/moral problem, or is it brain chemistry, and of course, is it somewhere in the middle.
Please join us.

The Camino a Santiago de Compostella

This coming Sunday, May 8th, we're going to hear from Jo Jo Morrison about his recent walk on the Camino de Santiago de Compostella. This is one of Christian Europe's oldest, most renown pilgrimages. You can read more about the destination here: Click me. The walk to the destination is taken on by tens of thousands each year.

Jo Jo is a regular visitor. He is the son of John and Mary Ellen Morrison.  He has been walking long distances since he went backpacking with his Father to Philmont Scout Ranch in 1981.  After high school he worked at Philmont for three summers as a backpacking guide and staff member.  To support his walking habit, he went to law school, graduating from the University of Virginia School of Law.  After law school he clerked for a federal circuit court judge and then taught constitutional law for four years before becoming an assistant public defender in Miami where he met his wife, a Cuban-born accountant.  After their wedding, she surprised him by telling him that she needed to go to medical school.  Over a decade and eight moves later, she is a physician at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.   He currently lives in the Upper West Side of Manhattan with his wife while working long-distance for the Miami Public Defender's Office.  In July-August 2014, they walked together from the French border to Santiago, Spain, and then on the the Atlantic ocean.  That is the route of an ancient medieval (or older) pilgrimage, and he will share the story of that pilgrimage, and the spiritual lessons learned along the Way, with us at the Adult Forum.

Please Join Us.

Carrie Newcomer's Commencement Address

Well, it is the season of graduations, so it seems fitting to listen to a delightful commencement address, one given by Carrie Newcomer at Goshen College. It's deeper and truer than any I've heard. Here's the link: Click me. Please join us for a group listening and discussion. We'd love to see you.

How spiritual experiences underpin our prosperity and our survival

This Sunday, April 24th, we're going to use a video presentation by Prof Roland Griffiths as a starting point to explore how our thoughtful, mediative self-awareness forms the basis of our reducing our suffering and increasing our caring for each other and the world. It's biology, neuropharmacology, spirituality and growth.
Here's a link to the video. Especially note minutes 13 though the end.
Please join us!

On Being -- Carrie Newcomer

Here's the link: http://www.onbeing.org/program/carrie-newcomer-a-conversation-with-music/7049

Pet Therapy! with Julie Wade

April 10--The Mission of Pet Therapy:  Julie Wade, with the assistance of her therapy dog, Jake, will describe their 7 years of therapy work at our local hospitals and nursing homes.  Therapy animals have been used to help individuals with disabilities such as  physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, and other conditions.  We’ll talk about some of the groups that animal therapy helps (autistic individuals, the elderly, veterans, etc.)  and provide some personal experiences that have made this 7 years a very rewarding mission for both Jake and Julie.  Come join us, and get some “free” therapy from Jake!

John O'Donohue OnBeing with Krista Tippett

For March 20, and following several recommendations, we'll listen to the first portion of Krista Tippett's interview with John O'Donohue on "The Inner Landscape of Beauty." You can preview the dialogue by clicking here.
According to the website, "The Irish poet and philosopher John O'Donohue was beloved for his book Anam Ċara, Gaelic for "soul friend," and for his insistence on beauty as a human calling. In one of his last interviews before his death in 2008, he articulated a Celtic imagination about how the material and the spiritual — the visible and the invisible — intertwine in human experience. His voice and writings continue to bring ancient mystical wisdom to modern confusions and longings." It's a beautiful narrative. Please join us.

We Choose Welcome

WE CHOOSE WELCOME

On This Sunday, March 13, we will dedicate the day to stand with our Muslim neighbors as we join with many other churches of all denominations across our nation as choose to WELCOME Syrian refugees who are fleeing for their lives, looking for a new home.

We will meet at 9:45 in Martin Hall for the Adult Forum, followed by worship in the sanctuary at 11 AM.

We will have our picture taken with a banner, followed by a time for letter writing to our elected officials. 

PLEASE COME THIS SUNDAY SO WE CAN BE WELL REPRESENTED AS WE CHOOSE WELCOME!!

Evolution, Round 3! More on your personal microbiome

Dr. Julie Wade will continue her presentation on the Human Microbiome this coming Sunday, March 6th. Please join us for this talented, engaging series as we continue to celebrate Evolution Sunday.

Evolutions continues...!

We'll continue with our evolution series in the Adult Forum. Dr. Julie Wade will extend the discussion into the microbiome, the microbial world within us.
Please be warmly welomed at 9:45, Sunday, Feb. 28th.

Evolution Sundays, 2016 with Dr. Julie Wade

This coming Sunday, February 21st, The Adult Forum will kick off a series of Evolution Sundays featuring gifted speaker Dr. Julie Wade. The series begins with an overview of Evolution and will then turn to the fascinating topic of our evolved microbiome. Please join us at 9:45.

Rev. John Martin's third "Christianity in the Post-Modern Era"

On Sunday, February 14th, the Adult Forum will host the Rev. John Martin for his third presentation on "Christianity in the Post-Modern Era." We had 87 aprticipants in last weeks' session and it was a hit. John is intellectually engaging and offers thought-provoking notions of our past and future. Please join us.

Rev. John Martin continues

On February 2, Rev. John Martin will give his second presentation on Christianity in the Post-Modern Era. We had a great turnout for an excellent session last week, and we have room for more. Please join us Sunday at 9:45 a.m. in Martin Hall. 

Rev. John Martin

We're in for a treat! This coming Sunday the Adult Forum will host Rev. John Martin who will speak on Christianity in the Post-Modern Era. This will be the first of a three-Sunday series. Many of you know John as the pastor of First Presbyterian from 1970 - 2003. Lately, he spoke to a packed house at the Alliance for Continued learning and he and Carolyn were popular speakers in the "Journey Into Wholeness" program. Please join us. Sunday morning at 9:45 in Martin Hall at First Presbyterian of Elizabethton.

The Jesus Fatwah

Come join us on Jan. 17th for a viewing and discussion of the Jesus Fatwah, a film from the good folks a Living the Questions. Here's a link to the trailer. Click me.
We have a good time with our hearts and minds. We'll be glad to have you with us.