On May 3, Jerry Gehre is going to speak on Thomas Friedman's book, "Hot, Flat and Crowded", and on our response to the book. Here's Dr. Gehre's synopsis of his presentation:
"In the book Hot, Flat and Crowded the author Thomas L. Friedman identified the convergence of three major trends: Global Warming, Global Flattening, and Global Crowding. These trends lead to at least five major problems facing the world. Mr. Friedman proposed several secular ideas working for solutions to the problems.
In the Christian environment we need to examine these trends and problems to determine if there is a role for Christians to assist in the solution to the problems raised by Mr. Friedman. Does the Bible point to a responsibility in the church? If so, what level within the church should be involved: National, Regional, and/or Local. In addition, what is the individual responsibility in resolving these problems regardless of their religious beliefs?"
Jerry's bio sketch reads:
"My professional career started In 1969 when we moved to Johnson City where I was a Professor of Economics at ETSU. Shortly thereafter my role changed to an administrator at the university. At the time of my retirement my duties included being an Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration. After retiring from ETSU I was a Professor of Management and subsequently, an Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs at Tusculum College.
My wife Betty and I have three married children with two grandchildren. We enjoy traveling, attending Elder Hostels and artistic activities. My wife is a potter, china painter, and oil painter. My interests include rock and mineral collecting, lapidary and silver smithing."
Our own Harrison Taylor enthusiastically recommended Dr. Gehre after hearing his talk at the Presbyterian Center on ETSU's campus.
Please join us. As always, you'll be very welcome.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Suffering and Hope in Colombia
On Sunday, April 26, we will hear a presentation on Human Rights and conflict in Columbia, given by Becca Knight.
Here's Becca's synopsis of her talk:
Colombia, South America has been in a civil war for over forty years - and most Americans know nothing about this war, or that the US government helps to fund it. Fighting amongst the right-wing paramilitaries, leftist guerilla groups and the Colombian military often leave innocent civilians, union leaders, indiginous people, pastors and peace workers in the cross fire. There are more internally displaced people in Colombia (about 4 million) than in any other country in the world including Sudan. Come learn why you should care about human rights in Colombia and what you can do to help advocate for a peaceful US policy on Colombia. Becca Knight participated in an emergency peace delegation to Colombia as part of her work with Mennonite Central Committee. She will share powerful stories about suffering and hope in Colombia.
Becca is originally from NJ. She received her BA in sociology from Messiah College and her MS in Nonprofit Management from Eastern University (both schools are in PA). She spent the last few years working with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Washington, DC and is now the Director of Home Repair Ministries at Appalachia Service Project.
Please join us at 9:45. You'll be welcome, as always.
Here's Becca's synopsis of her talk:
Colombia, South America has been in a civil war for over forty years - and most Americans know nothing about this war, or that the US government helps to fund it. Fighting amongst the right-wing paramilitaries, leftist guerilla groups and the Colombian military often leave innocent civilians, union leaders, indiginous people, pastors and peace workers in the cross fire. There are more internally displaced people in Colombia (about 4 million) than in any other country in the world including Sudan. Come learn why you should care about human rights in Colombia and what you can do to help advocate for a peaceful US policy on Colombia. Becca Knight participated in an emergency peace delegation to Colombia as part of her work with Mennonite Central Committee. She will share powerful stories about suffering and hope in Colombia.
Becca is originally from NJ. She received her BA in sociology from Messiah College and her MS in Nonprofit Management from Eastern University (both schools are in PA). She spent the last few years working with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Washington, DC and is now the Director of Home Repair Ministries at Appalachia Service Project.
Please join us at 9:45. You'll be welcome, as always.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Dr. Fitsanakis continues...
On April 19, Joseph Fitsanakis will conclude his presentation on futility of military actions against terrorism in the middle east. The first part of Dr. Fitsanakis' excellent talk contained a number of compelling points worth our serious consideration. Please join us for part 2.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Why America Will Lose the War on Terrorism
On Easter Sunday, April 12, we will host Joseph Fitsanakis, Ph.D. who will speak on his view of the futility of the use of military might by the United States to accomplish is anti-terrorism goals in the Middle East. It's the first of a two-part presentation.
In synopsis:
For the last eight years, America has been fighting the wrong war, against the wrong people, with false assumptions, using the wrong kinds of weapons. The way it is currently being fought, the so-called “Global War on Terrorism” is unwinnable, no matter how many years the US keeps fighting in it. Joseph Fitsanakis will explore some of the reasons why this is so.
Speaker's Bio:
Dr. Fitsanakis holds a PhD in Political Science and is an author, lecturer, and activist. He is Senior Editor of IntelNews.org. He is also the founder of Democracy Now! Tri-Cities, and a Board member of the Appalachian Peace Education Center and the Martin Luther King Memorial Team, among other regional organizations. He has lived and studied in four countries and currently lectures at King College in Bristol, Tennessee. He and his wife, Dr. Vanessa Fitsanakis, are members of Central Presbyterian Church in Bristol, Virginia.
As always, please join us.
In synopsis:
For the last eight years, America has been fighting the wrong war, against the wrong people, with false assumptions, using the wrong kinds of weapons. The way it is currently being fought, the so-called “Global War on Terrorism” is unwinnable, no matter how many years the US keeps fighting in it. Joseph Fitsanakis will explore some of the reasons why this is so.
Speaker's Bio:
Dr. Fitsanakis holds a PhD in Political Science and is an author, lecturer, and activist. He is Senior Editor of IntelNews.org. He is also the founder of Democracy Now! Tri-Cities, and a Board member of the Appalachian Peace Education Center and the Martin Luther King Memorial Team, among other regional organizations. He has lived and studied in four countries and currently lectures at King College in Bristol, Tennessee. He and his wife, Dr. Vanessa Fitsanakis, are members of Central Presbyterian Church in Bristol, Virginia.
As always, please join us.
Cradle to Prison Pipeline
Last sunday we were privileged to hear a presentation by Ash-Lee Henderson on the "Cradle to Prison Pipeline" developed by the Children's Defense Fund. From the CDF website:
"Nationally, 1 in 3 Black and 1 in 6 Latino boys born in 2001 are at risk of imprisonment during their lifetime. While boys are five times as likely to be incarcerated as girls, there also is a significant number of girls in the juvenile justice system. This rate of incarceration is endangering children at younger and younger ages.
This is America's pipeline to prison — a trajectory that leads to marginalized lives, imprisonment and often premature death. Although the majority of fourth graders cannot read at grade level, states spend about three times as much money per prisoner as per public school pupil.
CDF's vision with it's Cradle to Prison Pipeline campaign is to reduce detention and incarceration by increasing preventive supports and services children need, such as access to quality early childhood development and education services and accessible, comprehensive health and mental health coverage. Emphasis must be shifted for the sake of our children and our nation's future"
Ash-Lee is an excellent, impassioned presenter.
For more information, see the Children's Defense Fund website.
"Nationally, 1 in 3 Black and 1 in 6 Latino boys born in 2001 are at risk of imprisonment during their lifetime. While boys are five times as likely to be incarcerated as girls, there also is a significant number of girls in the juvenile justice system. This rate of incarceration is endangering children at younger and younger ages.
This is America's pipeline to prison — a trajectory that leads to marginalized lives, imprisonment and often premature death. Although the majority of fourth graders cannot read at grade level, states spend about three times as much money per prisoner as per public school pupil.
CDF's vision with it's Cradle to Prison Pipeline campaign is to reduce detention and incarceration by increasing preventive supports and services children need, such as access to quality early childhood development and education services and accessible, comprehensive health and mental health coverage. Emphasis must be shifted for the sake of our children and our nation's future"
Ash-Lee is an excellent, impassioned presenter.
For more information, see the Children's Defense Fund website.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
HRT and the Women's Health Initiative
On Sunday, March 29 the Adult Forum will host Dr. Brooks Pond who will speak on the most recent findings of the Women's Health Initiative with respect to hormone replacement therapy.
Here's her synopsis of her talk:
"Is hormone replacement therapy right for you?
Menopause, which occurs in women at an average age of 51, results in diminished ovarian secretion of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This results in a number of consequences, including “hot flashes”, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and urinary symptoms. In addition, post-menopausal women have a greater risk for coronary heart disease and osteoporosis. As a result, there has been a focus on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women, which may include estrogen therapy or combined estrogen-progestin therapy. Although these hormones provide some obvious benefits during the reproductive years, there was still some concern about negative consequences of HRT after menopause. Therefore, in 1991, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and other units of the National Institutes of Health launched the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), one of the largest studies of its kind ever undertaken in the U.S. The WHI study comprised two large clinical trials including estrogen-only and combined estrogen-progesterone studies that sought to determine definitively the benefits and possible risks of HRT in postmenopausal women. However, both trials were stopped early due to adverse effects. As a result, there is still quite a bit of debate and confusion among clinicians, researchers, and the public at large regarding HRT. In this discussion, we will examine the findings and limitations of the WHI in order to gain a better understanding of the safety and benefits of HRT."
Brooks is a native of Kingsport. She graduated from Centre College (Ky) prior to entering the Ph.D. program in pharmacology at Duke University Medical Center. Following her Ph.D. she worked as a post-doctoral fellow at the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. Dr. Pond is currently on the faculty in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Gatton College of Pharmacy at ETSU.
As always, please accept our warm welcome to join us on Sunday morning.
Here's her synopsis of her talk:
"Is hormone replacement therapy right for you?
Menopause, which occurs in women at an average age of 51, results in diminished ovarian secretion of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This results in a number of consequences, including “hot flashes”, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and urinary symptoms. In addition, post-menopausal women have a greater risk for coronary heart disease and osteoporosis. As a result, there has been a focus on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women, which may include estrogen therapy or combined estrogen-progestin therapy. Although these hormones provide some obvious benefits during the reproductive years, there was still some concern about negative consequences of HRT after menopause. Therefore, in 1991, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and other units of the National Institutes of Health launched the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), one of the largest studies of its kind ever undertaken in the U.S. The WHI study comprised two large clinical trials including estrogen-only and combined estrogen-progesterone studies that sought to determine definitively the benefits and possible risks of HRT in postmenopausal women. However, both trials were stopped early due to adverse effects. As a result, there is still quite a bit of debate and confusion among clinicians, researchers, and the public at large regarding HRT. In this discussion, we will examine the findings and limitations of the WHI in order to gain a better understanding of the safety and benefits of HRT."
Brooks is a native of Kingsport. She graduated from Centre College (Ky) prior to entering the Ph.D. program in pharmacology at Duke University Medical Center. Following her Ph.D. she worked as a post-doctoral fellow at the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. Dr. Pond is currently on the faculty in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Gatton College of Pharmacy at ETSU.
As always, please accept our warm welcome to join us on Sunday morning.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
More on the Myth Of Redemptive Violence
It seemed clear from the discussion that a lot of issues surround the meaning of the death of Jesus.
Our reading material identifies several interpretation of Jesus' sacrifice. Those are:
"Satisfaction Theory: Derived from ancient Jewish ritual practices (including the Day of Atonement) where animals were sacrificed to satisfy God’s need for blood. Jesus becomes the ultimate sacrifice to appease a God who is so offended by human sin, that only the spilling of his own son’s blood will bring satisfaction. Incidentally, Canaanite religions were not the only ones to sacrifice their children to appease Baal and other gods. There are a number of Biblical examples of Judean kings and leaders who also ritually sacrificed their children, much to Yahweh’s displeasure.
Substitution Theory: The death of Jesus is NOT a sacrifice, but a pay-offxto God. Human beings are so sinful that each of us deserves a horrible lingering and bloody death sentence. However, Jesus loves us so much that he was willing to step in and be our substitute. God would just as soon kill us for our sins, but the slaughter of the innocent satiates the Divine’s
blood lust.
Ransom Theory: If through sin, humanity is now stuck in and operating on the Devil’s “turf,” God had to pay off Satan in order to win our freedom. How? By paying with Jesus’ death.
Victory Theory: NOT a payment to the devil (which is the equivalent of giving in to terrorists), but a defeat-in-principle of the power of evil. Through Jesus’ “obedience unto death,” he showed he could take anything that the Devil could dish out.
Moral Theory: Embraces the idea that the real point of Jesus’ obedience and death was to provide an example for humanity to follow – to stay faithful to one’s convictions even in the face of injustice, brutality, and ignorance. The universe is structured to deal with consequences – and
consequences are not punishment. They’re just consequences. Jesus had to deal with the consequences of his actions and so do we."
Our reading material identifies several interpretation of Jesus' sacrifice. Those are:
"Satisfaction Theory: Derived from ancient Jewish ritual practices (including the Day of Atonement) where animals were sacrificed to satisfy God’s need for blood. Jesus becomes the ultimate sacrifice to appease a God who is so offended by human sin, that only the spilling of his own son’s blood will bring satisfaction. Incidentally, Canaanite religions were not the only ones to sacrifice their children to appease Baal and other gods. There are a number of Biblical examples of Judean kings and leaders who also ritually sacrificed their children, much to Yahweh’s displeasure.
Substitution Theory: The death of Jesus is NOT a sacrifice, but a pay-offxto God. Human beings are so sinful that each of us deserves a horrible lingering and bloody death sentence. However, Jesus loves us so much that he was willing to step in and be our substitute. God would just as soon kill us for our sins, but the slaughter of the innocent satiates the Divine’s
blood lust.
Ransom Theory: If through sin, humanity is now stuck in and operating on the Devil’s “turf,” God had to pay off Satan in order to win our freedom. How? By paying with Jesus’ death.
Victory Theory: NOT a payment to the devil (which is the equivalent of giving in to terrorists), but a defeat-in-principle of the power of evil. Through Jesus’ “obedience unto death,” he showed he could take anything that the Devil could dish out.
Moral Theory: Embraces the idea that the real point of Jesus’ obedience and death was to provide an example for humanity to follow – to stay faithful to one’s convictions even in the face of injustice, brutality, and ignorance. The universe is structured to deal with consequences – and
consequences are not punishment. They’re just consequences. Jesus had to deal with the consequences of his actions and so do we."
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