Into the Heart of Desire

On Sunday, May 31 our presenter will be Dr. Judy Tudiver. The full title of her talk is:

Into the Heart of Desire
Women’s Sexuality: Facts and Fiction

Judy gave a simlar talk in the Department of Psychology at ETSU in April. When the announcement came across my e-mail I thought it sounded like a good topic for the Adult Forum. Judy is a delightful person and an entertaining speaker.

Here's her synopsis

"We live in a highly sexualized culture; images of sexuality are everywhere. Yet there seems to be a significant disconnect between women’s sexuality as portrayed in the media and most women’s experience of sexuality and sensuality. Lack of desire and low sexual libido seems rampant for women. In this presentation the myths and confusion associated with women’s sexuality will be explored and what we really know about female sexuality will be examined in an effort to create a holistic model of female sexual desire."

"Judy Tudiver, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Johnson City, TN. She has over 20 years experience working with individuals, couples and families. For a decade Judy has been facilitating women’s sexuality groups and workshops as well as couples’ sexuality workshops with her husband, Fred Tudiver. Judy is passionately committed to her life as therapist, partner, mother and woman of a certain age. "

Please be warmly welcome to join us at the Adult Forum for this interesting topic. We'll be glad to have you.

Healing Prayer

This coming sunday, may 24, we're lucky to host Rabia Harris who will speak to us on Healing Prayer

Rabia writes:

"My talk at First Presbyterian of Elizabethton will focus on the revival of healing prayer within mainline Christianity, and the work of the ecumenical healing prayer order, The International Order of St. Luke the Physician, with which I am affiliated as a lay minster, having previously served as the founding convener (lay coordinator) of my local chapter in Western North Carolina.
"We will discuss how healing prayer compliments medical and alternative therapies, and the importance of healing at all levels, not just the physical body. I am willing to lead the group in a healing prayer and meditation time at the close of the session, if that is appropriate. I will have a printed article called, "'The Power of Healing Prayer,' available for distribution after the presentation"

"A resident of Mars Hill, NC, north of Asheville, I am an interfaith minister with the Alliance of Divine Love, though I remain a devout follower of the teachings of Jesus. At the present time, I am engaged in various activities of the ecumenical Christian community (oftentimes called The Body of Christ) through spiritual practices such as Centering Prayer and Taize chanting in addition to my activities as a healing prayer minister. "

Please join us for this uplifting session. As always, you'll be very welcomed.

Joseph Priestly

Next Sunday, May 17, Jeff Wardeska will give us a presentation on Joseph Priestly. I knew that Jeff had read the biography that came out recently, "The invention of air" by Steven Johnson, so I asked for this presentation. Thanks Jeff, for agreeing.

Priestly has been referred to as one of the people whose ideas changed the world. Priestly was one of the intellectual pillars of the "age of enlightenment", and according to the biography, was the "most hated man in all Britain." After coming to the US became friends with some of our favorite founders. Priestly was a social liberal, a free thinker, a libertarian, and a debunker of blind authortarianism. Priestly's contemporary, the renown conservative Samuel Johnson called him and "evil man." Geez, this sounds so modern.


Here's a Youtube video interview with Steven Johnson that's worth a 5-minute watch. The message is cogent statement about the value-system that establishes a wisdom-based relationship between science, religion and politics.




Here's Jeff synopsis:

"Joseph Priestley (1733 - 1804), while widely recognized as the discoverer of oxygen, was a leading intellectual of the 18th century, influencing many fields and setting the stage for many of our modern ideas in science, religion, as well as helping to shape the course of the fledgling United States. Thomas Jefferson once commented it was Priestley's writing that convinced him remain a Christian. However, he was a contoversial figure, one who narrowly escaped from a mob who burned his home and laboratory."

And a brief bio on our speaker:

"Jeff Wardeska has taught in the Chemistry Department at ETSU for many years and served as department chair since 2000. He is an inorganic chemist and is interested in the role of trace elements in living organisms. He and Brenda have been members of 1st Presbyterian Church, Elizabethton, since 1996."


Please join us at 9:45 in Elizabethton for this fascinating topic. We'll be glad to have you.

No Thanks for the Memories: Psychological Issues Facing the Returning Combat Veteran

Next Sunday, May 10, our very own Myra Elder will give us a presentation on the psychological challenges faced by our service men and women as they return from combat venues in the Middle East.

Here's Myra's synopsis of her presentation:

"The psychological toll of war takes generations to measure. After a brief historical introduction to issues specific to Appalachian veterans,we will cover the typical re-adjustment situations faced by returning soldiers. We will briefly overview the more severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which afflicts about 15% of combat veterans. The discussion will also include PTSD due to military sexual trauma. Finally, we will begin a dialogue about what we, as congregants, can do to welcome visitors/potential church members who may be struggling with these issues."

And here's a brief bio, that let's us know why Myra is qualified to speak on this subject:

"Myra Elder, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist at the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She has been working with combat veterans and their families for 14 years, through the Primary Care Clinic. She is a member of the center’s Sexual Trauma Response Team and the Women Veteran’s Advisory Council. She enjoyed being an adjunct professor for several years at Milligan College. She earned her doctorate at Temple University in Philadelphia, and she completed her internship at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lexington, KY. Currently, she spends her free time playing “Duck, Duck, Goose,” “Hide and Seek,” and “Freeze Tag.”

Please join us at First Presbyterian in Elizabethton. You'll be very welcomed.

Hot, Flat and Crowded

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.

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.

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.