The science of religion: a modern and ancient offering

Next Sunday, June 21, our guest speaker will be Hap Cawood, visiting from Dayton, Ohio. Hap comes to us by his connection with Harriet Baker.

Here's his synopsis of his presentation:

"My talk will be "The science of religion: a modern and ancient offering." This presentation aims to make the case that the Jesus' teachings, rightly understood, are in harmony with science, the Bhagavad-Gita and Pantajali's Yoga Sutras, and that one can prove this by direct experience. This talk will draw from Paramahansa Yogananda's works, such as "The Second Coming of Christ -- Resurrecting the Christ Within You," and will concentrate mostly on the methods and experiences of attaining divine realization, as noted in a number of esoteric Biblical passages. "

And a brief Bio from Mr. Cawood:

"After receiving my B.A. in English from Union College (Ky.), I taught in my hometown Harlan High School and as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Sierra Leone. I then earned my M.A. degree in Journalism at Ohio State and worked for the Dayton Daily News 34 years as an editorial writer and editorial page editor. My Johnson City connection is that my younger daughter, Shuly, married Harriet Baker's son, Preston McKee."

Please join us for what promises to be an enriching presentation. The Forum starts at 9:45.

The Prophetic Jesus

Next Sunday, June 14, we will continue our series on Living the Questions2. Our lesson will focus on the section called "The Prophetic Jesus". This section addresses the questions of "what does it mean to prophesy?" "what do prophets do?" and, "what was the prophecy of Jesus (which has nothing to do with the rapture)?"

When Ghandi was asked the difference between himself and most Christians, Ghandi quietly replied, "I think he really meant it." (refering to Jesus' prophecy).

The voice of the prophet calls the people to remember who they really are, to act in ways that truly reflect their deepest convictions, and to discover what those convictions are.

As we explore this image of Jesus, I'll try to draw some connection to why Susan Boyle's videos from "Britain's Got Talent" have been viewed more than 100 million times. It'll be a stretch but I think it might work.

There are reading materials with the section, and if you would like copies in advance, just send me an e-mail.

As always, please feel warmly invited to join us at 9:45. There are reading materials with the section, and if you would like copies in advance, just send me an e-mail.

Blessed are the poor in spirit...for theirs

This coming Sunday, June 7, our presenter will be 1st Presbyterian's very own, Rebecca Nunley. Rebecca's talk will focus on early transcriptions of the beatitudes. Here's her synopsis:


"For over 25 years Dr. Neil Douglas Klotz has pursued studying the Middle Eastern cultures and languages. His work translating original Aramaic scripture to English has been particularly fruitful. On June 7, I will introduce the first beatitude for discussion and comparison. The KJV translation "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"

Rebecca Nunley was introduced to body prayer in 2000 and soon found the Dances of Universal Peace where she began training as a supervised leader in 2002. Rebecca is also a student of the Abwoon Interspiritual Leadership Program with Neil Douglas Klotz and Wisdom University of California. Rebecca leads dances with the Asheville Dance Cirle, annual URI meetings, and every other month in Elizabethton.

Please know that you'll be warmly welcomed to join us at 9:45

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.