Income inequality....WWJD?

This coming Sunday we're going to view Richard Wilkinson's TED Talk, "How income inequality harms societies." We watched this a few months ago, but it is worth another viewing.. The data Wilkinson presents is based on his book, "The Spirit Level" which shows the correlations between income disparity within countries and the magnitude of those countries' social ills. It's an amzing set of data. Guess which of world's developed nations is at the top of income inequality, and tops in proportion of its population in prison, and a leader in the rate mental illness among its citizens. Here's a hint: you live there.
The subject of income inequality, together with last week's look at why liberals and conservatives value the things they do, will serve to set up the following week's topic on what Jesus taught about social and economic justice. Hmmm...sounds ambitious, but I bet we can manage it.
Please join us. We'll be delighted to see you.
Loving childcare is joyfully provided.

Politics and the Sacred

Last week we watched half of Bill Moyers' interview with social psychologist Jonathan Haidt. The topic is on differences in worldview between the political right and left. The video clip led to some stimulating discussion. This Sunday we'll watch the remainder, where the focus is on the notion that our passion for politics is a direct reflection of what we hold as sacred truths. Please join us.
Loving childcare is provided.

No Plans, but something will turn up

I don't have anything planned for Sunday. But we'll visit with each other and find something interesting to talk about. We always do. Please join us for some easy friendship, and good conversation.
As ever, excellent childcare is provided.

Loss, grief and mourning

This coming Sunday we will have an open discussion on personal loss, grieving and mourning. Carol Ann McElwee will give us some guidance and structure through the benefit of her compassionate experience and knowledge.
Please join us. We sincerely appreciate your participation and support.
As ever, loving childcare is provided.

A More Light Sunday Panel Discussion

In recognition of "more light Sunday"on July 8, the Adult Forum will have a four-person panel of FPC-e members and friends sharing their personal experience of LGBT issues in relation to their faith . There will be opportunity for questions from the floor. Please plan to attend  and bring friends from the community...lots of them! 


Refreshments will be served after the "more light Sunday "worship service. 

Please join us. We'll be delighted to see you. As always, loving childcare is provided.

Delay gratification and the Mischel Marshmellow Test

This coming Sunday, Leonore Simon will lead the Adult Forum in a discussion on the findings of the well-known Mischel Marshmellow test. In 1972 Stanford psychologist Walter Mischell tested 4-year olds and their ability to delay eating a marshmellow for 15-minutes. Follow up studies on the subjects 15 years later showed that those children who did delay eating the marshmellow were significantly more successful in several measures than those who did not. This test, used as an indicator of delayed gratification, has been repeated in other, non-US cultures and found to be an effective predictor of academic and other measures success.  It is intriguing to imagine the extent to which delayed gratification  can be taught and learned, and why it might be worthwhile to do so.


Dr. Leonore Simon earned her J.D. from Case Western Reserve School of Law in 1978, practiced criminal law in Ohio and in California for five years, and obtained her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of  Arizona Department of Psychology in 1991. She has taught criminal justice at Temple University, Washington State University, and East Tennessee State University. Dr. Simon has published over 35 journal articles, and presented over 75 conference papers in criminal justice, law, and psychology and taught over 20 different courses.


Please join us. Loving childcare is provided.

Will our kids be a different species?

In an excellent TED talk, Juan Enriquez asks whether we've developed to the point that access to a wealth of resources will allow our next generations to direct their own evolution. Could this be what the star dust that comprises us and all of our world does? Recent discoveries in technical and biological sciences are abruptly posing questions that we're not ready to answer, but yet, the questions are upon us. Please join us as we watch the talk and share our thoughts and opinions.
Loving childcare is provided.