April-Sherri & Jerry
07- John S: WHERE DID WE COME FROM? WHAT'S NEXT?
14-John Brummett
21-Jerry: What On Earth Is Spirituality?
28-Dr. Rick Owen (Psychiatrist, invited by Sherri & Jerry)
07- John S: WHERE DID WE COME FROM? WHAT'S NEXT?
14-John Brummett
21-Jerry: What On Earth Is Spirituality?
28-Dr. Rick Owen (Psychiatrist, invited by Sherri & Jerry)
March-Nancy & Charlie
03- Dennie:Further Discussion of My Grandfather’s Blessings, by Rachel Naomi Remen
10- Dennie: Further Discussion of My Grandfather’s Blessings, by Rachel Naomi Remen
17-Charlie: ANOTHER HOLY TRINITY: Paul Simon, Stephen Colbert, and God
24-Charlie/Nancy: Pocketful of Miracles and the Vernal Equinox
31-Easter-no class
03- Dennie:Further Discussion of My Grandfather’s Blessings, by Rachel Naomi Remen
10- Dennie: Further Discussion of My Grandfather’s Blessings, by Rachel Naomi Remen
17-Charlie: ANOTHER HOLY TRINITY: Paul Simon, Stephen Colbert, and God
24-Charlie/Nancy: Pocketful of Miracles and the Vernal Equinox
31-Easter-no class
February-
04-Jan & Randal: How to Make Peace. https://www.uuclr.org/services/sunday-sermon-december-3-2023/
11-
18- Dennie: Discussion of My Grandfather’s Blessings, by Rachel Naomi Remen
25- Rev. J Clark: Selected topics
04-Jan & Randal: How to Make Peace. https://www.uuclr.org/services/sunday-sermon-december-3-2023/
11-
18- Dennie: Discussion of My Grandfather’s Blessings, by Rachel Naomi Remen
25- Rev. J Clark: Selected topics
January- Cathy/Pat
07-John: SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT CHRISTMAS; A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION and FUNDAMENTALISM
14-Cathy & Pat: Diana Butler Bass’s book Christianity After Religion. It will include characteristics of the early followers of Jesus and how that has evolved into Christianity as we are familiar with today. I will introduce her concept of The Great Reversal and see what the Wesley Class thinks about it. There should be lots for us to discuss.
21-Carolyn: Poverty, By America by Matthew Desmond - Carolyn Schmidt will focus in particular on what else the church might do to address this issue.
28-Rev Ellen Rowland will discuss youth programs at PHUMC
07-John: SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT CHRISTMAS; A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION and FUNDAMENTALISM
14-Cathy & Pat: Diana Butler Bass’s book Christianity After Religion. It will include characteristics of the early followers of Jesus and how that has evolved into Christianity as we are familiar with today. I will introduce her concept of The Great Reversal and see what the Wesley Class thinks about it. There should be lots for us to discuss.
21-Carolyn: Poverty, By America by Matthew Desmond - Carolyn Schmidt will focus in particular on what else the church might do to address this issue.
28-Rev Ellen Rowland will discuss youth programs at PHUMC
December
03- Charlie: Rumi Quotes; Decisions about donations from our kitty.
10- General discussion
17- Linda H: How to End War; sermon by Rev. Paul Beedle at the UUMC in Little Rock. Video and discussion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MTNJmGNW20
24-Christmas Eve: No Class
31-New Year's Eve: No Class
03- Charlie: Rumi Quotes; Decisions about donations from our kitty.
10- General discussion
17- Linda H: How to End War; sermon by Rev. Paul Beedle at the UUMC in Little Rock. Video and discussion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MTNJmGNW20
24-Christmas Eve: No Class
31-New Year's Eve: No Class
November (Slaters)
05-Debbie & Chris: What You Need to Know (or Not ) about All Saints Day
12-Cathy S: Don't Shut Down Your Anger: Channel It.
19-Planning session; revisited The Forgotten Girls, by Monica Potts
26-THANKSGIVING SUNDAY: No Class
05-Debbie & Chris: What You Need to Know (or Not ) about All Saints Day
12-Cathy S: Don't Shut Down Your Anger: Channel It.
19-Planning session; revisited The Forgotten Girls, by Monica Potts
26-THANKSGIVING SUNDAY: No Class
October
08- Lynne Clifton will talk about Nature’s Best Hope, by Douglas Tallamay (arranged by Charlie) References
15- General Discussion. Focused on an article dealing with how much choice people have in their actions (L Hicks)
22-
29- Cathy F: A discussion of the book - Breaking The Aging Code. How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long & Well You Live By Becca Levy PhD. This will include religion, spirituality, culture, and the mind-body connection.
08- Lynne Clifton will talk about Nature’s Best Hope, by Douglas Tallamay (arranged by Charlie) References
15- General Discussion. Focused on an article dealing with how much choice people have in their actions (L Hicks)
22-
29- Cathy F: A discussion of the book - Breaking The Aging Code. How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long & Well You Live By Becca Levy PhD. This will include religion, spirituality, culture, and the mind-body connection.
September, 2023 (Bensons)
01- Labor Day Weekend: No Class
10- Hundley's: Where Should the Nones Go on Sunday?
17- John: WHAT DO OUR METHODIST HYMNS SAY TO US?
24- Debbie: Book: The Gift of Empathy
01- Labor Day Weekend: No Class
10- Hundley's: Where Should the Nones Go on Sunday?
17- John: WHAT DO OUR METHODIST HYMNS SAY TO US?
24- Debbie: Book: The Gift of Empathy
August, 2023
06- Pat: 1. The Corrosive Power of Regret, 2. A Listening Experiment Between Liberal and Evangelical Christians, with class commentary.
13- Jerry: “The Forgotten Girls” by Monica Potts. Monica is the woman raised in Clinton Arkansas who went on to become a New York Times reporter after which she returned to Clinton to chronicle the life of her best childhood friend Darci.The book provides insight into the great divide in our country today between rural and urban America and the negative effect of conservative fundamentalist churches.
20- John: Tough End-of-Life Decisions
27- Herb: Community: How the Wesley Class Saved My Life
06- Pat: 1. The Corrosive Power of Regret, 2. A Listening Experiment Between Liberal and Evangelical Christians, with class commentary.
13- Jerry: “The Forgotten Girls” by Monica Potts. Monica is the woman raised in Clinton Arkansas who went on to become a New York Times reporter after which she returned to Clinton to chronicle the life of her best childhood friend Darci.The book provides insight into the great divide in our country today between rural and urban America and the negative effect of conservative fundamentalist churches.
20- John: Tough End-of-Life Decisions
27- Herb: Community: How the Wesley Class Saved My Life
July, 2023
02- No class, July 4 holiday
09- Pat: Vic Nixon's creed
16- Jan/Randal: Shiny, Happy People (miniseries about the Duggar Family)
23- Debbie Benson: Camino de Santiago
30- Flanagin: Topic TBD
02- No class, July 4 holiday
09- Pat: Vic Nixon's creed
16- Jan/Randal: Shiny, Happy People (miniseries about the Duggar Family)
23- Debbie Benson: Camino de Santiago
30- Flanagin: Topic TBD
June-2023-Dennie
First 2 Sundays-Dennie
18- Father's Day-no class
25- Activity related to first two Sundays
First 2 Sundays-Dennie
18- Father's Day-no class
25- Activity related to first two Sundays
May-Flanagin
07- Cathy: Paradoxes
14- Mother's Day, no class
21- Pat: Who’s going to church, Christian Nationalism, and the progression of freedom and equality in America
28-
07- Cathy: Paradoxes
14- Mother's Day, no class
21- Pat: Who’s going to church, Christian Nationalism, and the progression of freedom and equality in America
28-
April-Damerow
02-Jerry has invited guests to talk about the Life Skills For Youth program (LSY). Coach Larry Clark and Lizzy East Couch will talk about an important after school program in Southwest Little Rock called Life Skills for Youth. This vital program provides catch up training in basic skills like reading and math and also important life skills such as anger management and financial management. The success of this program in getting kids on a better path has been exceptional and Coach Clark has ambitious plans to grow the program to meet the extremely large need in our community.
09-Easter-No Class
16-John Brummett
23-Jerry: Religion in Sports Link to Article
30-Sherri:Jerry's wife Sherri also has an addiction.
02-Jerry has invited guests to talk about the Life Skills For Youth program (LSY). Coach Larry Clark and Lizzy East Couch will talk about an important after school program in Southwest Little Rock called Life Skills for Youth. This vital program provides catch up training in basic skills like reading and math and also important life skills such as anger management and financial management. The success of this program in getting kids on a better path has been exceptional and Coach Clark has ambitious plans to grow the program to meet the extremely large need in our community.
09-Easter-No Class
16-John Brummett
23-Jerry: Religion in Sports Link to Article
30-Sherri:Jerry's wife Sherri also has an addiction.
March-Culbertson
06-Thompson Murray will discuss a biography of Congressman John Lewis
13-Charlie: Do you have fun? Do you notice when you do? What makes you smile, laugh, chuckle, chortle or guffaw? You don't want your gravestone to read: "Oh, man, I should have followed my bliss"
20-Charlie: My Walk: A Human Being, Being Human
27-Charlie: My Walk, Episode 2: The Safety Net
06-Thompson Murray will discuss a biography of Congressman John Lewis
13-Charlie: Do you have fun? Do you notice when you do? What makes you smile, laugh, chuckle, chortle or guffaw? You don't want your gravestone to read: "Oh, man, I should have followed my bliss"
20-Charlie: My Walk: A Human Being, Being Human
27-Charlie: My Walk, Episode 2: The Safety Net
Feb-Lesa & Linda H
05- Lesa: Based on John 16:33
12- Linda: Reflections on Valentine's
19- Linda:
26- Lesa:
05- Lesa: Based on John 16:33
12- Linda: Reflections on Valentine's
19- Linda:
26- Lesa:
January-
01-No class
08-Flanagins: Sabbath Born, and Scrupulosity
15-Herb
22-David: John Shelby Spong’s book Unbelievable
29-David:
01-No class
08-Flanagins: Sabbath Born, and Scrupulosity
15-Herb
22-David: John Shelby Spong’s book Unbelievable
29-David:
December 2022
18-Party-Linda H, 8 Riding Rd, 6pm
18-Pat: discussion of the book “Sabath Born” by Britt Skarda. Another topic is about one man’s woke war against alabaster in liturgy hymn and scripture.
18-Party-Linda H, 8 Riding Rd, 6pm
18-Pat: discussion of the book “Sabath Born” by Britt Skarda. Another topic is about one man’s woke war against alabaster in liturgy hymn and scripture.
September
04-Labor Day weekend; no class
11-Jerry: Why we Have Religion
18-
25-Brenda: Afghan family update
04-Labor Day weekend; no class
11-Jerry: Why we Have Religion
18-
25-Brenda: Afghan family update
August
07-Pat: MARIJUANA: what the church says, what Arkansas law says, what the November ballot says, and what you say
14-Charlie: A Culbertson News Flash: The Morality/Ethics of the Andy Griffith Show, I Was Wrong, Humanism
Stoicism, Taoism, The 3 biggest lies told at casinos, Pat's Conundrum, Julie -- Angels: The Path Less Treaded
21- Charlie: The way we were, ....and the Way We ARE.... The goal of Taoism is to live in harmony with the "Tao" -- that is, "the Way". The primary focus of Taoism is based on a person's spiritual existence where one's humanity is believed to be like a bamboo stick in that it is straight and simple by design but has a vacant center that yearns to be filled. And yet it is flexible enough to overcome resistance and to resist the blows of nature. Taoism has been my favorite religion/philosophy ever since I ran across it many years ago. If you are not already expert in the subject, perhaps you would like to consider some of its principles for your own Life? If so....allow me to show you...the Way.
28- Open discussion. Jerry's session deferred because of a presentation at UUC (see email)
07-Pat: MARIJUANA: what the church says, what Arkansas law says, what the November ballot says, and what you say
14-Charlie: A Culbertson News Flash: The Morality/Ethics of the Andy Griffith Show, I Was Wrong, Humanism
Stoicism, Taoism, The 3 biggest lies told at casinos, Pat's Conundrum, Julie -- Angels: The Path Less Treaded
21- Charlie: The way we were, ....and the Way We ARE.... The goal of Taoism is to live in harmony with the "Tao" -- that is, "the Way". The primary focus of Taoism is based on a person's spiritual existence where one's humanity is believed to be like a bamboo stick in that it is straight and simple by design but has a vacant center that yearns to be filled. And yet it is flexible enough to overcome resistance and to resist the blows of nature. Taoism has been my favorite religion/philosophy ever since I ran across it many years ago. If you are not already expert in the subject, perhaps you would like to consider some of its principles for your own Life? If so....allow me to show you...the Way.
28- Open discussion. Jerry's session deferred because of a presentation at UUC (see email)
July
03- No Class, Fourth of July Holiday
10- Dennie
17-Cathy F: Do I stay or go? Ever think about leaving Arkansas? The US? The Methodist Church? The Christian Religion?
*We will be focusing primarily on the last of the list (click link) of analyzing aspects applicable to the others by examining Brian McLaren's “Do I Stay Christian: A Guide for the Doubters, The Disappointed, and The Disillusioned”. We anticipate lots of discussion so this is a rough outline of how we plan to approach the book recognizing it could vary some depending on the interest of the class.
*Can you relate to McLaren’s list of what defines religion and do you attach differing values to the following descriptors?
24- Continuation of last week’s topic.
31
03- No Class, Fourth of July Holiday
10- Dennie
17-Cathy F: Do I stay or go? Ever think about leaving Arkansas? The US? The Methodist Church? The Christian Religion?
*We will be focusing primarily on the last of the list (click link) of analyzing aspects applicable to the others by examining Brian McLaren's “Do I Stay Christian: A Guide for the Doubters, The Disappointed, and The Disillusioned”. We anticipate lots of discussion so this is a rough outline of how we plan to approach the book recognizing it could vary some depending on the interest of the class.
*Can you relate to McLaren’s list of what defines religion and do you attach differing values to the following descriptors?
24- Continuation of last week’s topic.
31
June (Dennie)
5 - Dennie: Meditaton
12- Cathy F: I am going to talk about the book What’s Next? Twenty-Two United Methodist Leaders Discuss the Future of the Church. I will summarize & present some common themes. We can also discuss other recent writings & developments including the Arkansas Annual Conference.
19- No CLASS; Happy Father's Day
26- Dennie
5 - Dennie: Meditaton
12- Cathy F: I am going to talk about the book What’s Next? Twenty-Two United Methodist Leaders Discuss the Future of the Church. I will summarize & present some common themes. We can also discuss other recent writings & developments including the Arkansas Annual Conference.
19- No CLASS; Happy Father's Day
26- Dennie
May
1
8 - Mother's Day; nothing scheduled
15- Cathy F: The Power of Negative Thinking
22- Pat F: White Hats Can Get Tarnished Over Time : Dang, Are There Any Good Guys
29- Memorial Day; probably no class
1
8 - Mother's Day; nothing scheduled
15- Cathy F: The Power of Negative Thinking
22- Pat F: White Hats Can Get Tarnished Over Time : Dang, Are There Any Good Guys
29- Memorial Day; probably no class
April (Linda/Lesa)
3 - Lesa
10-Linda H
17-Easter Holiday
24-Linda H: Women in the AR prison system; discussion led by Katherine Shoulders
3 - Lesa
10-Linda H
17-Easter Holiday
24-Linda H: Women in the AR prison system; discussion led by Katherine Shoulders
March
06- John S: Vignettes
13- David C: Personal choice and the public good
20- Holiday
27- Herb: We will discuss schisms and uniting in the Methodist church, Dr. Robbins Tower note and John Wesley who coined the term "agree to disagree".
06- John S: Vignettes
13- David C: Personal choice and the public good
20- Holiday
27- Herb: We will discuss schisms and uniting in the Methodist church, Dr. Robbins Tower note and John Wesley who coined the term "agree to disagree".
February
6- Jerry: Exactly what is a religion and how has the concept of religion changed? What is the role of religion in our society and how has it changed?
13-Jerry: Dr. William Goolsby, former Dean of the College of Business at UA Little Rock will join us. Bill is a long time member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Little Rock and he will talk about the history of the Unitarian Universalist Church and current beliefs. If we conclude after listening to Bill that an organization can be a religion without insisting everyone subscribe to the same definition of God, what other organizations might then qualify as a religion?
20-Sherry & Linda: Jerry Wilson will show his slides of the Holy Land.
27-Denise G: Mother nature’s cruel hoax and how to beat it. Based loosely on an article in this months Atlantic called “The Satisfaction Trap”.
6- Jerry: Exactly what is a religion and how has the concept of religion changed? What is the role of religion in our society and how has it changed?
13-Jerry: Dr. William Goolsby, former Dean of the College of Business at UA Little Rock will join us. Bill is a long time member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Little Rock and he will talk about the history of the Unitarian Universalist Church and current beliefs. If we conclude after listening to Bill that an organization can be a religion without insisting everyone subscribe to the same definition of God, what other organizations might then qualify as a religion?
20-Sherry & Linda: Jerry Wilson will show his slides of the Holy Land.
27-Denise G: Mother nature’s cruel hoax and how to beat it. Based loosely on an article in this months Atlantic called “The Satisfaction Trap”.
January 2021 (Flanigans)
2- No Class
9- Cathy & Pat: Book of Discipline on Capital Punishment
16- Cathy & Pat: The Morphing of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution (Why we have so darn many guns)
23- Cathy: from the book Saving Us A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope & Healing in a Divided World. By Kathrine Kayhoe. She considers herself an evangelical Christian but definitely not the variety we’re used to.
30- Cathy: Setting Intentions: (Click link for handouts Worksheets) It’s been a tough couple of years and many of us may be feeling or have felt a little off center from the pandemic and other world events. Setting intentions can be powerful if they are truly yours. In other words if they are based on your inner compass rather than outside influences. I am attaching a couple of tools that you might find helpful. I want to be clear I did not develop these myself. The first one comes from a yoga teacher I study with quite a bit. Her husband is a psychologist and they adapted these from Psychologytools.com. I stumbled upon something similar Brene Brown had on her website so I attached it as well.
2- No Class
9- Cathy & Pat: Book of Discipline on Capital Punishment
16- Cathy & Pat: The Morphing of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution (Why we have so darn many guns)
23- Cathy: from the book Saving Us A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope & Healing in a Divided World. By Kathrine Kayhoe. She considers herself an evangelical Christian but definitely not the variety we’re used to.
30- Cathy: Setting Intentions: (Click link for handouts Worksheets) It’s been a tough couple of years and many of us may be feeling or have felt a little off center from the pandemic and other world events. Setting intentions can be powerful if they are truly yours. In other words if they are based on your inner compass rather than outside influences. I am attaching a couple of tools that you might find helpful. I want to be clear I did not develop these myself. The first one comes from a yoga teacher I study with quite a bit. Her husband is a psychologist and they adapted these from Psychologytools.com. I stumbled upon something similar Brene Brown had on her website so I attached it as well.
December
05-Herb: Is America Losing Its Religion?
12-Cathy F: Thoughts on the holiday season (click here for more info and links)
19-Jerry: Wishing For Christmas As It Used To Be? Careful What You Wish For. Also: Party, 6:30, Linda's house
26- No class
05-Herb: Is America Losing Its Religion?
12-Cathy F: Thoughts on the holiday season (click here for more info and links)
19-Jerry: Wishing For Christmas As It Used To Be? Careful What You Wish For. Also: Party, 6:30, Linda's house
26- No class
November
07- John: Wisdom
14- Cathy: Following the wisdom road: I KNOW I'm right, so what's wrong with you?
21- Planning session
28- No class
07- John: Wisdom
14- Cathy: Following the wisdom road: I KNOW I'm right, so what's wrong with you?
21- Planning session
28- No class
October
03-Carolyn: My Spiritual Journey from Southern Baptist to the Church of the Totally Confused
10-Chris B: Book report on “A Pilgrimage to Eternity: From Canterbury to Rome in Search of a Faith”
17-Dr Robbins: The church and stewardship of the Earth
24-Chris: Report on Interfaith Coalition on Energy followed by mini topics on climate change remedies, violence trends, death penalty status, and media bias effects on public opinion
31-Guest will be Scharmel Roussel, active in many organizations including Arkansas Interfaith Power and Light
03-Carolyn: My Spiritual Journey from Southern Baptist to the Church of the Totally Confused
10-Chris B: Book report on “A Pilgrimage to Eternity: From Canterbury to Rome in Search of a Faith”
17-Dr Robbins: The church and stewardship of the Earth
24-Chris: Report on Interfaith Coalition on Energy followed by mini topics on climate change remedies, violence trends, death penalty status, and media bias effects on public opinion
31-Guest will be Scharmel Roussel, active in many organizations including Arkansas Interfaith Power and Light
- Some people might want to follow up.
- https://nca2018.globalchange.gov/ - Fourth National Climate Assessment
- https://climate.nasa.gov/ - NASA
- https://climate.nasa.gov/faq/17/do-scientists-agree-on-climate-change/ NASA: 97% of scientists agree that humans are causing global warming and climate change.
- https://www.noaa.gov/categories/climate-change - NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- https://www.climaterealityproject.org/ - Climate Reality Project
- https://www.juancole.com/2019/12/climate-conflict-refugees.html - Syria Climate Refugees
- https://www.drawdown.org – Drawdown
- https://www.arkansasipl.com Check out information and sign the Covenant Agreement to join our efforts.
- https://www.soilfoodweb.com Check out all the ways soil health captures carbon – carbon sequestration.
- Bloomberg News Energy Finance
- Earth Policy Institute
- Central Arkansas Vegan
- https://www.centralarkansasvegan.org/
- BOOKS
- Serve God, Save the Planet – J. Matthew Sleeth
- Kiss the Ground, Josh Tickell - also a documentary: https://kissthegroundmovie.com/
- Drawdown – 100 things we can do to reverse global warming
- PODCASTS
- Living On Earth: subscription to weekly podcasts https://loe.org/
- Plastic is the New Coal (October 29, 2021) Living on Earth:
- https://loe.org/shows/shows.html?programID=21-P13-00044
- COP26 this week in Glasgow – virtual participation, prayer vigils, and more
- COP26 & Climate Café — virtual & more events — Faiths4Future
- 24 Hours of Reality
- 2-Minute Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zvZDQx4zuo
September
5-Cancelled; Labor Day
12-Charlie: Einstein's views on religion
19-Lesa: Isaac Newton's views on religion
26-Jerry: “Who Is God?” “God is not a Christian, God id not a Jew, or a Muslim, or a Hindu, or a Buddhist. All of those are human systems which human beings have created to try to help us walk into the mystery of God. I honor my tradition, I walk through my tradition, but I don’t think my tradition defines God, I think it only points me to God.” Bishop John Shelby Spong and posted on Facebook by Britt Skarda.
5-Cancelled; Labor Day
12-Charlie: Einstein's views on religion
19-Lesa: Isaac Newton's views on religion
26-Jerry: “Who Is God?” “God is not a Christian, God id not a Jew, or a Muslim, or a Hindu, or a Buddhist. All of those are human systems which human beings have created to try to help us walk into the mystery of God. I honor my tradition, I walk through my tradition, but I don’t think my tradition defines God, I think it only points me to God.” Bishop John Shelby Spong and posted on Facebook by Britt Skarda.
August
1- ?
8-David Cowan: Exploring Disturbing Scriptures
15-Pat: “Sola Scriptura vs the Wesleyan Quadrilateral and Whether Mysticism Fits into the Later”. Some thoughts gleaned from “Freeing Jesus” by Theologian Diana Butler Bass and possibly “A History of God” by Karen Armstrong will be offered for consideration. Equally important will be Wesley Class members thoughts on their bases for belief.
22-
29-Brainstorm about future topics
1- ?
8-David Cowan: Exploring Disturbing Scriptures
15-Pat: “Sola Scriptura vs the Wesleyan Quadrilateral and Whether Mysticism Fits into the Later”. Some thoughts gleaned from “Freeing Jesus” by Theologian Diana Butler Bass and possibly “A History of God” by Karen Armstrong will be offered for consideration. Equally important will be Wesley Class members thoughts on their bases for belief.
22-
29-Brainstorm about future topics
July
4- No class; Happy July 4
11- Herb: Recycling / plastics
18- Pat: History of race relations. First hand and other accounts.
25-Jerry: Why Recovering Alcoholics Think Everyone Should Have a 12 Step Program. We will talk about dealing with powerlessness as well as regrets of the past, the challenges of living effectively today, and dealing with uncertainties of the future.
4- No class; Happy July 4
11- Herb: Recycling / plastics
18- Pat: History of race relations. First hand and other accounts.
25-Jerry: Why Recovering Alcoholics Think Everyone Should Have a 12 Step Program. We will talk about dealing with powerlessness as well as regrets of the past, the challenges of living effectively today, and dealing with uncertainties of the future.
June (Dennie)
6- David & Jananne: Follow up on Reding missionary experience session
13-Dennie: How can the church respond to global warming? Starting with Pope Francis, On Care of Our Common Home
20-Dennie: Continuation; what can our church do?
27-Jenny Wiedower (daughter of Julie & Bill; Senior Manager, Education, for the United States Green Building Council (USGBC)): Will discuss her job in preparing kids K-12 to be better stewards of the planet than our generation has been. Jenny
6- David & Jananne: Follow up on Reding missionary experience session
13-Dennie: How can the church respond to global warming? Starting with Pope Francis, On Care of Our Common Home
20-Dennie: Continuation; what can our church do?
27-Jenny Wiedower (daughter of Julie & Bill; Senior Manager, Education, for the United States Green Building Council (USGBC)): Will discuss her job in preparing kids K-12 to be better stewards of the planet than our generation has been. Jenny
May. NOTE-- The schedule for May is subject to change and is not final.
2- Follow-up on Breakout sessions from 3/28.
9- John: Abortion
16-Jerry Damerow: Discussion of secular and religious trends and what they imply for the future of Christianity 10 years from now.
23-David Reding: An unplanned missionary experience
30- Memorial Day; are we meeting?
2- Follow-up on Breakout sessions from 3/28.
9- John: Abortion
16-Jerry Damerow: Discussion of secular and religious trends and what they imply for the future of Christianity 10 years from now.
23-David Reding: An unplanned missionary experience
30- Memorial Day; are we meeting?
April (Linda H & Lesa)
04- Easter, No class
11- Lisa: Book discussion
18- Linda Hicks: Discussion stimulated by article in Good Faith Media
25-
04- Easter, No class
11- Lisa: Book discussion
18- Linda Hicks: Discussion stimulated by article in Good Faith Media
25-
March
07- Gary Slater (Live from Germany): Climate change and human migration...where will people go?
14- Charlie: How to Vanquish the Wicked. Charlie will interview Bebe Verdery (Maryland ACLU)
21- Open
28- Herb and Len
07- Gary Slater (Live from Germany): Climate change and human migration...where will people go?
14- Charlie: How to Vanquish the Wicked. Charlie will interview Bebe Verdery (Maryland ACLU)
21- Open
28- Herb and Len
February
- 7 -John S: Who is God?
- 14-Benson: The 2020 Pandemic: Feast or famine and its effect on Poverty in Arkansas
- 21-Len Nichols: What Is Our Responsibility For Those Among Us With Less Than They Need to Survive and Thrive?
What Can We DO About Inequities in Life Conditions (social determinants of health)? Suggested reading https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/13/opinion/sunday/working-class-dignity.html?smid=url-share - 28-Len Nichols: Part 2. Reference: https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20200811.667525/full/
January 2021 (Flanagin)some excerpts from Fareed Zakaria’s “ Ten Lessons for a Post-pandemic World”
- 03- Recent polls from the “Christian Century”’ especially as they relate to writings of Robert P. Jones including “White Too Long; The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity”.
- 10-“Do not spread false reports...” Exodus 23:1 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. John 18:34
“ He will return and show favor to those who forsake the holy covenant. His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress.” Daniel 30b-31a. Original and contemporary applications. - 17-Is suffering necessary for a complete life?
- 24-Unnecessary or blown out of proportion suffering we cause ourselves and others
- 31-Some excerpts from Fareed Zakaria’s “Ten Lessons for a Post-pandemic World”
Decenber 2020
https://www.kellycorrigan.com/kelly-corrigan-wonders/katebowler
or Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Sw2LD1iyDh68zfO6KmC6s?si=dYStfLtxTuaHa_Ha0_SznQ
There is also an article about Kate Bowler on a related topic in the NY Times:
How to Live in the Face of Fear: Lessons From a Cancer Survivor
- 6- Bill W: White Advantage
- 13-Jan&Randal H: Everything Happens for a Reason, a discussion by Kelly Corrigan with Kate Bowler.
https://www.kellycorrigan.com/kelly-corrigan-wonders/katebowler
or Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Sw2LD1iyDh68zfO6KmC6s?si=dYStfLtxTuaHa_Ha0_SznQ
There is also an article about Kate Bowler on a related topic in the NY Times:
How to Live in the Face of Fear: Lessons From a Cancer Survivor
- 20-Pat F: Hanukkah, Jewish Symbols, America First and the Next Holocaust (although most Americans don’t know about the last one)
- 27-NO CLASS
November 2020
1 - John S: THE GOLDEN RULE....and its variations
8 - Cathy S: A little action can go a long way: follow up to the Golden Rule
15 - Cathy S: BEFORE ARGUMENTS BOIL, LOWER THE HEAT (i.e, how to discuss sensitive topics with people who disagree)
22 -Discuss next year's class schedule; Gratitude; Social time
29 -Pat F: A current church v state issue or two then Ten Trends of the of the Current Decade with Implications for Americans
1 - John S: THE GOLDEN RULE....and its variations
8 - Cathy S: A little action can go a long way: follow up to the Golden Rule
15 - Cathy S: BEFORE ARGUMENTS BOIL, LOWER THE HEAT (i.e, how to discuss sensitive topics with people who disagree)
22 -Discuss next year's class schedule; Gratitude; Social time
29 -Pat F: A current church v state issue or two then Ten Trends of the of the Current Decade with Implications for Americans
Notes from Wesley Class planning meeting, 11/17/2019
Lesson Wranglers 2019
Potential Subs
Topics of Interest
- Decided to keep same basic structure with people volunteering to lead, but decided people can take either a full- or half-month, since planning lessons for 4-5 straight weeks is a lot. Please look at the list and let Randal know if there is a mistake needing correction. If you can take a month or half, let Randal know for the website. Before volunteering, please look at wesleyclass.com to see what dates are open.
- Christmas Party at Linda Hicks on 12/13
- John will lead next Sunday, 11/24
- In addition to leaders, we have volunteers to be “Wranglers” for a quarter, to reach out to remind leaders and try to make sure the dates are covered.
- We made a list of topics of interest for this next year. Please send your ideas to add.
- We made a list of possible subs, ie people who either today or in the past have expressed willingness to do a lesson when there is a gap. Let us know if you are willing to be on this list
Lesson Wranglers 2019
- Q1 Jan Hundley
- Q2 Cathy Slater
- Q3 Cathy Flanagin
- Q4 Chris Benson
Potential Subs
- Bill
- John
- Carolyn
- Debbie B
- Cathy S
- ? Charlie
- ? Stewart
- ? Dennie
Topics of Interest
- New Minister
- General Conference activity/update
- Update from MFSA/Status of Reconciling movement
- Book study?
- Current events
- Public School issues; would like to hear from all sides; Jan reaching out to Jay Barth for possible visit in December
- Participating in a hands on activity as a group; eg Habitat for Humanity
October
4- Debbie & Chris B: Sins of our Fathers (or Mothers)
11- Debbie & Chris B: “Love and Death“ by Dr. Forrest Church
18- Charlie C: Two candidates for the LRSD School Board, Ali Noland and Stuart Mackey, will address the class.
25- Charlie C
4- Debbie & Chris B: Sins of our Fathers (or Mothers)
11- Debbie & Chris B: “Love and Death“ by Dr. Forrest Church
18- Charlie C: Two candidates for the LRSD School Board, Ali Noland and Stuart Mackey, will address the class.
25- Charlie C
September
6- Nathanael Wills, with Little Rock Organizing (LRO) (part 1)
13- Groundhog Day
20- Rev. Kathleen McMurray
27- Nathanael Wills, with Little Rock Organizing (LRO) (part 2)
6- Nathanael Wills, with Little Rock Organizing (LRO) (part 1)
13- Groundhog Day
20- Rev. Kathleen McMurray
27- Nathanael Wills, with Little Rock Organizing (LRO) (part 2)
August (By Zoom)
2-Debbie B: Rewriting History : Examples of events that may not be not quite what we think or even know about.
9-Charlie C: A recorded video conversation with my evangelical Christian brother. Part 1
16- Part 2
23-Kevin Heifner (guest, local nephrologist): On Board of Directors for Good Faith Media (Tentative date)
30- Meeting with Dr. Robbins & Rev. McMurray
2-Debbie B: Rewriting History : Examples of events that may not be not quite what we think or even know about.
9-Charlie C: A recorded video conversation with my evangelical Christian brother. Part 1
16- Part 2
23-Kevin Heifner (guest, local nephrologist): On Board of Directors for Good Faith Media (Tentative date)
30- Meeting with Dr. Robbins & Rev. McMurray
July (By Zoom)
5-Cathy F: Independence
12-Stewart
19-Charlie & Nancy
26-Carolyn: Coping with COVID. I would like for us to discuss how the pandemic has affected our lives, what we miss the most, how we are adapting, and what we are most looking forward to doing if and when life returns to normal.
5-Cathy F: Independence
12-Stewart
19-Charlie & Nancy
26-Carolyn: Coping with COVID. I would like for us to discuss how the pandemic has affected our lives, what we miss the most, how we are adapting, and what we are most looking forward to doing if and when life returns to normal.
June
7- Dennie: Kindness
14-Dennie
21-Fathers Day- talk about our dads
28-Dennie
7- Dennie: Kindness
14-Dennie
21-Fathers Day- talk about our dads
28-Dennie
May
03-Weidower: Please read this article and be ready to discuss it. https://forge.medium.com/prepare-for-the-ultimate-gaslighting-6a8ce3f0a0e0
10-Weidower: Reflect on our mothers, for Mother's Day
17-Slater: The Courage to be Alone
24-Slater: The Value of Human Life
31-Slater: (1) Grief, (2) Bible trivia
03-Weidower: Please read this article and be ready to discuss it. https://forge.medium.com/prepare-for-the-ultimate-gaslighting-6a8ce3f0a0e0
10-Weidower: Reflect on our mothers, for Mother's Day
17-Slater: The Courage to be Alone
24-Slater: The Value of Human Life
31-Slater: (1) Grief, (2) Bible trivia
April
5-Linda H-Movie Discussion: The Two Popes
12-Lesa- Book Discussion: Anxious for Nothing
19-Linda H-INSPIRATION: Art-Searching for a Jesus that Looks Like Me, New York Times (Easter Sunday edition, 2020).
5-Linda H-Movie Discussion: The Two Popes
12-Lesa- Book Discussion: Anxious for Nothing
19-Linda H-INSPIRATION: Art-Searching for a Jesus that Looks Like Me, New York Times (Easter Sunday edition, 2020).
- Please bring your favorite image of Jesus to share with the group & tell why you identify with the image. Does this image comfort you? Where do you keep it? If you don’t have an image, is there another religious symbol that you keep in your home for comfort or to remind you of something?
March
- 1- Pat: Church Financial Situation
- 8- NO CLASS; Church Wide meeting re: Finances
- 15- David R
- 22- Cathy S
- 29- Virtual Meeting: Share how we are doing with physical distancing/COVID
February
- 2- Rev. Brit Skarda
- 9- Benson: Ten Reasons to Have Hope
- 16- David: The Grasshopper and the Ants, the Little Red Hen, and the Prodigal Son’s Elder Brother
- 23- David: The Parable of the Job Creator and the Day Laborers (also known as the Parable of the Vineyard)
January—Flanagin
- 5- Pat: Seriously, God is Good
- David Bently Hart is a well known theologian who infuriates fundamentalists with his espoused belief that there is no hell. We will examine and discuss his reasoning and argument for universal salvation theology. Actually, it’s much less complicated than it may sound. One doesn’t have to agree or disagree with Hart to appreciate his debate with fundamentalists on the concept of Gehinnom.
- 12- Rev. Jay Clark will discuss current issues facing the Methodist Church. Because he will be between church services, we will need to begin promptly when he arrives.
- 19 and 26--Thomas Merton, Trappist Monk and Writer *An unreligious, hell raising, young writer and college professor ultimately seeks God in the silence and solitude of a monastery in Kentucky but eventually starts speaking out on, not just theology, but social and political issues of the 20th Century. *His 1948 autobiography written at age 33 has sold tens of millions of copies and continues to do so in many languages throughout the world. After a look at his early life and career in “ The Seven Story Mountain” , we will discuss his later prolific writings from the 1950’s and 60’s as compiled in “Thomas Merton: Essential Writings” (2000). *Pride, hate, bigotry, prejudice, oppression, violence, and war are targets of his gifted pen that spreads pearls of wisdom to contemplate in the time and place we now find ourselves.
December 2019
- 1- No Class
- 8- John Slater- Laughter is the Best Medicine
- 15- Jay Barth to discuss public school issues
- 13- Christmas party at Linda Hicks
- 22- Linda Hicks-- Movie Discussion: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, with Tom Hanks
- 29- Pat Flanagan- “Sharing Looking Back and Praying Forward with Friends in the Wesley Class”
- 1. Name 3 people for whom you felt great admiration during 2019.
2. Were there any moments or events during 2019 from which you gained a special aesthetic appreciation, intellectual understanding, or spiritual enrichment?
3. Was there anything of concern or worry for you in 2019 that you are thankful did not actually happen?
4. Are there any 2020 priorities for which you are working, hoping, or praying?
If we don’t get past 1 or 2 there is always next year.
- 1. Name 3 people for whom you felt great admiration during 2019.
November 2019
- 3
- 10 Debbie & Chris: 5 Myths about Forgiveness in the Bible, using 3 Sources: The Bible, Huffpost and the book titled More Beautiful than Before: How Suffering Transforms Us.
- 17 Planning session for next year
- 24 John Slater: Solitude
October 2019--Joint Lessons with Tower Class (in Tower classroom)
- 6-- Led by Tower Class: Being Mortal, by Atul Gawande
- 13--Led by Tower Class: Process for selection of new senior pastor
- 20--Led by Wesley Class: Charlie Culbertson: Communities in Schools
- 27--Led by Wesley Class: Cathy Slater: America's New Religion
Celebration of Life Documents
- Provided by Beverly Villines and discussed 3/17 & 24
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/pdf.png)
columbarium_niche_application.pdf | |
File Size: | 53 kb |
File Type: |
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/pdf.png)
fillable-phumc_celebration_of_life_packet_2019.pdf | |
File Size: | 6942 kb |
File Type: |
September 2019
9/1-- No class; Labor Day weekend
9/8-- Pat: We will discuss Bishop Wilkie’s personal take on the homosexuality issue as contained in this link--
https://www.umnews.org/en/news/bishop-gay-daughter-sent-him-back-to-scriptures
9/15-- Pat
9/22-- Pat: “We Need to Talk About Death” , a recent Christian Century article by Lori Erickson.
Be thinking about 5 possessions that give you the most pleasure, 5 activities that give you the most joy, and 5 people you love the most.
9/29-- Stewart: Native American Spirituality
9/1-- No class; Labor Day weekend
9/8-- Pat: We will discuss Bishop Wilkie’s personal take on the homosexuality issue as contained in this link--
https://www.umnews.org/en/news/bishop-gay-daughter-sent-him-back-to-scriptures
9/15-- Pat
9/22-- Pat: “We Need to Talk About Death” , a recent Christian Century article by Lori Erickson.
Be thinking about 5 possessions that give you the most pleasure, 5 activities that give you the most joy, and 5 people you love the most.
9/29-- Stewart: Native American Spirituality
August 2019
- 4---Stewart: Gratitude, with a special report from Julie
- 11--Dennie: Discussion of Richard Rohr's Just This: prompts and practices of contemplation.
- 18--Stewart: Increasing Your Tribe
- 25--Stewart
July 2019
- 7-- No Class
- 14--Dennie: Discussion of book relating to the Contemplative spirit
- 21--Cathy & Pat: Discussion of Barbra Brown Taylor, Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others
- 28--Stewart: The Wesley Quadrilateral--Then and Now
June 2019
- 9. Dennie--Probably a book by either Richard Rohr or Thomas Merton
- 16. Father's Day-- No Class
- 23. Cathy & Pat-- What the Founding Fathers Really Said About Church and State. (Guess which denomination we are most indebted to for tipping the balance in favor of establishing a wall between church and state in the Bill of Rights. Correct guessers get a free Baptism.)
- 30. Cathy & Pat
May 2019. Wiedower's
- 5. The Concept of Joy
- 12
- 19
- 26
April 2019
- 7 Linda H: How to run away from your problems
- 14 Linda and Lisa
- 21
- 28
March 2019
- 3 Pat: Discuss the status and future of the United Methodist Church and that of PHUMC in light of the the recent General Conference.
- 10
- 17. Beverly Villines: Celebration of Life Service planning Part 1
- 24. Beverly Villines: Celebration of Life Service planning Part 2
- 31
February 2019 -- Flanagin.
- 6. Pat: Based on The Cross and the Lynching Tree, by James Cone, Part 1
- 13. Pat: Based on The Cross and the Lynching Tree, by James Cone,Part 2
- 20. Why do bad things happen to good people? That is an often discussed question. After reading and presenting the works by James Cone, another question comes to mind. Why do good people do bad things to other people?
Reverend Hampton will join us part of the Sunday School hour and share his personal knowledge of Dr. Cone’s life and work.- From Linda Hicks: And don’t forget to bring disposable diapers for the kids’ diaper drive (Stella will come pick them up if any are donated from the Wesley Class). Thanks!
- 27. Charlie: Public Education: WHAT IT IS, WHAT IT WAS and WHAT IT CAN BE
January 2019 -- Charlie
- 6 Charlie: Various important topics/discussion
- 13. Charlie: Attitude, Latitude, Gratitude and the Papa Paradigm
- 20. Mary Cantwell: PHUMC mission in Cuba, including Powerpoint.
- 27. Pat: Government shut-down and how reason and scriptures offer guidance in compromising. Personal examples and insights will be welcome.
December 2018
- 2 Thompson: Discussion of Falling Upward, by Richard Rohr
- 9 Natalie Sanders Graumann to talk about her blog “A Reasonable Way." (Invited by Thompson) 14 Christmas party at Noland's, 6:30, Potluck
- 16 Wrap gifts
- 23 No Class
- 30 No Class
November 2018
- 4 ??
- 11 Debbie B
- 18 Planning session for next year
- 25 Thanksgiving week: no class
October 2018
- 10/7 Denise: Finish series on The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
- 10/14 Stewart: Hope
- 10/21 Pat:
- 10/28 Charlie C:
September 2018. Denise & Herb
- 2 Labor Day Weekend; no class
- 9
- 16
- 23
- 30
August 2018. Stewart
- 5 Pat Goss
- 12 Stewart: Rivers Run Through Me
- 19 Dennie: Jesus as Wisdom Teacher
- 26 Dennie: Jesus as Wisdom Teacher-- how to apply to our lives, wrap up.
July 2018. Dennie
- 1 Dennie: Discussion of Jesus as Wisdom Teacher
- 8
- 15 Stewart: Images of God
- 22 Cathy Slater: The Fourth Great Awakening
- 29
June 2018. Debbie & Chris
- 3 John Slater: Discussion of Being Mortal, by Atul Gawande
- 10 Dennie Compton
- 17 Debbie and Chris
- 24
May 2018. Bill
- 6 Morgan Freeman DVD on religion
- 13 Mother's Day. Bring a photo of your Mom and talk about her.
- 20 Morgan Freeman DVD
- 27 Happy Memorial Day: No Class
April 2018 Charlie
- 22 Martha Sharp will come lead a discussion on the Enneagram, a description of the human psyche which is principally understood and taught as a typology of nine interconnected personality types.
- 29 The Pitchforks are Coming: You probably don’t know Nick Hanauer, but he has more money than you. As a self-proclaimed “unapologetic capitalist,” Hanauer deals in millions the way many Americans deal in hundreds … or tens. A few years ago, Hanauer called on his fellow one percenters to address America’s growing income inequality. If we don’t do something to fix the glaring inequities in this economy, the pitchforks are going to come for us. No society can sustain this kind of rising inequality. In fact, there is no example in human history where wealth accumulated like this and the pitchforks didn’t eventually come out. You show me a highly unequal society, and I will show you a police state. Or an uprising. There are no counterexamples. None. It’s not if, it’s when.
March 2018. The Linda's Hicks & Rollins
- 3/4 Linda will lead a discussion on “The End.” We hope that our classmates will share their visions, hopes, & understanding of the afterlife.
- 3/11
- 3/18 Jerry Damerow
- 3/25 John Brummett
February 2018. Cathy & Pat
- 2/4 Pat Flannagan
- 2/11 Rev. Vic Nixon: Book of Revelation, Part 1
- 2/18 Part 2
- 2/25 Part 3
January 2018. Learn more about our church
- Jan 7 Rev. Britt Skarda: Update on St. Luke's and happenings at PHUMC
- Jan 14 Rev. Jeff Hampton will speak to the class about the Stephen ministry.
- Jan 21 Bill Wiedower: Morgan Freeman DVD on World Religions
- Jan 28 Pat Flannagan
December 2017
- Dec 3 "How Did I Get to be 70 when I'm 35 Inside" by Linda Douty. Discussion leader is Rev Mary Jane Cole,Spiritual Director at First United Methodist (We think). Arranged by Linda Rollins
- Dec 10 Jerry Damerow: The lesson will be questions raised about the conflict between science and religion in Dan Brown’s new best seller “Origin.”
- Dec 17 "Check-in"-- Share about your life over the past year, or whenever, if you wish
- Dec 24 Christmas eve- no class
- Dec 31 New Years Eve--No Class
November 2017 Jan & Randal Hundley/John Slater
- Nov 5 Myths about Poverty in America
- Nov 12 John Slater: 3 Spiritual Tenants
- Nov 19 Planning session for 2018
- Nov 26 No Class--Thanksgiving
October 2017
- Oct 1. Herb & Denise: Golden Rule: Where the Rubber Meets the Road (part 2)
- Oct 8. Pat, Cathy,David, & Carolyn: We will discuss the empathy wall between the left and right in America based on UC Berkeley Sociologist Arlie Hochschild's "Strangers in Their Own Land". Three Tea Party members will be interviewed concerning their beliefs which may differ from those held by most of our class. Remember to follow the Golden Rule as we exchange views with our guests.
- Oct 15. Stewart: Based on the book Before We Were Yours, by Wingate.
- Oct 22. Charlie: Meaningless! Meaningless!
says the Teacher.
Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless
What the heck? What kind of message is this and how did it get into the Bible? And, more importantly, do it's words have any meaning for us today? We'll take a look at Ecclesiastes and consider some surprisingly similar themes in other major world philosophies. - Oct 29 Herb: Something related to Vietnam
September 2017 Herb Sanderson & Denise Gilliam
- Sept 3 No Class
- Sept 10 Origins of Religion: Relevance to Today
- Sept 17 Recent news items in context of how religion can work for or against us. Jonesboro Church Wars and Mosque in Ft. Smith
- Sept 24 Golden Rule: Where the Rubber Meets the Road (part 1)
August 2017 Stewart Noland
- Aug 6 - The Good Samaritan - Stewart
- Aug 13 and 20 - Revelation with Vic Nixon in the Newton Good News Class in M101
- Aug 27 - Morgan Freeman - Bill Wiedower
July 2017 Debbie & Chris Benson
- July 2 No Class-- July 4 weekend
- July 9 Should we have an 11th Commandment?; Thou Shalt Not Drive Your Vehicle into a 10 Commandment Monument? Discussion and Questions will be based on this week's Wired Word and Paul Greenberg's article in last week's paper.
- July 16
- July 23 Preview of Ken Burn's documentary series The Vietnam War which premieres September 17 on PBS. Discussion will follow.
- July 30 The Future of the Church through the Eyes of the Millenials
June 2017 Charlie & Nancy Culbertson
June 4 Charlie: Religion by the Numbers
June 11 Gerald Cound and Charlie: Mother Earth Celebrations
June 18 Father's Day; No Class
June 25 Part I: The History of the Universe (a video)
Part II: What is your Happiness Level?
June 4 Charlie: Religion by the Numbers
June 11 Gerald Cound and Charlie: Mother Earth Celebrations
June 18 Father's Day; No Class
June 25 Part I: The History of the Universe (a video)
Part II: What is your Happiness Level?
May 2017 Bill Wiedower
May 7 Morgan Freeman's "The Story of God"
May 14 - Mother's Day Brunch/Boulevard Bread Co 10am; bring your mother (and father)
May 21 - Morgan Freeman - The Story of God Series
May 28 - Memorial Day Weekend - no class
May 7 Morgan Freeman's "The Story of God"
May 14 - Mother's Day Brunch/Boulevard Bread Co 10am; bring your mother (and father)
May 21 - Morgan Freeman - The Story of God Series
May 28 - Memorial Day Weekend - no class
April 2017 No class on Easter. The other Sundays this month Judy and Pat Goss will lead a series "Raising America."
The topic comes from a documentary that's being screened around the country, entitled The Raising of America: Early Childhood and the Future of Our Nation.
The series will last 4 Sundays, and Pat and Judy will present short sections of video and facilitate discussion, applying the information to our Little Rock community, our past and present experiences and what we hope to provide in the future to promote strong childhood development.
The first Sunday, we'll view "The Signature Hour," (20 min. of video). The descriptive tag says:
The science is clear: when parents are stressed, babies pay the price. That is why improving conditions for families with young children is one of the best investments any nation can make.
More information on this topic can be obtained at www.raisingofamerica.org
The topic comes from a documentary that's being screened around the country, entitled The Raising of America: Early Childhood and the Future of Our Nation.
The series will last 4 Sundays, and Pat and Judy will present short sections of video and facilitate discussion, applying the information to our Little Rock community, our past and present experiences and what we hope to provide in the future to promote strong childhood development.
The first Sunday, we'll view "The Signature Hour," (20 min. of video). The descriptive tag says:
The science is clear: when parents are stressed, babies pay the price. That is why improving conditions for families with young children is one of the best investments any nation can make.
More information on this topic can be obtained at www.raisingofamerica.org
March 2017 Dennie Compton
March 5 and 12 Craig Berry will be our guest speaker for 2 weeks. Topic: Religious philosophy/practice of Dao as refracted thru the lens of the Big Lebowski
March 19 Jon Kabat-Zinn's take on the "Paradox of Non-Doing" and "Doing Non-Doing"
March 26 More on Yin and Yang and the implications for today's culture
March 5 and 12 Craig Berry will be our guest speaker for 2 weeks. Topic: Religious philosophy/practice of Dao as refracted thru the lens of the Big Lebowski
March 19 Jon Kabat-Zinn's take on the "Paradox of Non-Doing" and "Doing Non-Doing"
March 26 More on Yin and Yang and the implications for today's culture
February 2017 John & Cathy Slater
Feb 5 Rabbi Eugene Levy
Feb 12 Rev Jeff Hampton
Feb 19 Allie Noland: Immigration and the Law
Feb 26 The Culture of Disbelief. Cathy will lead a discussion (hopefully) in class based loosely on Stephen Carter's book, published in the early 90's, The Culture of Disbelief. In this book, Carter advises that liberals have trivialized religion while conservatives have politicized it. What are we to do? How can we talk about this so we can be heard? If we accept the premise that there is importance for BOTH religious tradition AND liberal dialogue, how do we frame our own ideology so that we can hear and listen in a discussion about what we believe.
January 2017 Pat Flanagan & David Cowan
Pat and David will spend three Sundays on a review of The End of White Christian America by Robert P. Jones, published in 2016.
January 8 - An Obituary for White Christian America, Who Is White Christian America, and Vital Signs: A Divided and Dying White Christian America
January 15 - The End of the White Christian Political Strategy; Gay Marriage and White Christian America
January 22 - Desegregating White Christian America; and A Eulogy for White Christian America
January 29 - A mini review of One Nation Under God by Kevin Kruse. Click for more
Pat and David will spend three Sundays on a review of The End of White Christian America by Robert P. Jones, published in 2016.
January 8 - An Obituary for White Christian America, Who Is White Christian America, and Vital Signs: A Divided and Dying White Christian America
January 15 - The End of the White Christian Political Strategy; Gay Marriage and White Christian America
January 22 - Desegregating White Christian America; and A Eulogy for White Christian America
January 29 - A mini review of One Nation Under God by Kevin Kruse. Click for more
December 2016: Sherry and Jerry Damerow and Linda Rollins
Dec 4 Jerry Damerow: Megatrends, Secular and Spiritual. Also, part of time will be devoted to making decisions about gifting some of our class kitty
Dec 11 Rev. Betsy Snyder
Dec 18
Dec 25: No Class
Dec 4 Jerry Damerow: Megatrends, Secular and Spiritual. Also, part of time will be devoted to making decisions about gifting some of our class kitty
Dec 11 Rev. Betsy Snyder
Dec 18
Dec 25: No Class
November 2016: Jan and Randal Hundley
Nov 6 Dr. Hal Hedges: Verna Dozier's Dream of God
Nov 13 Hon. Vic Snyder: The Ferris Wheel and the Public Good
Nov 20 Planning session for next year
Nov 27 Thanksgiving Weekend--no class
Nov 6 Dr. Hal Hedges: Verna Dozier's Dream of God
Nov 13 Hon. Vic Snyder: The Ferris Wheel and the Public Good
Nov 20 Planning session for next year
Nov 27 Thanksgiving Weekend--no class
October 2016 Organizers: Debbie and Chris Benson
Oct 2 Chris Benson: My Philosophy for a Happy Life
Here is the link from the discussion that several have
requested: https://youtu.be/36m1o-tM05g
Here are a couple of the discussion questions:
1. This is what I want you to know about me
2. Do you have an unfulfilled dream, what is it and what would you be willing to do/give up to achieve it?
Oct 9 Chris Benson: The Jefferson Bible (The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth)
Oct 16 Chris & Debbie: Women of the Bible for President!
Oct 23 Chris & Debbie: The Golden Rule
Oct 30 Chris & Debbie: Lesson from Jimmy Carter's Through the Year with Jimmy Carter
Oct 2 Chris Benson: My Philosophy for a Happy Life
Here is the link from the discussion that several have
requested: https://youtu.be/36m1o-tM05g
Here are a couple of the discussion questions:
1. This is what I want you to know about me
2. Do you have an unfulfilled dream, what is it and what would you be willing to do/give up to achieve it?
Oct 9 Chris Benson: The Jefferson Bible (The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth)
Oct 16 Chris & Debbie: Women of the Bible for President!
Oct 23 Chris & Debbie: The Golden Rule
Oct 30 Chris & Debbie: Lesson from Jimmy Carter's Through the Year with Jimmy Carter
September 2016 Organizers: Charlie and Nancy Culbertson
Sept 4 Labor Day; no class
Sept 11 John Slater: Living from the Center
Sept 18 Nancy & Charlie: Topic TBA
Sept 25 Cindy Burns: Children's Ministry
Sept 4 Labor Day; no class
Sept 11 John Slater: Living from the Center
Sept 18 Nancy & Charlie: Topic TBA
Sept 25 Cindy Burns: Children's Ministry
August 2016 Organizer: Stewart Noland
August 7 Stewart Noland
August 14 Bill Wiedower-- Reflections on book The Happiness Advantage
August 21 Dr. Johnny Jones-- Faith and medical practice
August 28 Rev. Jeff Hampton
August 7 Stewart Noland
August 14 Bill Wiedower-- Reflections on book The Happiness Advantage
August 21 Dr. Johnny Jones-- Faith and medical practice
August 28 Rev. Jeff Hampton
July 2016 Organizer: Dennie Compton
July 3 ? Adult classes meeting together ?
July 10 Sylvia Amsler, UALR professor of anthropology: Cultural behavior including religion, morality, etc.
July 17 Dennie: More on Love and Judgment and Civil Society
July 24 Charlie: Unconditional Positive Regard
July 3 ? Adult classes meeting together ?
July 10 Sylvia Amsler, UALR professor of anthropology: Cultural behavior including religion, morality, etc.
July 17 Dennie: More on Love and Judgment and Civil Society
July 24 Charlie: Unconditional Positive Regard
June 2016
Organizer: John Slater
June 5: Charlie Culbertson
June 12: Jeff Hampton: Will tell his story; influences; how he got into ministry, etc
June 19: Julie Wiedower: History of PHUMC
June 26: Sheik Mahmoud: Islam.....beliefs and practices
Organizer: John Slater
June 5: Charlie Culbertson
June 12: Jeff Hampton: Will tell his story; influences; how he got into ministry, etc
June 19: Julie Wiedower: History of PHUMC
June 26: Sheik Mahmoud: Islam.....beliefs and practices
May 2016
Organizers: Denise and Herb
May 1 Original Sin
May 8 Original Sin: Last week we discussed original sin. This week we will briefly recap the concept of original sin, but
mainly focus on a more contemporary view that is applicable in today's world.
May 15 Debbie Benson:
May 21 Float trip
May 22 Denise
May 29 Memorial Day Weekend; no Class
Organizers: Denise and Herb
May 1 Original Sin
May 8 Original Sin: Last week we discussed original sin. This week we will briefly recap the concept of original sin, but
mainly focus on a more contemporary view that is applicable in today's world.
May 15 Debbie Benson:
May 21 Float trip
May 22 Denise
May 29 Memorial Day Weekend; no Class
August 2016 Organizer: Stewart Noland
September 2016 Organizer: Nancy Culbertson
October 2016 Organizer: Chris & Debbie Benson
November 2016 Organizer: Jan and Randal Hundley
December 2016 Organizer: Linda Rollins
- April 2016
- Organizers: The Book Club Team: Cathy & Pat Flanigan, Brenda Mize, and David Cowan
- April 3rd Pat and Brenda will introduce the author and his book, his purpose, his methodology, the shift in emphasis on character over the last 60+ years, and considerations for our current society
- April 10th Brenda and Pat will present a few of the personalities used in Brooks’ morale biographies and the character traits they exemplify.
- April 17th David and Cathy will focus on the moral biography of Dorothy Day and how to make use of suffering, turning bad things into a transcendent purpose. Additionally, they will present another perspective of why we suffer as addressed by Bart Ehrman in God’s Problem, another of our recent bookclub studies.
- April 24th The team will discuss self-examination, the Big Me, and the humility code developed by Brooks.
- Some questions to ponder that will hopefully be addressed through these sessions in April as paraphrased from The Road to Character are as follows:
- Do you have a moral bucket list? If you do what is on it?
- Do you achieve joy as a direct result of efforts to attain it for yourself? Or, is it a product that comes to those who are aiming for something else?
- Have you ever asked yourself at what point do my talents and deep gladness meet the world’s deep need? Put another way, what are my circumstances calling me to do?
March 2016 Organizer: Cathy Slater
March 27: Easter Sunday, no class?
March 20: Pat Goss. . . . the story behind familiar hymns, Part 2
March 13: Pat Goss. . . . the story behind familiar hymns, Part 1
March 6: Cathy Slater ....test your knowledge with a quiz on religion and discussion thereof
March 27: Easter Sunday, no class?
March 20: Pat Goss. . . . the story behind familiar hymns, Part 2
March 13: Pat Goss. . . . the story behind familiar hymns, Part 1
March 6: Cathy Slater ....test your knowledge with a quiz on religion and discussion thereof
February 2016 Organizer: Stewart Noland
February 28 Jerry Damerow: Council of Nicea
February 21 Lynn Lindsey: Reflections
February 14 Jerry Damerow: How Should Government and Religion Co-Exist? (Click for details)
February 7 Stewart Noland: Life and Death of My Father, including my reflections, reactions from others, and Biblical references
January 31 Herb Sanderson: Why I would rather administer electrical shocks to myself than spend 6 to 15 minutes in a room by myself with nothing to do but think. (Click for related quotes)
January 24 Stewart Noland: Joseph Campbell's "The Hero's Journey" - The Tiger and the Goat, a lesson in spirituality
January 17 General discussion of program planning for 2016
January 10, 2016 Charlie Culbertson: Topic TBA
December 20 Jan and Randal Hundley: Gratitude
December 13 Gwen Elfid: Family Promise program at PHUMC
December 6 Brenda Mize: Tutoring program at Wakefield
November 29 No Class; Thanksgiving Holiday
November 22 Jan and Randal Hundley: Discussion of current events, including refugee crisis and terrorism
November 15 Bill Wiedower: Mindfulness
November 8 Dennie Compton: Civil Discourse (more from the Righteous Mind)
November 1 Denise Gilliam: Toxic Charity, part 2; particularly as it relates to our class giving
October 18 Denise Gilliam: Toxic Charity
October 11: Kathy Webb, Executive Director, Arkansas Hunger Relief
October 4: Britt Scarda, Senior Pastor
September 27: Bill Waddell, Esq.-- Topic related to social justice and the United Methodist Church
September 6: Labor Day Weekend; no class
August 30 Craig Berry: The Theology of Simon and Garfunkel
August 23 Brenda Mize:
August 16 Bill Wiedower
August 9 Stewart Noland: Jesus' aphorisms
July 26 Stewart Noland: The importance of listening
July 19 John Slater: Happiness
June 28 Stewart Noland; Topic related to World Religion, by Houston Smith
June 21 No Class; Father's day
June 7 and 14 David Cowan and Pat Flanigan
Book Discussion: The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided By Politics and Religion, by Jonathan Haidt. He is a psychologist who taught at the University of Virginia and is the Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York's Stern School of Business. The three main parts of the book are: "Intuitions Come First, Strategic Reasoning Second", "There's More to Morality than Harm and Fairness", and "Morality Binds and Blinds".
Book Discussion: The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided By Politics and Religion, by Jonathan Haidt. He is a psychologist who taught at the University of Virginia and is the Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York's Stern School of Business. The three main parts of the book are: "Intuitions Come First, Strategic Reasoning Second", "There's More to Morality than Harm and Fairness", and "Morality Binds and Blinds".
May 31 Jay Clark
May 24
May 17 Dennie Compton: Contemplative Meditation, part 2
based on the book, The Contemplative Heart, by James Finley
based on the book, The Contemplative Heart, by James Finley
May 10 Mother's Day: General Discussion about our Moms
May 3 Amy Dunn Johnson, Executive Director, Arkansas Access to Justice
Click for Arkansas Access to Justice website
Click for Arkansas Access to Justice website
April 26 Debbie Benson: The 8 Watches of the Bible. Which is Your Watch?
List of the 8 Watches
List of the 8 Watches
April 19 Jennifer Dillaha, MD: Uniting the Heart and Mind: Human Development in the Second Half of Life
Mind Alert
Mind Alert
April 12 Dennie Compton: Contemplative Meditation
March 29, 2015 Ruth Shepherd (Just Communities of Arkansas)
Just Communities Website
Just Communities Website
March 22, 2015 Brenda Mize
Report from PHUMC Long-term planning team
March 15, 2015 John /Cathy
Materials: 3 articles from New York Times (click on links to open)
Building Better Secularists
The Problem with Meaning
The Case for Old Ideas
Report from PHUMC Long-term planning team
March 15, 2015 John /Cathy
Materials: 3 articles from New York Times (click on links to open)
Building Better Secularists
The Problem with Meaning
The Case for Old Ideas
March 8, 2015 Lenten Study, combined with Foundations and Tower Classes, meet across from Parlor
March 1, 2015 Lenten Study, combined with Foundations and Tower Classes, meet across from ParlorLenten Study, combined classes continued
February 22 Lenten Study, combined with Foundations and Tower Classes, meet across from Parlor
Topic: Giving up Bad Things for Lent
March 1, 2015 Lenten Study, combined with Foundations and Tower Classes, meet across from ParlorLenten Study, combined classes continued
February 22 Lenten Study, combined with Foundations and Tower Classes, meet across from Parlor
Topic: Giving up Bad Things for Lent
February 15 Carolyn
Political Correctness
http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/19-shocking-examples-of-how-political-correctness-is-destroying-america
Political Correctness
http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/19-shocking-examples-of-how-political-correctness-is-destroying-america
February 8, 2015 David Will God Take Care of You?
God Will Take Care of You
God Will Take Care of You
February 1, 2015 Debbie and Chris Topic: Peace on Earth
Cartoon: Peace on Earth
World Religions, War and Peace
Religion and Conflict Background
January 25, 2015 Jan and Randal Kindness, continued
Podcast- TED Radio Hour: Just a Little Nicer
January 18, 2015 Elizabeth Spong on Hawking
Spong on Hawking
January 11, 2015 Denise and Herb Kindness
George Saunders Convocation Speech at Syracuse