Adult Education at Westminster
2021-2022 ADULT EDUCATION FORUM
Sundays, 11:15 a.m. - 12 noon
The Second Floor Classroom
A History of Vaccines: Clothed in the Armor of God - September 19
In addition to providing a brief overview of the history of vaccinations, the class will reflect on the biblical mandate to protect oneself, including the Ephesians 6 passage. Led by Lyle VanDeventer
The Seventh Biennial Health Fair - Sunday, September 26
Come learn about good health practices at interactive stations in Parish Hall and receive your Flu Vaccine. We are grateful to Parish Nurse Ellen Carpenter who is coordinating the fair and the many other health professionals from our congregation and community for contributing their time and expertise.
Adult Education Hunger Action Series - October 3, 10 & 17
Westminster’s Hunger Action Team is presenting three stand-alone sessions that will outline current information on hunger, its LOCAL impact, and ways our State as well as organizations and volunteers are addressing the problem in the Springfield area. Led by Becky Martin and Mary Caroline Mitchell
What Is the Christian Imagination? - October 24, 31 and November 7
What does it mean to approach creativity from a Christian perspective? This course will examine that question through the works of a range of nineteenth- and twentieth century voices, culminating with an overview of C.S. Lewis, the subject of Bay Weekend 2021. Led by Dr. Katie Carlson-Eastvold
Bay Weekend: November 13-14, 2021
We welcome the Dr. Chad Schrock, Associate Professor of English at Lee University in Cleveland, TN who will open our eyes to Christian imagination in: “Knowing God in Paradise: C.S. Lewis’ Perelandra.” Click here to learn more about Bay Weekend.
Twentieth Century Presbyterian Creeds - November 21, 28, December 5 and 12
These sessions provide an overview of the four 20th century creeds in the PC(USA) Book of Confessions: the Theological Declaration of Barmen, the Confession of 1967, the Confession of Belhar and A Brief Statement of Faith. Led by Dr. Aaron Berkowitz
Difficult Words of Jesus - January 9, 23, February 27, March 6, April 24 and May 1
In this six-session study, Dr. Amy-Jill Levine guides us through the most difficult teachings of Jesus. How they have been understood over time and how we might interpret them in the context of the gospel of love and reconciliation. Led by Lyle VanDeventer
Giants - February 6, 13, 20
Our forum will behold the lives of the three nineteenth century giants Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Elijah Lovejoy, who led abolitionists in our congregation and across the land towards emancipation. Led by Dr. Peter Kieffer
History of American Women’s Suffrage - March 13, 20, 27
This series will look at the history of efforts by American women to gain the right to vote. We will look at the beginnings of the suffrage movement in the 1840s, key figures in the movement, leading suffrage organizations and the history of the 19th Amendment. Led by Suzanne Borland and Aaron Berkowitz
Rising Up of the Springfield Ladies Aide Society - April 1-3
The Women’s Suffrage Play Rising Up of the Springfield Ladies Aide Society written by Carole Kennerly and directed by Kelly Robertson will be presented at Westminster the first weekend of April with a Friday and Saturday evening performance for the community and a 12 noon Sunday performance following a Tea Reception. All proceeds will support the 2022 Youth Mission Trip.
Holy Week Art Display and Labyrinth in Parish Hall - April 10-17
This exhibit which brings together artistic interpretations of scenes from the final week of Christ’s life.
A Visit to the Sherrick Farm and Lesson on Prairie Reconstruction – Two Sundays in August, 2022
Learn about prairie reconstruction and visit the 108-acre Sherrick Farm. Led by Dr. Andrew Sherrick
Sundays, 11:15 a.m. - 12 noon
The Second Floor Classroom
A History of Vaccines: Clothed in the Armor of God - September 19
In addition to providing a brief overview of the history of vaccinations, the class will reflect on the biblical mandate to protect oneself, including the Ephesians 6 passage. Led by Lyle VanDeventer
The Seventh Biennial Health Fair - Sunday, September 26
Come learn about good health practices at interactive stations in Parish Hall and receive your Flu Vaccine. We are grateful to Parish Nurse Ellen Carpenter who is coordinating the fair and the many other health professionals from our congregation and community for contributing their time and expertise.
Adult Education Hunger Action Series - October 3, 10 & 17
Westminster’s Hunger Action Team is presenting three stand-alone sessions that will outline current information on hunger, its LOCAL impact, and ways our State as well as organizations and volunteers are addressing the problem in the Springfield area. Led by Becky Martin and Mary Caroline Mitchell
What Is the Christian Imagination? - October 24, 31 and November 7
What does it mean to approach creativity from a Christian perspective? This course will examine that question through the works of a range of nineteenth- and twentieth century voices, culminating with an overview of C.S. Lewis, the subject of Bay Weekend 2021. Led by Dr. Katie Carlson-Eastvold
Bay Weekend: November 13-14, 2021
We welcome the Dr. Chad Schrock, Associate Professor of English at Lee University in Cleveland, TN who will open our eyes to Christian imagination in: “Knowing God in Paradise: C.S. Lewis’ Perelandra.” Click here to learn more about Bay Weekend.
Twentieth Century Presbyterian Creeds - November 21, 28, December 5 and 12
These sessions provide an overview of the four 20th century creeds in the PC(USA) Book of Confessions: the Theological Declaration of Barmen, the Confession of 1967, the Confession of Belhar and A Brief Statement of Faith. Led by Dr. Aaron Berkowitz
Difficult Words of Jesus - January 9, 23, February 27, March 6, April 24 and May 1
In this six-session study, Dr. Amy-Jill Levine guides us through the most difficult teachings of Jesus. How they have been understood over time and how we might interpret them in the context of the gospel of love and reconciliation. Led by Lyle VanDeventer
Giants - February 6, 13, 20
Our forum will behold the lives of the three nineteenth century giants Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, and Elijah Lovejoy, who led abolitionists in our congregation and across the land towards emancipation. Led by Dr. Peter Kieffer
History of American Women’s Suffrage - March 13, 20, 27
This series will look at the history of efforts by American women to gain the right to vote. We will look at the beginnings of the suffrage movement in the 1840s, key figures in the movement, leading suffrage organizations and the history of the 19th Amendment. Led by Suzanne Borland and Aaron Berkowitz
Rising Up of the Springfield Ladies Aide Society - April 1-3
The Women’s Suffrage Play Rising Up of the Springfield Ladies Aide Society written by Carole Kennerly and directed by Kelly Robertson will be presented at Westminster the first weekend of April with a Friday and Saturday evening performance for the community and a 12 noon Sunday performance following a Tea Reception. All proceeds will support the 2022 Youth Mission Trip.
Holy Week Art Display and Labyrinth in Parish Hall - April 10-17
This exhibit which brings together artistic interpretations of scenes from the final week of Christ’s life.
A Visit to the Sherrick Farm and Lesson on Prairie Reconstruction – Two Sundays in August, 2022
Learn about prairie reconstruction and visit the 108-acre Sherrick Farm. Led by Dr. Andrew Sherrick
PASTOR-LED BIBLE STUDY
The weekly Bible Study led by Dr. Kieffer (since Fall of 2014) will resume September 16, 2021.
The weekly Bible Study led by Dr. Kieffer (since Fall of 2014) will resume September 16, 2021.
Join your friends at Westminster in this adventure!
READ THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Concludes October 31, 2021
During this pandemic, members and friends were invited to join together in READING THE BIBLE IN A YEAR! Utilizing The NRSV Daily Bible: Read, Meditate, and Pray Through the Entire Bible in 365 Days (paperback). An opportunity to share thoughts and reflections on a private Facebook page has been provided. If you are interested, contact Jim Kincaid, (jbkin@comcast.net).
Members and friends who participated in the Reading the Bible in a Year Study are invited to an evening of celebration, fellowship, and discussion Friday, October 29 at 6:00 p.m. at Finley’s Tap House. This year-long journey began November 1, 2020 during the pandemic. All are welcome! This event is hosted by the Adult Education Committee. Click here to sign up!
READ THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Concludes October 31, 2021
During this pandemic, members and friends were invited to join together in READING THE BIBLE IN A YEAR! Utilizing The NRSV Daily Bible: Read, Meditate, and Pray Through the Entire Bible in 365 Days (paperback). An opportunity to share thoughts and reflections on a private Facebook page has been provided. If you are interested, contact Jim Kincaid, (jbkin@comcast.net).
Members and friends who participated in the Reading the Bible in a Year Study are invited to an evening of celebration, fellowship, and discussion Friday, October 29 at 6:00 p.m. at Finley’s Tap House. This year-long journey began November 1, 2020 during the pandemic. All are welcome! This event is hosted by the Adult Education Committee. Click here to sign up!
THE ZIEGLER LIBRARY
The Ziegler Library consisting of an adult library and a children’s library is one of the church’s greatest assets. This library, created in 1973, has books for the entire congregation. The collection contains reference materials and a varied collection of books for reading enjoyment. The Library is located on the second floor up the stairs from the south door to the sanctuary. The Children’s Library is also on the second floor in the second grade classroom. The members of our Library Committee are Sharon Turner, Chair, Leah Duling, Melanie Green, Ann Hamilton, and Pat Hymans.
Library Hours
Monday - Friday 8am- 5pm
Sunday 8am-noon
BAY WEEKEND
The Bay Weekend was established in 1974 by the family of Frances and Ed Bay with the formation of the Frances M. Bay Lay Education Fund. This fund has provided the Westminster congregation and community with educational weekends for over 40 years. We are grateful to the Bay Family whose generosity and legacy have nourished our faith for more than four decades, and for the Westminster Endowment Fund which has also contributed to these endeavors. Click here to learn more about Bay Weekend 2021. Click Here for a link to Bay Weekend History.
The Bay Weekend was established in 1974 by the family of Frances and Ed Bay with the formation of the Frances M. Bay Lay Education Fund. This fund has provided the Westminster congregation and community with educational weekends for over 40 years. We are grateful to the Bay Family whose generosity and legacy have nourished our faith for more than four decades, and for the Westminster Endowment Fund which has also contributed to these endeavors. Click here to learn more about Bay Weekend 2021. Click Here for a link to Bay Weekend History.