SEPTEMBER ADULT EDUCATION NEWS:  Our programs are ongoing and all are welcome to join in at any time!  Any questions contact Amy Kitahata-Sporn at: amyks@optonline.net.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:  September 19^th Adult Education Committee Meeting:  will begin at noon after the Sunday service to discuss programming.  If you are interested in our programs and/or have ideas for new ones, please let us know:  Rev. Dr. Tim Ives, Amy Kitahata-Sporn, Tom & Kathy Davis, Karin Chaudhari, Signe Seelinger, Katharine McLoughlin, Pia Chaudhari, and Anita Halvorsen or join us for the meeting in the Carriage House conference room! 

THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS:  Tom Davis will present an introduction to the Dead Sea Scrolls.  They have been called the greatest discovery for Biblical study in the 20^th century.  This presentation will cover what they are, how they fit into the context of their times, and why they are important.  Join us on Sunday, Oct. 3^rd at noon in the Carriage House conference room.

BIBLE 102:  THE HISTORY OF THE GOSPELS:  Foundations of Faith

The Gospels are the source of almost everything we know about Jesus and his earthly ministry yet the Gospels were written thirty to seventy years after Jesus had died.  What does that fact mean for the validity, veracity, and authority of the Gospels?  What reasons did the evangelists have for writing the Gospels so many years after Jesus dies?  There are many questions to be answered about the occasion and the content of the Gospels.  Some we will never know but what we do know does not down grade the importance of the Gospels but rather refocuses them as what they were always meant to be: Foundations of Faith.  We will explore the history of these most engaging books in this monthly study.

 We will meet every month on Sunday mornings at 9:15 a.m.:  Sept. 19^th, Oct. 17^th, Nov. 14^th, Jan. 9^th, Feb. 13^th, March 13^th in the Carriage House conference room.

This is an appropriate study for those who know a great deal about the Bible and those new to Bible Study.

MONTHLY LECTURE SERIES:  LOVE YOUR ENEMIES.  Rev. Ives will be exploring the history of an incredibly provocative idea proclaimed by Jesus and shared by early Christians.  It has been a part of the Christian witness to the world since the beginning.  It has been changed and transformed many times through many events in history.  We will look at what the idea meant to the first Christians; Augustine and the just war theory; the Crusaders as they conquered, maintained and eventually lost the Holy Land; the Christians of Spain in the middle ages who coexisted with Jewish and Muslim people  in a time of high culture far preceding the renaissance; and what it means to Christians today in terms of how we conduct our lives and live in a country and a world that seems ever more polarized each day. We will gather Friday nights at 7 p.m. for Tim’s lecture, discussion and refreshments on:  Oct. 29^th, Nov. 19^th, Jan. 29^th, Feb. 25^th, and April 1^st in the Carriage House conference room.  Please contact Tim with any questions.

INTRODUCTION TO PRESBYTERIANISM:  Rev. Ives will offer an introduction to what it means to be a Presbyterian by looking at the preliminary principals of our church as presented in the Book of Order.  This is meant to outline what it means to be a Presbyterian and is meant for those who might like to join our church, who have recently joined or long time members who are interested. We will meet after the Sunday service at noon on:  Oct. 24^th, Feb. 6^th, April 3^rd.

UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE WITH TIM:  on Thursday morning’s resumes Sept. 16^th at 10 a.m.  This is an opportunity to explore The Bible in a small group setting with Tim.  Come with your questions and reflections.  No reading preparation is required.  Tim chooses passages from the Sunday Lectionary readings to read and discuss on the spot.  We will meet every Thursday from 10 – 11:30 a.m. in the Carriage House conference room.

HEALING MOVEMENT & MEDITATION:  Amy Kitahata-Sporn will continue to offer classes in the fall.  The course will be an introduction to:  The Alexander Technique, gentle stretches and guided meditations to maintain our well being and support the healing process.  We have been meeting on Fridays this summer.  Our fall meeting time is to be determined.  If interested in participating please contact Amy about dates and times at:  amyks@optonline.net or by calling 944-0471. 

THE SPC LENDING LIBRARY:  is open and located between the Sanctuary and Chapel in The Pastor’s Study.  Please feel free to sign out and in any books or CDs on the shelves stamped “Scarborough Presbyterian Church.”  We welcome book recommendations.  Please contact Amy K-S. 

DO YOU HAVE A TOPIC YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?  We would like to offer church members the opportunity to present a topic of interest to the larger church community.  If you have any interest in sharing a topic in an informal setting, please contact Rev. Tim Ives at Tives4932@aol.com or Amy Kitahata-Sporn at amyks@optonline.net.