Sunday Morning Adult Education

We welcome everyone's participation in our informative presentations and lively discussions.  Adult education meets in the Fireside Room on most Sunday mornings starting at 9:15 am.

Aspects of Christian Faith Formation

Jan 8-22     3-week series on Prayer.

Jan 29-Feb 12     3-week series on Justice

Past Adult Ed topics:

October 2011

"Everything Must Change"

Our world faces unprecedented challenges and crises. How will the church respond? To be part of the solution, followers of Christ must be ready for a bold new adventure of faith and action. We unpacedk best selling author, Brian McLaren's, book "Everything Must Change, in preparation for Brian's visit to VPC on November 6.

April 2011

American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us

We discussed the book American Grace, which reviews the sweeping chronicle of religious change in America since the 1960s.  The authors persuasively argue two apparently contradictory theses: first, that a "new religious fault line" exists in America, a deep political polarization that has transcended denominationalism as the greatest chasm in religious life; and second, that the culture (especially its younger generation) is becoming so much more accepting of diversity that thesis #1 will not tear America apart.

March 2011

What Can Death Teach Us About Life
Someone has said that death is almost a forbidden topic. Young people often say their parents never bring it up.  Others ask why God would let someone die.  Death is a major part of life and a significant element of our faith journey.  During Lent, Barbara Varenhorst led a discussion on some of these issues, including why it is hard to talk about death. 

March 2010

Learning to Forgive

The remarkable response of the Amish community to the horrific shooting of ten schoolgirls at Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, in October, 2006 stunned the world.  The book, AMISH GRACE, tells the story of how this community responded, and explores its profoundly countercultural practice of forgiveness. Barbara Varenhorst led the discussion and reflection, based on this book, on how to forgive and how we should live lives of forgiveness.

Feb 28 / Mar 7 2010

What does the Bible really say about Homosexuality?

UCC Pastor Dick Roe and United Church of Christ Ladera Community Church member, Iris Harrell led an interactive discussion. The movie “For the Bible Tells Me So” was shown, and the subsequent discussion was led by UCC pastor, Wilma Reichard.

Dec 2009:

Immigration: What Are “Christian” Approaches?

Immigration – legal and illegal – is a “hot button” topic that has been put on the back burner at the national political level this year as the focus has been more on war and health care.  What is going on in immigration, particularly from an economic perspective?  Are there “winners and losers” from the current situation?  These topics and perhaps other social/political issues that result in gains for some at the expense of others will be discussed.

Feb 2008:

Stanford presentation by Dr. Francis Collins (who led the federal government analysis of the human genome) can be found here.