THIS WEEK, September 25, 2011

“A Drop in the Bucket, A Fly in the Ointment, A Labor of Love: Celebrating the KJV.”

The early 1600s — a time that knew William Shakespeare, Benjamin Jonson, and Francis Bacon, not to mention those who made very early forays to the Americas, and suffered the greatest outbreak of the plague to touch the land. Enter King James I, with ambitions of his own, and determined to have a translation of the Scriptures that would support the monarchy and put a damper on Puritan political pressures. This translation became one of the great shapers of the English language and the culture of England itself. Come explore the fascinating story of the creation of the King James Bible as we celebrate the 400th anniversary of its publication.
Leader: Dr. Melissa Kirkpatrick, a Certified Christian Educator, Elder at Georgetown PC, and member of the Company of Teachers of the Reformed Institute of Metropolitan Washington.

October 2, 9 and 16

“Discerning Your Mission in Life.”

Companies and organizations have mission statements. Some churches have mission statements, which help to focus energy and clarify direction. What about you? What would your personal mission statement say? Who is God calling you to be in this time of your life? This life-planning event provides an opportunity for participants, at any stage of their life journey, to take time to reflect on and clarify their life direction, and

• to pause and listen for God’s call
• to look at your unique gifts and skills
• to identify your values
• to identify your passion(s)
• to prepare a compelling mission statement that gives shape to your life and work.

Leader: David C. Rich, Retired Minister, Educator and Life/Work Planning Facilitator from Vienna, Va.

October 23, 30, November 13, 20 & December 4

“Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life.”

You are invited to join Ed White for a lively discussion of Richard Rohr’s book Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life. Rohr posits that “in the first half of life, we are naturally and rightly preoccupied with establishing our identity – climbing and achieving and performing. But those concerns will not serve us as we grow older and begin to embark on a further journey, one that involves challenges, mistakes, loss of control, broader horizons, and necessary suffering that actually shocks us out of our prior comfort zone. Eventually, we need to see ourselves in a different and more life giving way. The message of ‘falling down’ – that is in fact moving upward – is the most resisted and counterintuitive of messages in the world’s religions, including and most especially Christianity.” How is it with you? Come join the discussion.

Leader: The Rev. Ed White, Retired PCUSA Minister, Consultant with the Alban Institute, and Parish Associate at CCPC

November 6

NO CLASS - Stewardship Sunday! Worship at 10 a.m. followed by a congregational brunch in Chadsey Hall

November 27

NO CLASS - Thanksgiving Weekend