Adult Sunday Classes
Sunday Adult Forums
Wednesday Night Fellowship
Bible Workbench
Circles / Fellowship / Mission Groups
Retreats
Jesus the Christ in the 21st Century
Jewish / Christian Dialogue

ADULT SUNDAY CLASSES
We want to help you find a class that is right for you. If you would like to talk with someone about classes, please contact Sheila Ennis at 704-334-7232, ext. 13 or sennis@mpbconline.org. All MPBC adult classes meet from 9:45 - 10:45 each Sunday morning (except as noted), with worship at 11:00 a.m.

Church Orientation
If you are interested in learning more about the life and ministry of this church, you are invited to participate in a series of discussions designed to introduce you to Myers Park Baptist. The orientation class (which lasts less than 2 weeks) is designed to help you learn more about the life and ministry of the church and to introduce you to church leaders (both staff and lay) and other members of the congregation. The series is offered 3 - 4 times a year. If you are ready to formalize your connection to the church, we offer an opportunity to join on the Sunday immediately following an orientation series. However, you do not need to attend an orientation series to join. Contact Mariah Currin for more information, 704-334-7232, ext. 41 or mcurrin@mpbconline.org.

Fifth Dimension: We are men and women, couples and singles of various ages. We study the Bible, current events and other topics of interest. Our leaders include the ministerial staff and MPBC members who love to teach! We meet early (9:30) for coffee fellowship in Room 250/252. Contact Connie Maccubbin at 704.366.0792.

Seekers: We are men and women of various ages concerned with reconciling our lives with our thoughts on faith and social justice. We find source material in scripture (we often use Bible Workbench), but also in the daily newspapers and in works by contemporary theologians. Contact George Campbell at gcampbell@carolina.rr.com. We meet in Room 257.

The Lower Room: Most of us have been together for many years, and we always welcome new faces! We study scripture and the life of Jesus, always asking how our faith stories play out in our daily lives and choices. Contact Ted Lucas at tedlucas@aol.com. We meet in Room 254.

Faith and Arts: We explore the Bible and our own faith journeys through the lenses of visual art, film, photography and literature. Ours is a lively group, open to anyone with a desire to find new access points to the divine. Led by Tom Schulz, Sheila Ennis and other class members, we meet in Room 32, lower level. Contact Sheila Ennis at sennis@mpbconline.org.

Truth and Beauty: An eclectic mix of adults who use the Bible Workbench as curriculum. What BWB asks is “What was the original context of this biblical narrative? How is the story happening in your own life? In the world around us?”
We are of many faith backgrounds and have been known to disagree! Contact Bob Ruppenthal at cbobjr@aol.com. We meet in Room 258.

Explorers: Our class provides a unique environment to pursue individual and small group spiritual growth. This year we are using “Weavings,” a publication that features 5 essays on a spiritual theme. Some of our 2006-2007 themes include “truth,” “attentiveness” and “belonging.” You NEED NOT have read the week’s material to attend and enjoy our class! Contact Bruce Harned at harnedbw@carolina.rr.com. We meet in Room 255.

Fireplace is a casual class for adults who often help in children/youth classes and who therefore cannot always attend on a regular schedule (although ALL are welcome). This year we are using the video series “Questions of Faith”. The videos last 20 minutes, and great discussions follow! Contact Tony Clark at tonydclark@gmail.com. We meet in the Cornwell Lounge.

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Faith Encounter: Join us this fall for a study of Marcus Borg’s The Heart of Christianity. Led by Dixie Pinson, we will “rediscover a life of faith” using Borg’s bestselling book that asks what does it mean to be a Christian today? You do NOT have to buy the book to attend the class! Contact Bill Snipes at bsnipes@nearassociates.com. We meet in Room 261.

Centerquest II: We are a group of explorers open to all ways of examining and deepening our spiritual lives. We are interested in how the life of Jesus and the great truths of the New Testament have similar expressions in other cultures and other philosophies. Please contact Nancy Berry at berryn41@hotmail.com. We meet in Room 256.

L.I.F.E. : We are a group of “mid-lifers” who meet for coffee fellowship and study of contemporary life issues within the framework of Judeo-Christian perspective. In 2006-2007 we will be using the Bible Workbench materials as well as newspapers, books of fiction and non-fiction. Leadership is shared, and we often have guest speakers on relevant topics. Contact Jennifer Schwarz at Jbschwarz@worldnet.att.net. We meet in the “Coffee House”, located on the lower level of the education building.

Conversations on Spiritual Living: We are a class led by our members and by frequent guest leaders. Our topics vary! We study scripture, and we have also studied church history and governance, spiritual practices, politics, child and adolescent psychology and workplace ethics. We build our curriculum around the needs and concerns of our class members. Contact Angie Byers at byersaj99@yahoo.com. We meet in the church parlor, adjacent to Heaton Hall.

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NEW - FALL OF 2006

Doorways to Christian Growth is a new class, just begun this fall. Led by Beth Resler Walters, we are using Jackie McMakin’s materials to explore ways to grow our faith into maturity, to recognize and employ our unique gifts, and to learn to discern our vocation (calling) as people of faith. We meet in Room 253. Contact Beth at bethwalters@carolina.rr.com.

Young Adults Class is open to all seeking fellowship and faith development, especially to those young adults college age and up. Led by George Linney,III (Pastoral Intern) and Robin Coira (Executive Minister), we will study the Psalms, Gospel of Luke and spiritual issues on our own lives.The class is casual and informal. Please join us. Contact George Linney, 919.414.6565 or geliii@earthlink.net for more information. We meet in Room 260.

Faith & Action is a new venture combining faith and mission. After a brief devotional at the beginning of class, we spend our time working together on small projects that benefit our community and/or our congregation. Join us in Berry Hall for fellowship and hands-on “faith in action”. Contact Amy Jarrett at Cjarrett3@carolina.rr.com or Emily Repede at erepede@kilpatrickstockton.com.

Philomousos (loving music and the arts) - Bell Room (under Sanctuary)
. . . is a class created for Chancel Choir members but welcome to anyone who wishes to join. We meet from 9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. unless a special rehearsal has been called. We study the scripture text for each Sunday through personal reflection, prayer and word studies. We also select supplemental group readings for reflection and discussion. Come and try us out!
Barbara Bullock, 704-362-1871 / barbara.bullock@carolinashealthcare.org

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Sunday forums
Periodically, we have Sunday adult forums that take place in Heaton Hall during the Adult Sunday School hour, 9:45 - 10:45 a.m. A forum program can cover a wide range of topics and often includes a guest speaker. Among our forum guests have been Reverend Carter Heyward, John Dominic Crossan, Elaine Pagels, Dr. Bart Ehrman and many others.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT FELLOWSHIP
Following a 5:45 dinner each Wednesday, join us for a variety of adult educational opportunities. From 6:45 until 7:30 p.m., enjoy great classes such as Making and Using Prayer Beads, The Art of Romare Bearden, A Look at Charlotte’s Latino Community, White Privilege and Racism in Charlotte, Family Worship and Communion…even Family Feud and Roller Skating Parties! Cost of dinner is $7.00 per adult and $4 per child with a $26 family limit.

BIBLE WORKBENCH
The Bible Workbench is a lectionary based life centered biblical resource designed for small group youth and adult education in church and home, for individual study and as an aid to preachers. One of the lectionary texts is chosen each Sunday. The exploration begins with a discussion of what is happening in the biblical text. What is going on? The focus then shifts to how this story is happening the world around us. Finally the questions turn toward how the story is an event in the lives of the people in the group. Rather than seek a right answer, the journey through the text seeks life-giving questions that wait to be lived.

Meeting times and places:
Sunday 7:00 p.m. in Room 253
Wednesday 8:00 a.m. Conference Room (men)
Wednesday 10:00 a.m. Room 258 (women)
If you are interesting in starting a new group, contact George Campbell at
704-334-7232 or gcampbell@carolina.rr.com.

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CIRCLES / FELLOWSHIP / MISSION GROUPS
Senior Fellowship
The MPBC "Good Timers" meet the fourth Tuesday (except December and February) to enjoy a meal and program (could be music, health, education, current events). We have a yearly party and take an annual trip. Everyone over 50 is invited. Contact Carol Pearsall at rpearsall@carolina.rr.com for this year's schedule.

Missionary Roundtable - Parlor
We are open to all women of the church. We meet the second Monday to "care, study, learn and respond as we can to those needs as we perceive." We have fellowship from 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. Our formal program starts at 10:30 and lasts until 11:30 - noon. It consists of a guest speaker from a community agency, group or the ministerial staff who brings us information on community needs. This is a wonderful place to meet and work with women who care. For more information, contact Jill Kinney Weaver, 704-523-8267.

Circle Number Two  - Cornwell Lounge
We are open to everyone and meet the second Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. September through May. We are a mission-oriented group who donates funding for various projects. We have helped in the Lakewood Community, sponsored a college scholarship, assisted the elderly and more. Our meetings start with a half-hour of fellowship, and then we have a guest speaker who informs us about community needs. For more information, contact Sara Rabun, 704-554-6112.

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RETREATS
Many of our Sunday School classes take an annual retreat. We also sponsor a Women’s Retreat in early spring (in 2007 we’re going to St. Christopher's on Seabrook Island). We’re having a summer retreat for the entire family in July, 2006 in the NC mountains. We also offer some on-campus retreats throughout the year. All retreats are reasonably priced, and scholarships are usually available.

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EARTHKEEPERS
We are a ministry encouraging interest in and understanding of the relationship of spirituality, ecology and our church. We seek to make a connection between the local and global use of resources, compassion and justice. Our primary goal is education. We welcome everyone and hope for your input and ideas, whether your interest is in education, conservation, ecology, theology, natural resources and habitat maintenance, or other areas. Some members meet weekly on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in the Conference Room; others chose just to participate in projects. For more information, contact Sonya Dyer, 704-552-7330 or boson1@ worldnet.att.net.

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JESUS THE CHRIST IN THE 21ST CENTURY
This is a continuing series of lectures and discussions sponsored by Myers Park Baptist Church. If offers the Charlotte community access to the best of contemporary Jesus scholars in the hope of stimulating the exchange of ideas and deeper awareness. These scholars reach beneath Christian creed and dogma to the real person who inspired them: Jesus of Nazareth. Each visiting scholar brings a different viewpoint. They help us see Jesus as a person directly involved in and concerned about the world and its people, in how we treat each other politically, economically and socially, and in how we understand ourselves.

Our 2007 scholar October 26-28, 2007) will be Dr. Stanley Hauerwas, a United Methodist theologian and ethicist who is the Gilbert T. Rowe Professor Theological Ethics at Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina. In 2001 Time magazine named him "America's Best Theologian," and his book, A Community of Character: Toward a Constructive Christian Social Ethic was selected as one of the 100 most important books on religion of the 20th century.

Previous speakers in this series include: Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan, Walter Wink, William Herzog, N. T. Wright, Amy-Jill Levine, Georg Retzlaff, Stephen Patterson and Elaine Pagels.

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JEWISH/CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE
For many years MPBC has enjoyed a close connection with Temple Beth El here in Charlotte. Each year our two congregations get together around topics of mutual interest. We have co-hosted biblical scholars, held “Night of Why” dinners when we compare our two faith traditions. In 2003 we attended a showing of Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ, then gathered at the temple for dinner and discussion.

In February 2006, Charlotte’s Discovery Place exhibited portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls. MPBC and Temple Beth El entered into very special dialogues around these ancient texts, considered sacred by both faiths. In January 2007 we will visit the Levine Museum of the New South’s exhibit "Families of Abraham" and hear talks by the exhibit’s photographers. In the late spring we will host a program called "Conversion in Judaism and Christianity" with Dr. Stephen Shoemaker and Rabbi Judith Schindler.

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