Adult Education Session II

Keeping the World Alive: Ecology  Films & Discussion

Fellowship Hall on Thursday evenings

Gulick Room on Sunday mornings

What on “God’s green earth” can we do to keep God’s planet green?  A series of documentary films will show us how -  from the food we eat and the water we drink to the products we use - four powerful films on caring for God’s creation.  The films will be viewed on Thursday evenings, but significant clips from the movies will be shown during Sunday morning discussions.  Everyone may participate in discussion without prior viewing.

• King Corn viewed 7 p.m. on October 6; discussed 9:45 a.m. on October 9
• Blue Gold: World Water Wars viewed 7 p.m. on October 13; discussed 9:45 a.m. on October 16
• Dirt: The Movie  viewed at 7 p.m. on October 20; discussed at 9:45 a.m. onOctober 23
• Tapped viewed at 7 p.m. on October 27; discussed at 9:45 a.m. on October 30 

Leader: Vivian Swain is a writer and creative director of dramatic and documentary films. Her work has been broadcast on PBS and commercial stations, distributed internationally, nominated in international film festivals, and has won four TELLY awards.  She is a long-time member of Ladue Chapel. 

The Spirituality of Parenting: a Family Matters course

Mellow Library

We discuss issues that matter to families. 

Join us and enjoy complimentary Deer Creek coffee!

We will explore the following questions: How does being a parent change or deepen us as spiritual people? How is God reflected in the parent/child relationship? Are children innately spiritual?  How does faith develop and how is it nurtured? How do we talk about God with our children?  What do we do when our children ask the really big questions of life?  What rituals, stories, and symbols do we, as parents and church, use to teach our children about God?

Leader: Robin Crawford has been a member of Ladue Chapel for 15 years, is a parent and teacher at Ladue Chapel Nursery School and has begun work on a Master of Arts in Christian Education at Union Presbyterian Seminary.

 Lectionary Learners

Yellow Room on Upper Level

This class will focus on weekly scripture readings from the Lectionary Guide with discussion and reflection to stimulate the heart and mind. We have various discussion leaders and study one week ahead of the Lectionary Guide.  Lectionary Learners provides an opportunity for scripture reading, study and discussion, and adds to the worship experience.  We will meet in the first room at the top of the stairs on the Youth Level.  Come join us!

Various Discussion Leaders; Facilitator: Greta Talen, member of Ladue Chapel.

Moving St. Louis Forward

Fellowship Hall Center and South

• October 9: Leader: Steven Woolf, Artistic Director, Repertory Theatre
• October 16: Leader: William Peck, Wolff Distinguished Professor, Washington University and Director of the Center for Health Policy.
• October 23: Leader: James Carrington, President, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.
• October 30: Leader: Walter Metcalfe, Senior Counsel, Bryan Cave LLP

The Prophet Isaiah

Fireside Room

It is reported that when Augustine asked Ambrose which biblical book to read first, Ambrose responded, “Isaiah.” Together with the Psalms, Isaiah is the most frequently quoted Old Testament book in the New Testament. This series of classes will examine the book’s historical framework and major themes such as Isaiah’s call, the sign of Immanuel, God as creator and Redeemer and the Suffering Servant Songs.  These themes are carried through into the New Testament and still speak to the church’s life and mission in today’s world.

Leader: Ben Asen, Associate Professor of Old Testament, St. Louis University Department of Theology.  Dr. Asen holds a Ph.D., Biblical Languages and Literature, St. Louis University (1980), M. Div., Concordia Theological Seminary (1972), B.A. Semitic Languages, Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne, Indiana (1968), and an A.A. Classical Languages, Concordia Junior College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (1966).

Religious Life In Greater St. Louis

Leutwiler Room

About St. Louis Abbey:

• October 9: A discussion of monasticism and how it has evolved over time.
• October 16: Exploration of the background and history of the St. Louis Abbey and how the St. Louis Abbey Monks live their lives to support the vision of Monasticism.

Leader: Fr. Gregory Mohrman is a solemnly professed Benedictine monk and ordained Roman Catholic priest of the Abbey of Saint Mary and Saint Louis.  He holds a B.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Divinity and M.A. in Theology from Saint John’s College in Minnesota, and an M.A. in English from the Breadloaf School of English at Middlebury College. 

About Mercy Conference and Retreat Center:

• October 23: The story of Mercy Center’s conference, retreat and spirituality ministry, and the current services and programs.
• October 30: A historical perspective of the religious life in the Roman Catholic tradition, the

differences between monastic and apostolic religious life, and the unique characteristics and contributions of contemporary Catholic religious women.

Leaders: Sr. Agnes Brueggen, RSM has served on the spirituality team at Mercy Conference

Retreat Center since 1999, offering spiritual directing and planning/directing retreats.  She holds a B.A. from Maryville University, an M.A. in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University, Chicago, and a certificate in spiritual direction/retreat ministry from Ministry Training Services, Denver.

Sr. Shirley Murphy, RSM joined the Mercy Conference and Retreat Center staff in August, 2011. She has been a member of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas for more than 50 years and holds a B.A. from Fontbonne University, and an M.A. in Business Education from Texas Tech University.

Sr. Priscilla Moreno, RSM has been a member of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas for 29 years. She coordinates Mercy Vocation Promotion Outreach. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Fontbonne University and an M.A.T. from Webster University.