The Winter term of the program runs through March of 2010.To register for classes, please contact Carole White at
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. Download the brochure here.
Instructor: Pastors, Staff and Lay Leaders
Sundays, Jan. 10, 31, Feb. 28
Why not make it a New Year’s resolution to join us this January in our congregational journey through all the books of the Bible. The reading plan is very achievable, averaging about one chapter per day, or 5 minutes of your time. We will continue to gather monthly during the Sunday educational hours to review what we’ve read and look ahead at what’s coming. The first BiY large group gathering for 2010 is on January 10th, led by our own Margaret Shafer. So get your bookmark, place your Bible by your bedside, and start the New Year with a chapter a day.
Prophecies of the Messiah: The Conflict of Isaiah 53
Instructor: Alex Haiken
Jan. 10 at 12:30 pm
The Hebrew Scriptures paint a two-fold picture of the promised Messiah. While many prophecies portray him as a conquering king who will set up the messianic kingdom of peace and prosperity, others depict him as a suffering servant who will suffer humiliation, physical harm and finally, a violent death. In this class we will explore this conflict, most clearly illustrated in Isaiah 53. The book of Isaiah is so rich in prophecy it is called the Mt. Everest of prophetic literature. And if the book of Isaiah is Mt. Everest, then surely the 53rd chapter is the summit.
The Theology and Practice of Celtic Spirituality
Instructor: The Rev. Randy Weber
Sundays, starting Jan.10, 9:30 am (8 sessions)
Inspired by his recent pilgrimage to Iona, Scotland, Rev. Weber will use this course to expound the theological underpinnings of Celtic Spirituality. The course is framed by a liturgical format and employs the ancient monastic form of prayer known as Lectio Divina. Week one will provide an overview of the Celtic Tradition in which God speaks through two books: the Bible, and creation. Over the next seven weeks students will study The Seven Days of Creation with an element of Celtic Theology explored each day. Rev. Weber's daughter Laura, who recently received her M.Th., will assist in the course. Students are invited to join this 8 Week Celtic Journey, as we Listen For the Heartbeat of the God - who is at the heart of all things, including our very selves!
For God So Loves the World
Instructor: Margaret Shafer
Sundays, Jan. 17, 24 and 31 at 9:30 am
“For God so Loves the World” is an overview of the Bible. It presents the great salvation story as a drama in 4 acts, making clear the main story line and principle characters in the Bible. Once the framework is clear it is easier to understand where all the little stories and host of people fit in. This visual presentation was developed by Margaret Shafer and is now being used by the Indian Sunday School Union all over India as a refresher course for pastors and teachers.
Martin Luther King Jr.: Brilliant Scholar/People’s Person
Instructor: The Rev. David Briddell
Sunday, Jan. 17 at 12:30 pm
In this special class held over MLK weekend, FAPC is fortunate to host The Rev. David Briddell. Rev. Briddell knew and studied with Martin Luther King Jr. while both were graduate students at Boston University in the early 1950s. In this CCS class, Rev. Briddell will discuss the experiences he and King had as graduate students, both in the academic community of Boston University as well as on the streets of the African American community in Boston. Rev. Briddell will reflect on additional experiences which prepared Dr. King for his role as a great civil rights leader.
Women’s Winter Sabbath
Instructor: Name
January 29-30, Stony Point Conference Center, Stony Point, NY
$90-155
This annual overnight retreat, led by Rev. Kate Dunn and Cheni Khonje, M.Div., will provide women with a Sabbath experience of rest and renewal. Our theme this year is “Simple Living”. We will reflect on Donna Schaper’s book, Living Well While Doing Good, (available in the FAPC Gift Shop, though this is not required for the retreat). Bible study, worship, creative exercises, and times for personal meditation and reflection will all be a part of our retreat experience, as well as opportunities to get to know and enjoy other FAPC women in a warm, relaxing environment. Register with Diana Kypar, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Creative Writing
Instructor: Emily Dunlap
2nd and 4th Tues. every month
Sept. 22 – June, at 4:00 PM
Materials Fee Charged
This class provides students with an opportunity to explore their creative gifts through writing. Assignments are given at each session and students are encouraged to share their work in class. The emphasis is on listening to your own creative voice. Aspects of creative writing such as description, use of metaphor, style, and voice are explored. Students are encouraged to enroll in the class and continue throughout the year. The class is currently full. Please contact Ms. Dunlap directly to see if there are openings at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Interpreting Paul
Instructor: Althea Spencer-Miller
Sundays, Feb. 7, 14, 21 at 12:30 pm
As Paul was writing the letters which would later become the New Testament, problematic Jewish and Christian relational issues were abounding. In this class we will develop our understanding of Paul’s theological relationship to Judaism and emergent first century Christianity in three phases. First, we will seek to understand the historical contours of German Pauline scholars and Nazi Germany. In the second and third classes, we will read sample passages from Paul’s letters and explore our interpretations and the ethical implications of our interpretations.
Successful Aging
Instructor: Rimas Jasin
Sundays, Feb. 7, 21 and 28 at 12:30 pm
Presbyterian Senior Services (PSS) will be leading this series entitled "Preparing for Successful Aging: Avoiding the Bumps in Life's Journey". The purpose is to provide older participants - and their families - an overview of the numerous areas that everyone should consider to help assure an optimal aging experience. Presenters include PSS Executive Director Rimas J. Jasin, MA, MPA; Deputy Director Katherine Martinez, LMSW; as well as health, financial and legal experts.
The Qur’an
Instructor: Roosevelt Montas
Wednesdays, March 17, 24, and 31 6:30-8:00 pm
This course provides an introduction to the Qur’an, the text at the center of the youngest of the three great Abrahamic faiths: Islam. Through historical overview and textual analysis, we will examine some of the Prophet Muhammad’s central teachings. We will pay special attention to the relationship between Muhammad’s message and the teachings of Christianity and Judaism, highlighting overlaps and points of departure. Overall, we aim at understanding some of the distinctive features of Islam and to use this understanding to elucidate contemporary debates about the relationship between “Islam” and the “West.”
Depression: The Hidden Disease Revealed
Instructor: Janet Gibbs
Sundays, March 7, 14, and 21 at 12:30 pm
Depression has been called "the hidden disease." This can be the result of shame and attempts to hide the depression, even from close friends. Still others don’t even recognize they are depressed. In this course Janet Gibbs will explore the mysteries of depression: its cause, what to do about it, what it teaches us, and finally how to see it as a blessing. Janet Gibbs is a psychoanalyst in private practice with years of experience working with depression.
What We Believe: Considering Membership at FAPC
Instructor: The Rev. Randy Weber
Sunday, Mar 7, 12:15 PM, Thurs. Mar 18, 6:30 pm
Designed for persons interested in exploring the nature of Christian faith and/or membership in Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, the class will include a review of core Christian doctrine, key tenets of
Reformed faith, as well as an overview of worship and the sacraments. The course also offers the opportunity to meet all the pastors. Lunch and snacks will be included. Those desiring to unite with the church will meet with Session members and be recognized by the congregation in worship. This will take place on Sunday, March 21st.
Stories of Homelessness and Hope
Instructor: Joe Vedella
Sundays, March 7 and 14 at 12:30 pm
In this two-part class, taught by FAPC’s Manager of Homeless Ministries, Joe Vedella, will offer an insider’s perspective on the experience of living on the streets and overcoming homelessness, which will include a reading from his book, That’s No Story, That’s My Life. In the second class, Joe will lead a panel discussion of volunteers active in FAPC’s homeless ministries, and guide the class in an exploration of both the challenges and opportunities of working with the homeless.
Faith Development
Instructor: Jacob Bolton
Sundays, March 14 and 21, 9:30-10:15 am
The church has been interested in the concept of faith development for centuries. From St. Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle to John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim‘s Progress, theories on faith development have been explored with the hope of both making sense of one’s spiritual identity as well as furthering one’s faith journey. The first session will focus primarily on children’s faith development, while the second week will move toward the faith development of youth.
Holy Week Seder
Instructor: Rabbi Mark Hurvitz
Sunday, March 28 at 12:30 pm
The last supper Jesus spent with his disciples was actually a Seder meal. The Seder is the feast commemorating the exodus of the Jews from Egypt and is typically celebrated on the first night or the first two nights of Passover. In this class Rabbi Mark Hurvits will walk us through an actual Seder meal, explaining the figurative meaning of each course and element. The experience and lessons learned in this Seder are intended to enrich our appreciation of Holy Week and highlight the commonalities we share with our Jewish brothers and sisters.
Unless otherwise noted all classes are free of charge.
For questions, please contact Carole White (212.247.0490 or
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).
