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Adult Christian Education

2012 Spring Schedule
Adult Education Classes

-- All classes meet on Sundays from 9:55 to 10: 55 a.m. --

Session One: January 8 to February 12

  • Exploring the Four Gospels:  Taught by Dr. David Rowe and Dr. Ron Messier
    The four gospels represent a new kind of biblical literature, different from the prophetic and wisdom literature Jews had known in the Hebrew covenant. In this course we will explore each gospel, learning how each presents a slightly different picture of Jesus, of the early Church, and of the communities that gave rise to Christianity. Where: St. Paul's Chapel (St. Andrew's Chapel)
  • Whol-i-ness (Parents Group): Taught by Fr. Polk Van Zandt
    Which areas of life do you need to work on to become a whole person? Your physical life? Relational life? Vocational life? Spiritual life? Does anyone else struggle with focusing on all these at the same time? Where: Parish Hall
  • Feasting on the Word: Taught by Fr. Colin Ambrose
    Each Sunday Fr. Colin will lead a discussion on one of the lectionary readings for the day. Every week you will explore the questions:
    1. WHAT is important to know?
    2. WHERE is God in these words?
    3. SO WHAT does this mean for our lives?
    4. NOW WHAT is God's word calling us to do?
    Where: Meets in the multi-purpose room off of Parish Hall

Session Two: February 19 to March 25

  • Images of the Spirit: Taught by Fr. Polk and Dr. Ron Messier
    When we think of Jesus, we immediately have a mental picture of a person. But the Holy Spirit is different. When we think of the Holy Spirit we imagine an invisible and impersonal force. We imagine something like a vague fuzzy cloud. The Bible is clear that the Holy Spirit is a person, but how can human beings understand who he is? Join us as we examine the word pictures that Scripture gives us of the Holy Spirit. Where: St. Paul's Chapel (St. Andrew's Chapel)
  • A Study of 1 John: Jesus, God, and Love (Parents Group): Taught by Fr. Colin
    One author writes, "The two most difficult things to get straight in life are love and God. More often than not, the mess people make of their lives can be traced to failure or stupidity or meanness in one or both of these areas." The New Testament book of 1 John argues that these two subjects are intricately related. Join us as we examine the book of 1 John, discovering what Jesus reveals about God and love. Where: Parish Hall.
  • Feasting on the Word: Taught by Don Clayton
    Don Clayton will continue our lectionary study, focusing on one of the bible readings for the day. Where: Meets in the multi-purpose room off of Parish Hall

Session Three: April 16 to May 20: All Classes Meet Together

  • The Hard Questions of Faith
    Do you have questions about the Christian faith that you struggle with? A hard verse from the Old Testament that you have never been able to reconcile with the Gospel? Join us as we try to answer these questions (the keyword is "try"!). Where: Parish Hall.

In This Section:

Rector

Polk Van ZandtThe Reverend James K. Polk Van Zandt
Father Van Zandt comes to St. Paul's Murfreesboro from St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Selma, Alabama where he has served as rector (2000-2008). Previously, Polk was vicar then rector at the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation in West Point, Mississippi (1994 to 2000), where he led the church from mission to parish status. Polk received his Master of Divinity from The University of the South, in Sewanee, as well as his undergraduate degree. Before experiencing his call to the priesthood, Polk was a cotton farmer in the Mississippi Delta. Polk is married to Mary Jo, and together they are marvelous hosts and cooks. They have three adult children. Polk has been involved in diocesan leadership in both Alabama and Mississippi and now in Tennessee. He is a diocesan spiritual director for Cursillo and wholeheartedly supports the Cursillo method. A major focus of Polk's ministry is to let others know about the "good news" of Jesus Christ through whatever means are appropriate, but particularly through pastoral care, outreach and preaching. Contact Polk at rector@stpaulsmboro.org.

Associate Rector

Colin AmbroseThe Reverend Colin M. Ambrose
Father Ambrose joined the St. Paul’s family in July 2009. A native of Knoxville, TN, he received his BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After college, and following several years in the business world, Colin attended Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Nashotah, Wisconsin. He was ordained in Diocese of Springfield in May of 2009. Colin is married to Trisha and the Ambroses have three young children: Clara, Henry and Adel. Contact Colin at associate@stpaulsmboro.org.

Assistant to the Rector

David RoweDr. David Rowe
Dr. David Rowe came to St. Paul’s when he moved to Murfreesboro in 1981 to teach in the History Department at Middle Tennessee State University. In 1987, following his Cursillo weekend, he began a long ministry at St. Paul’s that has taken many forms but that focuses in three areas: spiritual formation for adults, developing and administering liturgies, and administration in the parish and the diocese. His principal effort is directed to teaching in the Pilgrimage, St. Paul's program for Christian initiation that takes place each year. One will see him any Sunday singing in the choir, assisting at the altar, preaching, or sharing a cup of coffee with any of his many friends here. In many ways his ministry extends to his other environment -- MTSU. Contact David at drowe@bellsouth.net.