Spiritual Development


	Good Samaritan Church Presbyterian Church USA United Church of Christ

Church Calendar

Wednesday, Feb 8
	6:30p - "Saving Jesus from the Church" @ Panera

Thursday, Feb 9
	6:30p - Worship Ministry Meeting

Thursday, Feb 9
	7p - Mosaic Work/Fun

Saturday, Feb 11
	10a - Visual Journaling Workshop

Saturday, Feb 11
	7p - Sweetheart Dinner Dance, Relay for Life

Sunday, Feb 12
	Celebration of Love

Sunday, Feb 12
	12:15p - Session


Worship Schedule

	Sunday Mornings 9:00 Choir Rehearsal 10:30 Worship Fellowship Hour follows Worship First Sunday Communion Baptism - Sunday by Arrangement Nursery at all Services



	*God is Still Speaking,*

Spiritual Development

2012 Events & Workshops


	"SAVING JESUS FROM THE CHURCH" Wednesday, February 8th - 6:30 p.m. Join us to discuss this controversial book by UCC pastor Robin Meyers, an engaging communicator of progressive Christianity with a compelling understanding of Jesus. We will meet for dinner and discussion at Panera Bread in Park Place Mall. Archbishop Desmond Tutu says of this book: "Every once in a while, a book comes along that changes everything. This is the book."

		"VISUAL JOURNALING" SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, February 11th - 10:00 - Noon This is your last opportunity to participate in a Good Sam workshop led by Pastor Sue! This is a repeat of an extraordinary workshop she presented several years ago on Visual Journaling. This is a very helpful exercise in managing your life as you become more aware of your buried thoughts and listen to Spirit's leading. Sue calls this "Soul-Speak" as you respond to your life questions with prayerful, simple drawing exercises. No art experience necessary -- just an open heart and mind! There is no charge. Art supplies will be furnished. Register early!

Spiritual Development opportunities are available for anyone searching for God and for meaning in life -- anyone interested in nourishing the soul. The purpose of these workshops is to open an awareness and experience of Spirit’s presence, power, and relevance in our everyday living. These classes, workshops, or seminars promote a continuous source of meditation, reflection and communion about the foundation of all spiritual activity: the inner workings of the Spirit of God in men and women.

All lectures and workshops are open to the public and many are free.

Spiritual Development workshops and bible study class schedules are, or will be, listed below. Please check back often for newly scheduled sessions. If you have any suggestions for topics you would like to see offered please e-mail the church here.


	HOME SCHOOLING: The Center for Spiritual Development "Home Schooling" seems to be catching on. We've had positive feedback so are adding FIVE new CDs to our library. They are talks given at Jesus Seminar events by leading theologians and average 80 minutes long. Listen to them at your leisure. Invite a family member or friend to listen with you and talk about the message afterwards. See Bev Kelly at Fellowship Hour to check one out. Here are the new titles: *"Let There Be Light"* by Elaine Pagels. Who is Jesus and what is the "good news" about him? How do the Gospel of John and the Gospel of Thomas differ in their interpretation? *"A Controversial Jew (Paul and His Conflicting Convictions)"* by Heikki Räisänen. Explore Paul's ambiguity towards his own heritage and the Greco-Roman culture. What difference did Paul make in the development of formative Christianity? *"Watchmen, What of the Night?"* by Phyllis Tickle. Using witticism as a lens through which to focus our attention, she will explore the animated and raucous parade that is our changing religious landscape. *"Father Knows Best (Where Fundamentalism Is Taking Us)"* by Bernard Brandon Scott. What is fundamentalism's place in the epic struggle for the organization and control of society? In six guidelines for a future theology he suggests ways in which we can respond theologically to this challenge. *"Sunday Morning Alternatives to Sleeping In"* by Hal Taussig. Although a majority of Christian worship continues to be boring and intellectually lame, the author paints a picture of expressive and intellectually ambitious worship already in motion in more than a thousand places. And these are the other CDs also being circulated: *"Revisioning Christianity at the Millennium"* by Marcus Borg. A modern look at foundational Christian claims and what it means to be a Christian. *"The Legacy of Christianity"* by Lloyd Geering. What is there it Christianity which may help the new global world to evolve a viable and sustainable future for humankind? *"A Christianity for Tomorrow"* by John Shelby Spong. The liturgy and structure of Christianity may have to change dramatically to survive in the 21st century.

		An effective way to grow your faith is to sign up for the free, monthly e-mail newsletter from Progressive Christianity at www.tcpc.org. Each month a specific theme is selected and several essays from various points of view on this subject are printed. It will probably take you a couple of hours to read all of these timely messages but you will find it equivalent to taking a class or reading a textbook. If you want to take a look, e-mail bevkelly@gmail.com and she will forward the current copy to you. The topic is entitled "Is a New World Around the Corner?---Change and Our Role in It." Check it out.

(c) Copyright 2008-2012 Good Samaritan Church. All Rights Reserved.
Presbyterian Church (USA) "More Light" * United Church of Christ "Open and Affirming"
6085 Park Boulevard, Pinellas Park, Florida 33781 (727) 544-8558

Church Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Food Pantry Open Monday/Tuesday/Thursday, 9:00 am to Noon