Annual Report

Adult Christian Education 2010-11

PURPOSE STATEMENT: To provide opportunities for and encourage all church members, regular attendees, and guests to intentionally grow in their knowledge of, faith in, and relationship with Jesus Christ that they might become active witnesses to their neighbors and servants in this church and their community.

During 2010-2011, the Adult Christian Education committee (ACE) was committed to engaging more of our congregation's members and regular attenders in the many offerings we have outside of the weekly worship service.  Our adult Sunday morning studies, small groups, and retreats encourage and provide opportunities for increased spiritual maturity and growth that nurtures daily Bible reading and prayer, commitment to service, and connectedness to the church.  The results of the ACE committee’s efforts toward accomplishing these goals are highlighted below.

The ACE committee's year-long schedule of Sunday morning Adult Study opportunities included studies taught by a variety of outstanding teachers that prepared us for evangelism, furthered our understanding of several theological concepts, caused us to look at how we love one another, and challenged us to pursue Shalom throughout the world.  We started with the video series Stumbling Blocks to Faith: Hypocrisy, Intolerance, Science, Suffering, and Sacrifice addressing concerns expressed by people  grappling with undertaking a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Pastor Little taught a study on the Trinity—the claims Christ made primarily in the book of John and the relationship between the persons of the Trinity.  Gary Hutchison lead a video series titled Day of Reckoning about the life of a Jewish mother and son who became Christians.  We studied the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes realizing the many futile “winds” we chase.  Pastor Chris Swanson of Harvest Bible Church taught a series on the various ways God-fueled love can manifest itself within our relationships.  Pastor Little challenged us to memorize and recite a section of Ephesians as he taught about the importance of memorizing scripture to our walk with God.  For Lent we watched and discussed a number of the segments from the video series Tales from the Madhouse where each character brushed with Jesus but most missed the moment.  We concluded with Cynthia Gaw, PhD teaching a study on universal Shalom touching on the need for God's presence in the world.  We have averaged seven to ten regular Adult Study members.

Four well-established small groups and one new small group thrive at First Pres. This year Walt Winfield's 1^st and 3^rd Monday morning men's group has averaged ten members and studied: If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat; The Expository Genius of John Calvin, by Steven Lawson; and What Good is God, Phillip Yancy. The Thursday early-morning men's group is currently being lead by Mic Lebens. Robin Scott's Thursday morning women's group runs from September through May and continues to have an average of twelve women in attendance.  This year they have studied Liturgical Seasons of the Church and Ruth-A Woman of Love.  The Monday Women's Book Group that meets at The Odyssey Café for dinner and discussion encourages each member to lead the discussion for a chapter in the book we are currently studying. We have studied the Gospel of John, Lord, Give Me Patience!, the New Testament book of James, and Passionate Faith. This small group continues to grow and now averages about twelve to fourteen members.  A new small group was started and is being lead by Brendy Alsup with the intention of providing a small group that meets the needs of mothers of young children.  This group meets every other week.

The  men’s retreat was held on June 18 at Cal Poly's Front Porch Ministry Center with about ten to twelve men in attendance.  Front Porch Ministries' Pastor Beau Smith spoke about current world views and how they affect one's views, decisions, and walk with the Lord.  The day included games and a tour of the Ministry Center.

For our women’s retreat, about ten of our women attended the 29^th Annual Ladies Conference in Atascadero on March 4 and 5.  The guest speaker Jennie Dimkoff was so inspirational that our Monday night Women's Book group chose to study her book Passionate Faith.

The tireless, dedicated ACE committee members this past year have been: Kate Ristow, Joan Egan, Jean Schweitzer, new member Cynthia Gaw, Joanne Breffle, and Anne Spohnhauer.  We mourn the passing of our long-time member Marjory Jennings.  Many invaluable others have been small group leaders and volunteers on sub-committees for specific activities. 

Anne Spohnhauer, Elder—Adult Christian Education