Health Care Roundtable

This Sunday the Adult Discussion Group will hold its first roundtable discussion of the year.  The topic is health care reform.  Last week Bernie Davis did a great job outlining the history of health care in the United States.  This week, I'd like us to look at healthcare reform from a religious perspective.  Specifically, I'd like us to think about faith inspired values that are generally not a part of the debate, and what the possibilities are for transforming health care in the United States.  To get you thinking about this, I've posted some reading material.  If you have a chance to read prior to the roundtable, that's great.  If not, come anyway and let your voice be heard.  You can find the article right here.  And you can find my sermon from September 6 about health care reform right here.  Do you have a thought to share in the debate?  Post them here.  See you Sunday at 9 am!

Upcoming Events

Check out the calendar and mark your own . . .

• Church Work Day, 8-12 on Saturday.  Many hands make light work!
• Young Youth Cluster, Sunday, 5-7 pm at First Presbyterian in University City.  Join the fun for the 3rd annual Wacky Olympics.  All 3-5 graders are invited.  Bring a friend!
• Presbyterian Women, September 23, 9:30 am in the Gathering Space. 

And, don't forget to bring in canned food for Food Outreach.  Did you know September is national hunger awareness month?  This is the perfect Sunday to bring in food since we're recognizing all the volunteers who are busy working on our community vegetable garden!

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall

Who's the greatest of them all?  That's the question the disciples ask Jesus.  Some of the recent bouts of public incivility (Kanye West and Joe Wilson come to mind) are about grabs for power, attention, and control.  We're obsessed with who is the best.  Jesus answered the disciples by saying whoever wants to be first must be last.  What's that mean?  In our culture,  where people want to be the greatest at everything, Jesus' answer doesn't make sense.  So how do we aim to be the best and the last? Come on Sunday and learn!  See in worship at 10:30! 

Adult Discussion Group

The Adult Discussion Group is up and running!  Although we sorely miss the long-time leadership of Jim Case, a new committee (it takes a group to replace Jim!), together with the ADG as a whole, has begun to piece together plans for the year.  Immediate plans include the annual book study, a series of sessions looking at the health care crisis, and a monthly “Round Table.”

The book study, of Stephen Patterson’s Beyond the Passion: Rethinking the Death and Life of Jesus, will begin on October 11^th, and continue on October 18^th, November 1^st, and November 8^th.  Patterson is the Professor of New Testament at Eden Seminary, a member of the Jesus Seminar, and a leading New Testament scholar.  His book is short (131 pages), quite readable, and offers exciting new ways to think about Jesus’ death and life.  Ron Scott will lead these discussions.  Copies of the book are on order and will be available to interested participants.  Let Suzanne know if you would like a copy.

The Round Table will be scheduled on the fourth Sunday of each month.  Although there will usually be a pre-planned topic for discussion, the Round Table will provide an opportunity for participants to bring forward any topic or issue they would like the group to explore.  The first Round Table, on September 27^th, will focus on health care issues and concerns.

Our exploration of health care will begin this Sunday, September 20^th, will look at how we have gotten to the place we are currently in with respect to health care.  Bernie Davis will lead the discussion.  Please join us as we begin to discuss this important issue.

The Adult Discussion Group will meet at 9:00 AM each Sunday in the Adult Room on the second floor of the education wing.  Coffee will be available for the sleep deprived.

Take the Night Off . . .

From cooking dinner, that is.  Don't forget the fundraiser tonight, 5-8, at Sweet Tomatoes on Watson Road in Crestwood.  15% of the proceeds from Faith Des Peres will go to Food Outreach.  Bring your blue flier or stop by the church to get one.  We'll be there about 6:30 for anyone looking for dinner companions! Annie