Adult Christian formation at Carmel occurs in different ways and at different times. Sunday morning Adult Education is currently offered from 8:45 to 9:30 AM from September through May. Child care is available by contacting the church office in advance. At times classes have also met via Zoom on a weekday evening. Classes are taught by the pastor or by lay members of the congregation. Opportunity for discussion is provided.
Sunday classes taught by Rev. John Diller for Fall, 2023 are listed below. Members and visitors are invited to attend in the Fellowship Lounge at 8:45 AM.
Presbyterian Church 101
4 weeks, Sept 24-Oct. 15
This class functions both as a “New Member Orientation” and a “Refresher” course. Participants will be encouraged to purchase/download the Book of Order
Week 1: History of Presbyterian Church: Reformation through Today
Week 2: Foundations of Presbyterian Polity: Why We Are Who We Are
Week 3: Worship, Mission, Discipleship: Why We Do What We Do
Week 4: Blessings and Opportunities: How do we approach our challenges?
Personal and Ecclesiastical Stewardship: Scarcity and Abundance
3 Weeks, Oct. 29-Nov. 12
This class will tackle our difficulty discussing Church Finances. We will explore vignettes from the Bible showing the difference between attitudes of scarcity and abundance.
Advent: Nothing to Be Afraid Of
3 Weeks: Dec. 3-Dec. 17
End Times, Second Coming, Apocalypse…oh, you are one of those who thinks Advent is only about a baby in a manger? This class is designed to arouse, encourage, and challenge our preconceptions about how Christ is and will be active in our world.
SMALL GROUP BOOK DISCUSSIONS
Periodic small groups for women centering around a book focusing on spiritual life meet in members’ homes. Books discussed have included Inspired by Rachel Held Evans, Almost Everything by Anne Lamott, Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor. Small group discussions for men are welcomed and have previously been held as a Saturday Men’s Breakfast.
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
Carmel Presbyterian Women currently has one group which meets monthly on Tuesday evenings for Bible study and social interaction. During the pandemic, Women’s Fellowship had a slightly different look, continuing to meet virtually for monthly lessons directed by members of the group and fellowship.
This year’s study is The Flawed Family of God: Stories about the Imperfect Families in Genesis, by Carolyn Helsel and Song-Mi Suzie Park. In addition to our monthly meetings, we are a registered Team for Days for Girls and have made 475 components of the DFG menstrual kits that are distributed to women and young girls around the world who do not have access to feminine hygiene supplies.
Locally, our donations support the Philadelphia Presbyterian Women in their various missions throughout the Philadelphia region. In 2020, our Christmas mission project supported six food cupboards in the local Presbytery where the need for food was exacerbated by the pandemic. In the past, our mission projects have included The Welcome Church, the Eliza Shirley House, Concilio and others. Through the Synod we have supported additional mission causes.
Join us as we commit ourselves to nurturing our faith through prayer and bible study to support the mission of the church worldwide, to work for justice and peace and to build an inclusive community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (USA) and bears witness to the promise of God’s kingdom. For more information contact the church office at 215-887-1074.
ROAM (Retirees on a Mission)
Roam is a fellowship gathering of retired Carmel members and friends. ROAM meetings are currently being held on the third Wednesday of every month, October through June. We gather in Carmel Hall at 12:30 and share a bring-your-own-lunch and conversation. Stay tuned in 2022 for any programs which may be scheduled. You are invited to spend an enjoyable afternoon with friends, old and new! For more information call the church office or Karen Bogle, Gene Morris or Lynne Schutt.
