Teach Me . . . Guest Lectures

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Contemplative Prayer and Practices

With Susanne Johnson

Wednesday, Sep 22
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Chapel
No fee 

The Contemplative Prayer and Practices Lecture will explore various types of contemplative prayer as well as give participants some concrete pointers and aids for applying the practice in both individual quiet time as well as a group setting. Participants should be prepared to experience several short interludes of prayer in the styles discussed during lecture.  Participants will also have the opportunity to ultimately learn, share and experience with one another.

Dr. Susanne Johnson is an ordained Disciples of Christ minister and a member of Midway Hills Christian Church. She is also a tenured professor at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas.

Register Here by Sep 15

 		     

The 21st Century Parent

With Dr. Andy Stoker

Wednesday, Oct 27
11:40 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Bartula Family Life Center
Fee: no fee if you bring your own lunch; $10 per person to reserve box lunch 

Families are always changing; a healthy family is creative, committed and compassionate throughout change in the life course. Change is not always easy. We all develop as individuals and go through childhood, adolescence and adulthood. What do we know about family life that can help us to prepare for the next steps in our own development and our family's development? How can we teach those around us (our children, our parents and our parents' parents) about change and growth as a family?

When my wife and I were blessed with our first son Alex, we left the hospital without the "parenting manual" to help him in his first steps. So, we pieced together the best way we knew to help Alex through his development, using instinct, family of origin help and a lot of prayer! Since then I have dedicated myself to Family Life Education. Join us for a "power lunch" that will encourage and motivate parents like you to be creative, committed and compassionate parents. Join us!

Andy Stoker is an ordained elder in the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. He also holds a Ph.D. in Family Studies from Texas Woman's University. In 2002, Andy was commissioned an elder in the North Texas Conference and appointed to First United Methodist Church of Denton. He served as associate pastor with youth, university students and young adults. He was ordained elder in Wichita Falls, Texas, in 2005. As he continued his work at FUMC-Denton, he found himself in a variety of other ministry areas in the church including adult education and mission ministries. While at FUMC-Denton, he completed a Doctor of Philosophy in Family Studies from Texas Woman's University. His dissertation research focused on adolescent identity formation in "tweens" and "emerging adults." More importantly, FUMC-Denton saw Megan and Andy grow their family with two boys: Alex, six years old, and Wesley, eighteen months old.

Register Here by Oct 20 

  

Becoming a Justice Seeking Congregation

With Dr. William K. McElvaney

Wednesday, Nov 17
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Mays Hall, First Floor, Education Center (west end)
No fee

Join us for an evening with author and pastor Dr. William K. McElvaney as he highlights practical know-how strategies from his ministry and experiences of others addressing justice issues in a variety of settings. Idealism and realism are combined with "rubber hits the road" local church kind of justice discernment and discovery. 

Dr. William K. Mc Elvaney is a long time peace with justice advocate in both the local church and academy. He has served as pastor in the United Methodist Church, President St. Paul School of Theology, LeVan Professor of Preaching and Worship, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University.

Register Here by Nov 10