Sunday Mornings

Sunday Mornings

All Adult Formation Sunday classes meet 10:20-11 a.m.

Session 4

February 26 – March 25

Food For the Soul: The Culture of Agriculture

This class will explore current food issues and is based on the foundation of an agrarian reading of the Bible. Using a theological lens, we will consider the science, art and business of cultivating the soil, growing crops and raising livestock. We will till a rich soil of topics to learn about the Farm Bill and other legislation affecting food, eaters, and farms; hear the stories of small, family farmers; consider food as a social justice issue; and discuss urban agriculture efforts in Atlanta. While not a class text, those who want to study in advance may read Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture: An Agrarian Reading of the Bible by Professor Ellen F. Davis of the Duke Divinity School. Sponsored by the Earth Stewards and taught by Martha McMillin, the class will offer good bits of information and good bites of tasty treats at each class.

Jesus on the Front Page

Peggy McCormick, Fireplace Room

Do you believe in Evolution? with Piet Depree

Class to explore the current state of evolutionary theory and its ramifications for various theological questions. One focus will be on the approach to science (from a position of doubt) versus the approach to religion (from a position of faith). The format will be a presentation of accepted evolutionary science based largely on the writings of Stephen Jay Gould, recently deceased professor of paleontology at Harvard, followed by discussion of theological implications regarding God as Creator, God as Beneficent Father, Nature as a guide to Morality, and our Immortal Souls. Class will be an effort to understand what so upsets people about evolution. Presenter/Moderator Piet DePree has no particular credentials in the field, but was inspired by the question recently posed to Presidential Candidates.

April 22: The Earth Stewards Celebrate Earth Day

Sunday, April 22, 2012 • Ellis Hall

Maria Mayo

Sunday, April 29, 2012 • Ellis Hall

Maria Mayo will speak about her life in Atlanta, her experience as a victim of violence, and the questions and struggles that led into her research on forgiveness. Maria’s dissertation focuses on forgiveness in the context of the New Testament, the criminal justice system, and post-apartheid South Africa. What does the Bible actually say about forgiveness? Are Christians called to forgive even under the ugliest of circumstances, when there is no possibility of repentance or repair? Are there limits to forgiveness, and where are they? Using her own experience as a touchstone, Maria locates moments of forgiveness that push beyond traditional definitions and open up alternate possibilities for victims.

Maria Mayo, M.Div., M.A., is a Ph.D. candidate at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, where she is writing a dissertation on the ideology of forgiveness in the Department of Religion. Maria served as the co-editor of the Feminist Companion to the New Testament series from 2004 to 2010, and was a research fellow in 2004 at the Auschwitz Jewish Center in Oswiecim, Poland. Maria is a frequent contributor to the religion section of the Huffington Post. She lives in Nashville, TN, where she is an avid cyclist and triathlete.

An Introduction to Bhutan

May 6, 2012 • Ellis Hall

The Kingdom of Bhutan is a landlocked state at the eastern end of Himalayas, bordered on three sides by India. Over the last few years, we have hosted several refugee families from this tiny country. Suk Tamang is a member of our most recent refugee family. He was in a documentary about the expulsion of the Nepali-speaking people from the Bhutan. He is going to share this video and talk about his experiences. Please join us for this very special opportunity to learn more about the country, its people and the plight of political refugees.

May 13: Rector’s forum, Ellis Hall

For more information on any of our ongoing and discussion groups please call the Rev’d Noelle York-Simmons at 404-267-4276 or email The Rev’d Noelle York-Simmons.