Adult Education

Adult Classes meet at 9:45 am on Sundays during the program year.

Dunham Hall Class

Faith in Plain Sight
(Feb. 18-March 24)

Join us in Lent as we hear the stories of fellow church members as they are articulate where their faith and life have been woven together. Everyday saints will be gently interviewed, exploring different threads each week, such as: work, health, family, current issues, community engagement. This class will be recorded and uploaded to the UPC podcast.

  • Feb. 18: Anne Scaff
  • Feb. 25: Carolyn Karpinos
  • March 3: Sandy Alexander
  • March 10: Bob Slater
  • March 17: Molly Morgan
  • March 24: Palm Sunday Pastor Panel (Berry French, Jarrett McLaughlin, Erin Collier, Meg Peery McLaughlin, Nancy Myer, Hadley Kifner)
     Vance Barron Hall Class

    Cross Talk
    (Feb. 18-March 17)

    Join this Lenten study of Good Friday and Easter, led by Rick Osmer. We will explore the saving significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The theme of reconciliation will be prominent. This will be a discussion-oriented class that explores theology and scripture in relation to everyday life.

    Upcoming Classes

    Dunham Hall Class

    Wonderfully Made
    (April 7-May 5)

    Our Christian identity tells us that we are children of God, created on purpose, and blessed as good. To live fully into that identity, we are called to practice being good stewards of our minds, bodies, and spirits – and to share that health and wholeness with the world. Toward this end, the Mental Health Task Force has curated a 5-week education block representing a variety of topics, each relating to an issue that causes anxiety, confusion, shame, or fear. Local experts with professional insight will guide us through each 1-hour long session, including time for questions and resource recommendations. The aim of these sessions is for us to face dynamic and sometimes difficult subject matter with each other, our shared faith, and hope in the good news of the Gospel. Spread the word, invite a neighbor or friend, and plan to come to one, some, or all the sessions! 

    • April 7 – Embracing our LGBTQIA+ Children
      Dr. Lew Lampiris (retired Associate Dean of the UNC Dental school, UPC member and half of the first same gender couple to be married in our sanctuary) will help us understand the evolving language of sexual identity and gender, and explore how to create a safe and supportive environment for children identifying as part of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or other community. Research suggests that acceptance of LGBTQIA+ youth decreases the risk of negative physical and mental health outcomes.


    • April 14 – It’s Not What’s Wrong with You- It’s What Happened to You: Trauma, Stress, and the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences
      James Osborn (Licensed Psychologist and Director of Community Education for Alliance Health) will explain the research around ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and discuss how responding with compassion to children, adults, and families who have experienced trauma can give them the tools they need to cope, adapt, build resiliency, and thrive.

       

    • April 21 – Cognitive Aging: What we Fear and What we Know
      Dr. Dan G. Blazer (Professor Emeritus of Duke Psychiatry and Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development) will discuss the normal cognitive changes in memory, knowledge, and reaction time associated with aging and recommend some non-medical interventions to slow those changes down.

       

    • April 28 – Body Image and Eating Disorders  
      Jessica Beardsley (Registered Dietician, member of International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals and UPC member) will outline various eating disorders, how diet culture and weight stigma can negatively impact mental health, and how the grace of God can transform our relationships with our bodies.
       
    • May 5 – Rethinking the Blame Game: Moving Beyond Mental Illness and Violence
      Dr. Eric Elbogen (Clinical-Forensic Psychologist and Professor of Psychiatry at Duke) will discuss the intricate link between violence and mental health, debunking the myth that mass shootings can be blamed on mental illness alone. He will also discuss what can be done to prevent violence in general.
     Vance Barron Hall Class

    Practicing the Way
    (April 7-May 5)

    Join us in a study and discussion led by Ed and Nancy Preston and Robert Owen of John Mark Comer’s latest book Practicing the Way. Many of you may know Comer from his New York Times bestseller The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry which offered a compelling, emotional and spiritual case against hurry and in favor of a slower, simpler way of life. In Practicing the Way, Comer argues that we are constantly being formed by the world around us – instead of being formed by Christ. Comer offers three goals for us in becoming apprentices to Christ: 1) Be with Jesus, 2) Be like him, and 3) Do as he did. We will discuss the various practices that Comer believes are necessary to not just be a “Christian”, but to be a true disciple or apprentice to Christ. Copies of the book will be available before the class starts.

    UPC Podcast

    Along with our sermons, we record and upload select Sunday School classes – click the icon to check out the UPC Podcast, and hit subscribe so you don’t miss an episode!

    UPC Adult Education Mission Statement

    Adopted August 20, 2015

    According to Matthew, Jesus said the greatest commandment is, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

    We at University Presbyterian Church, as part of God’s people in the Reformed tradition, seek to love God and our neighbors through educational opportunities that:

    *are rooted in the Bible and present topics through a Christian “lens of faith”

    *incorporate theology professed by the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the Reformed tradition

    *integrate worship, study, and service

    *nurture spiritual exploration and development

    *encourage faithful living in concert with Christ’s mission

    *welcome participants of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs

    *respect and welcome other denominations and faiths

    An essential function of a congregation is to provide educational opportunities that challenge people of all ages to become more aware of and to discern God’s call. We believe such study should touch upon all aspects of our lives as individuals and as a church community, informing our mission and enhancing our worship of God.