Adult Classes meet at 9:45 am on Sundays during the program year.
We believe that we are never done learning, especially when it comes to our faith! We offer classes on Sunday mornings (Sept.-May) for adult faith development, taking 3-5 weeks at a time to learn about a particular topic or engage in a Bible study. The classes offered are intentional, thought-provoking, and always open to all.
Current Class Offerings
Dunham Hall Class
Earth Care Emphasis + A Global Outreach Interlude
(Sept. 22 – Oct. 13)
- Sept. 22 – Recycling 101
Confused about what you can put into the recycling bin? Frustrated with all the plastic in your life? Come learn the latest from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and Orange County Solid Waste Management, and then hear about UPC’s NexTrex Plastic Recycling Challenge. - Sept. 29 – Global Outreach Guest Speaker, Dr. Elmarie E-Robinson Parker
Dr. Elmarie E-Robinson Parker, our missionary partner serving in the Middle East, will be visiting our church and giving a presentation on the work being done in that area. This is a rare opportunity to meet Dr Robinson-Parker in person and hear about the work being done in a very difficult environment.
- Oct. 6 – Good News, Planet Earth!
Worried about climate change and what humans have done to God’s creation? Come learn about amazing developments happening worldwide and discuss actionable items we can take to fight climate change and live more sustainably.
- Oct. 13 – Legislative Update
Curious about what the North Carolina legislature is doing about climate change? Come hear Mary Mclean Asbill, director of the North Carolina offices of the Southern Environmental Law Center, tell us what is on the horizon for the upcoming legislative session and what we can do to help protect God’s creation.
Vance Barron Hall Class
False Gospels: How our Politics Can Lead Us to Miss the True Gospel of Christ
(Sept. 22-Oct. 13)
This class will offer an exploration and continued discussion of the false gospels described by Kaitlyn Schiess, drawing from her books The Liturgy of Politics- Spiritual Formation for the Sake of our Neighbor (2020) and The Ballot and the Bible-How Scripture has been used and abused in American politics (2023). No prior reading necessary. Facilitated by Kyle Beardsley and Cindy Murashima
- Sept. 22: The Prosperity Gospel
- Sept. 29: The Security Gospel
- Oct. 6: The Nationalism Gospel
- Oct. 13: The Social Gospel
Upcoming Class Offerings
Dunham Hall Class
Global Outreach (Oct. 20-Nov. 10)
- Oct 20 – Leslie May with an update on UPC’s work with Afghan Refugees
- Oct 27 – Sally Harwood with Ministry of Hope, Lesotho
- Nov 3 – Emily Everett from Hearts with Haiti
- Nov 10 – Nuhad Tomeh, former PCUSA mission coworker serving with partners in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and the Persian Gulf States
Vance Barron Hall Class
Pocket Parables (Oct. 20-Nov. 10)
Led by Jarrett McLaughlin & Meg Peery McLaughlin
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.
