Christian Education programs at Lexington Presbyterian Church seek to provide a broad range of opportunities for spiritual growth through which we can deepen our faith, live more fully into the new life we have in Christ, and live more faithfully in our relationships and vocations.
Adult Sunday School Class Offerings
*All classes will meet at 9:45AM in person beginning on September 18 unless otherwise noted.
For further information about any of our Adult Offerings please contact: Rev. Kelly-Ann Rayle.
New members are welcome and encouraged to join our classes at any time.
"A.S.K." (Ask-Seek-Knock) Class
Facilitated by Ann Massie, Sunday 9:45AM (September-May), 8:45AM (June only). The class will begin on January 16th at 9:45AM on Zoom.
Beginning in January 2022, the ASK Class will be taking up the exciting task of Understanding the New Testament. The teacher will be David Brakke, who holds the Joe. R. Engle Chair in the History of Christianity and is a professor of History at Ohio State University. The class will view him on video from The Great Courses. These half-hour lectures will leave the class with another 30 minutes to discuss. Dr. Brakke begins the series with a discussion of how the New Testament came to assume its form of 27 books, and the Jewish origins that formed Jesus' own religious background and against which Christianity developed. He then proceeds to talk about the books of the New Testament in the order of their composition, beginning with the letters of Paul. This chronological examination results in an understanding of the history, thinking, and practices of the early Church. This will be a fascinating course that will help us to better understand our own faith and its traditions.
Koinonia Class
This class is facilitated by Jan Hathorn and will meet on both in-person in Room 113, and on Zoom Sundays at 9:45AM beginning January 16, 2022.
Through various written materials, this class engages in discussions that attempt to make our faith current and alive right where we are. Beginning in January 2022, the Koinonia Class will read Searching for Sunday by Racheal Held Evans.
Like millions, Evans didn't want to go to church anymore. They hypocrisy, the politics, the gargantuan building budgets, the scandals -- church culture seemed so far removed from Jesus. Yet, despite her cynicism and misgivings, something kept drawing her back to Church. And so she set out on a journey to understand the Church and to find her place in it. Evans' quest takes readers through a liturgical year with stories about baptism, communion, confirmation, confession, marriage, vocation, and death that are funny, heartbreaking, and sharply honest. This book is an invitation to give a heartfelt ode to the past and hopeful gaze into the future of what it truly means to be a part of the Church.
Parents of School-Aged Children and Young Adult Class
Our curriculum for the 2021-22 year is PC(USA)'s Feasting on the World, based upon Revised Common Lectionary. Each week the class will explore a different Bible passage aligned with the lectionary and with the children's Sunday School classes. The class will discuss the implications of the passage for our lives and share our common experiences as parents. There is no homework or outside reading associated with this class, and all lessons can stand on their own, which allows for those with busy schedules to come to the class when they are available. The class will meet in the Noel Library and will begin a few minutes after the Children's Sunday School classes (9:45AM) and will end in time for parents to pick up their children after class.
This class is facilitated by Abbott Keesee and will meet in person each Sunday in the Noel Library, room 111, once the children return to in-person Sunday School. The anticipated start date for this class is January 16.
The Theology Class promotes serious discussion of important theological issues. Everyone contributes their own views as we work to understand texts by leading theologians. All who are interested in exploring and wrestling with the theological questions are welcome to attend, and particularly new members.
This Fall the group will "re-start" the H. Richard Niebuhr book, The Responsible Self. The great Theologian's delineation of the principles and fundamental character of the moral life focuses on the idea of responsibility as a guiding ideal.
This class is facilitated by Lad Sessions. Start date is TBD.
Mid-Week Offerings
Campus Ministry "Exploration" Class
This class will be facilitated by the Campus Ministry teaching team (Rich Bidlack, Ann Massie, Julie Hammond, and Liz Ramsey). The class will resume on January 20, 2022 and meet each Thursday for dinner at 5:45pm in Dunlap Auditorium followed by study and reflection at 6:15pm in room D-2.
This mid-week class will engage in a classic this winter - Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. In this classic, Lewis, arguably the most important writer of the 20th century, explores the common ground upon which all of those of the Christian faith stand together. Bringing together Lewis' legendary broadcast talks during World War II from his three previous books, The Case for Christianity, Christian Behavior, and Beyond Personality, Mere Christianity provides an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear this powerful apologetic for the Christian faith.
Lectio Bible Study
Lectio Divina is the practice of reading scripture, meditating, and praying. Traditionally, it has four separate steps: read, meditate, pray, contemplate. It is not intended to be a study of God's Word but rather a way for each person reading or meditating to experience God's Word for them. We invite you to experience this contemplative time of listening, meditation and discussion with us.
Find more information about the Lectio Divina practice at Lexington Presbyterian.
This class is facilitated by Mary Ellena Ward and meets each Tuesday at 10AM in person in room 113 or on Zoom. For more information please contact Mary Ellena at meward@termineigh.com.
Leah Circle
The Leah Circle meets in person monthly from September through June. There are about 30 members, but the generally about half that number is in attendance at any given meeting. Ruth Circle has decided this year to join up with Leah Circle. Everyone enjoys the fellowship and Bible Study. There is no firm structure to the Leah Circle at Lex Pres, and participation is welcoming and casual.
Leah Circle has a coordinating person to handle all communications and scheduling. Members take turns voluntarily leading the monthly discussion that follows the Upper Room Disciplines book of daily devotions, or address a topic that is current and relevant. In past years Ruth Circle has followed the Presbyterian Women's Bible Study, so some combination of that and the Upper Room Disciplines will likely evolve.
Leah Circle also coordinates and supports several projects in the Church and our community, such as Christmas cookie baking for shut-ins, the Jesse Tree, and Habitat builds. Leah Circle takes a voluntary monetary contribution. Decisions about spending and need are jointly determined by members.
Leah's Circle meets the second Wednesday of the month at 2PM in various locations. It is in Circles that acquaintances become good friends and a support group - please feel free to visit Leah Circle to see if it fits your time and interests. For more information please contact Debbie Pollard at (703) 919-1386.
Explore Class
This class meets at various times throughout the year for three sessions to do just what the name implies, explore. We spend time considering what it means to be Christian, what it means to be a Presbyterian Christian, and finally what it means to be a member of the Lexington Presbyterian Church. This class is truly an occasion to explore. When the classes are concluded the hope is that you will choose to join this church...but that is not a foregone conclusion. Anyone interested in knowing more about our theological background is encouraged to explore together. For more information about when the class will be scheduled, contact Tom Groome.
Special Events
Festival of Faith
In April of 2021 the Adult Education Subcommittee plans to hosts a weekend “Festival of Faith” with a special theme and speaker and invites the entire community to attend. Past programs have included topics such as Christian spirituality, the Christian responsibility for the environment and the different faces of Christianity in a changing world. Click here to read about our past Festival of Faith Speakers and topics.
Learning through Teaching
The Adult Education classes are not the only way you can learn. You can be a teacher to our children or youth, and through this ministry, honor your baptismal vows and emulate Jesus the Rabbi. The relationships developed with teachers remain with young people into their adult years. Our teachers are fun! Get with the fun crowd! Our young people need you! If you feel called to be a part of our teaching ministries, please call the Church or contact Rev. Tom Groome.