Join preeminent New Testament scholars Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan on location in Turkey as they trace the Apostle Paul's footsteps throughout the Roman Empire. This 12-session DVD and web-based study explores fresh insights into Paul's message of the Kingdom of God, its challenge to Roman imperial theology, and the apostle's radical relevance for today. Filmed in High-Definition across Turkey, Greece, and Italy. Participant Guide written by John Dominic Crossan.

 

 

Energy, Intimacy & Hymnody.

July 4-September 5, 2010

 

Energy: We are lowering our utility expenses by moving into the chapel this summer. This expression of stewardship is environmentally responsible. Intimacy: The chapel is the church's original sanctuary built in 1954; for many members, it is coming home. Also, the space encourages a close, friendly atmosphere.  Hymnody: Though the choir is taking a summer sabbatical (so as to return rested in the fall), the chapel invites lively congregational singing from the Baptist Hymnal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you want your child to be a world traveler?
 
Camp HopScotch will whisk your child away for some Summer adventures!  Your child may get shipwrecked, become a clown in a traveling circus or end up in Vegas!  You just never know!
 
July 19-23; 26-30
 
Applications are available in the preschool office.
 
 

by Chelsea Clarke
Ke Hong
Peace Corps Volunteer
China 16
 
I have enjoyed hearing from all of you!  There are so many wonderful and exciting things happening in each of your lives, and I am so glad that I can continue to be a part of it, even at such a long distance!
 
I have been in China for 14 days, but it seems like an eternity!  A typical week's schedule consists of a total of 24 hours of language training, 9 hours of TEFL training, 4 hours of cross-cultural training, and several "mini" sessions in between.  On top of all of this I am still learning to live with my host family (although they have been absolutely wonderful), study and do my language homework, and write lesson plans (which I've never done before).  So, it's easy to see why it feels like I have been there forever!
 
This week there has been special emphasis placed on the TEFL aspect of training, because Model School starts next week.  The Peace Corps has arranged for (maybe bribed, or tricked) Chinese students to be our guinea pigs as we practice our newly acquired teaching skills.  During Model School volunteers are paired up, and together they must come up with two weeks of lesson plans.  Our assignment is to teach Oral English, and we alternate teaching/observing days, with days 1 and 10 being team-teaching days.  Each class session lasts 90 minutes, and our evaluations will have an impact on our permanent site placement.  Translation: there is a lot of pressure placed on us during these next two weeks!!!  But, I have a great partner, and we our theme is American Entertainment (sports, music, parties, going to dinner, amusement parks, dating...), so I think we will do well.
 
I was able to take a bit of a break from all the work this weekend, which was definitely a welcomed rest!  I took a day-trip to the Yellow Dragon and the Wuhouci Museum with my host family! Both have been documented with pictures on my blog: http://chelseaclarke.weblog.com.  Be sure to check out the newest entries of my Food Journal---definitely and experience!
 
For those of you interested in learning a bit more about the beginning of Peace Corps' work in China, I encourage you to check out the book River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze River, by Peter Hessler.
 
 In 1996, 26-year-old Peter Hessler arrived in Fuling, a town on China's Yangtze River, to begin a two-year Peace Corps stint as a teacher at the local college. Along with fellow teacher Adam Meier, the two are the first foreigners to be in this part of the Sichuan province for 50 years. Expecting a calm couple of years, Hessler at first does not realize the social, cultural, and personal implications of being thrust into a radically different society. In River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze, Hessler tells of his experience with the citizens of Fuling, the political and historical climate, and the feel of the city itself.
 
http://www.amazon.com/River-Town-Years-Yangtze-P-S/dp/0060855029/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279121777&sr=1-3 
  
I hope you will all continue to keep me informed about your daily happenings.  I may be a little slow to respond, but perhaps I am integrating into western-Chinese culture :)
 
Best wished for the remainder of the week!