COMPANION CLASSES
For the most part, there are no prerequisites to any of these classes. Please check each class for specifics. See our Current Schedule page for a listing of all courses and events. For course tuitions, see the Registration Page.
WINTER/SPRING 2012 COMPANION CLASSES
IMPROVING OUR ACOUSTICS FOR HEARING THE GOSPEL
Tuesdays from 12:30–2 p.m. beginning January 17 for 10 weeks
Based on his many years as a chaplain at Greensboro Urban Ministry, the Rev. Frank Dew will lead a discussion around his own book, Improving Our Acoustics for Hearing the Gospel, a compilation of his writings on Servant Leadership, including such topics as call, community, prayer, being with the poor and engaging the powers. The class begins at 12:30 p.m. at the service for the guests at Greensboro Urban Ministry and then transitions into a time for discussion.
Location: Greensboro Urban Ministry, 305 West Lee Street
Led by: The Rev. Frank Dew
CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER
Wednesdays from 12–1 p.m. beginning January 18 for 12 weeks
We will meditate in silence for 20 minutes. Together, we will become a community as we explore being Present to the love of God together. All levels of seekers are most welcome.
Location: The Upper Room, 211 West Fisher Avenue
Led by: Ruth D. Anderson, Ph.D. and members of the servant leadership community
"The power of this prayer lies in the consent.” Cynthia Bourgeault
BOOK STUDY: NAKED SPIRITUALITY: A LIFE IN GOD IN 12 SIMPLE WORDS
Wednesdays from 1:30—4:00 p.m. beginning January 18 for 12 weeks
In preparation for Brian McLaren’s visit in April of 2012, this class will provide a safe place for people to inquire, share, tell their stories and learn in a spirit of acceptance, caring and encouragement. We will be using Brian McLaren’s book, Naked Spirituality, as our basis for discussion and exploration. There will be time to share where we are on our own spiritual journeys with a focus on our personal responses to the book. Time will be spent in prayer and other spiritual practices taken from the readings.
Location: Lineweaver Room, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
Led by: Paul C. Volk, MSW, Spiritual Director
MEN'S SPIRITUALITY GROUP
Wednesdays from 5:30–8p.m. beginning January 18 for 12 weeks
The Men’s Spirituality Group provides a safe place for men to inquire, share, and learn in a spirit of acceptance, caring, and encouragement – a place where we can speak truths from our hearts, tell our stories, explore our spiritual lives and our relation with God, ourselves and others, and an avenue to becoming Wise Men and Sages. The group will begin with a meal together at 5:30 p.m. (bring your own or purchase a takeout meal from Holy Trinity’s kitchen, available beginning at 5:30 p.m.). Our time is devoted to checking in on where we are in our journey with ourselves and God, a time of study, and a time of prayer.
Location: Roe Library
Led by: Paul C. Volk, MSW, Spiritual Director
DISCUSSION GROUP: TRANSITIONING TO A MORE RESILIENT FUTURE
Wednesdays from 6:00–8p.m. beginning January 18
This group will meet each week to discuss and learn about the issues facing us as we “transition” to a life with fewer natural resources. Meetings will rotate each month between viewing of a film, a book discussion, a re-skilling event and a speaker or other planned activity. We will eat together at 6 p.m. (bring your own or purchase a takeout meal from Holy Trinity’s kitchen), then transition into our program. This group is open to anyone who has an interest in transitioning to a more resilient future. One can attend all meetings or select those which are of interest.
Location: The Café, 211 West Fisher Avenue
Led by: Transition Greensboro
For more information see www.TransitionGreensboro.ning.com
PRAYERFUL YOGA: HEALING MIND AND BODY
Thursdays from 9:15–10:30 a.m. beginning January 19 for 12 weeks
“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) Prayerful Yoga offers a time to wholeheartedly surrender to the present moment, linking breath with movement and encouraging awareness of the body’s internal landscape. When we become present in our bodies, we are able to release the tension and emotions that are stored there, resulting in a profound effect on the quality of our spiritual connectedness. Each class includes a meditation or prayer to enhance the contemplative nature of the physical practice. The gentle yoga postures are suitable for all body types and levels of yoga experience. Please bring a mat and a firm blanket.
Location: Roe Library, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
Led by: Kishie Wyatt, Registered Yoga Therapist
WRITING AS CO-CREATING
Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m. beginning January 19 for 6 weeks
In this six-week class, we will more deeply explore participants' unshaped material for vivid writing. A powerful means of spiritual development, writing offers ways to explore oneself as one creates gifts for the world. Nobel Prize-winning novelist Toni Morrison put it this way: "Struggling through the work is extremely important, more important to me than publishing it. If I didn't do this, then I would be a part of the chaos." Open to all writers, beginning and experienced, in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere.
Location: The Café, 211 West Fisher Avenue
Led by: Ellen Summers, Ph.D.
SACRED ACTIVISM: BEING PRESENT TO CHILDREN IN POVERTY
January 30, February 27, March 26, April 30 and May 28, 2012 from 4–6 p.m.
Come to any of our monthly meetings to hear about our work with children in poverty in our community. We go to a local community housing environment and offer after-school programming two times a week. Come and see if this might be a volunteer opportunity that is life-giving for you at this point in your life.
Location: First Floor Conference Room, 211 West Fisher Avenue
Facilitated by: Ruth D. Anderson, Ph.D. and other spiritual activists
"The state of the world is most visible in the state of its children." Raffi Cavoukian
BOOK STUDY: THE GREAT DISRUPTION
Mondays 7:00—9:00 p.m. beginning January 23 for 8 weeks
Dr. Ben Ramsey, professor in the Religious Studies Department at UNCG, will guide the conversation about our collective future together based upon the book The Great Disruption. Paul Gilding, author of the book, offers a stark examination of the challenge humanity faces and yet also provides a deeply hopeful message. Gilding describes how, in the coming decades, we will see loss, suffering, and conflict as our current planetary life is unsustainable. However, Gilding contends that this time will also bring out the best humanity can offer: compassion, innovation, resilience, and adaptability. Gilding tells us how to fight-and win-what he calls The One Degree War to prevent catastrophic warming of the earth, and how we can start right now both individually and collectively.
Location: The Café, 211 West Fisher Avenue
Led by: Ben Ramsey, Ph.D.
