Wednesdays, beginning Oct 22, 4:00 p.m., we will have an opportunity for fellowship, food, a movie, and discussion. The airing of the video will be in our Fellowship Hall, but the meal to follow may be (at the group's discretion) pot luck, ordered in, or at the NY Cafe, a favorite for many members of our congregation.

Discussions will be led and moderated by Daryl Taylor-Hazel.

A list of movies to be aired has not been finalized at this time, though we do plan to see "For the Bible Tells Me So" on Oct 29.

Wider Horizons events are scheduled on an occasional basis, usually on a Sunday morning, immediately following worship, and sometimes (rarely) on a Saturday or weekday. These events are intended to broaden our horizons and understanding about some specific issue or interest and may or not be overtly "religious." Some recent events have been:

• The Guardian Ad Litem program in the local court system, where volunteers provide advocacy for children and teens.
• The work of Christian Social Services, a Leesburg ministry of assistance to persons in need and one of our community service partners.
• Q&A with UCC Conference Staff members.
• An Introduction to Islam.
• What "ONA" is all about in UCC churches.

Each Sunday an opportunity is provided for young children (toddlers through early elementary) to experience age-appropriate worship and education.

Children not only have an opportunity to worship, but to learn the "whys and wherefores" of Christian Worship. Also, in each session there is an opportunity to learn a story about Bible characters or about an important Christian teaching.

We use a modified form of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-based approach to experential, wholistic learning and growing.

Last January, 14 PUCC members travelled to St. Simon's Island, Georgia, to Epworth-by-the-Sea, to spend time with UCC theologian Walter Brueggemann and Episcopal Priest and Educator, Barbara Brown Taylor.

January Adventure 2009 has just been announced, featuring Theologian Marcus Borg and Researcher Diana Butler Bass. CLICK HERE for more information and registration details. (Note: you must register separately for the Conference and for Lodging.)

Be sure to register early, because 1,500 seats go fast! There are actually two identical conferences. One runs Friday-Sunday; the second, Monday-Wednesday. PUCC tries to have our folk all register for the Monday-Wednesday session.

As part of a new educational endeavor, called Pilgrims' Institute for Religious Enquiry and Theological Study (PIRETS), we are offering courses with serious theological and educational content for those who want much more than the classic "Sunday School experience." These courses are of different lengths and are offered at different times.

Some of our courses have a "DVD component" whereby our "faculty presenters" include world-class theologians, pastors, and teachers. This faculty includes: John Cobb, Tex Sample, Walter Brueggemann, John Dominic Crossan, John Shelby Spong, Nancy Ammermann, and Emilie Townes.

Eclipsing Empire is a 12-session series on Paul, Rome, and the Kingdom of God. This class meets each Sunday at 8:30 a.m., beginning Oct. 5.

Join preeminent New Testament scholars Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan on location in Turkey, Greece, and Italy, 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.

 Living the Questions, three study courses in Progressive Theology and Interpretation are offered at different times during the year. Guest Faculty (via DVD) include John Spong, Marcus Borg, Nancy Ammerman, Dominic Crossan, and a host of other theologians and teachers.

Each 60-minute session includes a 20-minute presentation by the guest speakers, followed by a discussion of the topic for the day. Topics involve taking new looks at Scripture and interpretation, theology, and "doing church" in the 21st Century. The course is open to members and non-members. Coffee and refreshments are available. Check the Living the Questions website for more information.

The first 7-week course, "Invitation to Journey," (PT101) is the introduction to progressive theology basic course. Persons taking the course may elect to extend the discussion over dinner at a local restaurant.

The second 7-week course, "Reclaiming the World," (PT102) examines several theological issues including Interpreting Jesus, the "Rapture," and Christian Ecology. PT100 or PT101 is strongly recommended as a prerequisite.

The third 7-week course, "Call to Covenant," (PT103) expands the themes of the first two courses and calls participants into serious commitment. PT102 is strongly recommended as a prerequisite.

Besides our Pastors and local educators, we draw on the knowledge, wisdom, and insights provided by our Progressive Christianity faculty who come to us principally via DVD presentations. If you'd care to meet some of them, click the play button to play this video:

If you'd like to see and hear more from our faculty, on specific topics, please CLICK HERE to check out the video clip library. Also, some of them occasionally visit our area for in-person events, or to St. Simons Island, to teach in the January Adventure series.