Presentations with an asterisk (*) have been recorded. Send email to nuclass.fumco@gmail.com to request a recording. (Click the black gmail address here to get an addressed email to make your request.)
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*December 31, 2023 – LeeAnn Inman and Suzanne Gifford teamed up and brought a 12 days of Christmas program. Suzanne sang and paused after each day, then LeeAnn gave a related scripture meaning for that day’s gift. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/12-31-2023-GiffordInman.jpg
*December 24, 2023 – John Richard spoke about the importance of the Resurrection as related to Christmas. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/12-24-2023-John-Richard.jpg
*December 17,2023 – John Dominic Crossan gave his scholarly analysis of the differences in the Matthew and Luke gospels regarding what happened in Bethlehem at the time of the birth of Jesus Christ. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/12-17-2023-Dom-Crossan.jpg
*December 10, 2023 – Suzanne Gifford organized a Christmas Music Program that that included choir singing, readings, and soloists http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/12-10-2023-Susanne-Gifford.jpg
*December 3, 2023 – Debby Manuel used David Brooks’ article “How America Got Mean” as a focus for discussion of morality in our culture today. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/12-3-2023-Debby-Manuel.jpg
*November 26, 2023 – Doug Barrett, “Theology, Identity and http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/12-3-2023-Debby-Manuel.jpg Me,” Reconciling Ministry video Part 3, summary of the videos http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/11-26-2023-Doug-Barrett.jpg
*November 19, 2023 – Donning one stole after the other, Rev Lee Ann Inman used the colors and embroidered applique meanings of her treasured clerical stoles designed and sewn for her by Jan Richardson to describe the celebrations of the liturgical calendar http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/11-19-2023-Rev-LeeAnn-Inman.jpg
*November 12, 2023 – Doug Barrett, “Theology, Identity and Me” Reconciling Ministry video Part 2 re gender identity and gender expression http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/11-12-2023-Doug-Barrett.jpg
*November 5, 2023 Gale Sussman told the story of her parents survival of the Holocaust, how she was born in their Displaced Person’s Camp in West Germany, and how she and they built their lives in America. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/11-5-2023-Gale-Sussman-speaker.jpg
*October 29, 2023 – Doug Barrett showed a Reconciling Ministry Video and led classroom questions and answers offered by various classroom members present. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/10-29-2023-Doug-Barrett.jpg
*October 22, 2023 – Rev. Ron Lee lived and taught in Lebanon during the 60’s. He is personally connected and has traveled often to this area of the world. He addressed current issues in the Middle East. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/10-22-2023-Ron-Lee-speaker.jpg
*October 15, 2023 – Dr. Judy Weeden Ziffer, discussed the stages that people go through in life, from infancy and ever after, as their faith matures. She described those experienced by her brother Rev. Dr. Theodore (Ted) Weeden and herself. Class members contributed further. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/10-15-2023-Judy-Weeden-Ziffer.jpg
*October 8, 2023 – Shelley Ward, “Living the Questions,” The Prophetic Jesus. What scholars said about Jesus. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/10-8-2023-Shelley-Ward-speaker.jpg
*October 1, 2023 – Dottie Harris led a discussion of Lesson 7 of “Living the Questions,” Out Into the World: Challenges Facing Progressive Christians http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/10-1-2023-Dottie-Harris.jpg
*September 24, 2023 – John Richard continued discussion of discipleship from a distinctly Wesleyan perspective followed by FUMCO Stewardship Chairman Mark Mitchell discussing the status of our proposed budget, and stewardship as giving both inside and outside the Church – to the budget and in ministry to others.
*September 17, 2023 – John Richard introduced stewardship as related to Chapter 4, “Gifts,” which Rev. Jim Harnish discusses in his book “Disciple’s Path.”
*September 10, 2023 – Gail Lippincott, Uppity Women of the Bible, the book of Judith, Part 2. The exciting conclusion of how Judith saves her besieged city and its people http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/9-10-2023-Gail-Lippincott.jpg
*September 3, 2023 – Gail Lippincott, the first half of the Book of Judith, from the Living the Questions series, “Uppity Women of the Bible.” Today the ancient Jewish story of how Judith lets the enemy commander’s appetite for her beauty help her become an instrument of God as she makes plans to save her besieged city and its people. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/9-3-2023-Gail-Lippincott.jpg
*August 27, 2023 – Dr. Rev. Vance Rains led us in his discussion of “Biblical Wisdom… as a Model for Abundant Life.” http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/8-27-2023-Dr-Rev-Vance-Rains.jpg
*August 20, 2023 – Rev. Lee Ann Inman discussing The Book of Psalms http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/8-20-2023-Rev-Lee-Ann-Inman.jpg
*August 13, 2023 – Martha Harriman, board chair of Dave’s House, and her husband Del Harriman, dedicated volunteer, told the history of Dave’s House Residential Community for men and women with serious mental illness and the the development of Orlando’s first Dave’s Community. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/8-13-2023-Martha-Harriman.jpg http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/8-13-2023-Matha-and-Del-Harriman.jpg
*August 6, 2023 – Debby Manuel, First Church Annual Conference delegate, presented the recording of the Bible Study on Romans 15:13 by Dr. Carla Works, at the June Florida Annual Conference, and followed with her own ideas for the people in different ages, committees, classes, and services at First Church to mix together.
*July 30, 2023 – July 30, 2023 – Brett Harrison, Program Manager at Chrysalis Homes, offering quality housing in safe neighborhoods for LGBTQ+ individuals in recovery from substance use. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/7-30-2023-Brett-Harrison.jpg
*July 23, 2023 – Mike Perkins. Discussion of a proposed “Resolution of First Church Community Commitment” http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/7-23-2023-Mike-Perkins.jpg
*July 16, 2023 – Kim Johnson, President/CEO of Florida Impact to End Hunger told of their mission to maximize access to local, state and federal food and nutrition programs focusing on Florida’s most vulnerable populations. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/7-16-2023-Kim-Johnson.jpg
*July 9, 2023 – Video showing of Bishop Berlin’s Address to the 2023 Florida conference http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/7-9-2023-Bishop-Berlin-video.jpg
*July 2, 2023 – Nancy Peed shared conference update/highlights, and Doug Barrett expressed awe and appreciation for being a delegate. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/7-2-2023-Nancy-Peed.jpg http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/7-2-2023-Doug-Barrett.jpg
*June 25, 2023 – June 25, 2023 – Susanne Gifford, Debby Manuel and Marsee Perkins collaborated to present insights from “The Universal Christ” by Richard Rohr. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/6-25-2023-Speakers.jpg
*June 18, 2023 – Mike Perkins summarized the headline topics in the Social Principles of the Methodist Church document. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/6-18-2023-Mike-Perkins-speaker.jpg
*June 11, 2023 -Shelley Ward led a discussion on Living the Questions, Ch. 6,”A Passion for Christ, Paul the Apostle”. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/6-11-2023-Shelley-Ward-speaker.jpg
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*June 4, 2023 – Rebecca Sickles presented Living the Questions, Chapter Five, “Lives of Jesus” by pointing out many varying ways those among us think of Jesus followed by showing the related DVD where scholars discuss the many lives of Jesus in gospels, theologies, and traditions. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/6-4-2023-Rebecca-Sickles.jpg
*May 28, 2023 – Mary Maxwell told the origin, influences, history and Pulse tragedy relationship of the Peace Pole. She accompanied her talk with hundreds of pictures of installation, ceremonies, and gatherings. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/5-28-2023-Mary-Maxwell.jpg
*May 21, 2023 – Using the theme “That Ole Bush Just Keeps on Burning,” Rev Katrina Jenkins, Dean of Religious & Spiritual Life, Rollins College addressed speaking out about injustice and handling injustice situations.
*May 14, 2023 – Shelley Ward reviewed The Good Ancestor by Roman Krznaric about the power of ideas to change society. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/5-14-2023-Shelly-Ward.jpg
*May 7, 2023 – Brandon Wolf, Press Secretary for Equality Florida, shared the initiatives we need to pay close attention to in the fight for equality and justice for all people. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/5-7-2023-Brandon-Wolf.jpg
*April 30, 2023 – Doug Barrett led a discussion of “Living the Questions,” Lesson 8, from the “Restoring Relationships” video series. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/4-30-2023-Doug-Barrett.png
*April 23, 2023 – Shelley Ward. “Living the Questions,” Lesson 12, “Practicing Resurrection.” Video of theologians discussing resurrection followed by classroom discussion. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/4-23-2023-Shelley-presenter.jpg
*April 16, 2023 – Kathleen McLauren held a second discussion of “Should I Stay a Christian” by Brian McLaren. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/4-16-2023-Kathleen-McLauren.jpg
*April 9, 2023 –John Richard led the Easter Sunday concluding March/April discussion of the meaning of Easter. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/4-9-2023-John-Richard.jpg
*April 2, 2023 – John Dominic Crossan met with the class in person and explained his in depth study of the “Easter event” as found in the Bible stories and in vast numbers of both Eastern and Western ancient visual representations of Jesus ascension and resurrection as presented in his recorded visual lectures. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/4-2-2023-Crossan.jpg
*March 26, 2023 – The fourth of the four John Dominic Crossan Easter Stories visual lectures titled “Reconciliation of Eastern & Western Resurrection Traditions” explaining paintings from the 1400s that show both traditions, i.e., below the earth and above the earth, in the same pictures. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/3-26-2023-Speaker.jpg
*March 19, 2023 – The third of the four John Dominic Crossan Easter Stories visual lectures was titled “Eastern Tradition of Universal Resurrection.” Early century pictures depict Anastasis ( the resurrection) in various stages of Jesus pulling Adam and Eve from Hades as he rises from the tomb. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/3-5-2023-John-Dominic-Crossan.jpg
*March 12, 2023 – The second of four of John Dominic Crossan’s Easter Stories visual lectures. The title of this lecture was “The Western Tradition of Universal Resurrection” where Crossan discusses and shows pictures of 5 types of ancient renderings of Jesus resurrection: symbolic, celebrating, universalizing, appearing, ascending. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/3-5-2023-John-Dominic-Crossan.jpg
*March 5, 2023 -The first of four of John Dominic Crossan’s Easter Stories visual lectures. The title of this lecture was “Metaphors for Jesus’ Exaltation” where he discusses the metaphors “ascension” and “resurrection.” http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/3-5-2023-John-Dominic-Crossan.jpg
*February 26, 2023 – Alice Williams, a member of the United Methodist Commission on the Way Forward and a delegate to our next General Conference scheduled for Spring 2024, spoke in detail about church leaders throughout our conference and denomination, stressing our close partnership between Clergy and Laity. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/2-26-2023-Alice-Williams-leader.jpg
*February 19, 2023—-Gail Lippincott discussed why the life of Hildegard of Bingen, 12th century nun known in her day as the “Sibyl of the Rhine,” continues to fascinate. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/2-19-2023-Gail-Lippincott.jpg
*February 12, 2023 – Shelley Ward. “Living the Questions,” Lesson 4, Stories of Creation. Video of theologians discussing creation stories followed by classroom discussion. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/2-12-2023-Shelley.jpg
*February 5, 2023 – Kathleen McLauren discussed Brian McLaren’s book,” Do I Stay Christian? A Guide for the Doubters, the Disaffected, and the Disillusioned“. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/2-5-2023-Kathleen-McLauren.jpg
*January 29, 2023 – Dottie Harris summarized the weekend and speakers at the 2023 Epworth by the Sea conference retreat. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/1-29-2023-Dottie-Harris.png
*January 22, 2023 – Mike Perkins final discussion of “Speaking Christian” by Marcus Borg was a review of all chapters and the conclusion of the book. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/1-22-23-Mike-Perkins.jpg
*January 15, 2023 – Ivor Singer told the history, issues, training, assistance and results of the Inua project in Kenya, an on-going mission of Winter Park United Methodist Church, that is helping build bright futures in the lives of the orphaned and vulnerable children in Naivasha Kenya. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/1-15-2023-Ivor-Singer.jpg
*January 8, 2023 – Guest speaker Sharon Driver, of S & D Enterprises, spoke about her project that provides transition homes for felons. http://nuclass.org/wp-content/uploads/1-8-2023-Sharon-Driver-speaker.jpg
