Adult Education
The Adult Education team led by Fred Carlson conducts class in the pews at St. Alban’s between the two Sunday services from 9:30 AM until 10:20 AM from September through May.
All are welcome to attend!
The Saint Alban’s Schedule for
WINTER/SPRING 2023
January 8, 15, 22 2023
Joshua
Joshua picks up the story of the people of God upon the death of Moses and the entry of the Israelites into the land promised by the Lord to
Abraham 600 years earlier. Besides key scripture sections, we will be treated to the exegesis of one of our experienced CBS leaders who recently covered this material.
Class these three weeks led by Dottie Fleming.
January 29, February 5, 12, 19
The Kingdom of Heaven
The Kingdom of Heaven is one of the most glorious proclamations by Jesus Christ throughout the New Testament. As we examine these scriptures we become more and more courageous about living out our lives in this reality. Led by Fred Carlson.
February 26, March 5
The Music and Hymns of Lent
Music Director Deb Silverstein with an overview of the history and theology of the hymns of the Lenten penitential season in the church years. Her Advent presentation was stunning and we know this series will be as powerful!
March 12, 19, 26
Women in the New Testament
These DVD lessons by Dr. Ken Bailey are accessible and lead to compelling discussions on this topic. Dr. Baley examines sets of New Testament scriptures that uphold women in congressional leadership and others that seem contradictory to that viewpoint. The two sets of scriptures do exist! Led by Craig Huntington and the Adult Ed team.
Lenten Program: The Reluctant Convert – March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 – 6 pm – 8 pm
Lenten Soup Dinner and Study and Discussion of the movie “The Reluctant Convert” (the conversion of C.S. Lewis) for the 5 Thursdays in March. The program will include simple soup and bread meals and viewing/discussion segments.
April 2 (Palm Sunday)
The Last Sayings of Jesus
Fred Carlson leads this popular 360-degree look at the four Gospel accounts of the Crucifixion and points out the increasing layers of Truth shown in the texts: they are not contradictory, but beautifully unveil in sequence their greater detail and meaning.
NO CLASS EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 9
April 16, May 21
The Examples of the Apostles
Adult Ed team member Lawrence Silverstein leads these two sessions on the scriptural record of the individual apostles, and their examples for us as bearers of the Gospel in our communities. Recognition Sunday (May 21) expresses our thankfulness for our team leaders and also our class attendees’ faithfulness in the Word.
April 23, 30
Unique to the Gospel of Mark
Adult Ed team member Tim Lyon focuses us on aspects of Mark’s Gospel that are unique to that account of the Lord Jesus’ ministry on earth.
May 7, 14
Rector’s Choice
Rev. Dr. David H. Grissom leads these two weeks on a select theme: TBA.
Prior Classes – Fall/ Winter 2022
September – December 2022
September 11, 18, 25
Bible 101: For New Bible Readers & Experienced Bible Readers Alike
A three-week primer to de-mystify the experience of reading the Bible. For newbies and experienced readers who could all use a refresher on canonicity, translations, the authors, the books, and how to approach your personal Bible reading. There is an ‘Anglican Way’ of encountering the scriptures that will be covered. How was the lectionary cycle developed for daily reading and for Sunday lessons? What does “the Word of God” and “inspired by the Holy Spirit” mean? The course includes an easy-to-follow PowerPoint as well as handout examples and lessons.
Led by Fred Carlson of Saint Alban’s Adult Education team-a past member of retired Archbishop Emeritus Robert W. Duncan’s Biblical Literacy Task Force.
October 2, 30
The Short Epistles: 1 Peter and Jude
Adult Ed team member Tim Lyon leads two brief studies on 1 Peter and Jude to bookend the lessons on the Intertestamental Books presented by Rev. Grissom on the other Sundays in October.
October 9, 16, 23
The Intertestamental Books
These lessons will highlight the work that Rev. David H. Grissom did this past sabbatical period at Trinity School for Ministry. The sources and the widespread understanding in the Jewish world of these writings as lessons to teach the growing influential Greek culture between Malachi (ending the Hebrew scriptures) and Matthew (beginning the New Testament) make these “read for example of life and instruction of manners, but yet doth not apply them to establish any doctrine.” These writings, called the Apocrypha, have been selected for certain readings in our Sunday and daily lectionaries in the Anglican Church in North America due to their value in instruction. Led by Rev. Dr. David H. Grissom.
November 6, 13, 20
The Resurrection
A three-part DVD series produced by noted New Testament scholar Anglican N.T. Wright. Wright’s insights on the Resurrection accounts have had world-wide impact, especially in contrast with any other legendary accounts from other religious or mythological systems. Come be inspired that your ‘faith is not in vain.’ Presented by Craig Huntington of the adult ed team.
November 28-No Adult Ed*
No Adult Education Class on the Sunday after Thanksgiving-Advent 1.
December 4, 11, 18
Advent Sundays
Special Advent Series: Presented in three parts.
December 4: The Ultimate Questions of Advent Part One (presented by Fred Carlson)
December 11: Happy New Year! Advent Hymnody and the Hymnal 1982 (presented by music director/choir director/organist Deborah Silverstein)
December 18: The Ultimate Questions of Advent Part Two (presented by Fred Carlson)
No Adult Ed* class December 25 or January 1, 2023.
Saint Alban’s Additional Bible Studies 2022 – 2023
Saint Alban’s Women’s Ministry (SAW)
St. Alban’s Women (SAW) is a multi-generational group of Christian women who meet for Fellowship and Bible Study on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Our group includes young women, active mothers, empty nest mothers, and wise grandmothers. All of us love the Lord. We hold our Bible Study Meetings virtually with several opportunities for face-to-face fellowship throughout the year.
SAW Bible Study: SAW will begin meeting virtually the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month in September, October, November (1st Tuesday).
St Alban’s Women Virtual Bible Study Fall Schedule: September Meeting Dates 9/13 and 9/27. October Meeting dates 10/11 and 10/25. November date 11/8, no second meeting in November. December 12/13 in-person eucharist and cookie exchange.
Please join St. Alban’s Women this Fall as we begin a Bible study based on David Jeremiah’s book, Why the Nativity. If you long for a more Christ-centered Christmas this study will focus your mind on “the reason for the season”. We will be examining prophecies about Christ, scripture about the birth of Christ, and why Christ is coming again.
The book, Why the Nativity, is available for $2 a copy. Please sign up in the Narthex for a book and to join the study. The study is virtual and the Zoom Meeting Link will be emailed a few days before each meeting. Questions? Call or text Kathy Pierce 724-516-9078.
Saint Alban’s Men’s Group (SAMs)
St. Alban’s Men’s Group (SAMs) meets every Friday morning from 8am to 9:30am for Bible study, breakfast, prayer, and fellowship at Dick’s Diner, Rt 22 Murrysville. If you wish to join us via cell phone connection for the discussion time let us know! We use Bible studies with an Anglican perspective by noted authors N.T. Wright, John Stott, Tim Keller, J.I. Packer, and others. SAMs are currently reading a Judges study by Tim Keller. Questions? Fred Carlson (412) 389-3289 or fred@carlsonstudio.com.
Bishop of Pittsburgh Alex Cameron’s Visitation/Reception
June 11, 2023
Confirmation Class Offered and Adult Reception
Adults desiring reception into the Anglican Communion can be received at this service, please discuss with Rector Grissom asap regarding your desire.
The new Bishop Rt. Reverend Alex Cameron will be working with our confirmands during education hour and will celebrate the Confirmation Rite at second service.
If you have youth in your household between the ages of 12 and 18 who wish to declare their faith publicly at confirmation please let Father David know so we can schedule them into the next set of youth sessions beginning March 5 through May 28.
Confirmation Classes March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14 finally Decision for Confirmation May 28 Sundays noon-2pm
Adult Education starts September 11!
Please click the following link to see the current Booklet: SaintAlbansAdultEdBooklet2022-2023
Children's Christian Education
The Children’s Christian Education, under the direction of Diane Kaufmann and her team work with the children each Sunday morning at 9:30 AM in the church hall from September through May. Classes include studies for children from pre-school through college to build on a Christian foundation that each student can rely on to help them through their time away from home as young adults.
In addition to the Sunday classes, Diane and her team facilitate a yearly week of Vacation Bible School (VBS). Children from throughout the community come to learn in a fun and interactive environment. Stay tuned for this year’s dates!
Christian Education for Children at St. Alban’s
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
Struggling to meet the needs of the children of St. Alban’s in an increasingly secular society, the goal of our Sunday School remains focused on helping all students, from pre-school through college, grow in faith and love of God’s Word. Classes meet on Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM.
The Elementary class follows the Biblical-based curriculum What’s in the Bible? while exploring all 66 books of the Bible. Examining the Bible and dividing it into specific sections, the children study the Old Testament books of law, history, poetry, wisdom and the major and minor prophets, while considering the New Testament books of the Gospels, church history, the epistles, and prophesy. Sunday morning lessons consist of a children’s chapel service, video supplements, a morning snack, games, and crafts.
The Senior Class, under the tutelage of Kathy Pierce, Elaine Griesheimer, Jessica Sikora, Bob Birdseye, Fred Carlson, Anita Little, and Diane Kaufmann, explore a wide variety of curriculum materials, from internet resources produced by the Open Church, to current movies, to a complete DVD series based on the life of Jesus. We are so grateful to both our staff and parents who work hard to insure that our teens connect with God’s Word.
While education is the primary focus of the Sunday School, we also strive to provide opportunities for service and fellowship. Once a month the children of the Sunday School gather for a service project. This year the children enjoyed packing College Care Packages, making stationery sets for veterans at the Fisher House, sponsoring the Operation Christmas Child shoebox, organizing Project Hope, gathering warm outerwear and toiletries for the Blackburn Women’s Shelter, filling pretzel treat bags for residents at a local senior citizens facility, collecting donations for Heifer International, and stuffing Birthday Bags for Loaves and Fishes. The children’s offering each Sunday is used to support two children through Compassion International: Josiane from Brazil and Gurmesa from Ethiopia.
Whether gathering for fellowship during the annual inter-generational ice cream social, Share-Your-Heart Sunday, making pretzels during Lent, searching for eggs during the Love Sunday Easter Egg Hunt, competing in the Sunday School’s Who’s First quiz shows, enjoying the Recognition Sunday picnic, playing with friends at VBS, or celebrating Christmas with a birthday party for baby Jesus, the children of St. Alban’s experience fun and fellowship as an important part of the Sunday school program.
The staff encourages visitors and welcomes all parents who wish to bring their children to Sunday School for Christian education, fun, and fellowship! Please call the church office for more information.
Diane Kaufmann
Sunday School Director
