village u community classesThe Fall 2022 Village U catalog is a wide umbrella encompassing our adult learning opportunities in one, easy-to-find location. Village Presbyterian Church is a learning community with a long-standing commitment to providing opportunities for adults of all ages to grow in knowledge and faith together. Please join us!
This fall we are offering a mix of in-person and online classes. For any questions about these courses and adult faith formation at Village Church, please contact Laura Hobbs, coordinator for Adult Faith Formation, at laura.hobbs@villagepres.org. fall 2022 VILLAGE U course catalogYou may download a PDF of the course catalog to view or print or browse class offerings in the menu below.
al - art & leisure
AL.001 monday handworks and e-works9:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Sept. 19-Dec. 12, Room 127
Enjoy community and fellowship while doing those projects you want to finish but can never seem to find the time to complete. You will see everything from crocheting to recipe organizing to catching up on phone calls and emails while your children enjoy making new friends and participating in fun, creative activities in a wonderful child care setting. For more information, email artminvpc@gmail.com. Class will not meet Nov. 21. Child care reservations required. May only register for one Handworks and E-Works class per semester and must stay in building while child is in child care. AL.002 boomerangsJudy Bliss
10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays, year-round, Room 307 The Boomerangs welcome women to join them in fellowship and fun as they work on a range of projects from knitting, rug hooking and needle pointing, to balancing a checkbook. This group is designed for Baby Boomers and older. Email jbbliss53@aol.com for more information. AL.003 WEDNESDAY HANDWORKS & E-WORKS9:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 21-Dec. 14, Room 133
Enjoy community and fellowship while doing those projects you want to finish but can never seem to find the time to complete. You will see everything from crocheting to recipe organizing to catching up on phone calls and emails while your children enjoy making new friends and participating in fun, creative activities in a wonderful child care setting. For more information, email artminvpc@gmail.com. Class will not meet Nov. 23. Child care reservations required. May only register for one Handworks and E-Works class per semester and must stay in building while child is in child care. AL.004 THE POINTER SISTERS (NEEDLEPOINT)Janice Gill
9:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, year-round, Room 132 (*From Oct. 5-Nov. 2 only, meeting in Room 232) Learn basic stitches and peruse materials that will enable you to make beautiful and creative projects for you and your family. Sewing and fellowship will be top priorities. For more information, email janice.gill@villagepres.org. AL.005 continuing watercolorEd Harper & Bill Yates
1-3 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 21-Dec. 14, Rooms 232 & 233 This class has been “continuing” for a long time, but new people are always welcome. No expertise is needed. The instructor will present the subject and provide a line drawing of the outline of the subject for participants to transfer to their paper. A finished copy, or stages of the painting and the final copy, will be provided to participants to take home for reference. Each project will take two sessions, then a new project will begin. Child care is not provided. For more information, email wyates66@gmail.com. AL.006 friday handworks & e-works9:30-11:30 a.m. Fridays, Sept. 23-Dec. 16, Room 127
Enjoy community and fellowship while doing those projects you want to finish but can never seem to find the time to complete. You will see everything from crocheting to recipe organizing to catching up on phone calls and emails while your children enjoy making new friends and participating in fun, creative activities in a wonderful child care setting. For more information, email artminvpc@gmail.com. Class will not meet Oct. 14, Oct. 21 and Nov. 25. Child care reservations required. May only register for one Handworks and E-Works class per semester and must stay in building while child is in child care. AL.007 friday walk/jog9:30-11:30 a.m. Fridays, Sept. 23-Dec. 16, Room 127
Enjoy a child-free walk or run in the neighborhoods surrounding the church. Please stay within walking or running distance of the building. Class will still gather on days with inclement weather unless the Shawnee Mission School District cancels school. For more information, email artminvpc@gmail.com. Class will not meet Oct. 14, Oct. 21 and Nov. 25. Child care reservations required. May register for one Handworks and E-Works class, as well as Walk/Jog. AL.008 card kit classPam Wood
10 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Sept. 20, Oct. 4, or Oct. 25, Room 126 Make your own cards inspired by uplifting designs and thoughtful greetings to create 12 cards for special celebrations, birthdays, thank you notes and more. Start with white card bases, add patterned papers, and then decorate them with die-cut hearts and sentiments. Each Card Kit includes everything you need to create 12 cards:
al.009 beginning scrapbooking: taming your photos one step at a timePam Wood
10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays, Nov. 15, 22 (or 29), and Dec. 6, Room 126 This is the course for you if:
al.010 mandala making: grounding your story in word, color & imageJen Wewers, executive director of Kansas Missouri Mental Health Collaborative, and Rev. Melanie Hardison, pastor for pastoral care at Village Church 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25, Room 132 Mandala making is a meditative practice that invites the participant into deeper conversation with the self. It is a way to allow the unconscious to communicate our desires, places that need healing, purpose and insights. It is also a self-care process that creates a place of calm and rightness in the midst of life’s busyness. The trend of adult coloring has made it cool to color in the past few years. Mandala making isn’t just about the process of coloring, it is also about the insight that emerges. Based on Susan Fincher’s book, “Creating Mandalas,” participants learn the process of discernment that uncovers the meaning of the mandala for its creator. Similar to Jungian dream analysis, the process explores the meaning of symbol, color and shape through questions that elicit a deeper conversation with self. cl - Christian life
CL.001 fellowship of christian athletes bible studyNewton Graves and Guy Clark
7:30-8:30 a.m. Wednesdays, year-round, Room 228 (Friendship Hall East) A group of members and non-members meet weekly. Child care is not available. For more information, please call Newton Graves at 913-322-0806 or Guy Clark at 816-365-5510. CL.002 especially for womenRev. Diane Quaintance, retired pastor of Village Church
9:30-11 a.m. Fridays, Sept. 9-Dec. 16, Room 126 Do you like to dig deeper into your life and faith? Especially for Women is a class where you can do that. From Sept. 9-Oct. 14, we will study “The Difficult Words of Jesus” by Amy-Jill Levine. We will delve into six confusing and often troubling statements of Jesus and their meaning for our lives today. From Oct. 21-Nov. 11, we will discuss “American Prophets,” Part 1 by Albert Raboteau. He will introduce us to seven prophetic figures in 20th century America, whose faith and actions intertwined to shape the lives and thinking of generations of Americans. We will end our discussion from Nov. 18-Dec. 16 with “Light of the World: A Guide to Advent” by Amy-Jill Levine, as she traces the Christmas story from Zechariah and Elizabeth to Jesus’ birth, the journey to Bethlehem, and the visit of the Wise Men. For more information, call Rev. Diane Quaintance at 913-850-8647. CL.003 the qur’an and the bible
Biagio Mazza, pastoral associate at St. Sabina Parish in Belton, Missouri
6:30-8 p.m. Mondays, Sept. 12, 19, 26 and Oct. 3, Room 233 The Qur’an, God’s revelation to Muslims through the prophet Muhammed, shares many similarities with the Bible, yet they are two completely different books in terms of composition, literary style, and purpose. Ultimately, they both intend the believer to draw closer to God. The sessions explore stories and persons that appear in both texts, pointing out both similarities and differences. Qur’anic texts dealing with Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Mary and Jesus will be examined, correlating them to their parallel Biblical story and perspective. For more information, email biagio46@gmail.com. Child care is not available. CL.004 the case for reparations: a way forward in racial justice and reconciliation?Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka, senior associate pastor and director of adult faith formation
6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 21, 28, Rooms 132 & 133 As our country continues to seek paths to racial justice and reconciliation, the question of reparations for African Americans continues to gain traction. In 2014, author Ta-Nehisi Coates published an article in The Atlantic that focused on the devastating effects of housing discrimination from the Jim Crow era forward. Coates cited the systemic practices that prevented African Americans from home ownership, recognizing home ownership as the most significant factor in predicting a stable life for Americans. His goal was to “get people to stop laughing at the idea of reparations” and to begin a serious conversation about what can be done to repair the damage done to generations of African Americans. Participants in this class will explore the emerging conversation around reparations for African Americans and how the church is helping to shape the way forward. This class will be offered in-person only. Child care is available. Must register separately for child care. CL.005 men’s breakfast & bible with tom areRev. Tom Are, Jr., senior pastor
8-9 a.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25 and Nov. 1, Room 228 (Friendship Hall East) Join Rev. Tom Are for a morning Bible study. Chef Andrea will prepare a hot breakfast, and Rev. Are will offer a reflection on passages from scripture. There will be time for discussion as well. Invite a friend and join the fellowship Tuesday mornings. To make a reservation for breakfast, please register online. Cost: $7. Pay in person. Child care is not available. For more information, email rodger.nishioka@villagepres.org. CL.006 power, tyranny & the biblical responseDr. Brendon Benz, associate professor of history and religion, William Jewell College
6:30-7:45 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, Room 126 Following the outline of a course that Dr. Benz teaches at William Jewell College, participants will analyze the nature of social power and its relationship to tyranny. We will then evaluate the biblical approach toward combatting tyranny through a close reading of Genesis 1-3 guided by the insights of such biblical scholars and theologians as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Buber, and Jürgen Moltmann. This will set the stage for us to consider how we might implement the message of Genesis 1-3 in our daily lives. Child care is available. Must register separately for child care. CL.007 Great Religious Figures of the 20th century: Niebuhr, Heschel, Thurman, DayGus Breystspraak, Ph.D., Village Church member, retired professor emeritus of religion and culture at Ottawa University
6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26, Room 127 Reinhold Niebuhr, Abraham Heschel, Howard Thurman and Dorothy Day represented different religious traditions-Niebuhr as a white protestant, Heschel as a Jewish rabbi, Howard Thurman as a black theologian, and Day as a Roman Catholic worker. All had a major influence on American religious life in the last century. Their thoughts and actions have left lasting legacies that still have great relevance for our lives today. Participants in this class will view and discuss an award-winning documentary by Martin Doblemeier on these four giants of the 20th century. Discussion will be led and facilitated by Gus Breytspraak who wonders why he learned about only one of these in his graduate and doctoral studies in the late 60s and early 70s. This class will be offered in person only. Child care is available. Must register separately for child care. CL.008 pneumatology 101: a guide to the holy spiritRev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka, senior associate pastor and director of adult faith formation
6:30-7:45 p.m. Wednesdays, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 30 (no class Nov. 23), Rooms 132 & 133 According to the Acts of the Apostles, when Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection, he told them to wait together in Jerusalem to be “baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now” (Acts 1:5). The Holy Spirit then comes upon the disciples and the church is born. So who is the Holy Spirit? How is the Holy Spirit the third person in the Trinity? What does the Holy Spirit do? Participants in this course will explore all these questions and more. From the Pentecostal tradition of speaking in tongues and being “seized by the Spirit” to the experience of the Holy Spirit as comforter in times of crisis, we will come to understand the work of the Spirit in our midst, animating our lives and calling us to new ways of faith and faithfulness. Child care is available. Must register separately for child care. CL.009 the huguenot diasporaRev. Dr. Lonnie Lee, retired Presbyterian pastor and popular Village U teacher
6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Nov. 9, 16, 30 and Dec. 7, Room 127 The exodus of 150,000–200,000 French Protestants known as the Hugenots to other parts of Europe and the new world was one of the largest mass migrations of the early modern era. This class will explore the process through which exiles built international alliances and integrated themselves into the societies of the nations that hosted them. The course builds on previous studies Dr. Lee has led on the Protestant movement in France during the 16th and 17th centuries. Dr. Lee will draw from the extensive research he has done in France, England, and Virginia for three published works: “The Transatlantic Legacy of the Protestant Church of Cozes,” in the 2019 issue of The Huguenot Society Journal in Great Britain, “Huguenot-Anglicans in Seventeenth-Century Virginia,” in the fall 2022 issue of Anglican and Episcopal History, and his forthcoming book, “The Huguenot-Anglican Refuge in Virginia,” to be published in the spring of 2023 as a joint imprint of Lexington Books and Fortress Academic through their Anglican Studies Series. Child care is available. Must register separately for child care. CL.010 who was jesus really?: keeping the christ in christmasRev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka, senior associate pastor and director of adult faith formation
6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 7, 14, Rooms 132 & 133 The rise of the post enlightenment in the 19th and 20th centuries brought with it a quest for the historical Jesus. Questions such as what can we really know about the person of Jesus of Nazareth? Did he really do and say those things ascribed to him in the Bible? Archaeology and anthropology added their own questions like: What might Jesus have looked like? What was it like to grow up in Nazareth? What was his home life like? As we come upon the celebration of Christ’s birth, we will explore who was Jesus really and exactly what can we know about Jesus as the historical figure and how that fits with our claims of the miracle of the incarnation. Child care is available. Must register separately for child care CL.011 christmas in bethlehem: the palestinian struggle for justiceMargot Patterson, writer, activist, editor and co-host of Understanding Israel-Palestine 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, Room 126 Rev. Dr. Alex Awad is a retired pastor of the East Jerusalem Baptist Church and professor at the Bethlehem Bible College. He resides in Bethlehem. He has recorded an 18-minute video telling what Christmas is like in Bethlehem today. Margot Patterson will teach this course about what it is like for Palestinians, and especially Christian Palestinians, to live, work and worship in the city of Christ’s birth. Together, we will view the video from Rev. Dr. Awad, then discuss the current situation in Bethlehem. This past summer, the 225th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) took the bold and controversial step to declare Israel an “apartheid state” regarding its treatment of the Palestinian peoples. Margot will help us understand why the commissioners voted this way and the prospects for peace in the Middle East. en - environment
EN.001 Global Warming: God's Gift of the Milankovitch CyclesJerry Rees
7-8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19, Room 232 One way to care about people is to care about the environment. Join us as we discuss urgent and effective actions to prevent the worst-case scenarios of harm to our environment. We will learn about the three Milankovitch Cycles that define earth’s movement through space relative to the sun: precession, ellipticity and tilt. With God’s gift of these thousand-year cycles, partnered with human action, there is a brief window of opportunity to preserve the natural world that surrounds and sustains us. en.002 climate change, earth care & village churchChick Keller 7-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, Room 133 In this course we will discuss the causes of climate change, the impacts of climate change, solutions to climate change and the key players in the effort to stop climate change. The course will conclude with a discussion on the role of the church, and particularly the role Village Church can take in the battle against Climate Change. hw - health & wellness
HW.001 monday Adult ExerciseMargaret Tlapek
9-10 a.m. Mondays, Room 333 Classes include aerobics to strengthen the heart, lungs and bone density, balance exercises to improve and maintain balance, and stretching and flexibility exercises to maintain and improve range of motion. The class is a comprehensive workout that helps with energy, strength and overall better health. Child care is not available. For more information, call Margaret at 913-710-4681. Cost: $5 per class. Pay in person. HW.002 tuesday Adult ExerciseMargaret Tlapek
9-10 a.m. Tuesdays, Room 333 Classes include aerobics to strengthen the heart, lungs and bone density, balance exercises to improve and maintain balance, and stretching and flexibility exercises to maintain and improve range of motion. The class is a comprehensive workout that helps with energy, strength and overall better health. Child care is not available. For more information, call Margaret at 913-710-4681. Cost: $5 per class. Pay in person. HW.003 wednesday Adult ExerciseMargaret Tlapek
9-10 a.m. Wednesdays, Room 333 Classes include aerobics to strengthen the heart, lungs and bone density, balance exercises to improve and maintain balance, and stretching and flexibility exercises to maintain and improve range of motion. The class is a comprehensive workout that helps with energy, strength and overall better health. Child care is not available. For more information, call Margaret at 913-710-4681. Cost: $5 per class. Pay in person. HW.004 thursday Adult ExerciseMargaret Tlapek
9-10 a.m. Thursdays, Room 333 Classes include aerobics to strengthen the heart, lungs and bone density, balance exercises to improve and maintain balance, and stretching and flexibility exercises to maintain and improve range of motion. The class is a comprehensive workout that helps with energy, strength and overall better health. Child care is not available. For more information, call Margaret at 913-710-4681. Cost: $5 per class. Pay in person. HW.005 friday adult exerciseMargaret Tlapek
9-10 a.m. Thursdays, Room 333 Classes include aerobics to strengthen the heart, lungs and bone density, balance exercises to improve and maintain balance, and stretching and flexibility exercises to maintain and improve range of motion. The class is a comprehensive workout that helps with energy, strength and overall better health. Child care is not available. For more information, call Margaret at 913-710-4681. Cost: $5 per class. Pay in person. HW.006 Beginner Hula Hooping & Hoop Dancing fitness classSirenna Beyer
5:45-6:45 p.m. Third Tuesdays, and every Thursday, Room 333 Can’t hoop? Haven’t hooped since you were a kid? Then you will fit right in! If you're tired of boring workouts, then come have fun while burning big calories! This upbeat fitness class offers a total body workout, is low impact, strengthens the core and is ideal for cardio. It enhances speed and agility, hand-to-eye coordination and improves balance. Most of all, it is fun! Classes includes a stretch, a warm-up and basic hula hooping instruction to popular music, as well as easy hoop dancing routines, fun games and challenges. Everyone works at their own pace. Custom beginner slow spinning hula hoops are included. Kids are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Child care is not available. For more information, email kchoopgirl@gmail.com. HW.007 Essentrics – Apprentice Exercise ClassElizabeth Doyle
10:15-11:15 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, Room 333 Essentrics is a full-body workout that changes the shape of the body through a fluid combination of strengthening and stretching. Perfect for all fitness levels, this program rebalances the body, unlocks tight joints and increases flexibility and mobility, develops strong lean muscles and improves posture. This equipment-free workout leaves you feeling energized and healthy. Child care is not available. For more information, call Elizabeth at 913-484-6869. Cost: $5 per class. Pay in person. hw.008 tai chiKimberly Bland 4-5 p.m. Mondays, Sept. 19 – Dec. 12, Room 333 This course offers an introduction to tai chi, an internal Chinese martial art consisting of a series of slow, flowing movements intended to increase harmony between mind and body. Instruction will cover basic moves and a form (progression of movements) in the Yang style of tai chi. Movements can be modified for individuals who may need side support or a seated version. Class will not meet on Oct. 10. Cost: $100 per semester for 12 total classes. *Must register in advance and pay online. Registration fee is non-refundable after Sept. 30.* Child care is not available. in - informational
IN.001 first wednesdays coffee & conversationGinger Rothhaas, pastor, life coach and founder of Compassion Fix; facilitated by Brooke Brundige, children & family ministry director
10-11 a.m. Wednesdays, Sept. 7, Oct. 5, Nov. 2, Dec. 7, Room 309 Join us on the first Wednesday of each month as pastor, life coach and founder of Compassion Fix, Ginger Rothhaas, brings encouragement, support and tangible tools for perseverant, joyful, intentional living. Warm cups of joe will be provided as well! Child care is available. Must register for child care separately. Follow the blue child care signs from either the south or the north entrance to find your way. IN.002 starting with storiesJan Bombeck and Ellie Seeman, of local non-profit Starting with Stories; facilitated by Village Church children & family ministry staff
in.003 making learning fun for young childrenMarilyn Pattison
6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, Room 230 Attention parents, grandparents, early childhood teachers and anyone who spends time with young children: this class will provide information and tools that make learning fun for children from birth to six years of age. Marilyn Pattison has a master’s degree in reading and taught in the Shawnee Mission School District for 30 years and is now retired. She has written three books for young children and will demonstrate her “ABC Book.” All participants will receive this book, designed to enrich the developmental stages of learning and early literacy. Her book has also been a helpful tool for children with special needs and English language learners. Additionally, Marilyn has helped to lead the Operation Breakthrough program at Village for the last nine years. Child care is available. Must register for child care separately. in.004 reboot for intentional livingGinger Rothhaas, pastor, life coach and founder of Compassion Fix; facilitated by Brooke Brundige, children & family ministry director
6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 19, 26 and Nov. 2, Room 309 Are you living the dream? (The vast majority of us would answer with a resounding, “No.”) But, can we make little decisions each day that will contribute to living more intentionally? Yep. And we’ll show you how. Join us for a hands-on class designed to give you time and space to press “pause.” We’ll slow down, ask insightful questions and take thoughtful inventory in order to plot an intentional course forward. The result is a reboot of sorts - to each of our own personal “living the dream.” Child care is available. Must register for child care separately. Follow the blue child care signs from either the south or the north entrance to find your way. in.005 world politics: when do you stand up for what you believe in?Chick Keller
7-8 p.m. Mondays, Nov. 7, 14, 21, Room 133 The world can seem to be a chaotic place these days. Join us as we unpack what’s going on and consider how the U.S. is dealing with the changing times. We’ll explore many of the lessons of history and discuss the key issue the US faces: "when do we stand up for what we believe in?" We’ll also examine modern day issues such as: terrorism, forced immigration, cyber currency and nuclear weapons. Attention will be given to some of the major issues facing the U.S. today, including how the U.S. is attempting to work with China, Europe, Russia and the Middle East. in.006 christmas around the worldBarbara Pendleton 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, Room 126 The Christmas story doesn’t change, but interpretations can be very different. Join us as we visit every continent, except Antarctica, to discover their beautiful religious Christmas traditions. Among the sights we’ll see on our whirlwind (virtual) tour: Germany’s Christkind (Christ child) angel; Ecuador’s Passing of the Traveling Child parade and Ethiopia’s Christmas sport, genna, which is kind of like field hockey! And of course, we’ll catch Christmas Eve services in the town where it all started, Bethlehem. Child care is available. Must register for child care separately. ls - life skills
LS.001 beginning spanish: español para todosJoni Kimsey
10:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays, year-round, Room 124 Need a place to brush up on your Spanish? Always wanted to learn but never had the time? Join us in Español para todos. We welcome everyone from beginners to bilingual level speakers. There is something for everyone: conjugation of verbs, culture, simple stories, vocabulary and word order. Registration is necessary. For more information, email leonatherou@yahoo.com. Child care is not provided. LS.002 connecting a smart device to a smart tvDee Couch
1-2:30 p.m. & 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, Room 316 Due to the increasing popularity of streaming services, we are viewing a significant amount of video programs, movies, sporting events and even church material over the internet. This class will provide an opportunity to receive hands-on experience connecting a Smartphone, laptop or computer to a Smart TV or monitor for easier viewing. Topics will include information on the required hardware and proper settings for your Smart TV or monitor. Registration is required. Child care is not provided. LS.003 how to plan a smart homeTony Liu
1-2:30 p.m. & 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, Room 316 This is the first of a two-part class. We will discuss and demonstrate the advantages and conveniences of creating a smart home. A smart home with smart devices can be added to make your house secure, save money and provide convenience. Using smart devices does require planning and preparation. We will discuss what to consider when creating a smart home. Registration is required. Child care is not provided. LS.004 how to set up & use a smart homeTony Liu
1-2:30 p.m. & 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, Room 316 This is the second of a two-part class. We will discuss and demonstrate tips and tricks to set up a smart home. Incorporating smart devices into a house does require planning and preparation. Using these smart devices is important too. Topics include wireless network, smartphone apps and how to use smart devices. Registration is required. Child care is not provided. LS.005 locating & organizing files, folders & pictures on an apple computerDee Couch
1-2:30 p.m. & 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, Room 316 This class will explore how to manage your documents and pictures on an Apple computer. Topics include using proper naming conventions, Finder and Tags to easily find information. There will also be a discussion of how to properly store documents and pictures in the Cloud. Registration is required. Child care is not provided. LS.006 intermediate apple computerDee Couch
1-2:30 p.m. & 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25 Room 316 This class is designed to explore some of the little-known features found in Notes and Numbers. Topics covered include combining multiple documents into one PDF file, document editing and using formulas to enhance spreadsheets. Registration is required. Child care is not provided. ls.007 beginning video editingDr. Ron Patton 1-2:30 p.m. & 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesdays, Nov. 8, 15 Room 316 Learn to edit all those videos on your cell phone. This two-week class is an introduction to viewing, editing and sharing simple videos. Apple computers and sample videos are provided. Registration is required. Child care is not provided. lt - literature
LT.001 great books discussionJane Abildgaard & Joni Kimsey
2-3:30 p.m. First Tuesday of each Month, year-round, Room 127 This is not your usual book club. We tackle those classic writings & philosophers that you were supposed to read in high school or college, like Darwin, Shakespeare, de Tocqueville. We discuss, share ideas, laugh and enjoy friendship and fellowship. It’s great exercise for our brains. The Great Books group is currently reading “The Great Books First Series,” a selection of essays about morals, ethics, justice and freedom. This semester, we will be reading Sigmund Freud, Joseph Conrad and “The Theory of the Leisure Class.” Books can be purchased through the Great Books Foundation. For more information, contact Jane Abildgaard at ja87869@gmail.com or 816 392-9550, or Joni Kimsey at joni.kimsey@gmail.com or 913 634-7904. LT.002 the shorter works of leo tolstoyKelly Fast 6-7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 22, 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, via Zoom The 19th-century British poet and critic Matthew Arnold opined that "A novel by Leo Tolstoy is not a work of art but a piece of life.” Often regarded as one of the greatest authors of all time, Tolstoy received nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature every year from 1902 to 1906 and for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901, 1902 and 1909. Most famous for writing “War and Peace” and “Anna Karenina,” by 1877 Tolstoy was finished with the long-form novel. But that's not to say the great writer was content to rest on his estate. Instead, he spent the remaining 33 years of his life producing some of the greatest short stories of his career. In this course we will use “The Death of Ivan Ilyich and Other Stories” (translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky), to read and discuss 11 of these shorter masterpieces. For the first session, please read the first three stories: “The Prisoner of the Caucasus,” “The Diary of a Madman” and “The Death of Ivan Ilyich.” The registration fee is $125 per participant. Child care is not available. partnership with william jewell college’s center for faith & cultureWilliam Jewel College in Liberty, Missouri, has inaugurated a new Center for Faith & Culture. As one component of the Center’s ministry, the college is partnering with four congregations throughout the Kansas City metro area to offer a variety of classes among its four campuses. Village Church will host two classes on our campus this fall. In addition, Village Church and community members are invited to attend six other courses offered at Second Baptist Church in Liberty, Missouri, Country Club Christian Church near the Plaza and Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Kansas City. There is no cost to attend these other courses. We are excited about this new partnership!
To register for the William Jewell Center for Faith & Culture classes listed below, go to www.jewell.edu/faith-classes and enter the coupon code: Village. The classes are free to members of our congregation by using the coupon code. Bridge Building Toward a Flourishing Life for All: Deepening Solidarity in the Quest for Social and Racial JusticeRev. Dr. Vernon Percy Howard, Jr., St. Mark’s Church
7-8:15 p.m. Tuesdays, Sept. 20, 27, Oct. 4, 11 Country Club Christian Church, 6101 Ward Pkwy., Kansas City, MO 64113 Does our faith in Jesus Christ have a role in the quest for social and racial justice? Can the church build bridges and deepen solidarity around crises such as poverty, violence and equal rights for all? And if so, how do we do it? These questions are explored while examining the theological lenses and Biblical interpretive conclusions which shape our Christian witness and guide us in attempting to partner with God in creating a flourishing life for all. The course aims are as follows:
Good Country People: The Importance of Religion in Southern Gothic LiteratureRev. Charles Smith, associate pastor of student ministries, Second Baptist Church
6:30-7:45 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 Second Baptist Church, 300 E. Kansas St., Liberty, MO 64068 Religion played a key role in the culture of the American South in the early to mid-part of the 20th century. It is a central theme of Southern Gothic fiction of that period. This course will examine the ways Southern Gothic writers employ facets of religion as principal motifs in their narratives. We will study a diverse selection of writings from critically acclaimed authors in this genre, exploring the ways in which religious and spiritual experiences in the text influence character development, drive the narrative of the story, and expand the reader’s view of cultural settings. Through the analysis of this important aspect of Southern culture, we will gain a better understanding of what life in the South was like in this time period. a life worth livingRev. Dr. Mike Grave, scholar in residence, Country Club Christian Church
7-8:15 p.m. Tuesdays, Oct. 18, 25 and Nov. 1, 8 Country Club Christian Church, 6101 Ward Pkwy., Kansas City, MO 64113 The phrase “the good life” has become cliché in our culture, printed on T-shirts and bumper stickers and usually suggesting financial prosperity, even if we all know wealth does not guarantee a good life. But what does a life worth living actually look like? How do people decide for themselves? In this interactive course, we will explore different approaches to these questions and more. After an introduction on week one, we’ll wrestle with three areas: self and others, pain and pleasure, and work and rest. Participants will read materials each week in preparation (usually about 30-minutes’ worth), then meet to ponder life’s deepest questions together. Although somewhat grounded in a Judeo-Christian perspective, the course looks more broadly at different philosophical perspectives, as well as that of poets, artists and other deep thinkers. what is so special about earth?Dr. Maggie Sherer, professor of physics and chair, William Jewell College 6:30-7:45 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 19, 26 and Nov. 2, 9 Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral, 415 W. 13th St., Kansas City, MO 64105 Over the past two decades, thousands of planets outside our Solar System have been discovered, many of which could have the right ingredients for life. With these discoveries, the question arises, “Is the Earth special?” We will look at some of these newly discovered planets, how we determine if they are habitable, and how they compare to our own Earth. We will discuss what makes our own planet habitable and the unique features that allow life to flourish, as well as our responsibility to this life-filled planet. CHILD CAREChild care is offered for infants aged 8 weeks through pre-K children (daytime) and infants aged 8 weeks through elementary-age children (evenings). For applicable Village U classes, there is a one-time fee of $60 per child for the semester. Reservations are required in advance. Our trained caregivers provide a safe and loving environment while your children enjoy making new friends and participating in fun, creative activities. Child care is available on a first-come, first-served basis. If child care was requested and is unavailable for any of your class choices, you will receive a separate email notification. There is a required minimum of four children for child care to be offered.
If you need to cancel child care: Please remember to call and cancel your child(ren)’s reservation if you are unable to attend a class. Contact the Child Care Department: Sandra at 913-671-2322 or childcare@villagepres.org for additional information. Please note: To accommodate as many families as possible, children are placed in classes based on their birth date. Therefore, we do not take requests for classroom placement. Thank you for your understanding. Class-size limits are based on instructor planning, room size and child care availability. Adult Sunday Morning ClassesRegistration is not required for Adult Sunday Morning Classes at Mission Campus. Please come, grow and enjoy fellowship. Adult Sunday Morning Classes for Fall 2022 begin Sunday, Sept. 11. Most classes end Dec. 18.
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Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka
Director of Adult Faith Formation rodger.nishioka@villagepres.org 913-671-2323 
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