Adult Christian Education Archives
Winter, 2004-5
St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
Resurrection: Interpreting the Easter Gospel, by Rowan Williams
Chapter 5: "The Risen Body"
> Learn more about the Archbishop of Canterbury: click HEREDiscussion Led By Mike Kreutzer
Sunday, March 13, 2005GROUP DISCUSSION: Once again, the discussion centered around how difficult the book has been to fully comprehend and interpret. First there was the events of Jesus' reappearance. Then there was the comments on what is meant by faith. It was noted that someone once said that Thomas' lack of faith made it possible for the rest of us to have our doubts! Is there a two-level meaning that implies baptism is dying with Christ? If there had been video cameras in the room with the risen Lord, what would they have shown? The body of Christ can be thought of as distinct from Christ himself. The definition, or lack of a firm definition of grace was also discussed. Was the death and resurrection of Jesus predetermined? Matthew wrote much about the foretelling of Jesus' coming, even if the early prophesies noted did not necessarily agree with the Old Testament. The church never becomes completely identified with Jesus. In many aspects, he is still outside the church. When the disciples were out in the boat, they needed to see Jesus, or at least the apparition of Jesus. There is also inconsistencies in the Bible as to when Jesus returned to his Father in heaven. In John, he returns on the same day, but in Luke it was 50 days after the crucifixion. In Matthew there are five distinct stories about Jesus' life that parallel the five books of the Torah. John's Gospel is a very high Christology where Jesus is much more spiritual and much less human, as opposed to Mark's Gospel. Some believed that the Gospel of John which came two centuries after Jesus' death, was written to counteract some of the other so called gospels that were also being written at that time, such as Thomas. There were no accounts of Jesus' resurrection until Peter's writings. There have also been many other stories written and told about what may have happed to Jesus' body from the time he died until the time he was discovered missing.
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St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
Resurrection: Interpreting the Easter Gospel, by Rowan Williams
Chapter 4: "Talking to a Stranger"
> Learn more about the Archbishop of Canterbury: click HEREDiscussion Led By Mike Kreutzer
Sunday, March 6, 2005GROUP DISCUSSION: Although some felt this chapter a little easier to understand, there was still difficulty in interpretation of much that was written. There was the idea of the familiar stranger. You don't really know him, but he seems very familiar. Perhaps this was implying that you cannot cast the past aside. Then there was the concept of salvation vs. redemption. Salvation is generally meant to be saved to heaven in the afterlife. Does is make any difference in our current world? What does this really mean? We seem to have made it very complex. It was noted that the Jewish God of the Old Testament was very vindictive, but Jesus changed that. However, that God was also a very fair God. Many Christians are caught up in the Passion. This is not really the central part of Christianity. "Were you there when 'we' crucified our Lord?" "Lord, forgive 'us,' for we know not what 'we' do." There were many men crucified by the Romans. It is very interesting who we select as martyrs. The Catholic martyrs are very different from the Anglican martyrs! We are very fortunate in this country that most of us do not have to suffer. However, we are surrounded by those in other countries who do. This can be very hard to relate to. We cut them off mentally. Nevertheless, there are abused and neglected children right here in our own neighborhood. In the Dayton area there are over 2,000 children in foster homes. The disciples seem to have completely forgotten Jesus. When we think of ourselves as victims, many time we can still be oppressors of others. When someone has committed a crime, we keep them locked up an away from everyone else. How much do we make them suffer? The definition of "dialectic" vs. "un-dialectic" came up for discussion. Dialectic refers to something that can be both true and false at the same time. Many people claim to believe but don't find meaning going to church. This is not what Christ taught us to do. Christ called upon all people to reconcile with one another. Spirituality works within a community, not just for each individual. We should all be sharing in Christ's grace and not just paying lip service to it. Then the question of what is a true Christian lifestyle was brought up. Does is mean living communal style as describe in Act. No, this is the idealistic approach and only an expression of how to live. Groups like the Amish seem to live in their own little self-centered communities. Finally, it was noted that until the second century there was no description of the resurrection in the Gospels. Peter was the first to address it.
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St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
Resurrection: Interpreting the Easter Gospel, by Rowan Williams
Chapter 3: "Communities of Resurrection"
> Learn more about the Archbishop of Canterbury: click HEREDiscussion Led By Mike Kreutzer
Sunday, February 27, 2005GROUP DISCUSSION: During times of insecurity fundamental types of religion can be very comforting in that they give exact answers. Believe and you are saved. In many of the mainline denominations, discussions seem to be a more intellectually higher level, and therefore more difficult to fully understand. Fundamentalism has grown substantially in the past fifty years. It began a small, poor ministry with the theme that even though we are tiny and in the minority "God is with us!" Now that they are the majority and have gained significantly in wealth, God is still with them! Look how he blesses us! Just looking at the news today reminds us of our own sinful nature even within Christian communities. There are the scandals within the Roman Catholic Church and the gay bishop issue within the Episcopal Church that have caused much concern. In the Eucharist, we are living in that period between the betrayal and the resurrection. We are guilty and restored and is symbolic of the entire life of the church. There was discussion on the openness of the Eucharist, which varies widely within the Christian community. Some churches allow participation to all persons, even those not baptized. The Episcopal Church requires that person to be baptized, and the Roman Catholic Church and others require you to be a member before being allowed to receive. The explanation for the Episcopal exclusion is that non-Christians may not acknowledge the role of Jesus at all. So what would be the purpose of taking Holy Communion? Confirmation used to be required until it was recognized that we enter into Christianity through the sacrament of baptism. The Roman Catholics also believe in the ancient concept of transubstantiation where the "substance" changes, but the "accident" remains the same. Episcopalians are taught to believe basically the same thing but are not particular about exacting definitions. The main idea is that Christ is present!
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St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
Resurrection: Interpreting the Easter Gospel, by Rowan Williams
Chapter 2: "Memory and Hope: Easter in Galilee"
> Learn more about the Archbishop of Canterbury: click HEREDiscussion Led By Mike Kreutzer
Sunday, February 20, 2005GROUP DISCUSSION: Reading and interpreting the book continues to be very challenging! We are born into a violent culture with original sin. However, there is forgiveness and hope that transfigures into hope eternal. Referring to the 21st chapter of John, the disciples go back to the beginning before they met Jesus. There is a new beginning but after the resurrection. Jesus is exemplified by the net full of fish. At the feast upon the shore, Peter now tells Jesus that he loves him three times. This is in comparison to his three-time denial just before Jesus' death. We must acknowledge and deal with the past and then learn how to transform it to the present. What is meant by remember? The same event can be remembered differently by different groups. For example, the French and Germans each "remember" World War II differently. Peter must learn to live and deal with his past. Recovering alcoholics do great things. We grew up in a prejudiced society against blacks. We can now look back and recognize that that is where we came from. The section on the Eucharist was found to be most interesting, a juxtaposition of past and present. We learn to accept the past and present of the rejection and resurrection. In a sense, we do the equivalent of betraying Jesus today. There is also the connection of Saul to Paul. Paul defends his ministry, else Christ died for no purpose. Another example is the 12-step group which help people recover from various afflictions. It can be very difficult to reach out to those in need.
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St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
Resurrection: Interpreting the Easter Gospel, by Rowan Williams
Chapter 1: "The Judgment of Judgment: Easter in Jerusalem"
> Learn more about the Archbishop of Canterbury: click HEREDiscussion Led By Mike Kreutzer
Sunday, February 13, 2005GROUP DISCUSSION: It was generally agreed that this chapter was difficult to comprehend. There were no "uninvolved bystanders" in regards to Jesus' death. The more obvious interpretation comes from John's Gospel where it is identified that it was the leaders who were really on trial. Jesus was the only "pure victim." However, can you be the victim if you choose to put yourself in that position? Did Jesus think of himself as the victim? What about the cases of abused women who keep going back to their abusers? They are obviously not eager to end the relationship and have a natural desire to be loved. Note the confessions used on Ash Wednesdays:
We confess to you, Lord, all our past unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy, and impatience of our lives,
We confess to you, Lord.
Our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation of other people,
We confess to you, Lord.
Our anger at our own frustration, and our envy of those more fortunate than ourselves,
We confess to you, Lord.
Our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and our dishonesty in daily life and work,
We confess to you, Lord.
Our negligence in prayer and worship, and our failure to commend the faith that is in us,
We confess to you, Lord.
Accept our repentance, Lord, for the wrongs we have done: for our blindness to human need and suffering, and our indifference to injustice and cruelty,
Accept our repentance, Lord.
For all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward our neighbors, and for our prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from us,
Accept our repentance, Lord.
For our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us,
Accept our repentance, Lord.
Restore us, good Lord, and let your anger depart from us;
Favorably hear us, for your mercy is great.
Accomplish in us the work of your salvation,
That we may show forth your glory in the world.
We are born into a culture where abuse happens. What do we do about it? The relationship boundaries between the oppressor and the victims is very fluid. Sometimes we are both and sometime we change roles. Consider when the white settlers out West oppressed the native peoples. People are still fighting over wrongs from many centuries ago. We really cannot treat everyone as equals because we as humans are not equal. Also consider the concept of forcing democracy onto other countries. How is that interpreted? What about the belief that the only way to God is through Jesus Christ. Isn't that somewhat presumptuous? God may be known by many names. Many religions besides Christianity claim that they are the only way to God. This sets the scene for conflict and oppression. Even various groups of Christians oppress each other! People compartmentalize their love. God does not teach us to do that.
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St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
Finding Spirituality in Everyday Living
Discussion Led By The Rev. Dr. James Hanisian
Sunday, February 06, 2005Dr. Hanisian is employed by the Episcopal Retirement Homes, which is a type of CCRC (Continuum of Care Retirement Community). That implies full service care is available: Independent living, assisted living, and nursing care. In the Dayton area, Canterbury Court is the type of housing that falls under Section 8 of HUD for seniors. The mission of the ministry of ERH is to provide spiritual growth, wellness, and a richening of lives. Parish Health Ministries are also a service provided that offer courses to trained medical professionals of local parishes to help them in providing wellness services to those in their congregations. We all need to be about growth. One problem experienced by many aging adults is that after a certain age, usually when after retirement from a life-long job and/or deterioration in health, they tend to quit and give up on living. From the ages of 35-55, people have reached their peak or perhaps have become empty nesters. Many times, if those people can get past the "mid-life crisis" period, they can soon discover there is meaning to life again. One philosophy of living is that each one of us should "die broke." That is, we should plan to spend all of our resources right up to the very end. There should not be a retirement from living. We should always work, be it through volunteering, finding some type of less stressful employment, or attending classes again to re-educate oneself. Another good activity is to join an elder hostel, take courses at a university, or perhaps learn a new language. Dr. Hanisian defined spirituality as "the experience of God." Many times people do not necessarily experience God while sitting in church, but experience God in the work they do or when helping others. There was the story of an ex-GI who helped his fellow soldiers find more meaningful work after World War II. The lesson learned was that each of us has certain skills and we should learn to use them and at the same time enjoy using them! Instead of going through life and being in a mode of either working, learning, or playing, we should be in a mode that combines all three! We get the most done and are the most satisfied when we are doing work that is both meaningful and fun! As we age, the world around us gets smaller and smaller. We must learn to search for God in our day-to-day life. Conversion in faith happen at the highest rate when people get fired or lose their jobs. And interestingly enough, it has been shown that homeless people and those who possess very few assets, are typically those who care the most about others. Everyone thanked Dr. Hanisian for his uplifting presentation.
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St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
"The Psychological and Legal Factors Related to
Loss of Competency for Independent Living by Older Adults."
Discussion Led By Bill Askren
Sunday, January 23, 2005Assessing The Independence Competency Of Older Adults
William B. Askren, PhD, Psychology
SUMMARY
The ability to influence one's own life, such as making independent decisions about living situations, about finances, and about medical care options is central to a sense of self-control. This is critical, also, to family members who must lovingly relate to the older adult. The legal and psychological factors related to determining when a person loses independent decision making ability are discussed.
OUTLINE
- Legal Issues
- Psychological Assessment
- Practical Markers/Symptoms Of Loss Of Competency
LEGAL ISSUES
- Balancing Values
- Rights Of Individual
- Rights Of Society
- Balancing A Court Judgment
- General Principles Across States (Grisso, 1986)
. Functional Deficits
* Cannot comprehend information needed for decision making
* Lacks reality base of information
* Lacks problem solving skill
. Causes Of Deficits
. Consequences Of Decisions And Actions
- Ohio Revised Code
Ohio Revised Code
Guardians; Conservatorships, 2111.01, Note 3
"Incompetent" means any person who is so mentally impaired as a result of a mental or physical illness or disability, or mental retardation, or as a result of chronic substance abuse, that the person is incapable of taking proper care of the person's self or property or fails to provide for the person's family or other persons for whom the person is charged by law to provide, or any person confined to a correctional institution within this state.
PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES
- Referral Clarification
- Assessment
. Interviews with patient, family, health care providers
. Testing of cognitive functioning
* Attention & Concentration
* Short Term Working Memory
* Reasoning And Problem Solving
* Language
* Visuospatial
. Evaluation of mental health status
* Thinking Disturbance
* Withdrawal/Retardation
* Hostility/Suspiciousness
* Anxiety/Depression
. Evaluation of activities of daily living
- Synthesis Of Data, Conclusions, Communication Of Findings
- Follow-Up
PRACTICAL SYMPTOMS OF LOSS OF COMPETENCY
- Medication
- Meal Preparation & Eating
- Toileting
- Body Hygiene
- Mobility/Self Transfer
- Dressing
- Money Management
- Telephone Use
- Driving/Using Transport
- Laundry
- House Care/Cleaning - Shopping
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St. Mark’s Adult Education Meeting Summary
Choosing a Retirement Community
Discussion Led By Becky FairmanEpiscopal Retirement Homes
Sunday, January 09, 2005VISITING A RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
Thoughts on your visits:
- Evaluate units based on your space needs and their location
- Walk through the entire complex and observe how the residents are using the servIces
- Ask residents how they like living there (often best done at mealtime)
- For that matter, check out the food!
- Make sure you understand the requirements for admission to assisted living or nursing care, the policy for moving from one care level to another, any extra costs
...and if the facility has appropriate certification
- Get copies of all rental, lease and purchase forms and rules
Visiting checklist:General
- Does the facility provide the level of care needed?
- Is the facility certified for Medicare and/or Medicaid participation? -Can residents stay if they are converted to Medicaid? -Is there a waiting list?
- What are the admission qualifications?
- What are the visiting hours? Are there resident or visitor restrictions?
- Are there transfer agreements with a local hospital or other nursing homes?
- Ask to see the list of deficiencies based upon the annual license survey and the
plan for correction. The Facility- Is the facility free of odor and generally clean, neat and well-maintained? Is it attractive and conveniently located for relatives, friends and personal physician?
- Are nurse and emergency call buttons located and operational in each room and bathroom facility?
- Is the facility free from obvious hazards? Are there handrails and grab-bars present in hallways and bathrooms?
- Is there adequate privacy for each bed and bathing and toilet facility? -Is there a lounge where residents can chat, play games, read, relax?
- Does the facility have an outdoor area where residents can get fresh air and sunshine?
- Is there a fire and disaster plan.posted and practiced? Are there smoke detectors and an automatic sprinkler system?
Dining
- Is the dining area adequate, attractive and inviting?
- How is the food?
- Are the meals varied daily? How are special diets handled?
- Are meals served at normal times, with plenty of time for leisurely eating?
- Do residents who need help get it, whether in the dining room or in their own room?
- Are nutritious between-meal snacks available?
Services
- Is there a physician on staff or on call? Are licensed nurses on each floor or wing?
- Does the facility have adequate staff to respond to call buttons when residents ..need help?
- How are roommates selected? If there is a problem, can a room transfer be made in a timely manner?
- Is a program of physical and other therapies available for residents who need it?
- Does the facility have a variety of recreation, cultural and intellectual activities planned for residents?
- Are activities offered for residents who are relatively inactive or confined to their
rooms?- Do residents have the opportunity to attend religious services and talk with
clergy?- Is there an active residents' council which encourages other residents to participate in governing the facility? Is there a copy of the residents' "Bill of Rights"?
Need help?
The following people would be able to help you when making decisions about your future:
- Hospital social workers/discharge planners .Long term care ombudsman
- Geriatric assessment programs (usually affiliated with a hospital)
- Community senior programs -local senior centers, etc. .Nursing home admissions directors
Online resources
Episcopal Retirement Homes
www.EpiscopalRetirement.comAmerican Association of Homes & Services for the Aging
www.aahsa.orgAARP
www.aarp.org
EPISCOPAL RETIREMENT HOMES, INC.
3870 Virginia Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45227
(800) 835-5768
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