Join us! Read the 2011-2012 Mature Ministries Newsletter!

Mature Ministries Education - Study and Discussion

From September 2011 - May 2012, join us on the first Thursday from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. in the Vance Room of First Pres for a study group, facilitated by the Rev. Gary Oliver, Presbyterian pastor. For an hour, discuss, share, pray, and make new and deeper friendships. All the studies will be taken from the "Thoughtful Christian" series.

Readings are available through Rev. Rogers. Sponsored by Mature Ministry but open to all - a real intergenerational group! Sign up (and order the readings) through the Rev. Melissa Anne Rogers, mrogers@firstpresbyterian.org, 662-4466, extension 390.

• January 5: Books that Didn't Make the Bible and Why
• February 2: What is the Emergent Church?
• March 1: Lent: The Tomb of Jesus: Archeology and the Christian Faith
• April 5: Lent: Jesus through Old Testament Eyes
• May 3: "Eight is Enough"  -- Questions raised by Reproductive Technologies
• June 7: Benedictine Spirituality

SECOND THURSDAYS: Mature Ministries Hilltoppers

Join us for our September - July - 2nd Thursday Lunch and Learn in the church Social Hall (hot lunch, $5, registration requested). It all begins at noon. Additional opportunities and trips listed below. If you aren't 60 yet, come anyway! We always have a lively group and discussion. For information contact. Rev. Rogers, at mrogers@firstpresbyterian.org, or Parish Nurse Martine Blogin, at (734) 662-4466, ext. 350. To sign up for a lunch, please call the church office by the Tuesday before the scheduled event, by 5 p.m., at 662-4466, ext. 390, or email Melissa Anne Rogers, at mrogers@firstpresbyterian.org.

THIRD THURSDAYS: Mature Ministries Mini-Missions

Join us for these afternoons of "giving back" to our community and church! More info coming soon! For more information, email Ginny Rezmierski at ver@umich.edu.

FOURTH THURSDAYS: Mature Ministries Fun and Fellowship

Join us for FUN on the fourth Thursday of each month. More information posted monthly.

• January 26: Special Seminar - "Memorial Music"  with Carol Muehlig
• February 23: "Sweet Gems Confections" tour and tasing
• March 22: Movie outing
• April 26: Photography Seminar with Fred Beutler
• May 24: Seminar: Health Benefits of Edible Berries (with Dr. Peter Kaufman)
• June 21: Holy Toledo!
• Monday, June 28: Adrian Planetarium and trip to Hathaway House for lunch

OTHER MATURE MINISTRY PROGRAMS

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Monthly Health Screening

September - May, second Sunday blood pressure checks on Sunday mornings! Call the Parish Nurse, 662-4466, to schedule a visit or stop by her office on the 3rd floor after 9:30 worship.

Our Parish Nurse makes home visits. Call (734) 662-4466, ext. 350

MATURE SINGLES

Are you single and over 55?

Mature Singles offers Christian Fellowship in a group where singles of all backgrounds are accepted and affirmed. It provides an opportunity for participants to grow spiritually and personally through worship, education, service, outreach, and recreational activities, and to socialize in a positive setting. Sunday morning gatherings include a lecture and discussion. Friday dinners are weekly and the schedule is available through the group contact. The age of most participants is 55 and up. For more information contact Marcy Toon, at mtoon@umich.edu.

Mature Singles meet most Sundays during the year at 11:00 a.m. in the church for fellowship and discussion.

• January 8 - Mature Singles will meet with Adult Ed in the Lewis Room for a series being conducted by Dr. Waldemar Schmeichel on the Origins and Nature of Islam.  In this series, Dr. Schmeichel will provide an overview of the origins of Islam, its institutional features, and the main impulses for its historical success. He will focus on the historical and religious contexts of its beginnings, on the figure of Muhammad in Mecca and Medina, the Quran, its teaching on Jews, Christians and the role of women, the development of law (sharia), and on prayer and the annual pilgrimage (hajj) among the pillars of the faith.  This series will resume on January 29 and extend through February.
• January 15 -  The Adult Ed series being conducted by Dr. Schmeichel will meet today in Monteith Hall.
• January 22 - Mature Singles will meet in the Curtis Room for a potluck and planning meeting.
• January 29 - Dr. Schmeichel will resume his series on the Origins and Nature of Islam today, meeting in Monteith Hall.

FRIDAY DINNERS -- Meet at 5:15 p.m., order dinner at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome!

• January 6 - Applebee's, 2310 Green Rd.
• January 13 - Evergreen Restaurant, 2771 Plymouth Rd.
• January 20 - TGI Fridays, 3015 W. Waters Rd.
• January 27 - Knight's, 2324 Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd.
• February 3 - Olive Garden, 445 E. Eisenhower Pkwy.
• February 10 - Metzger's German Restaurant, 305 N. Zeeb Rd.
• February 17 - Classic Cup Café, Parkland Center, 4389 Jackson Rd.
• February 24 - Outback Steakhouse, 3173 Oak Valley Dr.
• March 2 - Applebee's, 2310 Green Rd.
• March 9 - Carlyle Bar & Grill, 3660 Jackson Rd.
• March 16 - Max & Erma's, 445 E. Eisenhower Pkwy.
• March 23 - Panda House, 229 N. Maple Rd.
• March 30 - Knight's, 2324 Dexter-Ann Arbor Rd.
• April 6 - Olive Garden, 445 E. Eisenhower Pkwy.
• April 13 - Metzger's German Restaurant, 305 N. Zeeb Rd.
• April 20 - Outback Steakhouse, 3173 Oak Valley Dr.
• April 27 - TGI Fridays, 3015 W. Waters Rd.

OSHER @ UM with FPC - LIFELONG LEARNING

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Michigan offers the following classes at First Pres this year. You must be a member of Osher to attend these courses, which includes an application and small fee ($20). Contact Abigail Lawrence-Jacobson at Osher for more information (see below.) Osher has an extensive lineup of lectures and events for their members.

Contact Osher at olliumich.org to register. The classes are as follows: (Must be an OSHER member).

Contact First Pres member Don Deatrick at ddeatrick@live.com or at (734)961-8548 if you belong to Osher and FPC and wish to seek permission to audit these courses.

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First Presbyterian Church Sponsored activity

1. Drop-in Bridge playing Thursdays, 2 - 4:30 PM, Curis Room for Intermediate skilled players.  Starts January 19^th
   Cost: $2 per session
2. Beginner's Bridge class, Thursdays, 2 - 4 PM, Room 403, Instructor is Jan Stephens, Certified Life Bridge Master.  Starts April 12^th to May 31^st, for 8 sessions
   Cost: $40

Anyone wishing to attend these Bridge activities may contact Don Deatrick at ddeatrick@live.com or at (734) 961-8548.

FAQ's - Mature Ministies

Why do we need a special group?

The mission of Mature Ministries, complementing the overall mission of First Presbyterian Church, is to address the spiritual and social needs of the mature members of the FPC congregation and of the community. Mature Ministries provides interrelated services and programs for pastoral support and care, education and learning, fellowship and social activities, and facilitates service, mentoring, and mission outlets.

Who makes Mature Ministries happen?

The Mature Ministries Steering Committee meets regularly to consider and implement ideas for fellowship, service, mission, and fun, and to work at meeting a wide range of needs facing our members. This group also advocates for the needs and concerns of mature adults. We need your input. Are you interested in joining the planning and program for this group? Contact co-chairs Ben Helmke and Lois Jelneck (jloisjean@aol.com) for more information or would like to join in on the organizing, visioning, implementation, and fun.