Adult Education
The Kerygma Program:
Hitchcock’s Kerygma Program is an enriching adult education initiative held annually from September to June. Each Tuesday at 11 AM, participants gather in the Lower Children’s House to engage in lively discussions and delve into a range of books and themes.
The program delves into diverse aspects of Christian spirituality and societal issues. For instance, last September, participants examined an intriguing alternative perspective on the Book of Revelation through the study of "The Book of Revelation: Visions for the Church in Crisis."
This April, the focus has shifted to an in-depth analysis of Christian nationalism and its societal ramifications. Whether you want to actively participate or simply absorb the discussions, this program is open to all! For more details about the current session, please see the information below and feel free to email hitchcockpresby@msn.com with any questions.
The Topic- Christian Nationalism
Why study this? Sadly, part of our responsibility as Christians is to defend against false prophets and to speak truth to power. Christian Nationalism is heresy. White Christian Nationalism is heresy rooted in America's "Original Sin." We can't just "be against" it. We need to study and understand it with compassion, so that we can articulate a different path to the world through word and deed.
When? We will begin this study on April 2 at 11am and run this study until summer.
Resources?
1. Our first class will begin with an essay written by one of my favorite authors, Wendell Berry, entitled "The Burden of the Gospels." (button below). While the topic of the essay is not Christian Nationalism, I think it will root us in a proper footing before beginning with the topic at hand.
2. We will then do a quick study of a book entitled The Flag and the Cross. This is a sociological study of the history and the current trends in White Christian Nationalism. It is an incredibly easy read that could be handled in one focused afternoon. The book can be purchased here: Amazon.com: The Flag and the Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy: 9780197618684: Gorski, Philip S., Perry, Samuel L., Tisby, Jemar: Books
3. In 2018, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) adopted a long resolution entitled "Honest Patriotism" and two shorter resolutions related to faith and politics (button below). We will end the study by reading through and discussing those resolutions.
4. Obviously, we will return to Biblical text often in an attempt to understand the role of the Church and of individual Christians in culture and politics. Please bring whatever translation of the Bible you are most comfortable using.
5. The resources listed above will be our primary resources in class. However, I also encourage you to read/be reading The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory by Tim Alberta, as I will be referencing that a lot in our discussions. It is a great book which gives a more narrative, experiential window into the Christianity of White Christian Nationalism, from a life-long insider in the Evangelical Christian movement. That book can be purchased here: The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism: Alberta, Tim: 9780063226883: Amazon.com: Books
In some ways, we will be creating this study as we go. So, I will appreciate your generous patience as we feel our way through things a bit. Looking forward to it!
- Reverend Pete Jones
Justice:
Hitchcock is committed to the pursuit and promotion of justice, hosting a year-round series of talks, events, and programs dedicated to fostering justice through both action and education. We encourage you to stay informed about our upcoming justice-related events by checking the events section of our homepage and reviewing our monthly calendar. Don’t miss out on these important opportunities to engage and make a difference!
The Book Group:
The book group meets from September to June, once a week on Sundays at 4 PM, virtually via Zoom. The group aims to foster fellowship and learning through the reading and discussion of books covering a wide range of topics. If you are interested in joining, please contact Lee Maiden.
Currently the group is discussing The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. James McBride has written a fantastic book about a neighborhood (Pottstown, Pennsylvania) in a changing America. Various people are learning to live together, forge friendships and learn the difficulty of the concept of "the American Melting Pot".
“As we learn together we become a united entity that becomes a force for great things in our community and beyond. This is why we are here!” - group member
