Classes for Fall 2010 through Spring 2011

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September 19 & 26, 2010

Title: From the Offering Plate to the World

Facilitators: The Mission Team: Michael TenBrink, Marcia Sprinkle, Rob Herrmann, Karen Anderson, and the Rev. Joan Huff.

Description: How does the money we put into the offering each week make the world, near and far, a better place?  How does our hands-on participation deepen our faith in God’s continuing presence at work in this world?  We will explore these central mission topics in two Sunday morning classes this September, as we take an in-depth look at some of the ways SAPC seeks to “Be the Christ in the World.”

On September 19, we will learn about Heifer International, a mission cause we began to support as a congregation in 2009.  Michael TenBrink, member here since 2007 and current elder on Session, has a passion for work in developing countries. He has supported the work of Heifer International – which he happily calls his “favorite charity” – for over a decade.

On September 26, Eddie Hatter, Executive Director of the Potrero Hill Neighborhood House (Nabe), will tell us what is new at this all purpose center we have supported for many years through our Easter Offering. Mr. Hatter took over as interim after Enola Maxwell [long time member of SAPC] died, and was then asked to apply to be Executive Director when none of the applicants had the needed qualifications or experience to take on the job.  His earlier work focused on building/grounds concerns, and he had personal experience growing up in the neighborhood and attending the Nabe, but he never expected to take on the whole responsibility.  He is grassroots community organizer learning as he goes.

October 10, 17, 24, & 31, 2010

Title: A Look at Some Saints

Facilitators: Jeffrey Gaines, Shirley Moore, Ellen Rankin & Leopoldo Villela

Description: Over the centuries there has always been a fascination with the Saints: their lives, their history, their spirituality and their prayer. During this four-week session class, we will look at the lives, faith and theology of St. Clare of Assisi, the Dali Lama (a modern/living ’saint’), Teresa of Calcutta and St. Columba of Iona.

The Rev. Jeffrey Gaines is Pastor of Seventh Avenue Church and has served our community since December 1991. He received his Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ in 1979 and his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA in 1975. From 1979-1991 Jeff served First Presbyterian Church of Monterey. From 1995 – 2003 he was also Executive Director of Spiritual Directors International.

Shirley Moore is a long-term member of Seventh Avenue currently serving on the Session.  She holds a BA in English from Duke University and a Master’s Degree from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education.  Before coming to San Francisco, she worked as Director of Youth Work at First Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and was an English teacher at Melrose High School in Melrose, Massachusetts.  In San Francisco she worked for Crocker National Bank and then Wells Fargo Bank, where she spent most of her years in the technology area.  She retired as Senior Vice President in 2002

Leopoldo Villela has practiced as Clinical Psychologist for over 35 years. He is a member of the San Francisco Psychological Association, California Psychological Association, National Register of Health Services Provider in Psychology and the California Coalition on Sexual Offending. He practices Buddhism, is a spiritual seeker, and as partner of Valorie Villela, participates regularly in the life of our Seventh Avenue Community.

The Rev. Ellen Rankin is a graduate of both the Master of Divinity and the Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction programs at San Francisco Theological Seminary. Ellen has been associated with Seventh Avenue Church since September 2003, first as our Seminary Intern and now as our Pastoral Associate, providing leadership to our Women’s Spirituality Group along with pastoral care and liturgical leadership.

November 14, 21, & 28, 2010

Title: Being Human: a soul locked up in a cage

Facilitator: Dale Francis Trunk

Description: Why are Christians sometimes more fascinated with “Satan” than with Jesus? More interested in demonizing enemies rather than loving them?   We will re-read the Creation Stories of Genesis, look at the evolution of Satan, and take another look at the reasons for the Incarnation.

Did Adam and Eve simply commit some sin and condemn the rest of history to severe punishment? – Or can we also look at their departure from the Garden as the beginning of their Spiritual Journey of discovery, growth, and humanization?

How did Satan get evolved from being God’s shadowy assistant to being a personification of evil?

Was Jesus simply sent as God’s agent to correct a mistaken and sinful Creation?  How about following Genesis and looking at Creation as good, good, very good – God’s practice of creativity and love?  Then we can see the Incarnation of Jesus as the high point of God loving the goodness and beauty of Creation by being One Among Us – sin not being a prerequisite, even if it is part of our reality.

Dale Francis Trunk knew, at the age of 5, many of the most important aspects of his person:  he was gay, he was fascinated by Nature (especially plant life), and he was drawn to the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi.

After high school, he joined the Capuchin Franciscan Order. The graciousness of God, the goodness of Creation, and the dignity of being Human are the identifying attitudes of Franciscan spirituality.  With the Franciscans, his love of Nature found deeper connection and a theological expression.  In 1998, after 25 years of living in community and serving in ministry, he was burned out and left the order and ministry.

Currently, Dale is as a Flight Attendant with United Airlines, a spiritual director and gardener. He lives in Oakland with his partner, Andy, and their cat, Paquito.

December 4, 2010 (Saturday): Advent Retreat — Mercy Center, Burlingame

Title: Advent: A Thin Place

Facilitators: Jeff Gaines & Ellen Rankin

Description: As the Worship Team read through the lectionary texts for The Season of Advent they found images of liminality, thresholds and passageways. During this daylong retreat we will explore what it means to cross those ethereal places in our lives where we enter into the very Mystery of God where unexpected clarity becomes ours.

The Rev. Jeffrey Gaines is Pastor of Seventh Avenue Church and has served this community since December 1991. He received his Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ in 1979 and his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA in 1975. From 1979-1991 Jeff served First Presbyterian Church of Monterey. From 1995 – 2003 he was also Executive Director of Spiritual Directors International.

The Rev. Ellen Rankin is a graduate of both the Master of Divinity and the Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction programs at San Francisco Theological Seminary. Ellen is Pastoral Associate here at Seventh Avenue providing leadership to our Women’s Spirituality Group along with pastoral care and liturgical leadership.

+ 2011 +

January 9, 16, & 23 (and maybe January 30), 2011

Title: Mining the Ancient Stories of Scripture

Facilitator: Tom Glenn

Description: Throughout time human beings have encountered and pondered the complexity and mystery of life, and the presence of the holy and sacred within it.  Our ancestors sought meaning and purpose, love and justice, midst what often seemed like chaos and random events; wondered about and struggled with the nature of the Holy One as well as the fundamental essence of human life.  Thus they told stories to one another in an attempt to begin the journey of understanding.

For three Sundays we will examine together the legends and stories found in the “preamble” of scripture–Genesis, chapters 1-11.  Join us for stimulating exploration.

The Rev. Tom Glenn is an ‘honorary’ parish associate here at SAPC, from teaching adult education classes to preaching to facilitating staff visioning days as well as serving on the Companions on the Inner Way Retreats Advisory Board. Tom also leads pilgrimages to France along with Jeff Gaines and Joan Currey, and is a staff member with Jeff and Joan at San Francisco Theological Seminary’s DASD program. When he not in the Bay Area (i.e. in his ‘real’ life!) he is Parish Associate for Congregational Ministries at Shadon Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC where he is also active in their drama group.

February 13, 2011 — No Class today because of the Annual Meeting

February 20 & 27, 2011

Title: The Biological Basis of Addiction

Facilitator: Ajay Ravindranathan

Description: This two part series will delve into the biology of addiction.  The emphasis will be on how addiction is now considered to be a neurological disorder, rather than just a psychological one.  Current pharmacological therapies will be discussed along with other behavior modification approaches such as Alcoholics Anonymous.

Ajay Ravindranathan received his PhD from the University of Utah in Neuroscience and did his post-doctoral research in addiction biology at UCSF.  He is currently a Senior Research Scientist at the Gallo Center at UCSF, investigating the genetic basis for alcohol use disorders (AUD) and serves as an elder on the Session of SAPC.

+ Season of Lent +

March 13, 20 & 27 (and maybe April 3 & 10) 2011

Title: Missional Living: the 1st Century speaks to the 21st Century

Facilitator: Mark Hammer

Description: David Horrox writes, “The church should stop mimicking the surrounding culture and become an alternative community, with a different set of beliefs, values and behaviors. Ministers would no longer engage in marketing; churches would no longer place primary emphasis on programs to serve members. The traditional ways of evaluating ’successful churches’ – bigger buildings, more people, bigger budgets, larger ministerial staff, new and more programs to serve members – would be rejected. New yardsticks would be the norm: To what extent is our church a ’sent’ community in which believers are reaching out to their community?

In this class we will look at the beginnings of the church in the 1st century and see what gifts and challenges our ancestors experienced that can speak of our lives today in the 21st century.

Dr. Mark Hamner graduated from Lewis and Clark College in Portland Oregon with a degree in Psychology and Religious Studies.  He received his Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry Degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois.  Dr. Hamner has served churches in Oklahoma, Southern California and Illinois.  He is currently employed by the Northern California Service League, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the pre- and post-release population in the San Francisco County Jail system, their families and the community.

+ Season of Easter +

May 8, 15, 22 (and maybe 29), 2011

Title: When John Calvin Came to Seventh Avenue:  An Exploration of Reformation ideas in light of Seventh Avenue ideals.

Facilitator: Tim Cahn

Description: In this class, we’ll investigate some of the theological principles of Reformed Theology as postulated by John Calvin and see how they are lived out and understood within a progressive community.

Tim Cahn, an attorney, currently serves on the Session of SAPC as well as the Board of Covenant Network of Presbyterians.