Learning for Life For Laity and Clergy
Classes on six Mondays and Tuesdays
March 16 – April 21, 2026
1. The Power of Myth and Mysticism: From Christ to Star Wars!
Mondays Afternoons 1:00 – 3:00
This course is a study of the sacred mythological traditions of world religions and how ancient and contemporary myths impact faith and mysticism. We will examine the thinking of Joseph Campbell, Karen Armstrong, Evelyn Underhill, Carl Jung, Howard Thurman, Kahil Gibran, Rumi, Richard Rohr, and others. “All stories have symbolic meaning, hidden wisdom that illuminates the soul’s yearnings to go home to its beloved…mythology allows us to reconnect with a dimension beyond ordinary times….” Jonathan Young
Raymond Moreland is an Elder of the United Methodist Church. He is former Adjunct Professor, Frederick Community College; member of the American Academy of Religion & Society of Biblical Literature; B.A; M.Div.; D.Min.; M.A.; Ph.D.
2. The Gospel in Disney
Mondays Afternoons 1:00 – 3:00
This class will explore themes and moral lessons in these Disney films – The Lion King, Encanto, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, and Bambi. Each week we will focus on one movie. Participants will be asked to watch the movie and reflect on the discussion questions prior to our class meeting. During our time together, we will review clips from the movie that will jump start our discussion, resulting in a fun time together.
Chance Martinez serves Grace United Church of Christ (UCC) as Pastor. He earned his Master of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and is working toward his Doctor of Ministry. He also serves the local community as a member of the Frederick County DSS Advisory, Board of Directors for the UCC Mental Health Network and as the Vice-Chair of the Catoctin Association Committee on Ministry.
3. Reading the Bible for the First Time—Again
Mondays Evenings 7:00 – 9:00
Most Christians grew up reading the Bible in a denominational setting, which means we learned to read the Bible in a way that supported our denomination’s theology and polity. “What the Bible says” was really “What the denomination wants you to believe”. Of course, the books of the Bible weren’t written to teach Episcopalian, Baptist or Catholic theology. Most weren’t written to teach Christian theology! What would it mean to read the Bible again in a new way? How would one begin? This study will offer guidelines and strategies to help you to read the Bible with fresh eyes—a second chance to read it for the first time.
Larry Eubanks is a retired pastor, having served as Sr. Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Frederick, Maryland, from 1995-2022. He earned a B.S. from Baylor University and a M.Div. and Ph.D. in Old Testament literature from Southern Seminary. In addition to his blog on biblical interpretation (larryeubanks.com); he is a contributing writer at EthicsDaily.com and MissioAlliance.org; and author of the ebook, The Essence of Jesus: A Fresh Look at the Beatitudes. He also posts video messages on YouTube.
4. Comparative Study of Religion
Tuesdays Afternoons 1:00 – 3:00
In this course, we explore a groundbreaking approach to the comparative study of religion from Jeffrey Kripal, a religion professor at Rice University. Rather than focusing on religious identity alone, participants will engage in the art of comparison—examining fundamental themes across the world’s traditions, and considering how comparative inquiry reshapes our own values and worldviews. Through vivid case studies and thought-provoking questions, we will wrestle with religious pluralism and the transformative power of studying religion in a globalizing world. The textbook Comparing Religions: The Study of Us That Changes Us (2nd edition) is recommended, not required.
Carl Gregg is the minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Furman University, with a B.A. in Religion and Philosophy. He earned an M.Div. from the Brite Divinity School, and a D.Min. from San Francisco Theological Seminary
5. The Supreme Court and Religion
Tuesdays Afternoons 1:00 – 3:00
This course tracse the development of decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States in interpreting the free exercise of religion clause and the establishment of religion clause of the First Amendment. We begin with pre-revolutionary documents which formed the basis of the language and concepts adopted by the Framers in the First Amendment. We consider the opinions surrounding the actual adopted language. The bulk of the course deals with the case law established by the Court with particular emphasis on the shift by the Roberts’ Court from emphasis on the establishment clause to emphasis on the free exercise clause. Specific attention is paid to the decisions of the past seven years of decisions where the two clauses have come into actual conflict. We will conclude with some thoughts about where the Court is headed in this topic, which has now become a top priority of the Court.
James Baer received a B.A. Ancient Mesopotamian History, Ursinus College 1966. LLB, University of Virginia School of Law 1969. He is a member of the Maryland Bar, Supreme Court Bar, and D.C. bar. Vice President for Development/Attorney in Residence at Ursinus College and Adjunct Professor, FCC/ILR teaching Constitutional Law and related law courses. Member of four Episcopal Parish vestries, Senior Warden, St. Francis, Potomac.
6. The Requiem Mass
Tuesdays Evenings 7:00 – 9:00
A Mass for the Dead, is a mass offered for the repose of the souls of the deceased. Musical settings of this Mass are also called Requiems and have been a popular musical form for many composers throughout history. In this class we will listen to and discuss various Requiems written during the last seven centuries and explore how this genre has inspired composers to create masterpieces. Examples will include those by Ockeghem, Mozart, Berlioz, Brahms, Durufle, Britten, Rutter, and others.
David Howard, a cellist, was a member of the National Symphony Orchestra for 41 years. He earned two Master’s Degrees, in Performance and in Education. He maintains a teaching studio and performs with the Frederick Symphony.
7. Traditional Native American Ideology- Part 2
Tuesdays Evenings 7:00 – 9:00
According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, there are presently close to 700 recognized Native American tribes in the U.S. Each one of these groups has its own language, culture, mythos, and ceremonies. In this class, we will take a look at what common themes shape the Native American beliefs about themselves, the world, and the sacred. We will explore what the wisdom of thousands of years has to tell us about the world we live in today.
Mark Cassells is the first chaplain of a Native American tradition to be hired by the State of Maryland. He has spent over 25 years learning from traditional Lakota Sioux elders on Rosebud and Pine Ridge reservations in South Dakota.