Montclair Presbyterian Church

WOMEN: Join Us for the Spring Women’s Retreat, March 9, at First Presbyterian Church in Berkeley. Rev. Keenan Kelsey will lead us in reflection, connection and laughter based on Annie Lamott’s new book about prayer, HELP THANKS WOW. For more information contact Jan Stites, scribejes@aol.com or Jean Roggenkamp, jeankamp@pacbell.net. Cost is $35. Scholarships available. OPEN TO ALL WOMEN. A great way to get to know the women of MPC!

On Thursday, February 21st at 7pm, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Garry Wills will be at MPC discussing his new book Why Priests? A Failed Tradition. In this latest work, Wills taps into years of study and reflection to raise some key questions about his Catholic faith: why do we have priests? How did the priesthood begin? Would Christianity be better off without them? We hope you will join us for what is sure to be a fascinating evening.

To whet your appetite, here’s a video of Garry Wills sparring with Stephen Colbert on a recent episode of The Colbert Report:

Parking will be available in the lot at nearby Thornhill Elementary School (see below); more parking info and directions info are available on MPC’s parking and directions page.

The book talk is co-sponsored by Great Good Place for Books in Montclair. You’ll have the option of purchasing the book from them right after the talk.

On Wednesday, February 13th, at 7:00 pm, we will gather for a reflective Ash Wednesday service in the Sanctuary. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of  Lent, a 40 day period of reflection and introspection. Lent is a time of turning away from all that harms our humanity and turning toward all that heals and makes us whole. The imposition of ashes will be offered to those who want a reminder of their frailty and mortality. Music will be interwoven throughout the service. All are invited.

Dr. Rebecca Parker will speak at MPC!  Rebecca Parker, who is the co-author of our class discussion book, A House for Hope, has agreed to come to MPC for an evening to talk with us about Progressive Christianity, what it is and why?  She will be here on Monday evening February 11 from 7:30 to 9 PM.  Rebecca is the first woman to be the permanent head of an accredited American theological school.  She serves as President of Starr King School for the Ministry, a part of the GTU in Berkeley.  Rebecca is an ordained Methodist minister and follows in a family tradition with three other Methodist ministers before her.  In addition to the books and articles she has authored she has been a frequent keynote speaker and a challenging teacher of many students.  Her concern “is not just in theology; it is in progressive faith as a way of life, a way of community and a way of social engagement”.  We have worked for several months to find an evening when Rebecca could be at MPC.  We are very pleased that she will now be able to talk with us about some very important questions for present day Protestantism—and the future!  If you have any questions, please contact Miles McKey at mmckey@lmi.net or phone 510-652-5854.