"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord,  continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6)  

"Being Presbyterian"

Sundays Sept 10 through Nov 12, 2017

From 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.

in Room 103

When someone asks you what church you attend, how do you respond?  What do you say when they ask "What's a Presbyterian?"  Do you struggle to answer?

Come join us each Sunday morning, between worship services, starting September 10, 2017, as we start a new series "Being Presbyterian."  Topics will cover Presbyterian history, PCUSA* characteristics, as well as guest speakers from other churches to teach us about what makes their denomination distinctive. Bring your comments and questions and join us to learn more about being a Presbyterian.   All adults are welcome.  It’s a good way to get to know people in a smller setting than worship.  Feel free to bring your morning beverage of choice and join us at 9:45 am in Room 103.

           *PCUSA is Presbyterian Church in the United States of America

First Presbyterian is Celebrating the 500 Year Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation with the Reformed Institute

After all These Years: Roman Catholic and Reformed Perspectives on the Reformations of the 16^thCentury

Fall Conference:

Friday Nov. 17 (all day) and Saturday Nov. 18, 2017 (morning)                 National Presbyterian Church, 4101 Nebraska Ave, NW, Washington, DC

Featuring: Dr. Bruce Gordon, Professor of Ecclesiastical History, Yale Divinity School; Author of John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion: A Biography

Dr. Brad Gregory, Professor of Early Modern European History, Notre Dame University; author of The Unintended Reformation

The Reformation was a time of profound religious ferment in Europe driven by desires for reform that not only splintered the church in ways that still endure but gave rise to multiple re-formations of Christian belief and practice. The purpose of this conference is to take a fresh look at the events of that era in light of subsequent developments and reflect the current thinking of both Reformed Protestants and Roman Catholics. The featured speakers are leaders in their fields on Reformed and Roman Catholic church history. 

Plenary sessions, breakout groups, discussion time, meals, and a music program are included in the fee for the Conference.  Child care will be available Friday evening and Saturday.  More details and registration forms are available at church or on the RI website at: www.reformedinstitute.org.  

Some of the classes we've held recently in the Adult Education Program at FPC were:

• A Short History of the Reformation - We learned about the pivotal events, people, and changes associated with the Protestant Reformation. 
• The Belhar Confession - We learned about the background and the content of the newest Confession adopted by the Presbyterian Church in the USA.
• Faith and Citizenship - We read and discussed scriptures relevant to government; heard some insiders’ views of government workings; and discussed prohibitions of a “state religion” and the right to free exercise of religion. 
• Facing Racism - We discussed the various Biblical bases for ending racism; delved into some social and church history and current events, and looked at ways we can respond to this issue as a community of faith.
• Introducing the Reformed Faith - We studied some of the major Christian doctrines and learned how we in the Reformed Tradition have interpreted these doctrines in light of our perspective and understanding.
• Stewards of God’s Creation – We investigated the Biblical basis for stewardship of the earth and learned about the ways we can respond, faithfully, to the variety of environmental issues facing our world.
• The Life of (King) David - We studied the scriptures related to his life and how he was important in both the Jewish and Christian religious traditions.

First Presbyterian Church is a Sponsor of The Reformed Institute of Metropolitan Washington

In 2013, First Presbyterian Church became a sponsoring member of the Reformed Institute of Metropolitan Washington (RI). The RI is an organization that was established in 2003 "to promote understanding and awareness of the Reformed Tradition among the staff and members of Presbyterian churches located in the Washington area."  Its purpose is to help the churches in this presbytery live up to one of the basic principles of the Reformed Tradition – to ensure an educated laity. 

FPC Arlington has already benefitted from some of the RI programs – the Confirmation Retreat, many of its classes, the annual convocation, and its Company of Teachers. As a sponsoring church of the Reformed Institute, First Presbyterian members are invited to participate in their annual colloquy, an in-depth adult education opportunity on severals week-ends during the school year.  RI also offers shorter, one day or short series adult education formats during the year for sponsoring church members. 

One member of our staff and a member of our congregation serve on the Board of Directors.  As members of the Board of Directors, we are involved in determining the programs that are offered, development activities, staffing decisions, etc.  We are expected to actively support the programs of the Institute by encouraging our members, friends, and community to participate in their offerings, and to take the things we learn and put them to use in our own congregation. For more information on the Reformed Institute, visit their website at: www.reformedinstitute.org