CATALOG
Event, Seminar, and Course offerings
by
John P. Cock
SECULAR-RELIGIOUS EVENTS
I. SPIRITUALITY AND CARE OF THE EARTH
Up to 5 SESSIONS
The participants will redefine the concept of "neighbor" and reconsider spirituality and vocation. We will seek motivation to care for the Earth community, including of course the human community. Guide book: Our Universal Spirit Journey: Reflection and Verse for Creation's Sake, by John P. Cock.
~Spirituality and Care of the Earth: 1/2001, W. Market St. UMC, Greensboro, NC (4 sessions)
~Spirituality and Care of the Earth: 9/2002, Westminster Presby. Ch., Greensboro, NC (5 sessions)
~Spirituality and Care of the Earth: 3/2003, First Presbyterian Ch., Greensboro, NC (4 sessions)
II. SPIRITUALITY AND CARE OF THE EARTH (II) Up to 5 SESSIONS
This series will go beyond the first series by this name. Anyone can attend who is seriously asking the question of What does it mean for me to "love the neighbor"? Guide books: Motivation for the Great Work: Forty Meaty Meditations for the Secular-Religious, by John P. Cock; The Great Work, by Thomas Berry.
~Lenten Retreat: 3/2001, Lake Junaluska, NC, for participants from 7 states (Sat. a.m. to Sun. lunch)
~Spirituality and Care of the Earth (II): 1/2003, W. Market St. UMC, Greensboro, NC (4 sessions)
III. SPIRIT JOURNEY EXPLORATION Up to 5 SESSIONS
Starting with the participants' life experiences, this series will focus on the central fact of life, ever-present Spirit. Everyone is on a profound human journey, a spirit journey, and simply needs to become more conscious that Spirit's at the heart of that journey. Guide books: Journer and Our Universal Spirit Journey, by John P. Cock, and At One With the Heart of Creation, by John P. Cock with Lynda L. Cock.
~One-In-Spirit Retreat: 10/2002, Lake Junaluska, NC, for participants from five states (Sat. a.m. to Sun. lunch)
~Spirit Journey Retreat: 3/27-8/2004, Lake Junaluska, NC, (Sat. a.m. to Sun. lunch)
~Profound Journey Dialog: 9/2007, Denver, CO, secular event (4 sessions, Fri night thru Sat night)
IV. THE POWER OF MYTH Up to 5 SESSIONS
Everyone lives out of myths, whether they be cultural or religious. Are our myths giving us life or dividing us as peoples and as species of the universe? Using literature and media, we will explore myths to live by. Guide books: Motivation for the Great Work, by John P. Cock, and The Power of Myth, by Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers.
~Power of Myth Seminar: First United Methodist Church, Galax, VA (6 sessions)
V. AUTOBIOGRAPHY LAB Up to 5 SESSIONS
Every person's life story is worth hearing or reading. During the lab, participants will rediscover the key life happenings of their journeys and piece them together into a meaningful whole. Past participants have used these methods and skills to write their memoirs, published and unpublished. Participants will experience spiritual refreshment as they intensively reclaim their past and vision their future. Guide books: Journer, a novel by John P. Cock, and Called To Be: A Spirit Odyssey, memoir by John P. Cock.
VI. WORKSHOP METHOD Up to 5 SESSIONS
How to lead any group in a planning workshop method that will further bond them and give them a plan for immediate implementation. This hands-on workshop method will begin with a five-year vision and end with the implementing process. The method is adaptable to any planning need. Guide book: The Workshop Book, by Brian Stanfield.
VII. VOCATIONS LAB Up to 5 SESSIONS
How to rediscover and understand the time(s) one has been called and how to fashion and focus an appropriate response. Historical models of the vocated life, life reflections, meditation, and journey-lining will be among the methods used to help each participant discern and be about the latest manifestation of his or her calling. All persons are called, whether religious or not. Guide books: Journer and Called To Be: A Spirit Odyssey, by John P. Cock.
VIII. OUR INTERIOR COUNCIL Up to 5 SESSIONS
How to commune with and be strengthened by all those who have demonstrated the authentic life, the life lived fully and on behalf of the many. The religious should not have the market cornered on the "saints." The participants will discover who already sits on their interior council, rank them by influence, and practice meditation methods that can enliven their lives. Guide books: Daily Spirit Journal (vol. I & II), by John P. Cock, and All Saints, by Robert Ellsberg.
IX. THE ART OF REFLECTION Up to 5 SESSIONS
How to move beyond a cluttered and unfulfilling life. How does one experience and practice the art of soulfulness? Through the dimensions of presence and thankfulness, the sessions will train participants in everyday methods of living in the now. Readings, art, media, spirit conversations, experiencing the Psalms, contemplation, life reflections and writings, and group dialogue will guide the sessions. Guide books: Daily Spirit Journal (vol. I & II); By Cosmic Design: Spirit Poems, by John P. Cock; and The Art of Conversation, by Brian Stanfield.
X. "OUR GREAT WORK" SEMINAR 4 SESSIONS
The Center for Ecozoic Studies and the Institute of Cultural Affairs have created and will facilitate this course, sub-titled Toward a New Earth Resolve. How do we humans take a new relationship of care for the Earth community, which includes the human community of 6.4 billion? How do we awaken to and practically embody our evolutionary role as authentic selves in communion with the universe of subjects?
~Sept. 23-4, 2002, Black Mountain, NC, with participants from 11 states
~Feb. 7, 2004, Greensboro, NC, (http://www.icagboro.home.igc.org/OGWSept2004.htm)
RELIGIOUS ORIENTED EVENTS
I. CONTEMPORARY FAITH IMAGES Up to 5 SESSIONS
Discovering again the power of the spirit images of God, Christ, Holy Spirit, and Church, using paragraphs from such 20th century theologians as Bultmann, Tillich, Bonhoeffer, and H. Richard Niebuhr. The intent of this series is to allow the participants to ground the meaning of the four images and the reality behind them in our everyday lives. Guide book: The Transparent Event: Post-Modern Christ Images, by John P. Cock.
~Theology for Life: First United Methodist Church, Galax, VA (5 sessions)
~Faith Journey Retreat: 10/2000, Epworth-by-the-Sea, GA, 80 members of St. Andrews-by-the-Sea UMC, Hilton Head, SC (Fri. night through Sunday lunch)
~Faith Journey Seminar: 4/2002, First UMC, Alpharetta, GA (4 sessions/two nights)
~Spirit Journey Retreat: 2/2007, Minnesota, ecumenical group, sponsored by Northfield UMC (5 sessions)
II. EXPERIENCES OF GRACE Up to 5 SESSIONS
How to identify the grace events in our lives, using biblical sources and Paul Tillich's sermon "You Are Accepted" as models. The participants will describe them in a beginning grace journal. Sharing grace events will enrich and will further convince all participants of the healing presence of grace. Guide book: The Transparent Event: Post-Modern Christ Images, by John P. Cock.
~Grace Workshop: 10/1999, Grace United Methodist Church, Greensboro, NC (five sessions)
III. DIALOGUE: JESUS THE CHRIST Up to 5 SESSIONS
Understanding the life transforming event of the earliest Christian confession "Jesus Christ is Lord." Historical and contemporary understandings of this confession will be explored. A contemporary confession and a personal credo will be the product. Guide book: The Transparent Event: Post-Modern Christ Images, by John P. Cock.
~Jesus Christ for the 21st Century Seminar: 2/2001, W. Market St. UMC, Greensboro, NC (3 sessions)
~Our Operating Christ Images Seminar: 10/2000, Lake Junaluska, NC, for participants from five states (Sat. a.m. to Sun. lunch)
~Jesus Christ for the 21st Century Colloquy: 1/2001, Columbia, SC, twelve clergy from SC (1 day)
~Jesus the Christ and Jesus the Man (Fri. evening, plus Spirit Journey seminar on Sat., and Sermon, "Who Is My Neighbor 2000 Years Later," on Sun.): 6/25-27/2004, 5 Episcopal and Lutheran Churches, Albany, GA.
IV. THE UN-LITERAL MEANING OF THE BIBLE Up to 5 SESSIONS
Why is the Bible such a big deal for Christians? What is its authority for our lives? What is the essence of the Old and the New Testament? What do the Jesus Seminar scholars have to say to us and what do we have to say to them? What is the difference between faith and belief? Guide book: The Transparent Event: Post-Modern Christ Images, by John P. Cock.
~The Un-literal Meaning of the Bible: First United Methodist Church, Galax, VA (six sessions)
V. LIFE IS RESURRECTIONAL Up to 5 SESSIONS
If Easter is the center of Christian faith, then why are so many from the X-generation so turned off by the resurrection? What is the interpretation of the heart of the New Testament that makes sense to us in the 21st century? Guide booklet: Life Is Resurrectional, by John P. Cock.
~Life Is Resurrectional: 4/1995, First United Methodist Church, Galax, VA (6 sessions)
VI. CONGREGATION SUSTENANCE LAB Up to 5 SESSIONS
How to revitalize and keep vital congregational life so that its ministry to the world stays vital. Methods such as covenanting, team building, consensus, spiritual nurture, symbol creation, mission design and implementation, and celebrations will be shared in participatory sessions. Guide book: The Continuing Reformation . . . , by John P. Cock.
VII. LAY MINISTRY CELEBRATION SUNDAY
A Sunday format for the older youth and adults of a congregation that will celebrate "the people of God" (Greek, laos = clergy and lay) and their common ministry, past, present, and future. An exemplary church school class on the biblical understanding of "the people of God," a celebrative worship, a lay ministry formation workshop, and celebrative family meal and reflection on the future ministry of that congregation.
~Lay Ministry Celebration: First United Methodist Church, Cleveland, TN (Sunday)
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John P. Cock has been an adjunct faculty with the Lay Ministry Center (Lake Junaluska) and a member of the Center for Ecozoic Studies, along with Thomas Berry. He is a spirit formation guide; author; a former region/area director of the Ecumenical Institute/Institute of Cultural Affairs in USA, Australia, Indonesia, and India; former minister at First UMC in Alpharetta, GA, Central UMC in Asheville, NC, and Reveille UMC in Richmond, VA.
Address: P.O. Box 38432, Greensboro, NC 27438
