St. Francis Adult Education Summer Series 2013 presents
World Religions Inside Out
An Exploration of Religious Practices Around the World
This year the St. Francis Adult Ed summer series invites participants to learn about and
experience forms of religious expression from different parts of the world. The series
emphasizes religions other than Christianity in order to further the understanding of peoples of
the world by those raised in a primarily Judeo-Christian culture. The speakers will present key
beliefs and practices of each religion as well as creating opportunities to directly experience
those practices.
June 2 - Introduction to Exploring Religious Practices Around the World – Frank
Williams
We will initiate the series with a class focused on taking an inclusive, yet discerning view of world
religions. As Stephen Prothero, author of God is Not One, states “opening our eyes to religious
differences can help us appreciate the unique beauty of each of the great religions.”
Frank Williams, founding pastor of St. Francis in the Foothills, is presently Social Services Director at
Casa de la Luz Hospice. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona, his
Masters of Sacred Theology from Boston University School of Theology and his doctorate from Boston
University.
June 9 & 16 – Hinduism – Sanjay Manchanda
This class focuses on the practical and mystical aspects of Hindu philosophy and practice. This is an
experiential class that will explore how Hindu mystical understanding is connected to and relevant in
our current Western and modern context. Two key Hindu texts will be emphasized: the Bhagavad Gita
and the Yoga Sutras.
Dr. Sanjay Manchanda has been studying meditation and yoga for over twenty years. He has studied
Vipassana, Zen, Tibetan Buddhism, Yoga and in the Non-Dual Advaita Vedanta tradition. He is a
licensed psychotherapist with a background in Jungian, Body-Centered and Transpersonal therapy,
and is board-certified in Neurofeedback.
June 23 & 30 – Buddhism – Brad Stroup
June 23: (The Fire Sermon) We will experience the 3nd sutta given by the Buddha to novice monks in
the 5th c. BCE India. We will look at what he was trying to get those people to understand, and see if it
means something to us today.
June 30: “Master, what is the way?” This question, asked by novices, was found in three separate
koans in 9th c. China. Zen abbots worked with the monks in hopes of having them experience kensho
or enlightment.
Brad Stroup is a retired businessman from the computer industry. He has followed a Zen and
Vipassana Buddhist practice for over 30 years and is only a beginner.
July 7 & 14 – Islam – Sidney & Esther Sharrif
By using Prophet Muhammad, Allah's last Messenger (pbuh) ("peace be upon him") and his Sunnah
("his way"), we plan to present Islam to our audience as an inclusive way of life for all humanity. Islam
is not a religion as it is understood in most of the western world. The human being must rise above the
status of plants and animals, because according to the Qur'an, the Holy book of the Muslims, the Spirit
of Allah commands it.
Sidney and Esther are married grandparents, who became residents of Tucson AZ in 1999. They
founded the Islamic Inmates Corrections Association of America to make the community a better place
by mentoring inmates at Wilmot State Prison and assisting them upon release.
July 21 & 28 – Kabbalah – Mark Rosenberg
Together, during our two meetings, we will uncover some of the Kabbalistic interpretations of the
Genesis creation myth. We will concentrate on the Kabbalistic insight offered through the very old and
cryptic book: The Sefer Yetzirah (Book of Formation) and then we will study creation as envisioned by
the great Kabbalist: Isaac Luria.
Mark Rosenberg, a native New Yorker and veterinarian, started exploring his spirituality after time spent
on the Hopi reservation. In 2010 he received a Masters in Jewish Studies from Gratz College in
Philadelphia. His thesis was Kabbalah and Lurianic Soul theory.
August 4 – Bahai – Kaveh Shahidi
"So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole world" (Baha'i Writings). Let us explore
a set of principles from the Baha'i Faith, which aims and strives to unite the humankind.
Kaveh Shahidi is a member of the Baha'i community and has passion to see the civilization advance
through collaboration and justice. He works with like-minded individuals in many communities to learn
about achieving unity by overcoming our differences.
August 11 -- Celtic Spirituality – Dan Meyer
We will explore the rich tradition of Celtic Spirituality, with its focus on the wild and elemental in nature;
a love of poetry and story-telling; and the thin veil between the everyday world and the active life of the
spirits. A suggested reading is Anam Cara (Soul Friend), by John O’Donohue.
Dan Meyer developed an interest in Celtic spirituality from his Irish roots and travels around the
Emerald Isle. He has been a member of St. Francis for 30 years.
August 18 – Final Class Exploring World Religions–Frank Williams
In looking over a summer of learning about religious practices around the world, we will discuss what
personal meaning we have derived from the classes, the practices that were the most impactful and
make plans for possible follow-up classes or groups.