Bible Challenge

The brainchild of our Bro Norm Fadelle, our BEC now has a "Bible Challenge" to attract the attention of those who walk by the Center. There are a lot of people who walk in the mall for exercise, and we've noticed that, while some slow down to take a look, very few ever come in. So Norm's idea was to give them something that would make them actually stop, and maybe some would end up coming inside.

The sign with the first challenge went up today. It's directly above the table where we put free items – outside our door, in the mall.

A small brochure on the table repeats the challenge, and provides the Bible answers. It also gives our address, phone, hours, and info on upcoming classes. On the first day, response to the new challenge was...well, underwhelming. We hope that on the weekdays, when the most walkers are in the mall, we'll get some response.

 

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An unrelated matter: today was the day of the Run For the Everlasting Cure, organized worldwide by Sis Rebekah Hunter. The Bloomington ecclesia participated, as it has for the past few years - and since the formation of the new Champaign County ecclesia, Sister Nisa Johnson of Bloomington organizes jointly for the two ecclesias. We (Paul & Jane Zilmer) were working in the BEC today, so could not participate. So we wore the T-shirts, and had our own "virtual" run. We were able to tell visitors to the BEC about the event behind the shirt.

More student recognition pix

More pictures of our student recognition event. Paul's talk, giving the awards, and discussion over lunch.

Student recognition - Fall 2009

(posted by Paul Zilmer)

On Saturday, November 21, we held a special event to recognize the commitment and accomplishments of our students. Fifteen students had completed one or more courses, since the BEC opened the first week of August. Eleven were able to attend the recognition, and three brought guests.

Students started arriving (early!) at a little after 10:00, and most had arrived by 10:30, for refreshments and conversation. Many of the students have gotten to know one another and have built relationships. Norm Fadelle kicked off the program right on time at 10:45, and the first order of business was to recognize the completers. There was a slide for each completer, showing a picture and listing the courses they had finished. Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor (one of the students!) we were able to give each completer a copy of Understanding the Bible by A.D. Norris to commemorate their accomplishment.

After a warm round of applause for all the completers, Paul Zilmer gave a Bible talk entitled "Well done, good and faithful servant". We shared the wonderful offer of entering into the joy of our Lord, and read from the Scriptures what that joy will entail.

After the talk, we set up tables and had lunch together, provided by several of the sisters in the ecclesia. There was excellent discussion over lunch. Afterwards, several of the students signed up for the next round of classes. During the busy holiday period, we will have a few one-session classes so people can stay engaged. We also invited them to join our regular Tuesday evening study, which will continue through the holidays. We've also published the schedule of Winter Term classes, which will begin in January.

Many thanks to all those who contributed to a great day together!  Special thanks to Deb, Dana, Nisa, Jennifer, and Jen for providing the lunch!

Here are a few pictures. Hope to have more pix to post soon.

 

 

 

Volunteers from St Paul

(posted by Paul Zilmer)

We were delighted to have Bro Dennis and Sis Vicki Martin help us out this week. Thank you, Dennis & Vicki!!

The Martins drove down from St Paul, MN on Tuesday. After grabbing some supper, we whisked them off to the Tuesday night class, a study in 1 Corinthians led by Ray. We basically never let them stop moving. They worked in the shop part of the BEC on Wednesday and Thursday – Wed with Jane and Thu with me. They got to experience signing up a new student, marking the lessons for a self-study student, answering phone questions from someone who saw an ad, waiting on customers, etc. (Sounds like it was busier than it actually was, I guess. We didn't have all that many people coming in...but we had some really good conversations.)

In the evenings, Dennis and Vicki joined in the classes – Acts on Wed, with our 2 active students in that class, and Prophecy on Thu, with 8 of the 9 active students. (In the previous post, you can catch a glimpse of them in one of the pictures in the prophecy class.)

They said they got a lot out of the whole experience. And we thoroughly enjoyed having them. With God's blessing, they hope to be back, maybe in late winter, to give a single-session seminar.

So...how about YOU?  We would love to have you come and volunteer, for as long as you're able to. Drop an email to urbanabec@gmail.com!

[With any luck, by the time you're here we'll have a furnace!  We've been frustrated by the mall management's slowness in replacing the furnace that conked out a month ago. But now they promise the new one will be in by Thanksgiving...  So far, it hasn't actually been too bad.]

Prophecy class pix

(posted by Paul Zilmer)

Norm's Bible Prophecy 101 class has been very lively. There are 9 consistent students. As planned from the start, Norm left the final two weeks for discussion of whatever prophecy-related issues the class wanted to talk about. Last night was the first of those discussions.

Norm gave one of the students a chance to explain his point of view on several aspects of last days prophecy. Norm then provided his own thoughts, and the class discussed. The key learning out of this exercise: pay careful attention to exactly what the Bible says, without reading into it what you have heard.

Topics covered included tribulation, the war in Ezekiel 38-39, the time periods in Daniel & elsewhere, false teachers in the churches, and anti-Christ. Excellent discussion, and great food for thought. Norm proved that it is possible to keep a discussion like this positive - that is, what the Bible does say, rather than what it doesn't say.

Afterwards, I had a follow-up conversation with one of the students. Everyone stayed very engaged, and in fact stayed late to talk. Norm asked some for permission to take their pictures.