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Courses and Faculty
B1 Introduction to the Book of Confessions - John Dudley In this course we will pose the "Who, What, Why, When, and Where" questions to the Book of Confessions (which, of course, is Part I of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA)). We will focus primarily on the "What" and "Why." People taking this course will gain a better understanding of how the eleven statements of faith contained in the Book of Confessions shape and inform our Reformed approach to the Christian faith. John Dudley - has been an ordained Presbyterian minister for over thirty-nine years and a member of the Presbytery of Mississippi for the past thirty-five years. He has recently retired from ten years of service as stated clerk of the presbytery and from nine and one-half years of service as instructor in mathematics at the University of Southern Mississippi. In retirement he continues to serve the presbytery on a part-time basis as administrative presbyter. B2 New Testament - John and Marsha Willett John and Marsha Willett are CLP's at Old Town Presbyterian Church - Bay St. Louis, Ms John and Marsha Willett attend Old Town Presbyterian, Bay St. Louis and are recent graduates of the CLP class. B3 Conquering Conflict (Part 2) - Greg Goodwiller We encounter conflict in many arenas of our lives: at home, at work, and even in the church! Come and learn a somple process that can turn destructive interactions into opportunities for personal growth and cooperation. Greg Goodwiller-An ordained PC(USA) minister, Greg is Executive Presbyter and Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of St. Andrew (north Mississippi). Prior to his current call, he served pastorates in North Carolina and Mississippi - where he was the pastor of Trinity Church in Laurel, and then First-Trinity. He works regularly as a consultant in strategic planning and conflict management, is currently Clerk of the General Assembly's Permanent Judicial Commission, and is a Registered Parliamentarian. B4 Seasonal Treasures: Old and New Music for the Liturgical year- Adrienne Mobley and Derrick Meador Come listen and sing as we explore liturgical rhythm through anthems, hymns and responses Derrick Meador, a native of Laurel, Mississippi, is Director of Music and Organist at First-Trinity Presbyterian Church. Mr. Meador returns to Laurel and First-Trinity Presbyterian after completing the class work for the Master of Music degree at the University of Houston. Following undergraduate study at William Carey University, he served as accompanist for the Alabama Choir School and organist at Christ Episcopal Church, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Mr. Meador is an active recitalist who has studied with Robert H. Bates, Jeff R. McLelland and Kathy Vail. B5 Looking at new ways to be Presbyterian Women - Dee Koza The purpose of our time together will be to look at vital elements of PW in our local churches. We will compare/contrast our elements with our national PW Purpose Statement, and creative new ways of building and doing our ministry as Presbyterian Women. - Dee Koza is a certified Presbyterian Church USA educator and Lay Commissioned Pastor, with experience in local, presbytery, and national level positions. A graduate of Huntington College and Union Seminary, Dee has served eight local churches. She was Associate Executive for Nurture and Parish development for National Capitol Presbytery in Washington D.C. and Executive for Youth Ministry at the national level of the PCUSA. She is a national keynote speaker and author. Dee is married to Rev. David C. Jamison. B6 ChildVoice International in Lukodi, Northern Uganda - Dr. Linda McDowell CVI is responding to the needs of child mothers, not “making it” in the community, according to village leaders guiding the dissolving of Displacement Camps. These child mothers, former child soldiers, have been severely impacted by their abduction and years in the bush, held for years as “wives” to rebel leaders. For mental health stabilization, time in a separate environment has proven necessary and effective in their trauma recovery process. During this time at the CVI school in Lukodi, north of Gulu, CVI staff work individually with each young mother to discover support needs for ongoing mental and physical health and well-being (wrap around services that developing communities can offer upon return) and then develop and implement an individual plan for transition to successful community life. For this success, a time of healing and trauma recovery is needed – stabilization. This setting is also an excellent opportunity for these war affected youth to receive intensive support and training, leading to rapid development in life skills, vocational skills, and skills as a young mothers. CVI efforts include community development activities as well: multiple employment opportunities for others in the villages, water purification, clinic services, and supports to the local primary schools. Dr. Linda McDowell, Associate Professor at University of Southern Mississippi (USM), has degrees in Elementary Education (from Covenant College) and Special Education (University of Tennessee and USM). She has experience in community services for individuals with disabilities beginning with 12 years as a classroom teacher in mild, moderate and severe disabilities in 3 other states and oversees as well, with her Mississippi teaching being at Hattiesburg High School. Her direct involvement with students and adults with disabilities continued as a builder of community recreational and employment opportunities and home ownership. Over the years, she has written, coordinated and implemented grant funded technical assistance projects and maintained membership on agency advisory boards and in several professional organizations - working towards systems change as well as continuing in demonstration of transition and community support services, including “discovery” and “individual planning.” Currently she not only teaches at the undergraduate and graduate level, but also directs federally funded personnel preparation, technical assistance and systems change initiatives (including the Mississippi Deaf-Blind Project and the production of the MS Systems Redesign Recommendation Document.) She has developed training modules for staff development; provided technical assistance on multiple levels; conducted state-wide workshops, and presented at national conferences for Education, Mental Health, Human Services, and Rehabilitation personnel and family support groups. People say Linda lives to work but she also enjoys the great outdoors of Mississippi and her family (a husband who teaches film production at USM, four adult children, one son-in-law, two daughter-in-laws, six grandsons and one granddaughter) and membership in the Gautier Presbyterian Church. B7 Youth Ministry – Getting Back to Basics.- Kennon Singley This class will help you and your congregations discover that a viable youth program is at your church…whether you know it or not. We will identify strengths to focus on when building a youth program, fundraising, recreation, and devotion ideas. Every church has talented congregation members that can help impact the lives of youth – the key is to find those people, and give them the tools to succeed. Our Presbytery has resources and events that also will help build your youth programs – in this class we’ll also discuss the ways our Presbytery can help move your program forward. Kennon Singley is the Camps and Retreats Director for the Presbytery of Mississippi. He was the Director of Youth and College Ministries at Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Augustine, FL from 2005-2007. He and his wife, Meredith, reside in McComb, MS and are members of J.J. White Memorial Presbyterian Church, where he is the volunteer Youth Director.
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