New This Week - "Changeling"

Dear Thoughtful Christians,


On June 12, 2009, Iranians went to the polls to cast their vote. With rallies held in support of both the incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the main opposition leader Mir Hossein Moussavi, it was sure to be a tight race. The very next day, believing there to be counting violations, Moussavi asked for the vote counting to stop. Still, Ahmadinejad declared himself the winner with 63 percent of the vote; angry crowds took to the streets in the largest protest since the 1979 Islamic revolution. On June 15 eight protesters were killed. A week after the protests began, and despite warnings from supreme leader Khamenei to stop the protests, scores of Iranians clashed with police on the streets of Tehran.


Iran remains the center of much attention in the news, yet many Americans don’t know much about this part of the world. We suggest taking the time this summer to learn more about this country, the surrounding regions, and the United State’s interactions with Iran to gain a richer and more balanced understanding of a country that we only ever seem to see in a state of unrest. We suggest the following order of studies, totaling eight weeks of sessions. Please note that the study titled “Should the United States Invade Iran?” is an In the News study from 2006; however we feel it is still relevant today and provides important information about our recent involvements in Iran.


Introduction to the Middle East, 3 sessions
Shi’ites and Sunnis: Sibling Rivalry in the Muslim Family, 1 session
Should the United States Invade Iran?, 1 session
Understanding Iran, 3 sessions

Here are this week's new studies as well as other highlights.

New Adult Study (Popular Culture - Movies - Adult)
Changeling
This study provides an opportunity to reflect on the power of faithful perseverance even against severe odds. This movie is based on true historical events involving a single mother in search of justice and the Presbyterian pastor who advocates on her behalf.

Last Week's Top Five
What Do Lutherans Believe? (Bible and Theology - Denominational Beliefs - Adult)
What Do Presbyterians Believe? (Bible and Theology - Denominational Beliefs - Adult)
What Does God Require of You? (Bible and Theology - Theology - Youth)
What Do United Methodists Believe? (Bible and Theology - Denominational Beliefs - Adult)
The Theology of The Shack (Popular Culture - Books - Adult)


Visit us again next week for our new youth study titled "Wonderfully Made: Building Body Image in Youth" and our new In the News study titled "Health-Care Reform: The Moment Is Now!"

Peace,

Andrew Yeager-Buckley

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