Spring 2023 Course Offerings

Courses include a rich variety of activities and skills, as well as academic subjects, and all are taught by experts volunteering their time. Members may take as many as they choose for one membership fee ($45).

 

Busy schedule? Most Zoom classes are recorded for later viewing by members.

 

 

2023 Session Dates:

Spring: April 18 - June 8
Fall: Sept 19 - November 9
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Click on the brochure cover to view the brochure centerfold schedule of classes.
Quilt on brochure cover by Maureen Wright, member of Quilting class.

Welcome to Spring Session

  • Three classes continue our experimentation with the hybrid format on Tuesdays. Teachers are onsite for two classes and one will Zoom from home. NOTE: These will be the only Zoom classes available on Tuesdays. You may choose the format you prefer, but be aware that class sizes onsite must remain smaller than we previously enjoyed. Health measures call for fewer people in all rooms. There is no limit on class size in Zoom.

Key Dates

  • Mar. 17 - Sign-Up for Spring Session opens on website
  • April 3 - Sign-Up soft deadline
  • No later than April 6 - Membership confirmation and Dashboard access email will be sent to members
  • April 12 - Registration for Zoom courses soft deadline
  • April 18 - Spring Session Begins

Process to Sign Up & Register:

(1) Complete the membership form and pay securely online by April 3 if possible. Should you prefer to mail in your membership and payment, print membership form from our website. This form includes space to register for only onsite courses and those with limited class size. You will be contacted only if a class is full.

 

(2) After you sign up, the office will process your membership and no later than April 6 will send you a single email with information about access to the Member Dashboard on our website. On the Dashboard you can click on links to register for any and all courses you would like to take through Zoom. Please register on Zoom asap after you receive the email access. Call the Center office if you need help with Zoom.

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CLASS PAGE ONSITE PHOTO

Onsite Courses

TUESDAYS: ONSITE AT ASHLAND UMC

Health Policy: While the Shepherd's Center of St. Andrews requires that all participants in onsite classes be fully vaccinated, the Center has no way of guaranteeing everyone's compliance. Members need to be aware of this non-guarantee and to make the best decisions for themselves about participating in onsite activities. Masking and maintaining physical distance are strongly encouraged onsite. (Adopted by the Board, March 28, 2022)

Watch the website and the Horn for any updates made to this policy as the Board monitors CDC guidelines.

Inclement Weather Policy: Whenever Lexington-Richland School District 5 makes any change to their schedule for inclement weather, the Center will be closed. Info will be on WIS-TV, our Facebook page, and our website. Online courses will not be affected.

Meditation: Not Just What You Think!

Research suggests that meditation and mindfulness techniques can be valuable tools in managing chronic health conditions (including heart disease, diabetes, chronic back pain) and relieving generalized stress and anxiety. It can be taught to almost anyone and at any age. You don't even have to sit still cross-legged on the floor for hours at a time! Immediate results can be experienced in as little time as it takes to focus on 5 deep breaths. Let Pamila Lorentz MSW, RN, LMBT, a Licensed Bodywork Therapist with over 30 years experience in meditation practice, introduce you to several different types of meditation techniques. Class size limit 15.


Art: Perfecting Your Skills in Watercolor

This workshop allows students to work on their own projects. They are expected to supply their own materials: watercolor paints, paper, brushes, pencils, water container, and paper towels.  Experienced artist Dee Hansen advises on techniques and materials. Open to students of all levels from beginners to accomplished. Class size limit 15.


Chair Yoga

Cindy Smith, certified YogaFit instructor, leads this gentle form of yoga practiced sitting or standing using a chair for support. She teaches basic movements for total body stretching along with an emphasis on balance and core strength. Class size limit 50.


Beginning Spanish

Taught by Cindy Hall. This is a continuation of the previous Beginning Spanish course. We will focus on grammar from a text book as well as vocabulary and conversation. Class size limit 12.


Crochet:  Happy Hookers!

Come join life-long crocheter Kitsie Miller and friends while they relax and hone skills by making necklaces, washcloths, light-weight scarves, shawls, baby blankets--whatever your heart desires. Have fun shopping at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, or Joann’s, and get a skein (that’s crochet for ball) of Worsted Weight yarn in your favorite color and a 5 mm hook to make your chain necklace. Or we’d love to see what you have coming off your hook. Kitsie will furnish notebooks with all sorts of patterns. Class size limit 15.


Bell Ensemble

Secular, classical, and sacred music will be performed at a level and speed determined by the players. Focus will be on development of artistic expression. Taught by experienced music teacher Joan Marco. Minimum class size 6; maximum 10.


Ukulele: Beginners Only

Deb McMurphy teaches beginners and those who feel they need more basic work on forming chords, strumming, and learning the C scale. Deb will bring several sizes of ukuleles for participants to try if they need to buy a ukulele. Class size limit 6.


Ukulele Vibrations

The class plays old favorites with the addition of some jazz chords for color. We will also work on chord melody skills mostly in the key of C and developing a simple arpeggio using 3 or 4 individual fingers. Taught by Deb McMurphy. Class size limit 10.

Creative Quilting

The group will focus on higher-level quilting skills with thread painting on fabric and the Bargello technique. We will continue with charity quilts to donate to local organizations, and, time permitting, we will work on quilt-as-you-go placemats. In addition, individuals may work on their own projects. Participants must provide their own sewing machines, quilting tools, fabrics, and patterns required for the projects. Self-paced class with guidance from award-winning quilter Judie Travis. Class size limit 18.


Line Dancing

Practice favorite line dances taught by Lynda Mixon. Come for good exercise and good company. Beginners are welcome! Class size limit 25.


Let's Play Mah Jongg

Enjoy playing and building on basic skills under Pam Morris's jovial guidance.  The course for beginners will return in the Fall Session. Class size limit 20.


Games with Friends

Gather with friends for an afternoon of board games and laughter. Carol McGinnis Kay, coordinator. Group size limit 16.


Bridge for Fun

No instruction, just lots of good friendly bridge play with fellow Shepherd’s Center members. Group size limit 12.

 


 

HYBRID: TV Sit-Coms

Come along with Bob Gants and relive comedy series you grew up with in the 1950s and '60s.  Some are classics, some are not, but you make your own decisions. Let's revisit our youth and the beautiful black-and-white (well, maybe some color) shows that made us laugh back then. [April 18 - May 9] Class size limit: 15 onsite and unlimited online. 


HYBRID: Down the Great Unknown

Did you ever want to take a river cruise?  Well, then, grab an oar or paddle and step aboard a small boat to join a few of the greatest explorers and expeditions in history. Be the first to travel some of the world’s most famous rivers with such adventurers as Lewis and Clark, Von Humboldt, Mackenzie, Sir Richard Burton, Stanley, Powell, and Teddy Roosevelt. Our journeys will span three continents as we plunge into the famous rivers of the world, meet the intrepid explorers, and hear the dramatic stories of some of history’s most exciting and dangerous expeditions. We can quench our thirst for adventure while staying comfortably dry. Taught by Tom Kuhn, retired archaeologist and author. Class size limit: 35 onsite and unlimited online.


HYBRID: Ethiopia: Cradle of Civilization

Ethiopia is a much misunderstood country with its own take on religion, curry, and the need for the wheel. It has unique geography and customs, buried churches, maybe the Ark of the Covenant, and, most important to many people, without it we wouldn’t have coffee. As the cradle of civilization, it has one of the world's longest histories as a country and a tempestuous present. Overall, a fascinating place to get to know, and who better to guide us than Edwina Winter, who grew up there. Class size limit: 35 onsite and unlimited online.

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Online Courses

COURSES OFFERED VIA ZOOM

ALL COURSES ARE ON THURSDAYS EXCEPT CONTINUING SPANISH WHICH IS ON WEDNESDAY.

Getting Ready to Zoom: Zoom is an online technology ideal for distance education. To get started, type the word Zoom into the web browser on your desktop or laptop computer. At the Zoom website, sign up for the free basic service and download the app as directed.

Busy schedule? Most Zoom classes are recorded for later viewing by members through the member dashboard.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

HYBRID: TV Sit-Coms

Come along with Bob Gants and relive comedy series you grew up with in the 1950s and '60s.  Some are classics, some are not, but you make your own decisions. Let's revisit our youth and the beautiful black-and-white (well, maybe some color) shows that made us laugh back then. [April 18 - May 9] Class size limit: 15 onsite and unlimited online. 


HYBRID: Down the Great Unknown

Did you ever want to take a river cruise?  Well, then, grab an oar or paddle and step aboard a small boat to join a few of the greatest explorers and expeditions in history. Be the first to travel some of the world’s most famous rivers with such adventurers as Lewis and Clark, Von Humboldt, Mackenzie, Sir Richard Burton, Stanley, Powell, and Teddy Roosevelt. Our journeys will span three continents as we plunge into the famous rivers of the world, meet the intrepid explorers, and hear the dramatic stories of some of history’s most exciting and dangerous expeditions. We can quench our thirst for adventure while staying comfortably dry. Taught by Tom Kuhn, retired archaeologist and author. Class size limit: 35 onsite and unlimited online.


HYBRID: Ethiopia: Cradle of Civilization

Ethiopia is a much misunderstood country with its own take on religion, curry, and the need for the wheel. It has unique geography and customs, buried churches, maybe the Ark of the Covenant, and, most important to many people, without it we wouldn’t have coffee. As the cradle of civilization, it has one of the world's longest histories as a country and a tempestuous present. Overall, a fascinating place to get to know, and who better to guide us than Edwina Winter, who grew up there. Class size limit: 35 onsite and unlimited online.

 


 

Continuing Spanish                              

Dr. David P. Hill, Professor of Spanish Emeritus, USC, guides us in conversation practice, cultural readings, and grammar review. Some prior study of Spanish is expected.  Class limit 12 devices.


Trivial Pursuit

Enjoy an hour of fun and frolic as you and your team try to answer trivia questions from Bob Gants. No one plays alone, and you will have lots of fun and laughter, and perhaps even learn some vital trivia you didn't know. No prizes, no finger pointing, no reason not to come and have a good time.

A Journey of Faith: One More Step along the Road . . .

This is the story of an ongoing Faith Journey told by Reverend Jane Allen, retired priest in the Anglican Church in Wales. It is a journey that has taken place against an international background, which gives it a unique perspective. The course includes insights into what has influenced and informed that journey. We learned something of her story during our Shared Winter Break and participants were eager to hear more. [May 18 - June 8]


Travel Sites/Sights in South Carolina

Are you ready to get on the road again – or just happy to plan for a future trip?  Why not start in your own state?  With our experienced guide Gale DuBose, retired attorney, we’ll go by Zoom to state parks, historical sites, and interesting cities.  Most can be visited in a day trip.  If you want to linger longer, learn about park cabins or cozy B&Bs and how to make time for some seafood or Carolina barbecue. Join us as we map out our next adventure.


Down My Favorite Rabbit-Hole

Just as Alice was drawn to follow the White Rabbit and ended up in Wonderland, our teachers often find themselves pursuing something totally unexpected and we all discover a world of wonders we never knew about. Join some of our most popular teachers as they explore topics that catch their interest. Learn about the calming benefits of Buddhism; the man who changed theatre forever; the British naval mutiny you've probably never heard of; what "Byzantine" really means--and more. Coordinated by Ron Pearson.


ReadersCircle

Ever wondered what book clubs are all about? Why they are so popular? Join us and find out.  We read fiction and non-fiction, serious and light, and we love to talk about what we read. This series will begin with Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. This novel is funny, whip-smart, and serious about finding one’s family and the ongoing fight for gender equality. We next read Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom, a true story by Ilyon Woo; Mr. Churchills Secretary, a mystery by Susan MacNeal; Robinson Crusoe, a classic by Daniel Defoe; Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, a novel by Gabrielle Zevin. Join us for a fun and lively discussion even if you have not read the book--this is a good way to find new books! Retired librarian Teresa Brown coordinates the group.


Creative Writing Group

In a welcoming environment, members share prose and verse, memoirs and fiction. Indulge your creativity, engage in a journey of self-discovery, or just enjoy listening as others share their efforts. Group leader Dr. Miriam Johnson, Professor of Social Work Emerita, USC, provides writing prompts and optional homework. Members unable to join online may participate through exchanges of documents and other offline contacts. Zoom participants limit 15.       

Credits

CREDITS: Courses planned by Adventures in Learning Committee, chaired by Carol McGinnis Kay and co-chaired by Deb Gants. Quilt on brochure cover by Maureen Wright, member of Quilting class.