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EASTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

106 N Riverside Drive

Indialantic, FL

 

THURSDAY CLASSES @ Eastminster

9:00 AM         

 

WHAT IN THE WORLD:  Robin Cramp (bio) has traveled extensively throughout the world and lived overseas giving him a deep insight on how the U.S. is viewed by our friends and foes.  His weekly sessions cover current events, and surveys the geographical limitations, political upheavals, and economic struggles of these areas.  Robin’s abounding professionalism and his enchanting British delivery causes this class to fill up rapidly.  Even if you do not take this course, see Robin and sign up for his monthly newsletter on current world affairs. ​​​​

REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED DUE TO ROOM CAPACITY

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LESSONS FOR EVERYDAY ART EXPLORATION: Please join this class with a new teacher, Alex Stankiewicz, (bio) building new habits using materials, time, and intention, using simple skill-building exercises through basic mindfulness practices to increase inspiration: step-by-step lessons, exercises, and sketchbook practices from objects found in nature and our homes. 

 

Alex is an instructor at TASGOB (The Art Students Guild of Brevard) and CBAA (Central Brevard Art Association)
 

             Material options: 

• Sketchbook, 8x8 inches to 9x12 inches with a thick, smooth, white paper

• graphite pencils in HB (or a yellow #2 pencil ), 2B 3B

• White vinyl eraser each

• Kneaded eraser, gray

• Medium blending stump

• Pencil sharpener 

The bare minimum is copying paper and a yellow # 2 pencil.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED DUE TO ROOM CAPACITY

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THE NATIONAL PARKS: Join Lee Rosenkranz, (bio) CTC (Certified Travel Counselor) as he reviews and shows in depth the Ken Burns PBS series on National Parks and the PBS teaching curriculum plus The Wonders of America’s National Parks from The Great Courses. In state parks and monuments include the Everglades National Park, Fort Matanzas and Castillo De San Marcos National Monument in St. Augustine. Local subjects include the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge and Cape Canaveral National Seashore. If you’d like to receive a syllabus you can request it by e-mail to floridagreeters@yahoo.com or text 321-544-3758.

 

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KNITTING:  Bring your yarn and needles and come refresh your knitting or crocheting skills with a fun group of ladies. Join Shannon Miller (bio) for an enjoyable hour!

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THURSDAY CLASSES @ Eastminster

10:00 AM

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POSTURCIZE:  Learn a fun and simple exercise routine that will strengthen your muscles for good posture and improve joint movement.  Look and feel great, keep fit, and prevent pain!  This session is led by Janet Harazda (bio), a Registered Nurse (FL 936802) and Licensed Massage Therapist (FL Lic. # MA24421) and a retired registered nurse specializing in Hoshino Therapy©, a manual technique and body of practical knowledge for the rejuvenation of overused or stressed tendons.  Wear loose comfortable clothing.​

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THE BIBLE 101 continued: Pastor Rob will begin this term with the book of Esther and continue looking at each book of the Bible in-depth. Using some resources from The Bible Project, you will explore the major themes, historical understandings, and significance of each book. This class will be a continuing class for the next several semesters until we've explored every book of the Bible. The course instructor/moderator is our Eastminster host, Rev. Dr. Rob White (bio).

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THE ASTRONOMY WE LEARN from the HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE: In this course we will analyze many of the beautiful images of space taken by the Hubble Space Telescope and learn the many techniques used by astronomers to determine what the images mean and how they teach us the physics of the stars.  The course is taught with a Great Courses DVD and moderated by Tom Sanders (bio).

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BEGINNING CONVERSATION FOR THE SPANISH LANGUAGE: Isabel Ochoa-Youssef, (bio) a retired New York City teacher, will guide you through a series of grammar lessons and short stories to help you expand your conversational skills in this essential language. The recommended books are "Madrigal’s Magic Key to Spanish: A Creative and Proven Approach” by Margarita Madrigal and “Spanish Made Simple" by Eugene Jackson and Antonio Rubio, revised by Judith Neimethy. Both texts provide grammar and real-life conversational scenarios. Some Spanish background is highly recommended. ​

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INTRODUCTION TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI): During this term Dr. Joel Sturman (bio) will continue his introduction to the fascinating field of Artificial Intelligence. Joel will call upon various expert narrators who are the current giants in today's evolving technology such as:

 

• Sam Altman - Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of OpenAI. OpenAI was established with the goal of "promoting and developing friendly AI for the benefit of humanity". In 2023 Altman was named "one of the 100 most influential people of the world" and "CEO of the Year" by Time magazine. 

 

• Yann Le Cun - A Professor at NYU; VP and Chief of AI Science at META (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) Le Cun is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering and the French Académie des Sciences. He is sometimes referred to as one of the "Godfathers of AI and Deep Learning". In 2018 he was co-reciepient of an Alan M. Turing award for his work in AI.  

 

• Mustafa Suleyman - CEO of Microsoft AI. He has been prominent in the debate over the ethics of AI and the need for companies, governments and civil society to join in holding technologists accountable for the impacts of their work.

 

Perhaps, with their guidance we will gain some insight into the future directions of this fascinating field. 

REGISTRATION FOR THIS CLASS IS CLOSED DUE TO ROOM CAPACITY

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THURSDAY CLASSES @ Eastminster

11: 00 AM

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INTERMEDIATE SPANISH:  Join Isabel Ochoa-Youssef, (bio) a former New York City teacher, as she utilizes the texts "Madrigal’s Magic Key to Spanish, A Creative and Proven Approach” by Margarita Madrigal and “Spanish Made Simple" by Eugene Jackson and Antonio Rubio, revised by Judith Neimeth. Both resources provide ongoing conversational scenarios and grammar exercises for Spanish second language learners. 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ADVENTURES (AND MISADVENTURES) Part VI: Do you have a serious case ofwanderlust? Whether you are an independent, group or armchair adventurer, come and enjoy! A couple travel junkies willshare experiences on how to save money, stay safe and have the adventure of a lifetime. Each class will focus on adifferent destination. The Spring 2025 lineup includes: Thailand; Estonia; Chengdu, China; Topkapi Palace (Istanbul); Amtrak Adventure; Andalusia, Spain; Provence; and Beijing & the Great Wall. In addition, information will be provided on “Travel Hacks” (photo tips, air tags, home exchanges, mobile passports, google flights, jet lag, car rentals, credit cards, insurance, currency exchange, etc.). The presenters are academic colleagues and bring very different approaches to travel. Stan Helm spent eleven summers teaching graduate courses in China and has traveled worldwide. Bob Cox is the retired director of Webster University’s Melbourne campus, an adjunct for Barry University and has enjoyed many international adventures​​.

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CHAIR YOGA: Join Jim and Mary Ann Loafman (bio) are certified Yoga instructors since 1988.  This session is for those who do not feel comfortable or able to do floor exercises.  The exercises are gentle and enable students to relax and become more flexible.  Bring a big smile and enjoy a lovely time. Welcome back Jim and Mary Ann.

THIS CLASS IS CLOSED DUE TO ROOM CAPACITY

 

 

PRACTICING MINDFULNESS MEDITATION: Join Leslie Johansen (bio) for this introduction to meditation.  Meditation is a form of exercise that strengthens our natural ability to bring moment-to-moment awareness to our lives. Mindfulness is the skill of opening ourselves to reality without judgement. We live lives, in today's culture, in constant bombardment if information and stimulation. No wonder we feel exhausted and overwhelmed. Mindfulness gives us the opportunity to detach from the constant bombardment.

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BEACHSIDE BOOK CLUB:  Joanne Birnberg (bio) leads this group and invites new members to join all the veterans for a fascinating hour.  The group has selected the following contemporary books for the winter term:

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SPRING  2025:

4/3       Clean - Alia Trabucco Zeran

4/10     Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck

4/17     Conclave - Robert Harris

4/24     An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960's - Doris Kearns                         Goodwin

5/1       Colored Television - Danzy Senna

5/8       The Time Keepers - Alyson Richman

5/15     All Fours - Miranda July

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HISTORY of the INDIAN SUBCONTINENT continued: Go inside the thrilling History of the Indian Subcontinent, a breathtaking survey of South Asia from its earliest societies along the Indus and Ganges rivers through the modern challenges of the 21st century. Perhaps the most important facet of this history is how diverse the region truly is. Roughly the size of continental Europe, India—along with its neighbors Pakistan and Bangladesh—contains a myriad of ethnic groups, socioeconomic classes, religions, and cultural mores. Its strategic location has also made the subcontinent an important trading center and economic hub. Watch as myriad invaders travel through the Khyber Pass from Afghanistan to set up—or conquer—kingdoms in India. Witness the beginnings of the Mughal empire, who created the gorgeous Peacock Throne and the Taj Mahal. History of the Indian Subcontinent is a must-have course for understanding this powerful region and its profound influence on the rest of the globe. This course is from The Great Courses and is taught by Professor Michael H. Fisher Ph.D of Oberlin College, and facilitated by Fahim (Fred) Ahmed (bio).

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