St. John Evangelical Church

LifeSkills Seminars

A monthly presentation of helpful information and practical suggestions directed at life's unfolding issues. Open to all who would like to attend. Oriented from a Christian perspective, presenters will include Dr. Brian Hughes, Pastor Mike McQuaid and other recognized experts from the local community. LifeSkills is also part of St. John's ongoing education process for Lay Pastors, Small Group Leaders and Guides of our middle-school Affirmation of Baptism program.

Click here for instructions on getting the sermons using "podcatcher" software, such as iTunes. Alternatively, you can use the links on this page to access seminars; just click on a the title of seminar to listen to it.

Becoming Christian, Becoming Adult - Stages in Faith Development, Brian Hughes, 09/25/2007
Does "growing in faith" follow along a regular path? A seed is planted, and with proper nutrients and warmth, it will germinate. Then it grows. It might also flower and provide a seed packet of its own. It moves along in obvious stages. Does faith follow along a similar path? Join us as we explore several notions about faith development.
[Stages of Faith]
Ministering to Those Needing Long-term Care, as well as the Extended Family, Buzz Baker, 06/12/2007
It seems like a natural progression of life that children eventually become the parents of their parents. Somehow when you're in the midst of those pitching waves of uncertainty, it sure doesn't feel natural! Join us as we welcome Dr. Buzz Baker, Director of Medical Services at EMA in Eldersburg, MD, where we'll learn the ins and outs of caring for aging family members and such life-changing questions as arranging for long-term care.
Ministering to Families Experiencing Divorce, Mike McQuaid, 05/22/2007
Even if you have never experienced divorce yourself, you most likely know a friend or relative who has had the misfortune of knowing what it's like to see a relationship torn apart and the waves of destruction that seem to follow. So, whether you've "been there and done that" or if you just want to know more about how to support those who are currently in the storm, plan to be at this installment of our LifeSkills series.
[Ministering to Families Experiencing Divorce - Bibliography]
Ministering to Those Experiencing Grief, Brian Hughes, 04/24/2007
This Life Skills Seminar provides training in how to minister to those experiencing grief. Grief can have many causes - for instance, the death of a loved one, or loss of financial security - and active listening skills can help us help our brothers and sisters through these seasons in their lives.
[Active Listening Amid Grief and Loss]
Caring for People Before, During, and After Hospitalization, Mike McQuaid, 03/27/2007
This LifeSkills Seminar provides advice on how to minister to people in the hospital.
[Caring for People Before, During, and After Hospitalization (Bibliography)]
Transitioning the Adolescent Life Cycle, Mike McQuaid, 02/27/2007
Every family with children will one day walk through what is generally recognized as one of the most difficult family lifecycle transitions: adolescence. There are a whole host of changes occurring within the young person as they are being prepared to step forth into adulthood. Their personal changes impact the larger family in significant ways. Tonight we will learn about those changes, the transitions families encounter, and how best to journey through them.
[Transitioning the Adolescent Life Cycle]
Introduction to Family Systems, Brian Hughes, 01/23/2007
Systems thinking has revolutionized many areas of human endeavor including how we can look at family health. Family Systems thinking is a tool for examining the emotional processes within a household rather than fixating on symptomatic content. In other words, rather than saying "Well, Billy's acting out again, he's a troubled young man," we can ask, "What role is Billy playing in the family that he acts this way?" Part of our ongoing training for Lay Pastors and Affirmation of Baptism small group guides, this training is open to all. It has been scheduled to coordinate with our "Desperate Households" six-week sermon series. Dr. Hughes will be our presenter. There will be time for questions and discussion at the end of the session.
[Generations and Generational Processes]
Dealing with Depression, Joyce Derby, 11/28/2006
We are pleased to welcome a guest speaker, Joyce Derby, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist who has been treating children, adults, and families in Howard County for the past 15 years. She has a special interest in helping faith communities develop outreach ministries both within their congregations and in the community. Tonight's topic is "Dealing with Depression": how can you tell if you're looking at someone who is just having a bad day/week/month or whether it has transitioned into something else? What are the signs and how can we respond to others in this situation?
A Distinctively Christian Caring, Brian Hughes, 09/26/2006
An introduction to the unique basis of how and why Christians care for one another. Presenter: Dr. Brian Hughes