Capital Region

Meet the Animals. Red, Jubie, and Pippin are micro-miniature horses. Lovie is a Sicilian donkey. Bay is a St. Bernard service dog who also earned her Canine Good Citizen designation. Learn about their histories, special diets, and what they do for fun!

Today, the person next door does not always look like us, talk like us, or believe the same things we do. Various cultures, religions, and worldviews are part of our everyday lives, and many come to our shores as refugees fleeing violence and persecution around the world. Christ calls his followers to serve them with love and compassion. Learn more about who refugees are, why they come to seek safety in the United States, and what we can do to make them feel welcome and part of our community.

This course will provide participants with information on the history and health value of the mushroom. Tasting of various foods that use several different types of mushrooms and recipes will be available. As always, participants need to remember to eat a very lite lunch prior to the course.

Your adventure will begin at the visitor center where you will learn about natural history, raptor identification, migration information and Sanctuary guidelines. Participants will then spend time getting an up-close and personal look at one of the education raptors. Following the presentation, the group will take part in a guided walk to South Lookout. During the walk you will hear about flight interpretation and local landmarks. A trained naturalist will be on hand to announce and identify approaching birds. There will be time for exploring the Sanctuary on your own followed by a boxed lunch outside, under the roof in the amphitheater.

What is friction and what causes a friction force? What are anti-lock brakes and how and why do they work? How is friction important for artificial joints? How do nails and screws hold your house together? Why do ice skates glide on ice? New research shows that the traditional explanation is wrong. How can you reduce friction? This course will answer these questions and other applications of friction, like toothpaste, for example.

This course is a history of Cunard's iconic ship, Queen Mary. As one of the most famous and luxurious ocean liners, she took the rich and famous back and forth across the Atlantic. Participants will learn about the role the ship played during and after WWII.

Today, the person next door does not always look like us, talk like us, or believe the same things we do. Various cultures, religions, and worldviews are part of our everyday lives, and many come to our shores as refugees fleeing violence and persecution around the world. Christ calls his followers to serve them with love and compassion. Learn more about who refugees are, why they come to seek safety in the United States, and what we can do to make them feel welcome and part of our community.

Our adventure will begin with seeing highlights of the garden from a seat on the tram. Learn about the history of Winterthur, and see what’s in bloom on this 20-minute narrated tour. Enjoy a self-guided tour into the entertaining rooms and the premier collection of American decorative arts. Winterthur galleries highlight America’s history, cultural heritage, and design through objects from the museum and library collections. After the tour of the rooms, participants will be able to purchase lunch at the Pavilion Cafe, located in the Visitor Center. Following lunch, there will be time to explore the gardens and grounds on your own before departure. The bus will depart from Winterthur at 2:00 pm. The group is expected to return to Messiah Lifeways by 4:00 pm.

Tucked away in the rolling hills of south central Pennsylvania, Wildwood Park conveniently sits on the edge of suburbia and urban culture. Unique in its location on the outskirts of Harrisburg, the public park is a haven for countless species of flora and fauna natural to our area, some endangered. Take this opportunity to work outside and help Wildwood’s continued park and habitat enhancement projects. Tools and work gloves provided. The event will be cancelled in case of rain.

Socrates was an Ancient Greek philosopher who had a profound effect on Western civilization. Using an approach similar to his Socratic method, this forum will offer an open round table discussion during each session in which all attendees will be welcome to contribute to the discussion. A topic will be selected during each monthly session, and participants will have the opportunity to share their opinions without interruption. The expected outcome of this unique learning experience is for everyone involved to learn and discuss interesting philosophical issues with others on many interesting topics in an open and respectful environment.

This course will teach you the basics of the game. Explanations of the paddles and balls will be discussed. You will learn how the game is played and scored. Actual games, using a doubles format will be played. You will be coached while playing on the court. A tennis type shoe is required. Balls and paddles will be provided. Pickleball requires less running mobility than tennis. Please consult your physician before registering for this program.

This presentation will look at the current and projected impacts of climate change globally, in the U.S., and here in Pennsylvania. We’ll also look at ways that we can adapt to those impacts, what we need to do to prevent the most catastrophic consequences of climate change, the relationship between climate change and global pandemics, and what you can do to help stop climate change.

A Pennsylvania woman of the early 1900’s, Fianna was shaped by the Anabaptist faith that strengthened her through tuberculosis and early death at age 29. She left behind a grieving husband, two small children, and a large packet of letters. The story within the letters became the foundation for Fianna’s Story. While participants will follow Fianna’s daily life of church, home, and farm, we will focus on her experiences in a sanatorium, the strange treatments she received, and her determination to live her faith. We will follow her and her family after she returned home to die. Participants are encouraged to read Fianna’s Story before the class to help discuss lessons that her life offers for us. The book is available at Masthof Press and Amazon.

Enjoy a guided tour to explore the heritage and horticulture of Hershey Gardens from its beginnings in 1937 through today. Following the tour you will have the opportunity to walk among hundreds of butterflies from around the world at the Butterfly Atrium. The visit will round out with participants enjoying free time to wander among the gardens at their leisure. Bring your camera! The group is expected to return to Messiah Lifeways by 1:30 pm.

"Christian" art and architecture didn't appear until the middle of the 3rd century, long after the development of Christian worship and theology. What took so long? Or was it there and we just don't recognize it? There are fascinating mysteries in the visual emergence of a new religion in an ancient world, where gods, emperors, magicians, chameleons, and donkeys could be transformed, and tombs, courtrooms, and laundries could be converted by Christian creativity. Visit catacombs and villas to follow the flights of imagination of a new faith and its visual expression.

This course will teach you the basics of the game. Explanations of the paddles and balls will be discussed. You will learn how the game is played and scored. Actual games, using a doubles format will be played. You will be coached while playing on the court. A tennis type shoe is required. Balls and paddles will be provided. Pickleball requires less running mobility than tennis. Please consult your physician before registering for this program.

In 1998, the American Film Institute (AFI) polled over 1,500 artists and film industry leaders to gather their votes for the top 100 American films of all time. These “arbiters of excellence” chose from a list of 400 nominated films. The criteria included critical recognition, major awards won, popularity over time, historical significance, and cultural impact. Controversy ensued as often happens with any list of excellence. The AFI produced a revised list in 2007, and films were dropped, others added, some moved up, and others dropped down. This 2007 list will serve as the basis for the course. In Part 1 we will count down from #100 to #51. For each film, we will examine the historical and cultural context, the impact of each film on the art of feature narrative films, and discuss why this film found its way onto this exalted list. Clips will be shown for each film. Part 2 will be offered in Spring 2022.

Two programs of piano music by great composers will feature a survey of significant pieces from the 16th to the 20th centuries. The first program will include well known pieces from the following composers: Bach, Purcell, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Liszt, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Messiaen, Brahms, and Chopin. As we listen, St. Colombe said, “We may realize that music exists to say something that words cannot say. “The second program will include transcriptions from opera and sacred music in addition to descriptive pieces of nature and religious significance. You will hear music that evokes memories of birdsong, poetry, Bible stories, and the musical expression of the joys and sorrows we have all experienced during our lives.

Who was Fidel Castro and why has he been so frustrating to the U.S.? A dictator to some, hero to others and an inspiration for many of the world's poor! He drove an independent revolutionary course for half a century. What's next for Cuba after Castro's death? A look at Cuba's geography and past history will set the stage for Fidel and Cuba's Future. The good and the bad will be looked at. Questions will be encouraged as will discussion of related topics.

This course will teach you the basics of the game. Explanations of the paddles and balls will be discussed. You will learn how the game is played and scored. Actual games, using a doubles format will be played. You will be coached while playing on the court. A tennis type shoe is required. Balls and paddles will be provided. Pickleball requires less running mobility than tennis. Please consult your physician before registering for this program.

This course is a follow up to An Introduction to the Orthodox Church taught during the Spring 2021 Term. This two-session course will provide an overview of the history, purpose, and importance of icons in the Orthodox Christian experience.

The course will explore the role of insects and other invertebrates in their environment as well as their intimate relationships with plants. We will focus on basic invertebrate biology, taxonomy and ecology, as well as plant-insect interactions, effects of climate change on insects and plants, and basic botany.

The course will explore the role of insects and other invertebrates in their environment as well as their intimate relationships with plants. We will focus on basic invertebrate biology, taxonomy and ecology, as well as plant-insect interactions, effects of climate change on insects and plants, and basic botany.

"Christian" art and architecture didn't appear until the middle of the 3rd century, long after the development of Christian worship and theology. What took so long? Or was it there and we just don't recognize it? There are fascinating mysteries in the visual emergence of a new religion in an ancient world, where gods, emperors, magicians, chameleons, and donkeys could be transformed, and tombs, courtrooms, and laundries could be converted by Christian creativity. Visit catacombs and villas to follow the flights of imagination of a new faith and its visual expression.

This course will teach you the basics of the game. Explanations of the paddles and balls will be discussed. You will learn how the game is played and scored. Actual games, using a doubles format will be played. You will be coached while playing on the court. A tennis type shoe is required. Balls and paddles will be provided. Pickleball requires less running mobility than tennis. Please consult your physician before registering for this program.

We will explore the arts and worship, how they can be worked together as we walk through the chapel and discover the banners created by a group of artists at Grantham Church several years ago. We will talk about planning worship and how the church can embrace both the arts and the artist as an integral way to communicate spiritual truths that transcend words with a visual language.

In 1998, the American Film Institute (AFI) polled over 1,500 artists and film industry leaders to gather their votes for the top 100 American films of all time. These “arbiters of excellence” chose from a list of 400 nominated films. The criteria included critical recognition, major awards won, popularity over time, historical significance, and cultural impact. Controversy ensued as often happens with any list of excellence. The AFI produced a revised list in 2007, and films were dropped, others added, some moved up, and others dropped down. This 2007 list will serve as the basis for the course. In Part 1 we will count down from #100 to #51. For each film, we will examine the historical and cultural context, the impact of each film on the art of feature narrative films, and discuss why this film found its way onto this exalted list. Clips will be shown for each film. Part 2 will be offered in Spring 2022.

A confusing array of streaming TV options exist beyond Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu. In this session, we will look at the many, many options for TV programming available. We will look at what each option provides in terms of content and viewing choices. We will discuss several important issues: how to receive these channels, costs and options, how to learn about available programs on these channels, and how to find reviews of programming to help with making viewing decisions. In short, participants will learn how to consider all these options and make choices that will enhance their viewing pleasure, ensuring that they don’t miss out on the wonderful variety of programming that is available.

Who was Fidel Castro and why has he been so frustrating to the U.S.? A dictator to some, hero to others and an inspiration for many of the world's poor! He drove an independent revolutionary course for half a century. What's next for Cuba after Castro's death? A look at Cuba's geography and past history will set the stage for Fidel and Cuba's Future. The good and the bad will be looked at. Questions will be encouraged as will discussion of related topics.

This course will teach you the basics of the game. Explanations of the paddles and balls will be discussed. You will learn how the game is played and scored. Actual games, using a doubles format will be played. You will be coached while playing on the court. A tennis type shoe is required. Balls and paddles will be provided. Pickleball requires less running mobility than tennis. Please consult your physician before registering for this program.

This course is a follow up to An Introduction to the Orthodox Church taught during the Spring 2021 Term. This two-session course will provide an overview of the history, purpose, and importance of icons in the Orthodox Christian experience.