Mature Ministries

Mature Ministries offers activities that foster spiritual growth, good health, educational pursuits, outreach activities, and fellowship events.

LUNCH & LEARN

Thursday, January 11
The Harley Davidson Museum: 
A Virtual Tour and Presentation 
ONLINE ONLY
Meghan Selke-Gorski 
 
History roars to life at the Harley-Davidson Museum. It’s the best of American design and culture – seasoned with freedom and rebellion, showcased in a landmark building. Join us for this virtual tour from the comfort of your home.
 
Meghan Selke-Gorski is the Visitor Experience Lead at the Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, WI.
 
 
Thursday, February 8
Beyond the “Happy Little Trees”: Painter Bob Ross and His Impact on American Popular Culture 
ONLINE ONLY
Brian Statz 
 
In this Zoom gathering, explore the life, philosophy, and art of the iconic American painter who hosted the long-running PBS program, The Joy of Painting.  Bob Ross inspired generations of viewers with his soft-spoken voice and a pallet knife. With its global reach, it’s hard to imagine that much of his beloved series was filmed in an unassuming television studio inside a historic home in Muncie, Indiana.  
 
Brian Statz is President and CEO of Minnetrista Museum and Gardens in Muncie, IN, home of the Bob Ross Experience.
 
 
Thursday, March 14
A Journey from Success to Significance 
Dave Keil
 
Dave Keil is President of Franworth, an Ann Arbor-based firm who build, incubate, and grow emerging companies via a franchise model. Prior to Franworth, Keil led four franchise companies as CEO: The Lash Lounge, Pure Barre, HoneyBaked Ham and Haagen-Dazs Shoppes.  Dave’s life mission is: ‘to honor God by loving my family well, sharing life lessons and scaling companies for Good’. In 2020 he founded the 501(c)3 company Franchise For Good (franchiseforgood.org), and has since partnered with 12 non-profit companies and University of Notre Dame to help non-profits scale. Partner companies include Catholic Charities Chicago, Goodwill Excel Center, BuildStrong, and Mission Animal Hospital.  Keil received a bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan and a MBA from the University of Kansas. He and his wife Jenny joined First Pres in August 2022. 
 
 
Thursday, April 11
Detroit’s Failed Bids for the Olympics 
Stefan Szymanski
 
Between 1940 and 1972, Detroit tried and failed nine times to get the Summer Games. The sad story of the Motor City’s failure, which is painstakingly documented in 30 boxes of materials available in the Detroit Public Library, also is the story of the corruption of the Olympic ideal. 
 
Dr. Stefan Szymanski came to the University of Michigan School of Kinesiology as the Stephen J. Galetti Professor of Sport Management in 2011. Before that he had appointments at London Business School, Imperial College Business School, and Cass Business School, all in London. Dr. Szymanski completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Oxford, and received his Ph.D. in Economics at Birkbeck College, University of London. As a leading expert in the economics of sports in general and soccer in particular, he is widely quoted in the media and has written op-eds for the New York Times, Washington Post, and Financial Times. You can follow him on Twitter (@sszy) and on his blog (soccernomics-agency.com).
 
Thursday, May 9
Stopping Climate Change: 
A Citizens’ Guide to Actions 
Mary Garton
 
Mary Garton is a retired nurse and educator. As a volunteer with the Ann Arbor chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby for seven years, she has participated in 36 lobby meetings with over 16 different members of Congress or their legislative aides, both on Capitol Hill and here in district. She believes the best way to handle one’s own climate anxiety is to actively work towards a viable solution and that there is a path forward.
 
 
Thursday, June 13
Uncovering Our Lost Stories: 
African American Genealogy in Washtenaw County  
Cheryl Garnett and Jean Winborn
 
Cheryl Garnett and Jean Winborn are founders of the Washtenaw County African-American Genealogical Society. They specialize in helping the descendants of slaves complete their life stories and have much to tell us about Ann Arbor’s history.

 

Make lunch reservations here.

 
 

Classes

Smartphone 101 and 201
iPhone and Android users will learn the basics of smartphone components, concepts, and techniques in our Smartphone 101 class. for those who have completed the 101 class or have the basics covere, join our 201 class where you will learn about lesser-known but very useful skills and apps such as Maps, Google Lens, Uber, and more.
Classes are $50 and limited to 15 participants.
Both classes have a morning and evening class option.
 
 
 
Loaves and Dishes: Cooking with Karin Elling  
Thursdays
March 7, April 4, May 2
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 
First Presbyterian Kitchen
Cost: $50 per session
 
Nutritionist and chef Karin Elling will teach you how to make nutritious and delicious meals that are good for your overall health. The fee covers food, supplies, and food to take home! Class size is limited to 10 people.

 

To register for a trip or class, contact Rev. Melissa Anne Rogers at mrogers@firstpresbyterian.org

If you are 60 and up and are not getting our email news update, email Rev. Rogers at mrogers@firstpresbyterian.org.