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Tanuki

(14,887 posts)
Sat May 20, 2017, 08:26 PM May 2017

I got to hear Jimmy Carter teach his Sunday School Class in Plains, GA last Sunday!

About 3 weeks ago, I posted a thread praising FLOTUS Rosalynn Carter.
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10028985186
DUer NCTraveler responded, and mentioned that he had visited Plains and included a link to his own previous thread, which contained info about Carter's teaching schedule. I decided to make a small pilgrimage of my own. After all, I live in Tennessee, so it was a feasible weekend trip. I am so glad I did....what a rewarding experience! I stayed 2 nights at the Koinonia Farm, which has a remarkable, 75 year history of social justice advocacy and is also where Habitat for Humanity originated. One of the Koinonia residents is a member of Carter's church, Maranatha Baptist, and she invited me to go as her guest. That enabled me to show up right before the 10:00 class, instead of at 7:00 as most other tourists have to do to secure a seat. President Carter is amazing. He is over 90 years old now, but he stood up the whole time and taught the class without using any notes. He and Rosalynn are gracious enough to stay around after the service so that anyone who wishes to do so can come up and have a photo with them. The lady that I went with invited me to have lunch with her and her son, but since it was Mother's Day I didn't want to horn in. I ate at the humble Plains Cafeteria, and who should be eating there as well but President and Mrs. Carter and their whole entourage! I also visited the high school they both attended, which is now a National Park Service historic site.

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I got to hear Jimmy Carter teach his Sunday School Class in Plains, GA last Sunday! (Original Post) Tanuki May 2017 OP
K&R...That's Great!!! spanone May 2017 #1
That is so totally cool! Thanks for sharing! skylucy May 2017 #2
That's awesome!! Amazing story! Docreed2003 May 2017 #3
O, MY LORD! How Wonder FULL! furtheradu May 2017 #4
Righteous is always good. Not when it's equated to religion. erronis May 2017 #9
I also love and respect the Carters, but Brainstormy May 2017 #16
Briefly, the lesson was from the 8th chapter of the book of Acts. Tanuki May 2017 #19
I met President Carter once. He has the most amazing eyes. Lochloosa May 2017 #5
This is amazing! Thank you for sharing it. nt LaydeeBug May 2017 #6
And to contrast....... MyOwnPeace May 2017 #7
I love Jimmy Carter. lucca18 May 2017 #8
Thank you for linking to the Carter Center. Their work is Tanuki May 2017 #18
thanks for such an upper of a thread rurallib May 2017 #10
I did the same thing! BlueIndyBlue May 2017 #11
I envy you . . . President Carter is the politician I became involved for . . . Imhavr never been Liberal In Red State May 2017 #12
what an amazing experience proud patriot May 2017 #13
About 18 yrs ago, spouse & I went to Plains as part of an Elderhostel group. No Vested Interest May 2017 #14
Lucky! Allow me to repeat, he is/was OUR GREATEST PRESIDENT. joanbarnes May 2017 #15
Thank you for sharing your story! CrispyQ May 2017 #17
Wow something to add to my bucket list dembotoz May 2017 #20
You should go if you can! Here is his schedule: Tanuki May 2017 #21
these date are a bit quick but thank you dembotoz May 2017 #22
Keep checking the website if you can't go that soon but are interested in going later. Tanuki May 2017 #25
thank you so much for sharing such a lovely day with us!! niyad May 2017 #23
got to meet him at a tech fair in Cairo years ago - my pic with him is one of my treasures DrDan May 2017 #24
What a great memory. n/t Paper Roses Feb 2023 #26

furtheradu

(1,865 posts)
4. O, MY LORD! How Wonder FULL!
Sat May 20, 2017, 08:43 PM
May 2017

Thank YOU for sharing Your personal experience!! I do love & respect them.
Can You share Your thoughts, feelings on the "Sunday school class" teachings from Pres. Carter?
I have been called, "too witchy for church, too churchy for heathens", & I'm OK with that!
I KNOW Righteous people when I see 'em. The Carters ARE RIGHTEOUS. 💖💖💖💖💖
Thank YOU, again!

erronis

(14,853 posts)
9. Righteous is always good. Not when it's equated to religion.
Sat May 20, 2017, 09:28 PM
May 2017

Many religions have tried to corral converts by telling then that there is only Their Way. Religions have usurped so many pastoral, cultural, agricultural, celestial events that it's comical watching try to justify why some leader died on a Friday or was born on someday.

I applaud the Carters for being honest and pragmatic about their beliefs. They have never said (as far as I know) that a particular cult or sect of the Christian branch called Protestant is the "right" way. They have lived righteous lives. They serve as great examples of how someone who identifies as a Christian can also be a beacon to this non-theist.

Brainstormy

(2,379 posts)
16. I also love and respect the Carters, but
Sun May 21, 2017, 10:32 AM
May 2017

I've found it difficult for some time to understand how they still identify as theists.

Tanuki

(14,887 posts)
19. Briefly, the lesson was from the 8th chapter of the book of Acts.
Tue May 23, 2017, 01:11 AM
May 2017

It took place about 20 years after Jesus was executed. The early Christian community in Jerusalem consisted of Jews and Hellenists. The latter apparently felt they were not bring treated as equals and that their widows and others in need were not being dealt with as charitably as the Jewish widows. A team of 7 , including Philip and Stephen, were appointed to make sure everyone was being looked after (and Carter pointed out that all 7 had Greek names, so that they would be seen as fair). Fast forward, there is an upswing in persecution of the Christians, Stephen is stoned to death and is the first Christian martyr. Philip goes to Samaria to escape a similar fate. Carter points out that he was both an evangelist and a refugee there. Not so subtle dig at you know who. Carter also cites Jesus' respect for and inclusion of the people of Samaria, who were looked down upon by his community, both in his story praising the Good Samaritan and in the Great Commission. Carter emphasizes Jesus' inclusion of all, says that Jesus did not build walls but tore down walls between people. He didn't mention Trump by name at any time, but he couldn't have been more clear. He also spoke of visiting Samaria in a post-Presidency trip to the Middle East. Said there were now only about 600 Samaritans. Spoke of his disappointment in his defeat the first time he ran for governor, said he did not understand how God would let him lose to a segregationist like Lester Maddox. He then volunteered as a lay missionary in Pennsylvania for several weeks and shared his faith 1-on-1 with hundreds of people, found it very rewarding and subsequently did it again in (iirc) a couple more states. Talked about redemption, how regardless of what has happened you can have a new lease on life, starting today!
So, that is my recap of the lesson, to the best of my memory, and if any part of it is wrong blame me and not President Carter! He is a peach!

Lochloosa

(16,002 posts)
5. I met President Carter once. He has the most amazing eyes.
Sat May 20, 2017, 08:52 PM
May 2017

I know, weird. The are the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen.

MyOwnPeace

(16,884 posts)
7. And to contrast.......
Sat May 20, 2017, 08:55 PM
May 2017

who would EVER go to hear Drumpf at a church - does he even know what that is? Well, maybe he could ask the two Corinthians he hangs with!

Tanuki

(14,887 posts)
18. Thank you for linking to the Carter Center. Their work is
Sun May 21, 2017, 11:37 AM
May 2017

peerless and will be an enduring legacy to their vision, values, and dedication to make the world more peaceful, fair, healthy, and democratic.

BlueIndyBlue

(96 posts)
11. I did the same thing!
Sat May 20, 2017, 09:43 PM
May 2017

I traveled to Georgia from Indy to hear his Sunday school message about two years ago. It was right before he announced the cancer diagnosis that he had received and the Charleston church massacre was the previous weekend. Unfortunately I wasn't able to arrive right before 10 am but more like 8 am. It was still fun though as we got a speech from one of the elders of the church. She told us how to address him (President Carter not Mr. President as there is only one of those at a time), topics he wouldn't discuss and when taking pictures with him we had to stand on either side of him and Mrs. Carter. She explained that they have never let anyone come between them for over (at that time) 70 years and they weren't going to start now.

He was very engaging and smart as a whip during his talk. I wish I had been old enough to have appreciated him when he was in office but I was just starting high school and not very interested in political things back then. I stayed for the pictures and as the only African-American there that day he made a special point of motioning me over and speaking to me. I was caught off guard and tongue tied and walked away thinking of a million things I wish I had said. Such a once in a lifetime experience. I highly recommend anyone that has the ability to go hear and see him. Also afterwards, take a tour of Plains. They have preserved the downtown as it was when he was elected. I also visited the Carter Library in Atlanta. It was totally fascinating to see all the history of the time.

One last travel tip, about an hour away from Plains is Warm Springs where FDR died. I veered off after leaving Plains and toured the grounds. They have a museum and have preserved the home exactly like it was on the day of his death. It is much smaller than I would have thought but is in a beautiful place. It is also a National Park Historic Site.

12. I envy you . . . President Carter is the politician I became involved for . . . Imhavr never been
Sat May 20, 2017, 09:44 PM
May 2017

disappointed in either him or Rosalyn. They are integrity, graciousness and service personified.

No Vested Interest

(5,154 posts)
14. About 18 yrs ago, spouse & I went to Plains as part of an Elderhostel group.
Sat May 20, 2017, 11:10 PM
May 2017

Last edited Sun May 21, 2017, 12:29 AM - Edit history (1)

We were headquartered in Americus GA, but hubby and I went over to Plains that Sunday a.m., as the Carter Sunday School was not part of the program. Hubby walked with a cane, so we were seated quickly and right in front. President Carter's teaching was on a portion of the Gospel of Matthew - he knew it well.
He and Rosalynn also posed for photos after the service; the picture is on my mantel to this day.
As part of the Elderhostel study group, we also had a tour of the High school and drove by their present home.
Another day we had a talk by the local woman who came to Washington with the Carters to help get Amy, their then elementary school age daughter, settled and adjusted to the White House and to Washington DC.

Edited to add: I've also gone to book-signings by Pres. Carter. He's always gracious.

dembotoz

(16,708 posts)
20. Wow something to add to my bucket list
Tue May 23, 2017, 07:12 AM
May 2017

I an so envious, never occurred to me that one could go to his class.

Tanuki

(14,887 posts)
21. You should go if you can! Here is his schedule:
Tue May 23, 2017, 08:52 AM
May 2017
http://www.mbcplains.org/?page_id=212

As I said in my OP, it was only a chance interaction with NCTraveler and his sharing of this info that made me realize it was something I could do. I mentioned that I stayed at the nearby Koinonia Farm, and I think that most here would be interested in staying there or at least stopping by for a tour and lunch. I had heard of the late founder, Clarence Jordan, but did not realize he was the uncle of Carter chief of staff Hamilton Jordan. Here is a bit of info about Clarence Jordan and Koinonia:

http://www.plough.com/en/topics/faith/witness/clarence-jordan

https://www.koinoniafarm.org/brief-history/

Other local places of interest include the Habitat for Humanity Global Village in Americus and the Civil Rights Museum in Albany. And Atlanta is only a little over 2 hours away, for those who might be coming from a long distance and looking to fly in. There is also an airport in Albany, which is much closer. A local told me about a sightseeing train that runs from Caneel, GA to Plains.
When I reflected on the fact that our beloved former president will be 93 years old in October, it spurred me out of my usual tendency for procrastination and I will always treasure this joyful trip.

Tanuki

(14,887 posts)
25. Keep checking the website if you can't go that soon but are interested in going later.
Tue May 23, 2017, 12:57 PM
May 2017

When I first looked, they had only posted the dates through June, but now they have the July dates. Apparently they don't want to to get too far ahead of themselves, which makes sense.

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