Courses and Faculty Class A 10:15a.m. - 11:30a.m. Church Officer Training Part I - Bill dePrater ( Includes Book of Order, Book of Confessions, and Presbyterian Church History) - Dr. Bill dePrater is the Presbytery Executive of Mississippi Presbytery. Prior to coming to Mississippi Presbytery he served as the Interim Executive Presbyter, Stated Clerk, and treasurer of Abingdon Presbytery Virginia. His primary interests in ministry are helping congregations and presbyteries to identify and experience a growing and exciting mission in the name of Christ. Dr. dePrater graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from Erskine Seminary; and as well with a Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Seminary in “Congregational Revitalization”. In addition to his graduate studies, he further completed a Clinical Pastoral Education Residency at the William S. Hall Institute. Dr. dePrater is glad to be back in Mississippi as his historic family roots extend deep into the fertile soil of the Delta region. Minister & CLP Lectionary I- Beth Johnson During this class, Dr. Beth Johnson will lead Pastors and CLPs to explore and to gain new insights into the texts from the Common Lectionary with suggestions of  how the texts might be preached. -Dr. Elizabeth "Beth" Johnson is the J. Davis Philips Professor of New Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary. A native of Huntington, W.V., Dr. Johnson received a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. A highly acclaimed New Testament scholar, Dr. Johnson is particularly drawn to exploring how the Pauline letters invite us to reflect about who God is and what Jesus' death and resurrection mean for human life and for the church's mission. Who Is The Holy Spirit?  - Chas Jones Too many Christians are ignorant of the Holy Spirit, mainly because teaching about the Holy Spirit is uncertain, ill-defined, described in sensational terms, or lacks depth. The purpose of this Session is to give all participants a deeper understanding of the Bible's teaching about the Person of the Holy Spirit. This is the key to understanding the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. - Chas Jones is married to Elaine and they have three children and seven grandchildren. Both Chas and Elaine were born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Chas has completed divinity studies at Edinburgh and served a Scottish church for eight years prior to receiving a call to the United States in 1983. Since then they have served churches in Pennsylvania and Florida and currently serve Diamondhead Community Church. Journeying with the Psalms in Lent - Mickey dePrater Psalms from the lectionary readings (daily and Sunday readings) that can be used for personal devotional meditations in the Lenten season. - Rev. Margaret (Mickey) dePrater is a 2001 graduate of Union TheologicalSeminary in Richmond, Virginia. She was ordained in the Presbytery of the Pines where she served as Interim of Benton Presbyterian Church,  Benton, Louisianna. She is married to Bill who is the Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of Mississippi. They are the proud parents of three grown daughters who reside in the Carolinas. Youth Council  Meeting Class A 10:15a.m. - 11:30a.m. (continued) Life & Legacy of Dr. Clarence Dickinson - Steve Garner -Stephen Garner was graduated with a B.M. in Church Music from William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where he studied with Josephine D’Arpa.  He holds  the M.C.M. and D.M.A. degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas, where he studied with Frank Stovall.   Dr. Garner has served churches in Georgia and Texas as Minister of Music.  Before coming to Ouachita, in 1990, he taught at William Carey University and Dallas Baptist University.  From 1990-1996, he served as Chairman of the Dept. of Church Music at Ouachita. He is an active member of the American Guild of Organists, the American Association of University Professors, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing, entering his students on both a state and regional level. He is a frequent soloist with the Hot Springs- Arkadelphia Bach Society Chorus.  He has appeared for many years as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah.  He also appeared as a soloist in the Southwest Arkansas Art Council’s televised presentation of the Messiah.  Other oratorio performances include the Bach St. Matthew Passion, Mendelssohn’s Elijah and the St. Paul, and Haydn’s Creation.  In 2006 he appeared in three Messiah performances and as soloist in two of Mozart’s oratorio works: his Requiem and  the Solemn Vespers of Confession. A frequent recitalist, he has given recitals at Ouachita in 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, and 2004.  Other  recitals have been given at East Texas Baptist University, Louisiana College, William Carey College, and Dallas Baptist University. He has conducted works including the Poulenc Gloria, the Prentice Day of Resurrection, the Britten Noye’s Fludde,  Brahm’s Requiem, Mendelssohn’s The Conversion of St. Paul, and Handel’s Messiah. He is included in the 1979 edition of Outstanding Young Men of America,  the 2007 edition of Who’s Who among America’s Teachers and Educators,  He is the author of two articles for Creator magazine and a book in progress, Clarence Dickinson, Dean of American Church Music.