Yr. C, Wk. 4: Struggling with God

Gene led Scott, Pete, and Mariel in worship before our brown bag meal, and concluded the evening with a Prayer for the Human Family. For an ice - breaker, we followed the suggestion in the RRG's Week 4 to list each person's favorite stories in books and movies. The energy level was high as we added Watership Down, On Golden Pond, Rear Window, Forest Gump, All Creatures Great & Small and some more obscure treasures. We pondered the question, "What common threads run through your own favorites?" Our answer led naturally to the readings, which concerned, in part, how Jews and Christians chose the canon of books by which we worship.

Yr. C,Living as Spiritually Mature Christians. Class: Matt, Pete, first year' Christine, second year; Mariel, Gene, third year; Erica, fourth year; Scott and Susan, co - mentors. Absent: Matt, Christine, Erica, Susan.

For such a small contingent of members, we had a wide - ranging discussion of the readings. Mariel related to the idea that the Jews saw "history as the arena where they could watch God at work," and she was reminded that "Israel" means "struggler with God." The many voices struggling with each other in Jesus's day (Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes, Zealots) were only the top examples. She recommended to Gene EfM's succinct study guide on line. Gene wondered at how the third year book condenses nine months of readings from EFM's first year curriculum into one piece. He loved the idea that the supposed shapers of Judaism were also the ones being shaped. Pete could relate the reading from Yee to the idea of struggle among diverse voices. He has been pleasantly shaken to have his notions of feminism and scripture opened up to so many perspectives: "I knew it intuitively, but I never thought about it. [The book] is eye - opening."
From Christine, about the second year readings:

My reading about the NT writings and the numerous methods used to study, scrutinize, translate, and/or interpret proved to be both fascinating and intriguing. I am Amazed, though, that simply put there is truly something wonderful within the writings of The Gospels, The book of Acts, the letters of Paul to the churches, The letters from Paul to individuals, The letters to the Hebrews, Letters by other people (Peter/James/John), and the book of Revelation. Something touches or reaches out to people (ancient to present day) that causes them to want to study these on so many levels, individually as well as scholastically....or historically or psychologically, the list seems endless but delightful. The sentence in Powell that put this into my mind was under the “Historical Criticism” topic: “Historians...view Jesus, Paul, and other figures of the NT as important...and they understand the emergence of Christianity to be one of the most significant developments in human history..” This, coupled with my somewhat naive but joyful outburst in a discussion with Fr Ben (Christ Church) just after the service Sunday about the Gospel and Sermon. He had mentioned Redaction Criticism and all the ways folks “come at the Bible” in his sermon. So I mentioned my current thoughts on how a piece of scripture could be so short but the study and discussion could go on for —ever! At which moment I raised up my arms to form a giant circle , imagine the “O” in the “O-H-I-O” game day cheer..that big O 😁. I forgot to mention to him my delight in hearing his mention of Redaction Criticism...he encouraged me “to let the water of the river just wash over me” and don’t get overwhelmed. That’s where my kind of “aha” moment came in. Also briefly the methods behind “exegesis” and “hermeneutics” were thought provoking and interesting unwrapping understanding for me as I walked through the various forms of study. Exegesis “refers to scholarly study of the Bible with and emphasis on the actual explanation of texts” Powell pg. 72. Hermeneutics “refers more to the philosophical reflection on the process of interpretation, including consideration of questions regarding what the goal of interpretation should be...” also pg.72.

Next week: We read Week 5 assignments, and we'll double up on the spiritual autobiography prompts (person or idea / question that helped us to mature spiritually). Mariel will bring our meal; Scott will lead worship. It's Rosh Hashanah!

Yr. C, Wk. 3: Building on Childhood Faiths

Susan led worship from the BCP when Gene was kept at work. Erica brought fixings for soft tacos. Our check-in question was anything spiritual or outstanding about the week just past, and our answers mostly focused on our responses to the readings. Our discussion of the early chapters in our different texts dovetailed with the stories we shared in three - minute monologues about a time when we felt a desire for God: most seemed to say that our childhood images of God have been challenged. We agreed that's a bit scary, a bit wonderful.

Yr. C, Living as Spiritually Mature Christians. Class: Matt, Pete, first year' Christine, second year; Mariel, Gene, third year; Erica, fourth year; Scott and Susan, co - mentors. Absent: Gene.

Katey sent word that she would be joining the morning EfM class, giving both of our groups the six - student quorum we need to continue. Next week: Erica will be absent. Gene will lead worship. It's a brown bag dinner night.

Yr. C, Wk. 2: "Spiritual Maturity" Theme

Mariel led worship, and, during the brown bag dinner, asked what gave you a moment of peace or joy in the past week or two?

Yr. C, Living as Spiritually Mature Christians. Class: Katey, Matt, Pete, first year' Christine, second year; Mariel, Gene, third year; Erica, fourth year; Scott and Susan, co - mentors. Absent: Scott, at Camp Fortson with 7th grade.

Here are Susan's handwritten notes:

Spirituality, maturity as a theme. Do you want to work toward maturity? Related categories of maturity. Christine: discussion made her feel good that [it's] not so easily solved since she still thinks about it. Matt - how much of this is out of our hands? Lots of different factors (micro - meso - macro). Mariel - "entantled" came to mind, as a physics "entangled: to describe reality. Pete [said] micro, etc. come into play in understanding Bible / religion. Erica surprised by look section on listening/spiritual maturity as a way of being, not just a resource issue. Mariel - bothered by p. 26 quote. Interesting discussion about human heart and knowing what God wants vs. what we want. Talked about ABCD method of reading. Maturity as process - the "adult" meaning (toward the ultimate) -- metaphors like entangled peaks/ valley. Matt - we apply the "check the box" mentality to religion too. Merit badge metaphor. Gene - this class gives us a set of tools. Concerning the RRG's metaphor of "colors" in life, Erica suggested that we listen to the song "You Decorate My Life" by Kenny Rogers.

Next week: Erica brings the food, Gene leads the worship.

Yr. C, Wk. 1: Living as Mature Christians, First Meeting

Starting with blessing from The Book of Common Prayer,p. 835, Scott posed a "coming on board" question to help us to get acquainted or re - acquainted: "What three words describe your summer?" We shared answers as we enjoyed Susan's pasta salad (sliced lemon and squash, herbs, sides of feta and diced chicken).

Yr. C, Living as Spiritually Mature Christians. Class: Katey, Matt, Pete, first year' Christine, second year; Mariel, Gene, third year; Erica, fourth year; Scott and Susan, co - mentors. Absent: Gene.

For the record, without attribution, our eight sets of chosen words included Insight … Memorial … Fitbit … Reconnections … Miles … Overwork … Re - alignment … Surrender. In the Pilgrimage Room, we lit a candle and followed the Canadian church's order of service printed in the RRG, including shared thoughts about the readings. We sensed the theme that mature faith entails action. Back in our EfM den, we combed the RRG's chapter for clues to what our group norms should be. We used Post - its to attach ideas to green, yellow, and red discs -- [see photo].

• What we must not do: Don't treat EfM as a personal therapy session … no advice … no politics.
• What we should remember: Speak in "I" statements, not "you" or "we" … cell phones for emergencies only … the commentary that we read is not sacred … we don't need all your most personal information … some people need more time to formulate their thoughts, so allow them time before jumping into a discussion.
• What we should do: Support each other and maintain freedom … respect privacy and confidentiality … evangelize about EfM … participate fully - come prepared! (but don't stay home just because you didn't read!) … listen with open mind and respectful heart … call or text when late or absent … relax and enjoy the ride!

First Years were curious about "Theological Reflection." Erica assured them that they would come to appreciate the practice. Mariel said that TRs put our faith in practice through group dynamics -- allowing space for the Holy Spirit to direct us. We dismissed with a benediction from the RRG.

Next week: Susan will lead discussion of the RRG's second chapter. Our materials will likely have arrived by then. Scott will be on retreat with 7th graders.