Yr. A, wk. 35: Concluding the Year, and a Kaleidoscope

Members:  Thomas, Gene, Mariel, first year;  Erica, second year; Scharme, third year; Bill and Lynne Lovelace, fourth year; Scott and Susan, mentors. Absent: Erica, Gene; Tom left midway.

Mariel started us off with worship from Canada's prayer book, focused on St. Julian of Norwich.  We answered her question, "What made you laugh during the past week?"

About the first year readings in apocryphal wisdom literature, Mariel and Tom found that these works were focused on secular education for upper-class boys.

Scharme discussed culture wars.  We digressed on the topic of "prosperity gospel" and its opposite, "liberation theology."  She was most struck by the observation that the doctrine of Hell has all but vanished from faith discourse in the 20th century.

Bill and Lynne, speaking of the readings for fourth year, felt that these chapters in this book made a fitting conclusion to their years with EfM.  The focus was on action that grows from dialogue.  Lynne says the chapters made her ask herself, "What am I going to do with my faith?"

For a TR, Scharme brought us a story of a time when she was overwhelmed, thinking "this is what we agreed was right to do," and yet feeling in the moment, "this is very wrong."  She said,  "It was like looking through a kaleidoscope and trying to keep track of just one color."  We imagined trying to find the esy out of a warren of halls and doors, looking through a kaleidoscope.
In such a world, the sin was standing still, sitting down, fearing to make a misstep.  We found Scriptural analogs in the stories of the Exodus, Jonah, and Paul's being struck blind on the road to Damascus.  The common element was feeling unprepared and apprehensive about a journey, uncertain of the turns taken.  Bill pointed out that we only presume that there's just one right way to go.


Collect for Clarity
All knowing God, You led the Hebrews with the pillar of flame: help us to remember your faithfulness when we allow our cares and fears to overwhelm us, and when we lose our way; so that we will have the courage to step forward into the unknown, trusting in Your divine goodness even to our last days.  Amen.

Next week, our last:  Meet in the choir's pews at 6:45.  We will have a worship service, then repair to Hemingway's for a final meal together.