Yr. B, Wk. 24: Prophets, Paul, and Protestants

After prayers for the evening, Christine asked us about our experiences of renewal in the past week. Scott and Susan spoke of their EfM training, and renewed commitment to making our group worship into times set apart -- for instance, meeting in the other room for worship before coming into the study room for dinner. Others spoke of how they felt renewed by reaching out to relatives; sunshine; making art; the presence of children (in church baptism and visiting at home). We spoke as we enjoyed pizza brought by Gene. He also brought a gummi pizza for dessert. [See photo]



[Class: Christine, first year; Mariel, Gene, second year; Erica, third year; Scott and Susan, mentors. Withdrawn to concentrate on earning his degree, Tom.]

Our discussion proceeded by each person offering a connection from the week's readings to a "mind map" that grew from a single quotation, "beware philosophers" from Paul. We saw Reformation suspicion of post - scriptural learning, but also a debate over predestination that involved Leibniz ("best of all possible worlds"), our "evolutions" from our "identities," Star Trek, what Paul might have meant by "the elect," and violent splits among protestant sects. Another offshoot concerned the "50,000 foot view" of Christianity presented in Philippians, which comported with Isaiah's view of generations' worth of misfortunes as lessons for all peoples.

After all this discussion of strife and philosophy, we looked at an offshoot in the opposite direction: where is "love" in all this? That opened up a new discussion that involved Fr. Roger's sermon on "caritas," the fourth year reading about desire and marriage as paradigms for a broader concept of "hospitality," something more than biscuits and coffee -- acts of mutual care and concern. Susan and Scott have seen an increasing emphasis on this one word in our readings in theology over the past few years.

Given the EfM central office's questions to fill out for the March Group Status Report, we gave the TR a week off, and instead put time into thoughtful reflections on the year's materials, along with hopes for the future.

We also discussed ways that we can all recruit for the program. With Tom's departure to study for his degree, we're two under the bare minimum we must have to continue. We discussed keeping EfM among options for adult education in the church bulletin, inviting alumni to stay in touch (even joining us for common readings), and sharing Sewanee's brochure with friends.

Next week: Scott will be late, following a play. Food is brown bag. Susan has a TR. Christine will lead worship.