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.

Yr. B, Wk. 36: Closing the Year

We met in the choir of the nave for a farewell service. After some checking in, we sang verses one and two of Hymn 24, "The day Thou gavest Lord is ended," then followed the order for devotions in the early evening.

Class: Christine, first year; Mariel, Gene, second year; Erica, third year; Scott and Susan, co - mentors. Absent: None.

After prayers, we each volunteered a favorite collect from the booklets prepared for us by Scott (printing) and Susan (covers and binding) [see photo]. We were already thinking of Greg and the loss of Scharme when we prayed this, from the end of the RRG's chapter 36:

Now, we pray, be with those who leave and with those who stay; and grant that all of us, by drawing ever nearer to you, may always be close to each other in the communion of your saints. All this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.

Afterward, we repaired to La Cubana on the Loop for a fine dinner on the deck.
Information from Sewanee came in the mail the following day concerning procedures for two internet - based payment options. Copies will be sent out. I'm afraid that we do still need the signatures to confirm the addresses. I'm thinking of a clever way to do that via snail mail. I may have to consult a lawyer...

Yr. B, Wk. 35: From Alpha to Omega

Mariel's worship page included a fantastic image of legions of guardian angels assembled in clouds looking down on earth. A theme of trust and protection emerged from the scripture selections and prayers, and she asked us for any images of God's protection in our lives recently. Among the answers were the gazebo in Marietta Square (where sometimes people go to eat meals given them at a nearby soup kitchen) and a family home in another state.

Class: Christine, first year; Mariel, Gene, second year; Erica, third year; Scott and Susan, co - mentors. Absent: Susan.

Erica started our discussion of the week's readings by telling us about the fight against Apartheid. "It was Anglicanism's time to shine after a century of mediocrity," she observed. We explored that thought, before picking up on these threads in her opening statement:

• Christine had read last week about Esther's "fight" for her people;
• the "fight" in heaven described in Revelation parallels the fight on earth, as the hierarchy in heaven mirrors the hierarchy on earth, said Mariel.
• "Hierarchy" of the sexes is a strong message in Hebrew Wisdom literature; Yee's book highlights some outliers in the wisdom literature and Psalms in the form of "Wisdom" embodied as a nearly co - equal to God the Creator. But the female voice in Song of Solomon presents as fully equal to her male lover in a celebration of carnal love -- that may also imply (1) an imagined pre - Fall Eve and Adam, or (2) analogy to God and His people
• Mariel expressed a theme that emerged from this week's readings across the board: when we think of male - female themes in our tradition, we should remember that God is always the bridegroom and we are all, male and female, the bride.

Theological Reflection
In keeping with the years' theme of multicultural experiences, Gene read to us from a book of sermons by a priest at Sewanee, who remembers in the 1960s taking a job at the same Dupont factory where his father worked. He, a white man, joined his trainer, a black man, at a table in the company cafeteria, between an all - black table and all - white table. Gene stopped reading at the point when the young man has been warned not to eat with the black man again.

We followed instructions for the "Dilemma" method, finding two positive goals: Preserving his dignity and self - respect, and preserving his physical well-being; or, as we came to think of it, saving face, or saving our face. From the Tradition source, we settled on Peter's denying his tie to Jesus three times, to be safe from suspicion. As we explored that story, we came to see it as part of a process in Peter's growth, to be followed by his telling Jesus three times "I love you," and eventually being crucified upside - down. We also thought of President Clinton's admission that his greatest regret was his decision not to use US power to halt horrific violence in Rwanda.

Our collect pulls together threads from the evening: wisdom, protection, "Alpha and Omega" in Revelation, "fighting," and the idea that Peter's denial was part of a process.

Collect when Facing a Threat O Lord, Alpha and Omega: though Peter, fearful for his life, denied you three times, you accepted his love three times and built your church on his apostleship; when we must choose between saving face and facing physical harm, may we remember how even moments of weakness can, in You, be steps toward greater strength, wisdom, and fulfillment of Your purpose. Amen.

Gene told us the rest of the story: The young man passed by his black friend the next night; but, in his shame, went on to become a participant in key civil rights battles of the next several years.

Our final prayer was for travelers, as we directed our thoughts towards Susan, en route to France as we met.

Next meeting will be May 28. We will meet 6:45 in the Choir for a short worship service. We'll walk to a year - end meal on the Square.

Interesting TR idea for next year: TR in Motion! See the RRG, p. 281.

Yr. B, Wk. 34: Wisdom, Jude, and Mixed Signals

Gene brought three sub sandwiches and three small pizzas from Newk's. It was a great meal for all! Christine brought a beautiful little copied version of an 1836 vintage Prayer Book for worship. [See Photo]

Class: Christine, first year; Mariel, Gene, second year; Erica, third year; Scott and Susan, co - mentors. Absent: Erica.

Gene kicked off discussion by saying "If John was the first Baptist, Jude was the first Southern Baptist," a fire - breathing polemicist. Jude rails against "innovators" and "intruders" who are "waterless clouds" and "irrational animals." Jude's letter is not clear about what these interlopers actually taught, just that they represent the Anti Christ.
Christine found much to enjoy in the readings from Ben Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) and the Wisdom of Solomon.
Theological Reflection Scott surprised himself by launching into a story different from the one he'd planned! It involved an invitation to a celebratory meal that turned into an bitter, even poisonous, accusation. Our group was able to "buy in" to the situation, and we arrived at the metaphor of an intersection after a storm with mixed signals: one side sees flashing yellow lights and the other, red.
Chistine took our notes and created this collect:

Collect at Crossroads
Lord, at the intersection of zeal for Law and the Light of Christ, you brought Saul of Tarsus to a new community; when we are tempted to travel both far and alone, remind us to travel together so we may go far traversing the crossroads of strife, hunger, hardship and love, spreading the joy and good news as Jesus did with and through his disciples. Amen.

Next week: Brown bag; worship by Mariel; TR by Gene; Susan will be in France! Our final meeting of the year will be May 28 when Susan returns. Look for info: we'll worship at St. James and eat out on the Square.