Reading Between the Lines, August 2

The Adult Spiritual Education committee will host a one hour Reading Between the Lines (formerly Bible Workbench) on First Day, August 2, from 9-10 am on Zoom. We’ll discuss the endings of two stories—Matthew 14:1-12 (the murder of Jesus’s cousin John the Baptist: “His disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went and told Jesus”) and Matthew 14: 13-21: potential scarcity ending in overflow: “And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full”). The facilitator will send the zoom link through the Newslist a few days before the session.

Reading Between the Lines, May 3

The Adult Spiritual Education committee will host a one-hour Reading Between the Lines (Bible Workbench) on Sunday, May 3, from 9-10 am through Zoom.  We’ll discuss John 14:1-14: A few chapters before Jesus tells his friends and disciples “Do not let your hearts be troubled,” he says, “Now my heart is troubled.”  What happened—between his own acknowledgement of feeling troubled and his being able to say, in soundness and clarity to others, “Do not let your hearts be troubled?”  What internal work did he do?  How was that enacted in his life? The facilitator will send the Zoom link through the Newslist a few days before the meeting.

Reading Between the Lines, April 5

The Adult Spiritual Education committee will host a one-hour Reading Between the Lines (formerly Bible Workbench) 9-10 am (through Zoom) on First Day, April 5. We’ll discuss a few different accounts of the stories of Easter morning: who showed up at Jesus’s tomb, what they found, who they told, who they touched—or didn’t touch, how each of them was recognized—“met” in their grief. We’ll continue discussion on what it is to “enter” into different kinds of darkness—including darkness that is “nourishing” (Hirsh). The facilitator will screen-share the texts and send the zoom link through the Newslist (as well as the contact list for “regulars”) a few days before our session.

Reading Between the Lines in-person, March 1

The Adult Spiritual Education Committee is hosting an in-person introduction to the ongoing Reading Between the Lines scripture study from 9:15 to 10:30 am on Sunday, March 1, in the community room.  Facilitator Leslie Shiel will give a short introduction and explanation; then participants will discuss John 3:1-17 (the story of Nicodemus visiting Jesus in the night).  

You do not have to be Christian to appreciate and be moved by these (often) subversive and wildly shaped texts; this method of study uses metaphor and story to explore scripture.  Leslie will provide print copies of the text, including parts from the original Aramaic (from Neil Doublas-Klotz’s book Revelations of the Aramaic Jesus).   Newcomers who are curious and regulars who want a refresher - all are welcome.  Nursery care will be provided.