Wednesday Lenten Series – 2012
Christianity for the Rest of Us: A look at vital, healthy mainline churches
Begins Wednesday, February 29 at 6:00 pm
Is mainline Christianity at an end? Are denominations like the Episcopal Church doomed to die away as we move further into the 21st century? In this Lenten series, led by the Rector, we’ll look at some flourishing neighborhood churches through the eyes of noted author, Diana Butler Bass. Her 2007 book, Christianity for the Rest of Us: How the Neighborhood Church is Transforming the Faith, describes how many centrist and progressive churches across the United States have provided authentic Christian faith and witness for their members and communities, and have experienced renewed vitality.
The result of a three-year study, Bass’s book shows how congregations have steered between the Scylla* of fundamentalism on one hand, and the Charybdis* of secularism on the other. How have they done it? What are the key Christian practices that have made these congregations effective? The key worship practices? What can we learn from them?
As St. Luke’s seeks to be faithful in our own community, getting to know the stories of other churches and “trying on” some of the practices they have kept and developed will be our way of living into the Lenten themes of death and resurrection – themes that apply to our institutions as well as to our lives.
We’ll be reading excerpts from Christianity for the Rest of Us each week. The book will be available for purchase in church on Sunday or from the parish office no later than Ash Wednesday, February 22, at a cost of $13.50.
The format of each session will be:
6:00 pm Simple Lenten Supper
7:00 pm Conversation
8:00 pm Closing worship
February 29 – The Good Old Days, Read chapters 1 & 2, “The Vanished Village” and “Remembering Christianity”
March 7 – New Directions in a New Day, Read chapters 3 & 4, “The New Village Church” and “Finding Home”
March 14 – Signposts of Renewal, Read chapters 5, “Hospitality,” chapter 6, “Discernment,” and chapter 8, “Contemplation”
March 21 – Signposts of Renewal (cont’d), Read chapters 10, “Diversity,” 13, “Reflection” and 14, “Beauty”
March 28 (John) – Implications for St Luke’s, Read chapters 15, “Transforming Lives” and 16, “Transforming Congregations”
Participants are welcome to come for the whole evening, or to join the group after supper for conversation and closing worship. To help plan the meals, those who will be joining the group for supper are asked to make reservations by signing up on the sheet posted on the kitchen door, or by contacting the parish office. If you can help prepare one or more of the weekly meals, please let us know that, too.
*Scylla and Charybdis were mythical sea monsters in Homer’s epic poem, “The Odyssey.” Greek tradition sited them on opposite sides of the Strait of Messina between Sicily and the Italian mainland. They were regarded as hazards close enough to each other that they posed an inescapable threat to sailors. Having to navigate between them became an idiom for steering between two dangers.
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RETREAT
St. Luke’s Annual Lenten Quiet Day
Saturday, February 25, 2012, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at the home of Tom Wortham and Father Kauffman
Can You Drink the Cup? We invite you to join us for a day of fellowship, quiet time, breaking bread together, and examination of your spiritual life using the writings of Henri J. Nouwen, a renowned writer on spiritual matters. Cost: $15.
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Trinity Newark’s Tuesday Lenten Program “Redemption”
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Women’s Bible study
This group meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 7:00 pm in the Undercroft. Reading through the Old Testament under the guidance and instruction of Father Applegate, we will use an historical approach, exploring the culture and customs of this period while learning to understand and appreciate God’s word. You need not have attended previous Bible studies to participate and enjoy this group. Please join us and bring a friend. If you have any questions contact Patty Myers at pkmyers@adelphia.net.
Womens Bible Study Year 3 Syllabus
A Summary of Biblical Books for Year 3
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St. Luke’s BYOB (Bring Your Own Brain) Academy
The “BYOB” Academy is a series of free public lectures at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Granville. The whimsical name is to suggest to our friends both in and outside our pews that thoughtful discussion of important topics is a part of our spiritual life. The lectures are designed to be thought-provoking, even a little edgy, and intelligently entertaining. The lectures are at 7:00 pm and will be followed by wine and light refreshments.