Stepping In the Light: Life in Joy and Power.A collection of very good essays written by Howard Macy, professor of Religion and Biblical Studies at George Fox University. Touching on life's every day moments, with both prophetic and candid Quaker sensibilities, the essays and discussion questions provide just enough reading and insight to generate important conversations in the brief amount of time we make to gather adults for study. Available from www.barclaypress.com. Published by Friends United Press. ISBN: 0944350690 Spiritual Classics:Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups on the Twelve Spiritual Disciplines. From HarperSanFrancisco at www.harpercollins.com. Encountering Christ in the Episcopal Church: A Youth and Intergenerational Faith Experience Leading to a Renewal and Reaffirmation of the Baptismal CovenantBy Charlotte & Ronald Molrine, this course is designed into 15 sessions covering the Bible, sacraments, the church, prayer, the Prayer Book, including a retreat designed for adults and youth regarding their commitment to Christ and the church. You can e-mail Morehouse at morehouse@morehousegroup.com and see their web site at www.morehousepublishing.com. Questions of FaithWe now have two, six-part programs from this very popular series from Ecufilm. They cover topics like moral dilemmas, evil, prayer, sex and religion, being ‘good', and others. A sample copy is available in your Diocesan Resource Center. The Changing Face of GodA 5-part video series explores the idea of God's "Changelessness" up against the idea that God is continually revealed to us in new ways. How do we arrive at our understanding of God? What ways are useful, and what do other people have to do with this revelation? A growing number of scholars are addressing this big question: Who is God? In this series, you will hear from five different voices who approach the question from very different angles. Marcus Borg bases his reflections on Christian theology. Karen Armstrong explores the commonalities between the experiences of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Singling out the Jewish experience, Jack Miles explores the variety of images of God as God is made known in the Hebrew Bible. James Cone begins with the black experience, believing that the experience of oppression is seminal in the understanding of the theological equation. Andrew Sung Park draws on the fresh voice of Korean Christianity, supplying nuances missed in the Western theological vocabulary. The program includes a book complete with the texts of the videos, and reflection questions for groups and individuals following each session. Just FaithJust Faith is an extended (7-8 months) justice education process that meets weekly employing books, videos, lecture, discussion, prayer, retreats and hands-on experiences. The intent is to provide a tapestry of learning opportunities that emphasize and enliven the remarkable justice tradition of the Church. Just Faith is adaptable to local parish interests and staffing. The syllabus allows for flexibility in study topics and schedule, and accommodates differences in parish staff availability and skills. Just Faith can be, and typically is, facilitated by parishioners, meaning it does not create added responsibilities for parish staff. For more information you may check their website at http://www.justfaith.org or, locally, the Rev. Canon Susan Nanny, who has used the program at Christ Church Cathedral, at (314) 231-2454. Alpha"A Practical Introduction to the Christian Faith". Alpha presents a wonderful method of offering hospitality, information, and listening to persons wishing to know more about being Christian, while getting to know people from your faith community. Alpha asks very basic questions like Who is Jesus? Why read the Bible? What about prayer? It is also a fun and easy way to introduce your neighbors, co-workers, and others to your church (you come with them!). At the end of a course in Alpha, people are better equipped to move into additional educational, worship, and service components otherwise offered in your churches. It is a beginning. For more information about Alpha go to their website at http://www.alphausa.org. To find out more about the Cathedral's Alpha program, contact the Rev. Canon Susan Nanny at (314) 231-2454. Faith Alive!This is an Episcopal program that provides a special time for each of us to re-examine our baptismal covenant. The Faith Alive Weekend is primarily a time to rethink what these promises mean to each of us. A group of Episcopalians from a number of churches throughout the diocese, and perhaps beyond, will come to your church to lead the Weekend. Their role is to be facilitators, mostly in small groups. The team members are Episcopalians who love our Church, the beauty and richness of the liturgy, and the form of our worship. They are people from all walks of life who have made a conscious commitment to follow Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord. They come at their own expense to share how their lives have been changed. The role of parishioners during the Weekend is:
To come with open hearts and minds.
To participate as much as they can in all activities.
To be open to hear what the Lord has for them.
To think about their relationship with God.
To enjoy and have fun! For more information, go to http://www.faithalive.org.
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