The School for Christian Practice |
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Welcome to the School for Christian Practice! |
This is the first newsletter for the School, and we hope that the reflections and photos included here help nurture your own space for deeper prayer and compassion in these trying days. While I feel too deep in the moment to even begin saying what I am learning from the experience of this past year, I have no doubt that the Spirit is very much at work in my life and in our common life.
The context of the School is the reality of the challenges we face in terms of congregational life, the institutional church, if you will. Our great hope for the School is that, by focusing intently on four vital areas of our common life, we can engage the challenges we face with a faithful posture. Our key focus points are:
- Practices of Prayer
- Scriptural Proficiency
- Stages of Faith and Development
- Sacramental Ethics
It seems to me that it is absolutely essential that we focus on these four areas, given where we are. The way we understand "church" has been changing for some time now, and this past year has truly heightened our awareness of it, both in terms of our desire to rest in God's presence as well as some resistances to shifting away from "the way we have always done it."
In each newsletter, we will gather resources and articles that may help you as you engage more deeply in your practice of prayer. Our hope is that the experiences of your heart spill over into the wider community as we listen deeply for the Spirit's voice among us and within us. To that end, feel free to read further to explore classes, conversations, and resources that you might find meaningful. Also, feel free to share this newsletter with someone you know who may find these conversations meaningful. They need only subscribe on the parish website to take their place in this shared work.
Blessings, always,
Stuart+
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In case you missed the introductory conversation we shared, a recording is available to view on YouTube. This video lays out the framework and hope for the School for Christian Practice. |
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The first offering of The School for Christian Practice is a book study of Diana Butler Bass's pivotal work Christianity After Religion. Our discussion will help us gain much needed language to be able to continue sharing our experiences and hopes not only for our parish but for the wider Christian community.
The book study will be on Zoom, and we will offer two times each week, Mondays or Tuesdays from 6:00 - 7:00 PM, for four weeks. The dates are January 18 or 19, 25 or 26, February 1 or 2, and 8 or 9. You can choose whether Monday or Tuesday works best for you each week and log on. |
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Looking Ahead to Future Conversations |
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Building on our hope to delve more deeply into our four key focus areas, here are descriptions of two wonderful conversations to be hosted by Cheryl Kelley, our Director of Christian Formation, and the Rev. Dr. Cynthia Park, Senior Associate Rector. |
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“Are We There Yet?”
Learning to recognize the process of spiritual maturation
Facilitator: Cheryl Kelley
Dates: Mondays, March 1, 8, 15, 22 from 6:00-6:45 PM
Overview: Many traditions posit a “path” to spiritual maturity, and Christianity is no different. We all long for reconciliation with God, one another, and all of creation. This is the journey of a lifetime and is far from linear. However, there are common thresholds we all cross, and spiritual needs that bring us to those thresholds. There are also recognizable fruits that develop and can be nurtured along the way.
Objective: To begin to understand the spiritual needs of individuals at different stages of life in order to cultivate compassion and awareness for ourselves and other so that we can support one another along the way and begin to find new ways to approach “conflict” given the pressure we feel during these days.
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"What Are You Not Telling Me?" Learning to Read Between Scripture’s Lines
Facilitator: the Rev. Dr. Cynthia Park
Dates: March 1, 8, 15, 22
Overview: There is a long tradition in both Judaism and Christianity of using holy imagination to consider the back story that is missing from the biblical story. And yet, the “back story,” meant to assist us with the biblical story, often has its own challenges. The truth is that both are intended to invite the disciple into a practice of asking questions about justice, mercy, humility, and faithfulness. The outcome of this practice is often full of startling surprises, moments of spiritual intimacy, and ultimately more questions about the stories we tell ourselves about God’s presence in our own lives.
Objective: To have some fun exploring four Biblical texts, their accompanying history of Jewish and Christian scholarship of commentary, and to understand how personal stories of faith are composed.
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Upcoming Study & Sabbatical Time: The Transfiguration |
I wanted to share with you that I will be focusing intently this entire year on an in-depth study of the Transfiguration, both as a story and as a framework for our own spiritual growth. I will be taking a sabbatical in May and June to spend time resting and reading, and I hope that I will be able to offer a retreat or class to the community later in the Summer that focuses on the key elements of personal spiritual growth in the context of our current struggle and potential.
In particular, I am delving into the writings of the 10th century Byzantine mystic St. Symeon the New Theologian. His work Hymns of Divine Love has become instrumental to me for understanding how we are called to experience the living presence of the Spirit. I'm also seeing connections between many writers and practitioners in the broader contemplative tradition.
I believe we are always invited into moments of transfiguration, spaces and times of encounter when we realize the deeper nature of things. Perhaps that is how we can orient ourselves in these days of uncertainty and tension: with a trust that Spirit is always seeking to open our eyes to beautiful manifestations of grace.
I really look forward to working with this group in the School as we reflect on what Transfiguration looks like in our lives today. These have become very important conversations for me.
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The School for Christian Practice Grace Episcopal Church
422 Brenau Avenue, Gainesville, GA 30501
770-536-0126
www.gracechurchgainesville.org
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