Adults

Two Congregations – One Holy Book: Discovering the Bible: A New Generation

This fall, starting on Thursday, September 16, the Rev. Rich Simpson, Rector at St. Francis Episcopal and the Rev. Dan Wilfrid, Senior Pastor at Immanuel Lutheran, will co-lead a new Kerygma Bible Study entitled Discovering the Bible: A New Generation. The group will meet from 7 pm. to 8:30 p.m. at St. Clare House (next door to St. Francis Church on Phillips Road) on seven consecutive Thursday evenings until October 28.

As the name suggests, this study is meant for discovery by those who wish to know both what the Bible says and how it speaks to us today. It is intended for people with little or no background in biblical study, a “new generation” of people discovering together the blessings of group study of the Bible. Both congregations have study groups for seasoned students of the Bible. We also have many people who instead of trying to “catch up” with those groups, would rather be part of a group meant for discovery that also includes friends and neighbors from a partner church.

The intent is that this study will be limited to sixteen persons, ideally evenly divided between the two congregations. The limited enrollment is intended to facilitate genuine conversation among all participants rather than “lecturing” by the leaders. To help that happen, we ask that those enrolling commit to attending most if not all sessions. There will also be some homework and advance preparation required for each session.

An enrollment fee of $30 will cover the cost of the 30-session participant resource book, fifteen each for the Old Testament and the New Testament. This seven-week study will explore the first half of the Old Testament sessions, up to and including the conquest of the promised land in the book of Judges. If after this series of classes, the group wants to continue the study, we will likely offer the remaining eight Old Testament sessions in the first half of 2011, and begin the New Testament classes next fall. The enrollment fee covers the entire 30-session course, but the commitment we seek now is only for the seven sessions offered this fall.

Kerygma Bible Study materials are actually produced by the Presbyterians – making this a truly ecumenical venture! The following words come from the welcome at the beginning of the resource book: Discovering the Bible is a basic comprehensive introduction to the Bible as a whole. The phrase “the Bible as a whole” is used to convey a concern for more than learning about each book and its contents. It seeks to underscore an interest in seeing the inter-connections among the many parts of the entire Bible, as it speaks to us of God and faith and people. Through a process of reading, reflection, discussion, and creative expression, you will discover people, events, and places and encounter a variety of biblical ideas.

To find out more about this opportunity or to register for the series of classes, contact either of the clergy leaders.

Fall Studies at St. Francis Church

(Led by the Rector, Rich Simpson)

A Brief Introduction to Liberation Theology

Four Wednesdays following the 7 p.m. Eucharist (in the Narthex)

September 15, September 22, September 29, October 6

All theology is about God’s liberating love, going back to the key event in the Old Testament – the Exodus event. But in the twentieth-century especially, a movement has emerged in Latin America and later among women and people of color in North America sometimes referred to with the umbrella term “liberation theologies.” Our developing relationship of accompaniment with the people of El Salvador has sparked special interest in exploring a theology of liberation from a Latin American perspective. In these four weeks we will touch on some of the key themes and writers, with a special focus on asking how such insights might challenge and influence our own ways of doing theology in our First-World context.

Prophetic Imagination: An interfaith exploration of the Old Testament prophets

Six Tuesday mornings from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. (St. Clare House)

September 21, September 28, October 5, October 12, October 19, October 26

Abraham Joshua Heschel and Walter Brueggemann have both contributed much to twentieth-century Biblical scholarship and particularly to our understanding of the Biblical prophets. Drawing on this work, but focused mainly on the prophets themselves (especially Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Hosea, and Micah), we will explore the historical conditions that led to the emergence of the prophetic voice, the content of their contributions, and the implications this has for twenty-first century Christians and Jews.

Cultivating Gratitude: Psalms of Thanksgiving

Three Thursday nights in November from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. (St. Clare House)

November 4, November 11, November 18

While Thanksgiving Day is a national/secular holiday, the notion of giving thanks to our Creator is a thoroughly Biblical one. Drawing on the Psalms of Creation and Thanksgiving we will explore this theme as one essential to Biblical faith and practice.

Adult Catechumenal Program: The adult catechumenal class is the adult version of confirmation preparation at St. Francis. It is primarily intended for those who are looking to be confirmed in the Episcopal Church or received from another denomination. Those who are already confirmed members, but who are looking for "a refresher course" are also welcome to participate.