The Changing Face of God
A 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 Faith
Just 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
www.justfaith.org or, locally, the
Rev. Canon Susan Nanny, who has used the program at Christ Church Cathedral,
at (314) 231-2454.
LEAP
Liturgy, Education, and Action for the Parish
LEAP provides approachable education, thoughtful, contemporary liturgy, and
powerful opportunities for mission and outreach. It is custom-designed for
use in Christian education forums or small-group discussions and offers
practical ways to engage with contemporary themes in justice, education, and
ministry.
LEAP is FREE. With just a couple of registration steps, it can be downloaded
at www.EveryVoice.net/leap.
Topics are frequently updated so you and your adults can respond quickly and
compassionately to critical issues, empowered as a community with
contemporary theological reflection. Currently on their web site are
materials on The Theology of Work, Episcopacy 101, Justice and
Reconciliation, and Classical Anglicanism: Dealing with Conflicts as
Anglicans.
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
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
www.faithalive.org.
The Episcopal
Network for Stewardship
The Episcopal Network for Stewardship (TENS) is a voluntary network of
people who believe our responsibility as Stewards includes maintaining
balance in our lives of the God given gift of a set of relationships: to
God, to other humans, to self and to the entire created universe.
Their website (www.tens.org) is a virtual
plethora of resources including a "Diocesan Panic Kit" and links to
stewardship web sites for other denominations.
More information can be found on their website or by calling (800) 699-2669
(in USA) or (316) 686-0470 Their e-mail address is
TENS@TENS.org.
Crown Financial Ministries
This is an interdenominational ministry using small group Bible study to
train adults to apply the financial principles from God's Word. It is a
12-week, two hours per week, in-depth study of what scripture teaches about
money and possessions. Requirements for participation include daily prayer,
scripture memorization, homework, and attendance.
It is recommended that the church leadership select a respected layperson to
serve as the Crown church coordinator, so it requires little of the pastor's
time. See more about Crown Financial, and download samples at
www.crown.org.
Living With Money
An ecumenical adult education program for congregations, Living With Money
challenges participants to think deeply about the subject of money, and
consider its meaning in the context of their Christian faith. How do we
discern the power and impact of money on our lives? How do we keep money
from shaping our every decision? How much money is enough for us? What are
our personal values about money? What does the Bible say about it?
Living With Money explores these and other questions, and helps participants
achieve a balanced and wholesome money life. The complete curriculum package
can be used to conduct a four-, six-, eight- or twelve-week class.
Find out more about Living With Money is at Morehouse's Website at
www.morehousepublishing.com.
Locally you may contact Cindy Heuermann, director of stewardship at St.
Peter's/Ladue, at (314) 991-2782. They will begin using the series this
fall.