PENTECOST
The forum took place after our Pentecost service which included a re-affirmation of Baptism.
During the service we promised to involve ourselves in Christ's ministry in the world, specifically:
The forum was an opportunity to get together and share some of our experiences of the Alison and Borg studies, Living the Questions, the Pallotti Retreat, the Lenten and Easter pilgrimages, and the effect these had on our individual and collective faith journeys.
Minutes of Lunch time Forum on 20 th May 2007.
Site: Upper Hall. 22 members of TUC present including Minister Andrew.
Present: Ron and Adele Gaudion, Barbara and Alan Dun, Don and Helen Bartlett, Gail Pritchard, Ron and Jan Higgins, Carol Moule, David and Rosemary Beavis, Mary Griffith, John and Sharon Hyne, Helen Turnham, Jan and Rob Serpell, Joan Christensen, Helen Salomon, Ken Thompson, Andrew Boyle, Tina Lyndon.
PURPOSE: Outline of initiatives to broaden our theological perspectives, and to deepen our inner lives.
Rob Serpell. Rob outlined ways in which the series of group meetings on the subject "Living the Question had affected him, i.e.: Our faith is a journey, not a destination. Mention of Francis McNab's sermons on this subject. Described the effect of having his thinking completely "blown away". Theologians interviewed gave him permission to think critically about faith and Bible. They emphasised our relationship to God as a God of compassion. They enabled us to peel away restraints, freed us and empowered us.
New thinking about St. Paul's theology under three headings: Love that cuts across social borders, Grace that heals divisions, Hope that overcomes injustice.
Rosemary Beavis. She did the LTQ series mainly as a preparation for her baptism later that year. She found it overpowering, and initially de-stabilising--the weight and volume of new ideas and opinions had the effect of collapsing the "tent pegs" of her own beliefs. The series brought her to two questions: What is truth? and, Where are you God? Mention of value of Lectio Divina. Waiting for God to speak. The post-resurrection stories and Mary wanting to carry Jesus dead body. "What am I carrying that might be dead?"
Question and Comments to the two speakers: comments from David Beavis, Tina, Don Bartlett, Joan Christensen and others. Opinions about Borg were varied, not every one agreeing with everything he wrote and/or said in the video.
Adele Gaudion: Her topic was "Taking Time Out", focussing on her personal spiritual journey. Sharing our own journey enriches us and others who hear it. They may reflect back to us their own journeys which can also enrich us.
Adele's initial reaction to the Easter pilgrimage was that it was in the too-hard basket, but in the end she was glad for the space and time it gave her. She was still working on the question posed about personal yearnings. One of the yearnings was to do with the environment, the other to do with her grandchildren. She liked to express her thoughts in verse and hymn.
The questions of vulnerability and the faith journey were explored, as was being quiet and listening to the inner voice. She mentioned the idea of a web-site advertising shorter pilgrimages.
Comments from others:
John Hyne said that seeing a previously well-ordered garden now given over to "natural" growth symbolised for him that our lives should be also allowed to be under the rule and promptings of God. Sharon found the prayers very meaningful. She and John had repeated the advent walk on another occasion.. Don Bartlett found that a Bible verse given him by Megan Griffith on the pilgrimage walk had spoken to his heart concerning a current problem. Mary Griffith said that Megan had got much inspiration from the walk. Carol Moule felt much the same as Rosemary about the LTQ series.
Mary Griffith She spoke about the study of Marcus Borg's book. Various themes which were discussed in the book (which she found helpful), included Jesus as showing the true nature of Godas being a God of compassion, the pre-Easter and the post-Easter Jesus and the difference, how one could incorporate the experience of Jesus in the early church as being one that one should experience in one's own life, and the validity of experience versus belief.
Don Bartlett He spoke about the mind-enlarging experience of having Dr. Ruwan Palapthawala lead them in the last Pallotti weekend. Ruwan had described the stages in the development of all religions. These could be described as 1., naming the conundrum of existence, 2., the fact that we are all imperfect, 3., the road to perfection, and 4., the means of coping with imperfection. He had quoted from Amos 9 vs 7 as a verse that could be used to show that God had dealings with other nations - not only the Israelites. He said that unless a civilization develops a religious side, it and its culture breaks down. A culture cannot survive without a compassionate caring side: We have a common journey with other religions towards a mature faith. He asked whether if God had revealed himself through Jesus, could he also not have revealed himself through other figures such as e.g. Mohammed.
IMPLICATIONS FOR US.
Alan Dun said how different people in the study series reacted both similarly and differently. He felt it would be good to help people to gain a new understanding of prayer. He considered that a debate/discussion on the humanity of Jesus as against his divine attributes might help people to feel that Jesus could identify with them and their struggles. He considered that most people today thought of Jesus as being too other-wordly to be affected by the hurly-burly of life.
Helen Turnham spoke about how a lot of us were brought up with weekly Sunday School and religious instruction, and what were this modem generation getting? Was it up to their grandparents? Jan Serpell said that RI teachers were trying to teach in less dogmatic ways, and helping children to make up their own minds. Helen spoke about a recent TV program she had seen which focussed on Jesus' early life, which she found interesting. Joan Christensen wondered whether the departure of so many people from the churches could have been caused by teachings of former decades leaving no room for debate.
Rosemary spoke of the church being both an oasis and a springboard--an oasis in the sense of a place where one is fed and watered, and a springboard as the site from which one goes out re-invigorated. There was talk of the advertising of days where people from other congregations and churches could be invited to spend time in silence and/or short pilgrimage walks. These could be called OASIS days. There could be letter drops and Web-site ads. Ron Higgins felt that these could be offered as a "service" to the city.
Sharon was grateful for the chance to hear of others' spiritual experiences. Gail spoke of the rich diversity she had found through all that had been said and shared this day. She talked about the cries and yearnings of members and to be open to where the Spirit wants to take us.
Jan Serpell closed the meeting by asking all to link hands and say the Benediction.
Thanks to David Beavis who compiled these notes.
GRANDSTAND FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Group working on a Christian response to threats to our environment, global warming etc.aiming for action in our area. Organised a forum in March. If you missed the forum but would like to be part of the conversation and action in the area come to a planning meeting Wednesday 27th June from 2-4 pm to discuss and plan a public environment forum for later in the year. Contact Andrew 9846 1285 for details.