Shall We Look for Another? Another Christ? Another Church?
Mondays, February 10 – April 28, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
The Hedgerow Initiative offers sustained, systematic programming in feminist theological education, spiritual integration, and leadership for a just and holy world.
In a particular way, the Initiative highlights the scholarship of women, who since the 1950s, have worked to reclaim women’s presence and significance in scripture, church, history, theology, and culture.
The Initiative takes its name from the hedgerow schools in Ireland that kept alive the language, faith, culture, and community of the people during the time of the British penal codes. A hedgerow is both a biosphere and a haven.
Perhaps Martin Luther is right. The scriptures can save us. For people disillusioned with institutional religion and disheartened by abuse scandals or disengaged by scientific discoveries, the scriptures offer a do-it-yourself option for staying reflective on how our lives individually and communally matter. Sacred texts originate in the human experience of the holy in our world, a presence still alive to us. The Gospels originate among Jesus’ men and women disciples and the communities of Christians that heard, told, and lived Jesus’ story.
In 2014 the Common Lectionary brings us Sunday Gospels from Matthew and John (Cycle A). We bring an expanding cosmos and evolving Earth community into dialogue with the 2000-year-old gospels. We experience contemporary issues that divide people—the women’s movement, GLBT, the economics of the 99%, hunger, healthcare, climate change, and education issues.
What wisdom can we find in the Story and ourselves? What wisdom can we weave to hold us together?
Schedule & Topics:
February 10: Miriam’s Child, Jesus’ Origins – Matthew 1-4
February 17: A Household Where God Blesses All: Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 5-7
February 24: Shall We Look for Another? – Matthew 11
March 3: Why Do You Speak in Parables – Matthew 13
March 10: Who Do You Say that I Am? – Matthew 15-18
March 17: The Strength of a Woman’s Word – John 4
March 24: Let Us Speak for Ourselves – John 9
March 31: Martha Speaks the Faith of the Community – John 11
April 7: Keeping Our Lamps Lit – Matthew 24-25
April 14: In Memory of Her – Matthew 26-27
April 21: Mary Magdalene, The Apostle – John 20
April 28: Jesus Meets the Women on Their Way – Matthew 28
Instructors:
Joan Mitchell, CSJ, M.T.S., Harvard Divinity School; Ph.D., Luther Seminary
Susan Hames, CSJ, M.A. Liturgical Studies, St. John’s University; ABD Christian Spirituality, Graduate Theological Union
Required Text:
The Bible (New Revised Standard Study Version or New American)
WHEN: Mondays, February 10 – April 28, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
COST: $200.00 for all 12 sessions; $20.00 per session
TEXTS: Texts are available through Good Ground Press: www.goodgroundpress.com.
Registration is now closed.
