BECKFORD PARISH LENT BOOK STUDY
Every Monday during Lent at 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (March 7, 14, 28; April 4, 11) we’re meeting via Zoom for a study of the book Reclaiming Rural: Building Thriving Rural Congregations by Allen T. Stanton. During Lent, we will focus on this book a foundation to living Lent as Easter people, and how we are always alive in Christ, who died and was raised from the dead.
The book describes how by establishing a rural identity, leaders build a meaningful and vital ministry. As rural America continues to undergo massive economic and demographic shifts, rural churches are uniquely positioned to provide community leadership. Leading a rural congregation requires a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing these communities, as well as a strong theological and community-focused identity.
Folks need to purchase a copy of the book to participate. Mother Kathy has 10 books she purchased personally that folks may buy from her at cost ($25). Or, you’re welcome to purchase one directly from Amazon.
Mother Kathy would like to gauge how many folks plan to attend, so if you’re thinking of joining in please let her know.
LENT CLASS WITH BISHOP TAYLOR
Bishop Taylor is holding a lent class throughout Lent on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. and Thursdays at 1:30 via Zoom. If you’re interested, please sign up ASAP by emailing Anita Lisk, the Bishop’s executive assistant, to let her know which session you’d like to register for. She will provide the Zoom link once you’re signed up. There is no cost, but there are suggested texts to purchase: Hearing God in Poetry: 50 Poems for Lent and Easter by Richard Harris (suggested) and Lent by Evelyn Underhill.
The class as described by Bishop Taylor: “Lent is less a season to observe and more a walk to walk. As the days get longer and the light more accessible, so are we invited to cast aside all that gets between us and resurrection. One theologian commented, “Everything that happens to Christ happens to us.” In that sense, the Bible is a road map for us to follow indicating the terrain of our journey with Christ and in Christ and to Christ.
Therefore, these sessions are intended to help us discover how we can consciously walk the way of Lent. Each week we will focus on one of the readings from the Lenten lectionary for the upcoming Sunday. However, our intent is to discover how we are invited to live this Lenten journey in our own lives. This is not a Bible study; this is a community sharing how they have walked and are walking the Lenten pilgrimage by engaging a particular theme embedded in the scripture lesson for that Sunday. The structure will be my giving a short talk about the theme of each week often using poetry and then modelling what I will ask you to do by telling a story of my own life that connects with the theme. Then we will go into small breakout groups for people to share their stories and lastly have a plenary.”