Session : April 13 - May 18

Classes meet at 9:45 a.m.

BIBLE

Jesus and the Empire of God: Christianity in the Context of Ancient and Modern Empire
Teacher: Rev. Katie Givens Kime
Room B104-106

To whom do the following titles refer? “Divine Son who brought peace to the whole world.” “Savior.” “Son of God.” “Lord.” Though we think first of Jesus, these were all common names for the Roman Emperor during Jesus’ time! More than a distant backdrop, the context of the Roman Empire is essential for understanding almost any piece of the New Testament. But until recently, the Western idealization of “the glory of Rome” and a de-politicized Jesus have steered biblical scholars away from inquiring into the “new world order” of Jesus’ time. Now, religious leaders from Desmond Tutu to Walter Wink have pointed to the stunning parallels between the policies of the ancient Roman Empire and those of contemporary America.

Where do we draw the division between faith and politics? Was Jesus “political”? In a national political climate in which faith language is a hot election tool, it seems more important than ever that we educate ourselves about what it means to be Christian in the midst of empire.

 

THEOLOGY and ETHICS

Mystical Theology: A Seminar
Teachers: Neal Chandler, Joe Brown, members of Trinity congregation and outside consultants
Room B112

This class will be an experiment in the seminar style of Sunday study. Participating members will be expected to prepare and lead discussions of the elements of and contributors to mystical thought. Christian mysticism will be studied, including the early heretical (Gnostic) gospels. We will review the writings of specific medieval Christian mystics such as Hildegard, Meister Eckert, John of the Cross, and Teresa of Avila, along with their contemporary Jewish counterparts. These studies should meld into present-day Protestant and Catholic mysticism. Considerable emphasis will be given to Eastern non-theistic mystical thought, such as that found in Buddhism. Although considerable leeway will be given to class leaders, source materials will include current in-print books, novels, and academic articles.

April 13	"What is Mysticism and is it Christian?"
	Jack Graham
April 20	"Outstanding 12th Century Woman Mystic: Hildegard of Bingen, the Renaissance Woman of Medieval Times"
	Helen Graham
April 27	"Augustine to Eckhart to Kierkegaard: Not Your Expected Mysitcal Infield"
	Joe Brown
May 4	"Alan Watts: The Wisdom of Insecurity"
	Charlie Jones
May 11	"Jesus or the Buddha: Must We Choose?"
	Albert Anderson
May 18	"Mysticism and Every Day Life"
	Neal Chandler

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND ACTION

Sustainability
Leaders: Trinity's Sustainability Committee
Williams Hall C

I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. – Genesis 1:13

How may we live out our side of the covenant for the sake of healing God’s green earth? Through movies and class discussion, Trinity’s Sustainability Committee will lead a course addressing our impact on God’s creation. More importantly, we’ll explore ways we can participate in God’s vital work of healing and redeeming God’s life-giving earth. Join us; . . . for God so loved the world!

 

CHRISTIAN LIVING AND SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

Lord, Teach Us to Pray
Coordinators: Rev. Leah Horton and Rev. David Burns
Room B108

Numerous times in the gospel accounts of Jesus’ ministry, we find Jesus slipping away from the crowds to pray. The disciples who traveled with him must have seen power in that practice, because they came to Jesus and asked him to share with them what he was doing. “Lord,” they said, “teach us to pray.” For some of us, the desire to make prayer a part of our daily lives is real, but we, too, are unsure how to begin. Like the disciples, we would like some tutoring. In this class we will explore the Christian practice of prayer, offering some tools for enriching the ways we make prayer a part of our lives. We will look at the history of prayer in the Reformed tradition and also at the variety of the ways that people across the centuries found, both speak to and listen for God. We will also explore what resources are available for individuals who want to deepen their personal practices of prayer.

 

MISSIOLOGY: OUR LIFE IN THE WORLD

Negotiating Diversity: Crossing Boundaries as a Spiritual Practice
Teacher: M. Thomas Thangaraj, PhD
Room B110

Today we live in a world which is compressed into a “global village,” thanks to the processes of globalization, increased travel opportunities, and a free flow of, and an easy access to, information. This means that we are exposed to a bigger world than the one we had known before, and to a diversity that we had not experienced before. Such an experience of the world around us leads us to the crossing of several boundaries that defined and shaped us. How do we deal with those experiences of boundary crossings? How do we negotiate our way around such a rich diversity of peoples, cultures, religions, languages, and so on? Thangaraj will explore these questions by reflecting on his own experiences (as a Christian minister and theologian from India) of crossing boundaries, and helping us to see those crossings as spiritual practices. Every time we cross a boundary we recognize the footprints of the Spirit, and we are nurtured and strengthened in our own spiritual life. Such recognition will enable us to view every encounter with a culture, religion, language, or location other than our own as an intense spiritual experience. The six-week series will begin with an introduction to the theme, examination of four different kinds of crossings (such as crossing cultural, religious, generational, and musical boundaries), and end with a critical appreciation of boundaries themselves as frontiers for spiritual growth.

Dr. M. Thomas Thangaraj is the D. W. and Ruth Brooks Associate Professor of World Christianity at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University. After serving as a Minister in the Church of South India in the Tirunelveli area, Professor Thangaraj moved to teach at the Tamilnadu Theological Seminary, Madurai, India, from 1971 to 1988, before joining the Emory faculty. He was educated at St. John’s College, Palayamkottai; Madras Christian College, Madras; Serampore College, Serampore, W. Bengal; United Theological College, Bangalore, at the graduate and post-graduate level. He earned his Doctor of Theology degree from Harvard University. He has been actively involved in programs of inter-religious dialogue at both the national and international level.

WEEKDAY EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Circle Bible Studies
Through Women’s Link, opportunities are provided for monthly small-group Bible study at different times during the day and evening. The study for 2007/2008 will be “Above and Beyond: Hearing God’s Call in Jonah and Ruth.” For information about participation, contact Bede Campbell at 404-495-8428.

 

Disciple Bible Study
Thursdays,

Disciple I - 8:30 a.m.

Disciple II - 6:30 p.m.
Leader: Disciple I: The Rev. Erin McGee, Associate Pastor for Ministry to Children and Their Families
Disciple II: John Ryan, Director of Ministry to Youth and Their Families

Disciple is a program of disciplined Bible study that focuses on engaging the disciple as learner, believer, follower, proclaimer, and servant. Aimed at developing strong Christian leaders, it provides the fellowship and support of a small group.
The first study in the program, Disciple I, is a 34-week overview of the Bible. A new Disciple I class will be offered this fall on Thursday mornings, led by the Rev. Erin McGee.

Disciple II teaches Bible study skills that allow participants to delve deeper into scripture. This class concentrates on four books – Genesis, Exodus, Luke, and Acts. John Ryan will lead this class on Thursday evenings. This class is open to those who have completed Disciple I or an equivalent in-depth Bible overview class.
Cost for Disciple I or II is $35 for the workbook. To enroll in one of the classes, contact Bede Campbell at 404-495-8428. There is a limited number of slots for each class.

Faces of Wisdom
Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:00 a.m.
This is a lively, intergenerational group of women who meet from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. each Wednesday for breakfast and study. The group has chosen books by Barbara Brown Taylor, Dorothy Bass, Fredrick Buechner, Peter Gomes, Marcus Borg, Tom Long, and Michael Lindvale for their discussion in the past. All interested women are invited to come join us for food and stimulating conversation every Wednesday morning! For more information, contact Bede Campbell at 404-495-8428.

Novel Ideas
1st Thursday, 7:00 p.m., Chapel Parlor
Novel Ideas is a discussion group that is open to all booklovers. This group, which is led by various members, meets monthly on the first Thursday of each month (September – May) at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel Parlor to discuss the selection of the month. Contact Bede Campbell at 404-495-8428 for more information.

Nonfiction Book Group
3rd Thursday, 7:00 p.m., Chapel Parlor
The Nonfiction Book Group is open to all booklovers. This group, which is led by different members, meets monthly on the third Thursday of each month (September – May) at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel Parlor to discuss the selection of the month. For more information, contact Bede Campbell at 404-495-8428.

The Tent
2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, 9:30-11:00 a.m., Room B110
Leaders: Helen Graham and The Rev. Leah Horton
The Red Tent derives its name from an ancient gathering place for women who share significant time together. The group meets from 9:30-11 a.m. on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, beginning September 26th, 2007. All are welcome, previous attendance is not required. Participants describe it as “a place to be with other women who dig deep, ask tough questions, are willing to be vulnerable, and have a rollicking good time.” “Being in the Tent is like having a warm cup of tea and a good book that you can’t put down.” Please join us and bring a friend.

NEW MEMBER CLASSES

These classes are designed for those who are considering membership at Trinity. Participants will gain insight into what it means to be Presbyterian, as well as get a taste of the life of this congregation, including introductions to the educational offerings, mission program, volunteer opportunities, and fellowship groups. For further information, contact Jeannie DuBose at 404.495.8429.

 

Spring Session 2008

April 20, 27, May 4, 11

May 6 - evening dessert away from the church

May 11 - New Member Sunday