Three consecutive evenings exploring the deeper cultural and spiritual themes of our time.

I believe we are caught in the middle of a great turnaround. Accepting this theme helps us make sense of the tumultuous events and feeling all around us. When we are in the middle of what can seem like the very end of everything, the religions, stories, and psychologies of history reveal that things are also beginning again.

On each of these evenings, we will be both practical and profound. The idea is to discover the big picture of these changing times and learn practical skills to help us live day to day.

Wednesdays, May 6, 13 & 20

7:00 p.m. via Zoom

Limited number of participants.

Please email Martha at mwhyte@nesynod.org to receive to access this program.

May 6, 2020

Part One: Ideas for Living through a Pandemic: How to Make these Days Spiritual

Let’s look at some practical ways we might discover a new kind of spirituality while we are in quarantine. It’s easy to be either overwhelmed, distracted or frustrated during our current stay-at-home times. How can we discover that in spite or maybe because of this shelter we are more spiritual than we realize?

Optional Advance Reading:

Everyday Spirituality by James Hazelwood. Chapters 13, 14 & 19 Cook, Garden, Walk

May 13, 2020

Part Two: Life is Not Fair: The Book of Job and Everyday Spirituality

Radical Resiliency is the phrase I’m embracing as we all endure and embrace this time of transformation. The ancient book of Job explores questions around human suffering and divine presence. Understanding the time we are in as a time of lament can help us manage life, ourselves and our relationships during these days.

Optional Advance Reading

Everyday Spirituality by James Hazelwood Chapters 12 & 24 Question, Disagree

The Book of Job Chapters 1, 2 & 3

An Irreverent Summary of Job (click here)

May 20, 2020

Part Three: Apocalypse Now? Is this the End or the Beginning?

The Book of Revelation might just have some clues for what we are experiencing, but not in the ways you might think. We will look at the ancient Greek word Apocalypsis, and seek to understand both sides of the coin ending/beginning. What can this strange book of the Bible teach us? Understanding the significance of the cultural shift, we ask, so what? What can we do?

Optional Advance Reading

Everyday Spirituality by James Hazelwood Chapters 26 &27 Grieve, Wonder

The Book of Revelation Chapters 1, 21 & 22

Each evening includes a presentation of about 20-30 minutes, followed by a Discussion and Q & A time. Can’t make the live session? We will record each session and make them available for listening and/or viewing later.

Need a copy of the book Everyday Spirituality? We have extra copies and you can order them through our office. Books are $18 and we’ll include a deck of the Conversation cards and cover the shipping costs. All proceeds go to the New England Synod Jubilee 2020 Fund. Contact Martha Whyte at mwhyte@nesynod.org