"Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life"

Our back-to-school September Forum sessions start on this Sunday, September 2  at 9:15 a.m. with our own Roger Smith and Maralee McMillan. They will begin what's anticipated to be an ongoing conversation about how we all might better integrate the "Golden Rule" into our daily lives and the world around us. This initiative is inspired by theologian Karen Armstrong's recent book,"Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life," which is recommended reading to anyone interested in this topic, whether or not attending the Forum. 

The discussion should continue on September 9 with Romella and Ed O'Keefe as leaders.

Happy Labor Day Weekend & Apple Festival!

Speaking Christian: Why Christian Words Have Lost Their Meaning and Power.

This Sunday, August 26, at 9:15, our own Rev. Larry Anderson and Dr. Jill Bierwirth August 26th,  will return with a preview of Marcus Borg's latest book Speaking Christian:  Why Christian Words Have Lost Their Meaning and Power. 

Dr. Borg will be our Ashley Speaker on September 14-16.

As always, all are welcome. Please spread the word.l

"Theodicy"

The next two Sundays, August 12 and 19,our own Rev.Larry Anderson and Dr.Jill Bierwirth will tackle the problems we encounter in attempting to create a progressive theodicy.  Theodicy is the work of explaining a loving and merciful divinity in light of a suffering humanity.  We will look at the work of theologians like Bart Ehrman (God's Problem:  How the Bible  Fails to Answer Our Most Important Question--Why We Suffer), and Wendy Farley.  Her Tragic Vision and Divine Compassion: A Contemporary Theodicy considers the problem of evil in our world by focusing on suffering rather than sin, and abandoning the forensic model of God in favor of one emphasizing compassion as a dominant metaphor for the divine. 

Sessions begin at 9:15. All welcome.