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Focusing Book: Blessing The World, What Can Save Us Now? By Rebecca Ann Parker, President of Star King Theological School (One of two UU Theological Schools In North America).
Five Evening Sessions on Wednesdays, October 17 & 24 and November 14, 21 & 28, 2007 at 7:30 pm in the library at École Séraphin-Marion.
Let’s Go Deep!
What is the purpose of building our own theology unless it gives us the tools to face the challenges in our lives? Many of us come to a time in our lives when we realize that whatever we have been taught about the world, ourselves as human beings, or the existence or nature of God is not adequate as a set of answers for the circumstances that we face. Parker says that “at such moments we have three choices: We can hold to our religious beliefs and deny our experience, we can hold to our experience and walk away from our religious traditions, or we can become theologians.” I invite you to join me in reading Rebecca Parker's book, as stimulation to our search for a workable theology in a troubled and turbulent world.
According to the introduction by Robert Hardies,
“This book addresses the times of despair – when things are falling apart; serious losses; war, genocide.” “How will I make it through this?” “How can I repair what is broken?” “Where is the hope for our world?” and my phrase – Why should I care? And what can one person do anyway?
“This is a book about “life-affirming answers to these questions, answers that light pathways through despair and point us towards hope.” … A central premise of this book is that moments of despair can be opportunities for spiritual and theological breakthrough.” … If we become theologians, we will wrestle with tradition and experience until we discover a new, life-giving faith.
This is sensitive work. To have this discussion, we will have to explore the many dimensions of theology. What does it mean to be human? What exists outside of ourselves? What is the true nature of the universe we live in? How do we develop a sense of identity and purpose in today's society? How should we live our lives? How do we find place? Acceptance and Belonging? What is our responsibility in the face of poverty, hatred, and violence? Are we doing this work alone? Theological language will focus the core debates that humans have argued since the beginning of recorded history.
Let us join together – atheists, theists, mystics, and pagans, and discover our differences and what we share in common. Let us deepen our understandings and broaden our vision.
Bring a friend from outside the congregation. Open another door in discovering who we are as a community. Help build a vision of our future.
To Purchase the book ($15.00) and to Register:
AdultPrograms@uufo.org or on Sunday morning at the Fellowship. Below is greater detail about the sessions.
Course Outline
Session One: Finding Hope in a Violent World
Parker explores the daily violence the people of the world are exposed to, whether in reality or via the media. She plumbs the horrors of war, racism, homophobia, economic injustice, and environmental degradation. How does one cope with the daily bombardment of violence we are exposed to? How does one find hope?
Session Two: Discerning Our Worldview
Most religions have a core story at their centre. It gives people context, community, and a sense of identity. For Christians this is the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ. For Jews it is the story of escape from slavery in Egypt and the Promised Land. For many faiths it is the story of a founder. Because Christianity is still a strong force in North American culture, Parker invites us to look at how it has shaped society's thinking and perhaps even our own – even if we don't buy into Christian doctrine. She also tells us what she likes in Christianity and why she still chooses to wrestle with that tradition.
What are the dominant influences in your personal worldview?
Session Three: Singing Our Song
What is the unique contribution Unitarian Universalism brings to the theological landscape? We will explore the core themes and debates that have confronted our tradition.
What is our story that we would use to frame a worldview?
Session Four: Choosing Our Ground
What is the core story that defines your life? Where is the ground on which you will stand or fall? What makes you feel whole? What sustains you in the face of great tragedy or great evil? Parker calls us to understand ourselves as persons with great abundance, grace, many gifts, and the ability to make a difference.
Session Five: Blessing The World
Parker makes the case that humans are co-creators with God and describes a theology of God that is neither perfect, nor eternal, nor all-powerful, nor even personal. Here is a theology that jives with quantum physics and chaos theory! Whatever your understanding of what it is to be human, if our actions do make a difference, will we use our power to bless or to curse the world?
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