Finding Mary in the Old Testament

Christian doctrine and the Old Testament.

On March 25, at 10 a.m., the Sunday class concludes its series on Christian doctrine and the Old Testament. This week we look at the presence of God in the tabernacle with the Israelites and its figural relationship to the indwelling of Mary by Jesus Christ. Note that there is no Sunday class on Easter Day.

Easter Joy

On April 8, at 10 a.m., Dr. Robert Duvall undertakes a study of joy as a theme in the work of contemporary poet and essayist Christopher Wiman. What is this thing called joy? Where can it be found? Wiman offers compelling answers to these questions in both prose and poetry, authored by himself and others. No prior reading necessary; relevant text are distributed in class.

Book(s) of Common Prayer

On Sunday, April 15, at 10 a.m., the Rev. Dr. Kevin Moroney, Professor of Liturgics at the General Theological Seminary, discusses the American Prayer Book tradition. The close relationship between the American Episcopal Church and the Scottish Episcopal Church dates back to the founding of this country and the initial organization of our Church. Each Book of Common Prayer in the United States has thus displayed characteristics that are distinct from the Church of England, yet also differing in some important ways from Scottish versions. The result is a unique Prayer Book tradition that has been forged, like America itself, from a diversity of sources.

Reinhold Niebuhr and Christian Realism.

As Christians, how should we balance realism and idealism in our social and political lives? In this three-session class series, parishioners Jeremy Waldron and Curt Peters reflect on this question by examining the contributions of theologian Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971). Niebuhr’s notion of “Christian Realism” took seriously the implications of human sin and applied that awareness to American foreign policy in the 1940s through the 1960s. The class explores Niebuhr’s influential version of realism, and considers continuities and differences between Christian realism and modern secular realism in foreign affairs. The classes meet on Mondays, April 9, 16, and 23, at 6:30 p.m. in Andrew Hall.

Music from Australia

A recent discovery of mine has been the long-running radio show “For the God who sings,” produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Each week the host presents music appropriate to the liturgical week: last week the theme was “Refreshment,” thanks to Laetare (or Refreshment) Sunday; this week it was “Miserere”; presumably Easter music is soon to come. The audio remains online for only a few weeks. It is an enjoyable way to mark the liturgical season between worship services. The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. – Zephiniah 3:17.

Yours in Christ,
Joel