Theology Update for the Week of January 5, 2020


Theology Class: “Classics of Christian Spirituality: Augustine of Hippo”

Conversion of St. Augustine by Fra Angelico

Dear Friends in Christ,

Please join us this Sunday, January 5th, at 10:00 am for a class on the spirituality of St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD), the great North African bishop and theologian.

St. Augustine is a towering figure in Christianity, not only for his enduring influence on Christian thought, but also on philosophy and literature: his Confessions is considered to be the first autobiography in Western Literature.

He is associated with a number of key concepts in Christian doctrine: original sin, predestination, just war theory, and the Holy Trinity, to name just a few.

The class will focus on the Confessions and how the trajectory of Augustine’s conversion to Christianity as an adult continues to speak to us today.

The class will be led by Fr. Mark Brown, and it will meet on the fifth floor of the parish house. Coffee and tea will be provided.

Blessings,

Fr. Cheng
Theologian in Residence


Fall 2019 Adult Education Survey

If you haven’t yet done so, please take a few minutes to complete an online survey about the Fall 2019 adult education program.

You can take the survey by clicking here:

Fall 2019 Adult Education Survey

Thank you in advance for your feedback and your ongoing support of the adult education program at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue!


The Theology of Martin Luther King Jr.

Bell Tower Statue of Martin Luther King Jr.

Next Sunday, January 12th, we will begin a three-part series on the theology of Martin Luther King Jr.

The series will be taught by Fr. Cheng, and it will cover key themes from Dr. King’s sermons, including love, sin, and the church.

We will use Dr. King’s book Strength to Love as our text for the series. Copies of the book can be purchased in the parish bookstore.

For the first class, we will discuss the influences of both the Social Gospel Movement and Christian Realism on Dr. King’s theology. Please read the sermon “Loving Your Enemies,” which can be found on pp. 43-52 of Strength to Love. If you do not have the book, you can find the sermon here and its audio recording here.

Two questions for reflection: (1) How do we love our enemies? and (2) Why should we love our enemies?

Please be sure to mark your calendars for this series!


Pilgrims’ Course 2020: An Introduction to the Christian Faith

Newcomers to Saint Thomas Church and those not yet members of the church are invited to our “Pilgrims’ Course,” which is a comprehensive introduction to the Christian faith, as received and understood by the Episcopal Church.

The course will be taught by the Rector and Fr. Cheng. Each session will begin with a simple meal at 6:30 pm, and the class itself will run from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. The first session will be held on Tuesday, January 14th. The sessions will continue on most Tuesday evenings through May 19th. Bishop Allen Shin will visit the parish on Sunday, May 17, at 11 am, to confirm and receive the candidates.

For a listing of the dates and topics for each of the sessions, please click here. A postcard with this information is available in the narthex.

Although the course is specifically designed for adults who are considering baptism, confirmation, or reception into the Episcopal Church, it is fitting for anyone who wishes to explore Christianity or to deepen his or her faith. Please email Fr. Cheng at if you would like to register for the class.