Summer Reading Series
We’ve made it a habit over the last few summers to engage some books together and then take a night to flesh them out a bit in common. I recommend 3 books. We take about a month to read each one, then gather for discussion about where that book met us. Usually I try to find books of varying styles and from different eras. Some are classics and some are virtually unknown. The common thread is that they all speak in some way to the spiritual life and the way we carry God’s Spirit into our lived experience.
Evelyn Underhill was an English mystic who wrote extensively on the spiritual life. Her writings balance the inner life of the Spirit with a consciousness of the way the spiritual life is lived out in the world. Her book The Spiritual Life was published in 1936 after she first delivered the material in a series of radio broadcasts.
The Cloud of Unknowing was written anonymously in 14th century England. It has been the basis of much great writing and practice in the centuries since, impacting spiritual writers including John of the Cross and Thomas Keating. Several years ago John Kirvan wrote a walking commentary on this classic, which he entitled, There Is a God, There Is No God. The book has been a huge help for me, and I commend it to you.
The Old Testament Psalms provide a foundation for a life of prayer. For centuries, Christians – including me – have learned to pray by praying the psalms. Many years ago, one of the first books on prayer I read was Eugene Peterson’s Answering God: The Psalms As Tools for Prayer. I use it as a resource often. I’m looking forward to visiting it again and discussing it with you.
If you’d like to participate in these readings and discussions, here’s what you can do:
- Secure the books yourself or through The Center for Christian Spirituality. If purchased through The Center for Christian Spirituality, prices and deadlines are below.
- Read one book a month.
- Attend, if you’d like, a teaching and discussion time on each book. Dates are given below.
The prices, order deadlines, and schedules for teaching/dialogue sessions are as follows:
The Spiritual Life by Evelyn Underhill, $13.00 with order deadline of May 19 (if you are ordering from us). Teaching and dialogue on Wednesday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m. in LC201. Please contact Nancy Sterling to order from us (713-354-4458 or nsterling@chapelwood.org).
There Is a God, There Is No God by John Kirvan, $11.00 with order deadline of June 9. Teaching and dialogue on Wednesday, July 16 at 6:30 p.m. in LC201. Please contact Nancy Sterling to order.
Answering God by Eugene Peterson, $10.00 with order deadline of July 7. Teaching and dialogue on Wednesday, August 20 at 6:30 p.m. in LC201. Please contact Nancy Sterling to order.
(Jerry Webber)
Recurring Classes: Please check with us for upcoming dates.
Spiritual Foundations
The Spiritual Foundations class seeks to provide an intensive experience in spiritual formation for those who want to give concentrated attention to the work of God in their lives. The class was originally designed to assist church leaders (staff, teachers, board members, committee members, volunteers, etc.) in developing a growing inner life that would support the work of their ministry. We believe that leadership has the power to transform individuals, groups, institutions, and society when anchored in a growing relationship with God through Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The class is now structured as an aid to anyone desiring a more intentional and alert relationship with God. Through daily prayer and meditation, weekly large and small group experiences, personal reflection, journaling, and outside readings participants will be able to formulate life-patterns that open them to the transformation of Christ. Spiritual practices alone do not cause a person to experience formation in Christ, but rather prepare us and open us to the work God does within our hearts. The course is designed for anyone who is serious about a growing, deepening relationship with God as revealed in Jesus Christ.
This continuous experience over a course of weeks is not designed to be the end of our spiritual growth, but rather a launching pad for a lifetime of encounter with God. Though the class will move rapidly, we intend to be deliberate and attentive to the movement of God as we read, pray, meditate, reflect, and listen. Thus, our goal is not to complete of a body of material, but to come to a growing awareness of our journey with God and a growing awareness of our own lives in relationship to God and others. Various reflections and exercises will engage us at different levels, each one deliberately selected to lead us into God's presence.
Building on the Foundation Sundays, January 13 - March 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Building on the Foundation is an eight-week follow-up to the Spiritual Foundations course. Like the first course, Building on the Foundation is a practicum in spiritual formation. The original material has been developed by the class leader, Jerry Webber. Readings come from five books that are part of the core curriculum. Various spiritual practices will be introduced. This class relies heavily on class participation and sharing. An orientation and introduction to the course will be held the first week prior to classes beginning.
The weekly two-hour class will include class instruction and discussion, large and small group work, guided exercises, and quiet time for reflection. Presentations by Jerry Webber will accompany outside readings from authors such as Henri Nouwen, Thomas Keating, and Margaret Silf. Significant amounts of time will be given for small group and large group interaction.
The class meets on Sunday evenings from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Chapelwood in LC201, Jan. 13 – March 9. Cost for the class is $80, which includes all books and materials, as well as refreshments at each class meeting. Please register with Nancy Sterling as early as possible so adequate provision can be made for materials.
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