| Author |
Message |
Sharon Ely Pearson (Spearson)
Username: Spearson
Registered: 1-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 - 8:50 pm: | |
Will your congregation be recognizing Theological Education Sunday in any way in 2007? If so, how. If not, why not? |
Sharon Ely Pearson (Spearson)
Username: Spearson
Registered: 1-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 - 1:55 pm: | |
From Jim (T.James Kodera - Weseley University and PEALL member - jkodera@wellesley.edu) Since 2001, I have participated actively in the ecumenical clergy association in the town (Hudson, MA) where I serve as a part-time priest.
Every year in January, we observed a Sunday for Christian Unity. We used to exchange the pulpit. I was privileged to preach at the local Unitarian Church, Roman Catholic Church and a Baptist Church. In the third year, after I was invited to the Baptist Church, its senior minister decided that his church could no longer take part in the pulpit exchange. The reason for the decision was not known to other clergy in the association until the end of last year, when he indicated that the last preacher from another church, me, had said something "heretical." It turned out to be that I had characterized Christ as one of the many paths toward God. In spite of it, we have continued to have a serve of Christian witness every year. We had the last one this past Sunday in the evening in the local Federal Church (a combination of Congregational and American Baptist) with only three clergy, and their congregations, participating.
I find it most unfortunate how difficult to realize Christian unity.
Martin Luther King was right in his assertion that 10 o'clock on Sunday morning is the most divided hour in America. He seems to have had race relations in mind. But it is just as divided in other ways that are very hard to address, but we must. The Body of Christ is one.
So, we can do whatever we can to foster Theological Education Sunday, but, sooner or later, we need to do it with our Christian sisters and brothers beyond the denominational lines, however difficult. For, again, we are all part of the one body of Christ. I remain persuaded that the signs of the redeemed are not hostility and hate, but generosity and mercy. |
Maggie
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 - 3:12 pm: | |
We will recognize TES on February 11 during our worship service. My priest has asked a recent graduate of VTS and current Chaplain of Georgia Southern to come and worship with us. I think it will offer a time for people to ask questions. |
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