you won't want to miss are on the agenda
from January through March
The power of
forgiveness
January 6 through February 2. 9:30 - 10:15 am
Room 1, Christian Ed Building
Jesus
made our Divine forgiveness dependent on whether we forgive those who
hurt us. As Christians fully aware of God's gracious forgiving of our
sin and failure, we seem reluctant and rebellious when the Lord
commands us to forgive those who have wronged us. Is it, to quote C.S.
Lewis again, that "We're not necessarily doubting that God will do the
best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be".
Everyone says forgiveness is a
lovely idea,
until they have something to
forgive." --C.S. Lewis
Paul Santos will guide the group as they consider
* what forgiveness
is and is not
* the hidden costs
of unforgiveness
* the benefits of
forgiveness
The showing of the award winning Journey Films, The Power of
Forgiveness will follow the group's study. The film contains stories of
how the Amish, families of Ground Zero victims, gang slaying victims
and others have dealt with forgiveness. Interviews on forgiveness with
people such as Buddhist teacher Thich Naht Hahn, Nobel Peace Laureate
Elie Wiesel, Muslim, Azim Khamisa, the Rev. James Forbes, pastor NY's
Riverside Church and best selling author Thomas More give perspectives
on forgiveness from faith traditions of Judaism, Islam, Christianity
and Buddhism.
Understanding Christianity
and Islam
Study facilitated by Joy Tulloch
Begins February 9, 9:30 - 10:15 am
Room 1, Christian Ed Building
How much do you know about the similarities and differences
between Christianity and Islam? Is it possible for them to
coexist
peaceably. Both have their roots in Judaism but for hundreds of years
Christians lived in an era in which militant Islam posed a major threat
to their very survival in Europe. Knowing the beliefs of both religions
can give us insights into how those beliefs offset and impact their
social economic political and religious lives.