Learning and Growing in Christ TogetherSee the "Sacred Ground" Course HERE |
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All-Parish Summer Reading Gets Underway
Our adult education program takes a break from gathering during the summer months but we invite you to join us in some summer reading that will enrich you personally and spiritually. At the end of summer/early fall we will gather to discuss our summer book selections. These books are available at local book sellers and online. And if you have a book you’d like to recommend for the future, let us know at rebecca@sjbts.org.
Here are the 2022 Summer Reading Selections
Here are the 2022 Summer Reading Selections
Wholehearted Faith by Rachel Held Evans
Rachel Held Evans is widely recognized for her theologically astute, profoundly honest, and beautifully personal books, which have guided, instructed, edified, and shaped Christians as they seek to live out a just and loving faith. At the time of her tragic death in 2019, Rachel was working on a new book about wholeheartedness. With the help of her close friend and author Jeff Chu, that work-in-progress has been woven together with some of her other unpublished writings into a rich collection of essays that ask candid questions about the stories we’ve been told — and the stories we tell — about our faith, our selves, and our world. This book is for the doubter and the dreamer, the seeker and the sojourner, those who long for a sense of spiritual wholeness as well as those who have been hurt by the Church but can’t seem to let go of the story of Jesus. Through theological reflection and personal recollection, Rachel wrestles with God’s grace and love, looks unsparingly at what the Church is and does, and explores universal human questions about becoming and belonging. An unforgettable, moving, and intimate book. |
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
Corrie ten Boom became a heroine of the Resistance, a survivor of Hitler's concentration camps, and one of the most remarkable evangelists of the twentieth century. In World War II she and her family risked their lives to help Jews and underground workers escape from the Nazis, and for their work they were tested in the infamous Nazi death camps. Only Corrie among her family survived to tell the story of how faith ultimately triumphs over evil. Here is the riveting account of how Corrie and her family were able to save many of God's chosen people. For 35 years millions have seen that there is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still. Now The Hiding Place, repackaged for a new generation of readers, continues to declare that God's love will overcome, heal, and restore. |
Daily Reading Companions
In addition to our summer books here are several recommended daily devotionals you may want to add to your daily reading and prayer with short meditations for each day:
-Meditations on the Psalms for Every Day of the Year
by Barbara Crawthorne Crafton (Available from Church Publishing)
-The Radical Christian Life: A Year with Saint Benedict
by Joan Chittister (Available from Amazon)
-Bits of Heaven: A Summer Companion
by Russell J. Levenson Jr (Available from Church Publishing)
-Speaking to the Soul: Daily Readings for the Christian Year
by Vicki Black (Available from Church Publishing)
If you need assistance finding a copy of any of these books, please email rebecca@sjbts.org for information.
In addition to our summer books here are several recommended daily devotionals you may want to add to your daily reading and prayer with short meditations for each day:
-Meditations on the Psalms for Every Day of the Year
by Barbara Crawthorne Crafton (Available from Church Publishing)
-The Radical Christian Life: A Year with Saint Benedict
by Joan Chittister (Available from Amazon)
-Bits of Heaven: A Summer Companion
by Russell J. Levenson Jr (Available from Church Publishing)
-Speaking to the Soul: Daily Readings for the Christian Year
by Vicki Black (Available from Church Publishing)
If you need assistance finding a copy of any of these books, please email rebecca@sjbts.org for information.
Responding to the call to Racial Justice: Recommended Reading List
As we continue to grapple with issues of racial inequality in our nation, we are called to listen and explore the origins and systemic nature of racism in order to respond in an informed and compassionate way. We were asked to put together a list of recommended reading to assist us in that endeavor. The following reading list comes from recommendations from the clergy and from members of the St. James community. Please consider choosing a book to add to your summer reading.
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Christian/Theological, Non-Fiction
Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman The Third Option: Hope for a Racially Divided Nation (2018) by Miles McPherson (Local pastor) Seeing My Skin: A Story of Wrestling with Whiteness (2019) by Peter Jarrett-Schell (Episcopal priest) Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion (2010) by Gregory Boyle (Jesuit Priest) Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship (2017) by Gregory Boyle (Jesuit Priest) Beyond Colorblind (2017) by Sarah Shinn (Protestant Minister) America’s Original Sin (2016) by Jim Wallis (Preacher and Speaker) Dear White Christians (2014) By Jennifer Harvey (Religion Professor) For Children
Separate is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh All Are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold Chasing Freedom by Nikki Grimes |
Other Non-Fiction
Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor (2020) by Layla Saad (NY Times bestseller) How to be an Anti-Racist (2019) by Ibram X. Kindi (NY Times bestseller) So You Want to Talk about Race (2019) by Ijeoma Oluo (NY Times bestseller) I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness (2018) by Austin Channing Brown Waking Up White (2014) by Debby Irving Fiction
To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) by Harper Lee The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead I know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison The Color Purple by Alice Walkier A Raisin in the Sun (1959) by Lorraine Hansberry Once Were Warriors (1990) by Alan Duff (New Zealand novel) Cry, the Beloved Country (1948) by Alan Paton (South African novel) |
Past Forums and Formation Events
2022
Author The Rev. Dr. Ralph McMichael led a two-part series "From the Empty Tomb into the Eucharist", May 1 and 8. Joining us via Zoom from St. Louis, Fr. McMichael explored how the resurrection is the passage from death to life. He says, “We are baptized into the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This means we have the vocation to die to what he died to, and to live what he lives into. We are called to leave the tomb of this world empty and to enter into the Eucharist where we are alive as members of the Body of Christ.”
Mo. Rebecca asks What Gospel will You Write? April 3 Mo. Rebecca concluded the New Testament author series by inviting us to look at ourselves as “authors,” authors of our own lives who have our own gospels (good news) to write and share with the world. From living out our faith to telling our stories to writing our memoirs…all of us can be gospel-writers!
Mo. Rebecca leads through The Gospel Writers as Authors March 27. Mo. Rebecca led in discovering more about the authors of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) both as people and as authors and delved more deeply into what influenced them and their writings.
Fr. Mark examines St. Paul’s writings March 20. St Paul is perhaps the most significant Christian author of all, having written a large percentage of the New Testament. We examined the main themes of his writings. Participants were requested to bring a Bible to class and read the short book of Philippians beforehand.
Stephen Cox, Distinguished Professor of Literature, Emeritus, University of California, San Diego, taught Sundays, March 6 and 13, Getting the Most out of Reading the Bible and Expect the Unexpected showing some of the things that make the Bible impressive as a work of literature. Like any other great work of literature, the Bible is full of surprises. It’s easy to see them--once we look.
Fr. Greg Boyle, internationally renowned speaker and bestselling author, was our guest Saturday and Sunday, February 26-27.
He spoke on "Kinship as a Model for These Polarized Times" and on Sunday was both the guest homilist for the the services and, with 2 young men from Homeboy Industries addressed the Adult Forum. His recent book is The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness. The young men shared stories of kinship, trust in God and one another, and the power of God's transforming love and presence in their lives. Besides The Whole Language Fr. Boyle is the author of Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion, and Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship. A Jesuit priest, he is the founder of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang rehabilitation re-entry program in the world.
He spoke on "Kinship as a Model for These Polarized Times" and on Sunday was both the guest homilist for the the services and, with 2 young men from Homeboy Industries addressed the Adult Forum. His recent book is The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness. The young men shared stories of kinship, trust in God and one another, and the power of God's transforming love and presence in their lives. Besides The Whole Language Fr. Boyle is the author of Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion, and Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship. A Jesuit priest, he is the founder of Homeboy Industries, the largest gang rehabilitation re-entry program in the world.
2021
Popular novelist Gail Z. Schmidt spoke at two Adult Forums, Sundays, December 12 and 19. Gail is a children's author who writes magical, whimsical stories. Her first novel, No Ordinary Thing, is a time-travel story that explores friendship and loss. Her second novel, The Dreamweavers, is a Chinese mythology-inspired fantasy in which two twins with opposite personalities must work together to lift the curse that befell their village. Gail attends St. James with her husband Hayden Schmidt and is delighted to share her work with us. For more information about her books see: www.gzwrites.com
Astronaut's Son Speaks on Bestselling Biography of Father, Dec. 8, 2021 - Bruce McCandless III, author of bestselling Wonders All Around: The Incredible True story of Astronaut Bruce McCandless II and the First Untethered Flight in Space, spoke on Wednesday, December 8 followed by a reception. He offered a slide show and discussion of his newly published biography of his famous astronaut father, Bruce McCandless II. He was joined by noted San Diego space historian Francis French to discuss the ways space travel has affected the spirituality of both astronauts and earth-bound star gazers.
Author Ptolemy Tompkins is talked about proof of heaven as written in his books, November 14 and 21. Tompkins is the author of ten books, including Paradise Fever (1997), a memoir of growing up with his father, Secret life of Plants author Peter Tompkins, The Divine Life of Animals (2010), The Modern Book of the Dead (2012), and Proof of Angels (2014). In 2012, neurosurgeon Eben Alexander approached Ptolemy to help him write the story of Eben’s seven-day near-death experience, Proof of Heaven.
Rabbi Richard Agler, author of The Tragedy Test, spoke three Sundays in October on the subject of loss, bereavement, and changing the world. The topics were "Making Sense of Life-Changing Loss", "Comforting the Bereaved: Text Study of the Torah/Leviticus 2", and "How One Perso Can Change the World".
Miigwan the Wolf Visit, October 3 - In celebration of St. Francis Day, a handler and speaker from the Wolf Education Project (wolfeducationproject.org) brought Miigwan the wolf from the center. A large group came to the courtyard for the lecture and then Miigwan was brought down the aisle during the 10:00 am service.
Discussion Forums about the Summer Reading - Three books were discussed. September 12 - A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows Through Loss by The Rev. Dr. Gerald Sittser; September 19 - Hallelujah, Anyhow! A Memoir by The Rt. Rev. Barbara C. Harris; September 26 - Barking to the Choir by Fr. Gregory Boyle.
St. James hosted a reading and conversation with Laura Wolfson, author of For Single Mothers Working as Train Conductors Wednesday, June 9, on Zoom. Laura is winner of the Iowa Prize for Literary Nonfiction in 2017 and the Kirkus Best Book of 2018. She has several connections with St. James and she will be the first in our upcoming series of readings and conversations with authors whose work reflects matters of faith and spirit.
The Blessed Group Gives Ministry in Midst of Grief, Death, and Loss - Sunday, May 16 - We featured The Blessed Group which was formed many years ago when Blayney Colmore was the Rector, and the group reformed a few years ago under the leadership of Kay Scavulli, Jacqui McNally, Brenda Scott-Meade (with Blayney present half the year). The Blessed Group has a unique ministry and presence at St. James and the group has renewed relevance in our community because of the national (international) mourning the pandemic has brought.
Practices of Wellness and Mindfulness for the Christian - In a three-part series, April 25, May 2 - 9, we explored practices that lead to health and healing, wholeness, and a sense of well being from a Christian perspective. Our companion book was The Mindful Christian by Dr. Irene Kraegel. On May 2 and 9 psychotherapist Alicia Avila walked us through some healing and centering practices that can move us out of trauma, anxiety, or stress and into greater spiritual, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
Keeping A Holy Lent - This five week series helped participants learn more about the ancient practices of Lent by digging deeply into the meaning, history, and observance of them. St. James clergy presented information based on Church tradition, scripture, and Prayer Book, among other sources.
Sacred Ground - This was a 10 month long course started in June 2020 and concluded March 2021. Designed and compiled by the National office of the Episcopal Church, it led participants through many films and written resources covering a wide range of topics in race relations. Each month we would meet and discuss the current materials. The course is still available HERE.
2020
Sundays, Sept. 27, Oct. 11 & 18
In conclusion of our Journey Through the Bible, Dr. David Moseley taught about the latter half of the New Testament and some of the most challenging books of the Bible: The Acts of the Apostles, The General Epistles (James – Jude), and The Book of Revelation & Apocryphal Literature
In conclusion of our Journey Through the Bible, Dr. David Moseley taught about the latter half of the New Testament and some of the most challenging books of the Bible: The Acts of the Apostles, The General Epistles (James – Jude), and The Book of Revelation & Apocryphal Literature
"The Letters of Paul" with Dr. Laura Nasrallah (video series)
We continued the course started as a Sunday morning forum, "The Letters of Paul." Dr. David Moseley started us opening Paul's mail and then we were privileged to sit in on a Yale Divinity course with Dr. Laura Nasrallah. In this series we watched her in-depth exploration of the historical and cultural context of Paul’s letters and the ancient world in which the New Testament was written based on the letters themselves, archaeology, and other historical resources. To access the class schedule and videos we selected click HERE.
We continued the course started as a Sunday morning forum, "The Letters of Paul." Dr. David Moseley started us opening Paul's mail and then we were privileged to sit in on a Yale Divinity course with Dr. Laura Nasrallah. In this series we watched her in-depth exploration of the historical and cultural context of Paul’s letters and the ancient world in which the New Testament was written based on the letters themselves, archaeology, and other historical resources. To access the class schedule and videos we selected click HERE.
"Re-Discovering Yourself: The Ancient Enneagram"
Third class - the Enneagram taught on video by Mo. Rebecca - note: 1. You may need to turn the volume up on your device. 2. At the end of the video YouTube begins its own choice of another video, but you have a few seconds to click "cancel" before it starts. See the video HERE.
Fourth Class - "Solitude, Stillness, and Silence"
Join Mo. Rebecca by video for this last class on a topic that is relevant to all of us as we "shelter in place." Right now all of us are unexpectedly having a "desert experience" - and the practices of silence, solitude, and stillness are available to us in an even deeper and more meaningful way during this time. We will finish our study of our book, The Sacred Enneagram by applying the themes of contemplative practice in a way that applies to everyone. Join us whether or not you have read the book! See the video HERE.
The class was studying the book The Sacred Enneagram: Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth by Christopher Heuertz.
Also the following links are helpful web resources: How the Enneagram system works The Enneagram - an introduction
Third class - the Enneagram taught on video by Mo. Rebecca - note: 1. You may need to turn the volume up on your device. 2. At the end of the video YouTube begins its own choice of another video, but you have a few seconds to click "cancel" before it starts. See the video HERE.
Fourth Class - "Solitude, Stillness, and Silence"
Join Mo. Rebecca by video for this last class on a topic that is relevant to all of us as we "shelter in place." Right now all of us are unexpectedly having a "desert experience" - and the practices of silence, solitude, and stillness are available to us in an even deeper and more meaningful way during this time. We will finish our study of our book, The Sacred Enneagram by applying the themes of contemplative practice in a way that applies to everyone. Join us whether or not you have read the book! See the video HERE.
The class was studying the book The Sacred Enneagram: Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth by Christopher Heuertz.
Also the following links are helpful web resources: How the Enneagram system works The Enneagram - an introduction
Sundays, March 1, 8, 15 & 22
David Moseley, Ph.D. presented the first two Forums on the Life and Letters of St. Paul before the COVID-19 restrictions. Paul, author of more than a quarter of the New Testament, loved and hated in equal measure by liberals and conservatives alike. What is the right way to read and understand the letters he wrote to churches he founded almost 2,000 years ago in the ancient Greco-Roman world, before even the Gospels were written? Why do these letters that say so much about who Paul thinks Jesus is, theologically, and yet tell us so little about who Jesus was and what he said and did, historically? What are the challenges and pitfalls involved in reading those same letters as church-going Christians in Southern California in 2020?
David Moseley, Ph.D. presented the first two Forums on the Life and Letters of St. Paul before the COVID-19 restrictions. Paul, author of more than a quarter of the New Testament, loved and hated in equal measure by liberals and conservatives alike. What is the right way to read and understand the letters he wrote to churches he founded almost 2,000 years ago in the ancient Greco-Roman world, before even the Gospels were written? Why do these letters that say so much about who Paul thinks Jesus is, theologically, and yet tell us so little about who Jesus was and what he said and did, historically? What are the challenges and pitfalls involved in reading those same letters as church-going Christians in Southern California in 2020?