Claiming Resurrection in the Dying Church Freedom Beyond Survival Anna B. Olson

Transcription

1 Claiming Resurrection in the Dying Church Freedom Beyond Survival Anna B. Olson WEEK 1: Introduction When is giving up most difficult and when is it appropriate? 2. What makes a place welcoming? 3. What does forgiveness look like? 4. How are we different today from the people who started St. Peter s?

2 WEEK 2: Chapter One Make Room Are you afraid of the future? For yourself? For St. Peter s? 2. Do we love the future? 3. What has to go? 4. What has to be kept? Chapter Two Map the Terrain 1. How many of you did the pray around the neighborhood several years ago with the Daughters of the King? 2. How many of us did the walk-a-bout with Bishop Diane? 3. What do we see? What do others see? 4. What are some of the stages that St. Peter s and the larger church have seen? We will not meet next Sunday, Please come to First Sunday Brunch on that date and join us for Book Study the following week on

3 WEEK 3: Please read chapters 3 & 4. Please think about the following questions. Please bring any of your own observations and comments. Chapter 3 Turn Out Your Pockets Where do you stand on abundancy and scarcity? 2. Please rank these resources (Do we have enough? Or do we need more?): People, energy, money, or building resources. 3. When has Jesus asked you to give it all up? 4. What do we want to do with the people who come through our church doors? Section Two Chapter 4 Make Pilgrimage 1. Where has God sent you? 2. What are some of our sorrows? 3. What are some of our joys? 4. What are some of our challenges? 5. You Tube Video What kind of Asian are you? Sara, can you help us to view that? Book Study will not meet next week, Please join us on that date for our Annual Picnic and Worship in the Park. We will not meet the week after that, , due to the Vestry Meeting. We will not meet the week after that, please join us on that date for First Sunday Breakfast. The Book Study will resume on

4 WEEK 4: For , please read chapters 5 & 6. Please think about the following questions. Please bring any of your own observations and comments. Chapter 5 Try Things What do you want to try, in your personal life, that will help you with change in your personal life? 2. What are 2 things that you think St. Peter s might try to help us move through our grief (Mother Deborah s death, the death and changes of our local church)? (Disclaimer: I am not suggesting that we try any of these ideas only that we talk about these ideas.) 3. What has St. Peter s tried that worked? 4. What has St. Peter s tried that didn t work? Chapter 6 Say Yes 1. Who, at St. Peter s, has the authority to say, yes? 2. What help does St. Peter s need? 3. What are some things that churches (or The Church) has tried over the years that many thought would not work? The Book Study will not meet next week, , due to the Vestry Meeting. Please join us for Book Study on

5 Chapter 7 Look Outside the Tent What are some of the gifts you have encountered along the way? 2. When have you been frightened on this journey? 3. Where have we been? Where are we going? 4. What (& whom) do we miss? 5. Upon whom or what do we rely? 6. How do you share leadership? Or are you the one who just takes over and does it and tells everyone later? Do you ask for the authority to do what needs to be done? Do you form a committee? Do you listen to everyone s ideas or is your way the only way? Do you complain if it doesn t go your way? Do you quit if someone tries to take over? Which of these qualities work better in your personal life and which work better in a corporate life? 7. What are we being called to do? 8. What comes after death? Chapter 8 Expect Trespasses 1. What trespasses from others are bothering you today? 2. What is your most sacred space? 3. How does forgiveness work? 4. What role does reconciliation play? Please join us next week, , for First Sunday Breakfast. Book Study will resume on

6 Chapter 9 When Faith and Hope Fail, Try Love One of my favorite quotes is, See where God is working and go there. How does this apply to St. Peter s? 2. Which of your neighbors are the most difficult for you? 3. What about those neighbors who are just so mean? Conclusion 1. What are your dreams for St. Peter s? 2. Where do you see God working? 3. What are some of our strengths? 4. Where do you see Resurrection at St. Peter s?