Trinity School of Theology and Christian Formation Beginning in September, Trinity will launch the School of Theology and Christian Formation. In addition to Sunday school for children at 10:30 AM, Trinity will offer two opportunities for Christian formation and theological discussion each Sunday, one at 9:30 AM and on at 12:15 PM. Sessions will cover a variety of topics (see below) and will all be geared toward leading participants into deeper and richer relationships with God and each other. Everyone is invited and encouraged to participate, and the spaces will be designed intentionally to welcome both young and old. Food will also be available (breakfast at 9:30 AM and lunch at 12:15 PM) for a small donation of $2 per adult or $5 for a family. Trinity School of Theology and Christian Formation 2018 Fall Schedule Sunday, September 2 nd 9:30 10:15 AM: Parables, The Strange Stories Jesus Told Description: Jesus parables are oftentimes interpreted as allegories or metaphors that promote a moral lesson. But is that what Jesus intended? Come explore the subversive nature of Jesus strange stories. 12:15 1:30 PM: Discipleship in 2018, Prayer Description: With so many things demanding our time and attention, it is hard to find space to pray. What does prayer look like in your life? What are some prayer resources offered by our Anglican/Episcopal tradition? Come explore how to make prayer a part of your daily routine. Sunday, September 9 th 12:15 PM: Discipleship in 2018, Work Description: Whether we work with our hands or mind, whether we are retired or employed full-time, whether we are monetarily compensated for our work or not, everyone works. How do we approach work from a Christian perspective? What does the Bible say about work? How does our tradition speak to work/life/family balance? Come explore the theology of work. Sunday, September 16 th 9:30 AM: Parables, The Rich Man and Lazarus
Description: This is one of the only times Jesus says a specific individual went to hell. What was his problem? Come explore this parable of wealth, poverty, and hell-fire and damnation! 12:15 1:30 PM: Discipleship in 2018, Money Description: The bible offers 500 verses on prayer, less than 500 verses on faith, and more than 2,000 verses on money and possessions. How we spend our money offers insight into our values and commitments, and money (and how we spend it) cannot be separated easily from our faith. Come explore the always comfortable topic of money and faith! Sunday, September 23 rd 9:30 10:15 AM: Parables, The Talents Description: Does Jesus praise capitalism and the ruthless acquisition of wealth through charging interest? Some might think this parables gives a resounding yes to the above question, but is there something more subversive about the story of the stewards? 12:15 1:30 PM: Discipleship in 2018, Relationships Description: All of us have multiple spheres of relationships (friends, colleagues, family, church, etc.) that demand our time and attention. Does our Christian faith offer a hierarchy of importance to our relationships? What do we make of statements from Jesus that seem to denigrate family relationships? Come explore what the bible, our tradition, and our experiences say about balancing our relationships with friends and family. Sunday, September 30 th 9:30 10:15 AM: Parables, The Pharisee and Tax Collector Description: What makes a person righteous? The Pharisee believed it had something to do with right living, but Jesus seems to differ. What pleases God more, activism or humility? 12:15 PM 1:30 PM: Discipleship in 2018, Politics Description: In the United States, the separation of church and state is held as a sanctimonious article of citizenship, but should there be a wall between theology and politics? Was the person right who said, We do not need politics in religion, but we sure do need some religion in politics. Come explore how our faith interacts with our life in public.
Sunday, October 7 th 9:30 AM 10:15 AM: Parables, The Friend at Midnight Description: We all know that there are limits to hospitality, or are there? In this parable, Jesus seems to praise the person who wakes his neighbor up in the middle of the night to borrow an ingredient for a meal. Is this a story about hospitality or the effective power of persistent annoyance? 12:15 PM 1:30 PM: Anglican Basics, Theology (especially useful for folks new to the Episcopal Church) Description: It is often said that you can believe anything you want and still be an Episcopalian. Is this a fair statement? What are the sources of authority that Episcopalians use to develop belief? Come explore how scripture, tradition, reason, and experience help shape Episcopal theology. Sunday, October 14 th 12:15 1:30 PM: Anglican Basics, Scripture (especially useful for folks new to the Episcopal Church) Description: Episcopalians are not renowned for their knowledge of scripture, but the words of the bible permeate our liturgy, our prayers, and our sacred spaces. Come explore how Episcopalians use, understand, and appreciate scripture. Sunday, October 21 st 9:30 AM 10:15 AM: Parables, The Unjust Judge Description: Is persistence a virtue? This parable seems to say yes. Come and explore the connection between diligence and justice. 12:15 PM 1:30 PM: Anglican Basics, Liturgy (especially useful for folks new to the Episcopal Church) Description: Most people would describe the Episcopal Church as a liturgical church, but most denominations could be described as such. What makes the Episcopal liturgy different from other church liturgies? What is the liturgy doing in the Episcopal Church? How is Trinity unique in its liturgical expression? Come explore these questions and more. Sunday, October 28 th 9:30 AM 10:15 AM: Parables, The Dishonest Steward
Description: Honesty is the best policy, or is it? Jesus tells a story of a less-than scrupulous employee who makes friends at the expense of his employer s power and wealth. Jesus then goes on to praise this man s faith. Come find out how to cheat your boss. 12:15 PM 1:30 PM: Anglican Basics, History (especially useful for folks new to the Episcopal Church) Description: Many people will say that the Anglican Church was founded by King Henry the VIII because he wanted a divorce that the Pope would not allow. There is some truth to this claim, but it s more complicated than that. Come explore how our Church broke from Rome, and why it matters. Sunday, November 4 th 9:30 AM 10:15 AM: Just Wives? Sarah and Hagar: Power and Privileges 12:15 PM 1:30 PM: Bodies and Spaces in the Gospel of Mark, chapters 1-4 Gospel of Mark while moving our physical bodies through space in order to grasp a sense of Mark s Sunday, November 11 th 12:15 PM 1:30 PM: Bodies and Spaces in the Gospel of Mark, chapters 5-8
Gospel of Mark while moving our physical bodies through space in order to grasp a sense of Mark s Sunday, November 18 th 9:30 AM 10:15 AM: Ruth and Naomi: Economic Survival and Family Values 12:15 PM 1:30 PM: Bodies and Spaces in the Gospel of Mark, chapters 9-12 Gospel of Mark while moving our physical bodies through space in order to grasp a sense of Mark s Sunday, November 25 th 9:30 AM 10:15 AM: Just Wives? Vasthi and Esther: Models of Resistance 12:15 PM 1:30 PM: Bodies and Spaces in the Gospel of Mark, chapters 13-16 Gospel of Mark while moving our physical bodies through space in order to grasp a sense of Mark s Sunday, December 2 nd 9:30 AM 10:15 AM: Just Wives? Michal, Abigail, and Bathsheba: In the Eye of the Beholder
12:15 PM 1:30 PM: The Bible for People Who Arent Sure About the Bible Description: What is the Bible? Who wrote the Bible? How do I read the bible? These sessions will explore these questions and help participants to sharpen and question their beliefs and practices concerning Holy Scripture. Sunday, December 9 th 12:15 PM 1:30 PM: The Bible for People Who Arent Sure About the Bible Description: What is the Bible? Who wrote the Bible? How do I read the bible? These sessions will explore these questions and help participants to sharpen and question their beliefs and practices concerning Holy Scripture. Sunday, December 16 th 9:30 AM 10:15 AM: Just Wives? The Good Wife: Who Is a Worthy Woman? 12:15 PM 1:30 PM: The Bible for People Who Arent Sure About the Bible Description: What is the Bible? Who wrote the Bible? How do I read the bible? These sessions will explore these questions and help participants to sharpen and question their beliefs and practices concerning Holy Scripture.