At the Redeemer, we know that asking deeper questions and exploring issues of faith help us grow both as individuals and as a community.
Sunday Explorations
The Sunday Explorations series resumes April 7. Join us for discussions on selected topics, Scriptural reflection, book talks, and more, Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM in the Board Room downstairs (with coffee on offer).
The sessions are a wonderful chance to get to know one another better and to share questions, concerns, and insights about our faith and how we live it.
April 7 – Scripture Reflection
A group reflection on one of the day’s Scripture lessons, led by John Deacon.
April 14 -Thinking About Resurrection
The first in a series of (more or less) monthly discussions about some central aspects of Christian belief. Led this morning by David Townsend.
April 21- Scripture Reflection
A group reflection on one of the day’s Scripture lessons – John 10.11-18. Led by Kasey Visser.
April 28 – Scripture Reflection
A group reflection on one of the day’s Scripture lessons – Acts 8. 26-40. Led by Richard Van Delft.
May 5 – Scripture Reflection
A group reflection on one of the day’s Scripture lessons, led by Joan Robinson.
May 26 -Thinking About Resurrection
The second in a series of (more or less) monthly discussions about some central aspects of Christian belief.Led by Ann Jervis.
Reading and Praying the Psalms Together
Whether you don’t know a psalm from a palm, or you’ve been praying them all your life, please join Redeemer member Prof. Judith Newman for this three-session course via Zoom! Meetings are Thursday evenings 7-8:45 PM.
A note about registration: There has been a change with the registration process in the app we use for this. You will be asked to ‘purchase’ a ticket for this series and this is a function we cannot bypass. Please note that there is no cost to attend and the value of the ticket has been set as free so you will not incur any expense when you register.
Just as the Bible doesn’t speak with one voice, so too, the book of Psalms reflects a host of voices, individual and communal–sharing joys, crying out laments, and giving thanks. We’ll consider formal “academic” approaches to the psalms, but also theological and spiritual aspects, as we read and pray them together.
April 18: Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.
Understanding how Hebrew poetry works can deepen our appreciation of the psalms. Our first session will look at the characteristics of Hebrew poetry: parallelism and word pairs. We’ll read Psalm 18 and consider both its formal aspects and theological content.
April 25: My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
There are many types of psalms: laments, thanksgivings, royal psalm, wisdom psalms and more. The predominant type is the individual lament. In the second session, we will read Psalm 22–the first words of which were on Jesus’s lips as he hung on the cross.
May 2: Bless Yahweh, O my soul.
The Dead Sea Scrolls include many psalm texts, including some new ones not contained in our Psalter. There was a proliferation of the psalms at the time when the New Testament was written. God’s activity in creation was and remains a particularly important theme. We’ll focus especially on Psalm 104.
About Redeemer Explorers
Our congregation offers a rare and rich diversity of learning opportunities. These include the initiatives of committees and ministry areas like Creation Matters and the Indigenous Solidarity Working Group (ISWG), as well as offerings from outside the parish, such as the courses led by Sylvia Keesmaat and Brian Walsh through Bible Remixed.
Redeemer Explorers aims to complement these offerings with opportunities for small-group discussion and reflection, experiential learning events like labyrinth walks, and occasional one-time programs on specific topics.