At the Redeemer, we know that asking deeper questions and exploring issues of faith helps us grow both as individuals and as a community.
Throughout the year, we offer a variety of speakers and learning series, providing opportunities to gather and learn together; details are provided here as well as through our eNews. A warm welcome awaits all who join – parishioners, friends and members of the wider community.
Summer Reading Groups: An Altar in the World by Barbara Brown Taylor
For most of us, our lives have become smaller during this pandemic. We interact with fewer people, we cover less ground, we are surrounded day in and day out with the same views. But our lives have not become any less sacred. The limitations of the pandemic, while undesirable in and of themselves, have placed us in a position to see our everyday surroundings and experiences in a new light, as manifestations of a God who is not confined to church buildings or theological language. In An Altar in the World, Barbara Brown Taylor guides us into deeper engagement with the sacred everyday.
Learning at Redeemer will be hosting reading groups this summer to discuss this book. Summer reading groups are not only a way to investigate and expand your faith, they are also a great way to connect with others in the parish. We’d love to have you join us!
The kick-off event will be on Thursday, June 25 from 7-8 PM with reading groups beginning the second week of July. We have ordered copies of the book from Tyndale for $20 and will arrange delivery to your place of residence once they arrive. Please register to let us know you want to participate and to request a copy of the book. If money is tight, please let us know and we can cover the cost.
Contemplative Radical: The Legacy of Thomas Merton
Amidst a monk’s life of silence and prayer, Thomas Merton (1915-1968) authored over fifty books. Deeply rooted in the contemplative tradition, he spoke prophetically on issues of war, race, and the economy. He was a chaplain to the peace movement of the 1960s. A pioneer of interfaith dialogue, he formed relationships with Buddhist, Hindu, Sufi , and Jewish mystics and theologians.
Four sessions were held between September 18, 2019 and January 15, 2020. Links to the audio of these presentations are below.
Thomas Merton: Global Visionary – with Michael Higgins. Audio of this September 18 session is here.
Woods, Landscape, City: The Prophetic Spirituality of Thomas Merton – with Paul Pynkoski. Audio of the October 16 session is here.
Thomas Merton and Wisdom-Sophia: Awakening to the Feminine Face of God – with Christopher Pramuk. Audio of the November 20 session is here.
We Are Already One: Indigenous Peoples and Race in Thomas Merton – with Paul Dekar. Audio of the January 15 session is here. During the session, reference was made to the Digging Roots’ performance of “Cut My Hair”. This video can be viewed on YouTube.
