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“Being Indigenous: A Way of Life to Heal Earth & Each Other” and “Full of the Holy Spirit” are the topics of two courses offered in the School for Christian growth Feb. 4 – Mar 11

Being Indigenous: A Way of Life to Heal Earth & Each Other

Leaders: Kolya Braun-Greiner and Lucy Slater
Tuesdays: Feb. 4-March 11 – In Person with simple meal at 6:30, class 7-8:30pm

What does being indigenous mean?  How does that differ from the dominant Western culture? How is that dominant culture at odds with our own natural (indigenous) relationships with Earth? Together we’ll explore how being indigenous is consistent with the roots of our faith. How can we be in solidarity with indigenous peoples and with Earth? 

We’ll draw upon chapters of Penobscot lawyer, Sherri Mitchell’s Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change. The chapters we’ll be discussing will be summarized by the leaders, but getting the book is encouraged.  

We will meet in person beginning with a simple meal together at 6:30 and class at 7:00 to 8:30 pm.

“Full of the Holy Spirit”– The Gospel of Luke and The Acts of the Apostles
Leaders: Marjory Bankson and David Lloyd
Tuesdays: Feb. 4-March 11 – On Zoom, 7:00-8:30pm

Without Acts, a reader of Luke’s gospel would wonder what happened after Jesus’ resurrection. Without the gospel narrative of Jesus’ life and ministry, a reader of Acts would wonder why the Church came to exist. Luke wrote both to provide a narrative of the Holy Spirit working in the lives of Jesus, the disciples, and early converts.  As we read and discuss both books, we’ll look for situations where the Holy Spirit was active – and is evident today. Expect weekly reading and some writing assignments.

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Seekers Church joins the call for permanent peace and enduring justice in Palestine, Lebanon, and Israel

As Christians, and embracing the Seekers commitment to “work for the end of all war, both public and private,” we deeply grieve the enormous loss of lives in Palestine, Lebanon, and Israel which has escalated since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. We know the roots of this conflict are deep and complex, and cannot be divorced from the long history of antisemitism and attacks against Jews, from the displacement and oppression of Palestinians, or from thousands of years of history that tie both peoples to this land.

However, we cannot stand by in silence while our government provides military aid that is victimizing civilians in Palestine and Lebanon on a massive scale.  To that end, we call upon the government of the United States to suspend financial and tactical support for the Israeli military until Israel respects international law regarding the protection of civilians.  

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September 29 Service and Community Conversation

On September 29, 2024, we’ll deviate a bit from our regular worship pattern in order to accommodate an all-community discussion of the Israel/Hamas war and related Israeli/Palestinian relationships. 

That conversation will be facilitated by Aaron Shneyer and Nizar Farsakh.  Aaron is a Takoma, D.C., resident, activist and musician, and leader of the American chapter of Standing Together.  Nizar is a Palestinian-American political analyst with extensive experience in the Israel-Palestine conflict as well as U.S. Middle East policy.  Both are committed to bridging barriers and bringing communities together.

The in-person conversation will begin immediately after a slightly abbreviated worship (we hope this prayerful exploration will be more an extension of worship) and we hope that all will stay for it.  We anticipate that folks on Zoom will be able to hear Aaron’s and Nizar’s opening presentations, but the Zoom limitations will not enable the folks on line to participate in the conversation.  Accordingly, if at all possible, we encourage you to join us in-person on the 29th.  Light refreshments will be offered.

All of us have struggled with the grief, anger, passion and complexity of these past 11 months of violence.  Numerous resources are available concerning the conflict.  In preparation for our conversation on the 29th, we encourage Seekers to check out these few resources:

·         “Wrestling Jerusalem” – you can watch this 93 minute movie on several platforms: for free (with ads) at Tubi or Amazon Prime (Freevee) or without ads on Apple TV for $2.99.  We urge particular attention to the first 6 ½ minutes;
·         Israeli–Palestinian conflict; Wikipedia – extensive with multiple options for additional resources;
·         Additionally, recommended by Aaron and Nizar – The Telos Group and Standing Together.

On behalf of REJMT (Peter, Erica, Dave, Lucy, John, Jeanne, Sallie, Paul and Trish)

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