Women of Trinity Book Blog Winter Selection

The Women of Trinity Book Blog will read The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew – Three Women Search for Understanding, and will discuss beginning January 16.

The book follows the journey of three young women as they learn about each other’s religions while examining their own faith. They begin meeting as they try to write an interfaith children’s book after September 11.

USA Today says:  “The Faith Club reveals how very hard it was when they were spiritual strangers learning to lay down their guards and dredge up their deepest fears and prejudices. Through it all, they found insight into one another's beliefs and greater clarity in their own.”The book will be discussed in three parts: Chapters 1-7 on January 16, Chapters 8-13 on February 20 and Chapters 14-19 on March 19.

Questions, please contact Kim Shindle at kimstamps@comcast.net.

Forgiveness

I found the most interesting part of this section of the book is the discussion of forgiveness. The definition of forgiveness, and not being confused with pardon. I thought the quote from the Anglican Bishop N.T. Wright that challenges the notion that forgiveness implies indifference is helpful in understanding the Amish definition of forgiveness, "Forgiveness doesn't mean 'I didn't really mind' or It didn't really matter.' I did mind and it did matter; otherwise there wouldn't be anything to forgive at all." How do you think this differs from how others view forgiveness?

Amish Grace - Part 3

As you progressed through the book, did your thoughts regarding the Amish initial response to the tragedy at Nickel Mines change in any way?

Blogging change

We've moved the blogging date for the last section of Amish Grace to Monday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. We'll look forward to hearing your comments on the final portion of this book.

Part II of Amish Grace explores the history and beliefs of the Anabaptist Amish from the 1500's until today. Their beliefs are characterized by forgiveness, nonresistance, and humility. They place the decisions of the church and the community first before their individual desires and therefore are very submissive to the decisions of the church and community. It is harder for them, as for anyone, to forgive the wrongdoing of someone they have known, lived near, worshiped with, and trusted all of their lives than to forgive a total stranger. Their history shows they are conditioned to opt for martyrdom rather than violence when confronted by an enemy. The oldest of the Nickel Mine students offered to be taken first and showed her acceptance of being the martyr. Their parents forgave and comfort the murderer and his family.

Part Two - Forgiveness

Since Part 2 of Amish Grace focuses on the foundations of forgiveness from the Amish perspective, with the Lord's Prayer being the cornerstone of that foundation, can we be so bold as to examine Luther's explanation of the fifth petition in comparison?

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

We ask in this prayer that our Father in heaven would not hold our sins against us and

because of them refuse to hear our prayer. And we pray that he would give us everything by grace, for we sin every day and deserve nothing but punishment. So we on our part will

heartily forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us.

~ Martin Luther's Small Catechism

Do you agree with the Amish minister's statement that "sometimes it's harder to forgive each other than it is to forgive someone like Charles Roberts"?

What influences shaped the children of the West Nickel Mines School?

Blogging night moves

We have postponed our "live" blogging to Monday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. We look forward to hearing from you then!

Amish Grace - Part One

Thinking back to Oct. 2, 2006, what were your thoughts as you learned of the shooting at the Nickel Mines School? What was your reaction to the reports of the Amish response?

An Amish man that lived near the school said, "We were all Amish this week." As fellow Christians, are there attributes of the way the Amish live out their faith that we should strive to incorporate in our own lives beyond "that week"?

How do you define forgiveness?

WOT selects book for Fall 2011

The Women of Trinity Book Blog will read Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy by Donald Kraybill, Steven Nolt and David Weaver-Zercher this fall. We will "live" blog at 7 p.m. on Thursdays, October 13 (Part 1); November 10 (Part 2); December 1 (Part 3). If you have questions, please contact Kim Shindle at kimstamps@comcast.net.

I don't know about you, but I was surprised it was Martha's husband who was the first to leave the Mormon church. Throughout the book, I thought it would be her actions that would lead to them being asked to leave the church. I think the research she found was particularly distressing, although not unlike other scandals in a variety of denominations.

I know some of you were ahead of me in reading last month, so you had already reached the part of this book that was really difficult to read. I had to push my way through this to continue reading sometimes. How would you feel if you discovered many things you were taught as a child simply weren't true?

Growing up, I knew several Mormon families. The LDS Church purchased a home in the neighborhood as a residence for the President of the PA mission. After several Presidents with older children that did not accompany them to PA, a family with 13 children arrived. Of all the families to occupy this house, I came to know the "B" family the best. As I read this book, I recall things about my Mormon friends I haven't thought about in a quite some time - like their mothers were always baking bread! Based on my prior experiences and perceptions, if I were to describe a member of the LDS Church, a few adjectives come to mind - wholesome, adventurous, friendly, and caring. Given their caring nature, I can understand why Martha felt the need to return to that community, given all that was going on in her life. As a result of reading this book, I also realize my perceptions of the LDS Church are based on what I observed through my interactions with these families. Other than knowing Joseph Smith was considered a prophet and they didn't drink coffee or tea, their faith was always a mystery to me. Things Seen and Unseen, a title of a book we've previously read, seems to apply here as well. Considering the LDS Church's strong emphasis on mission, how do you reconcile what is outwardly projected with the beliefs that are so secretive? How does it compare with what we as Lutherans and Christians project in our interactions with others? What are your perceptions based on what you've read so far?

Our Winter 2011 Selection: "Leaving the Saints"

The next book for the Women of Trinity Book Blog is Martha Beck's, Leaving the Saints: How I Lost the Mormons and Found My Faith. For those familiar with Beck's writing, they know she is a talented writer who openly shares her experiences. In this book, she chronicles her return to teach at Brigham Young University after the birth of her son, Adam, who was born with Down syndrome. (Her book, Expecting Adam, tells about her pregnancy and the faith she found despite the challenge of having a Down syndrome child.)

We will "live" blog at 7 p.m. on the following Thursdays, covering the noted chapters:
* Thursday, February 17 - Chapters 1-15 (pages 1-107)
* Thursday, March 17 - Chapters 16-18 (pages 108-218)
* Thursday, April 28 - Chapters 29-Epilogue (pages 219-336).