WOT Book Blog

January discussion

2012-01-16T19:03:00.001-05:00

How did the book's format in the three-way discussion contribute to the overall feel of the book? Is there one character you felt like you identified more with?

Women of Trinity Book Blog Winter Selection

2011-12-14T20:11:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-12T19:04:00.000-05:00

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?

2011-12-12T18:52:00.002-05:00

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

2011-11-30T22:55:00.000-05:00

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.

2011-11-14T18:53:00.002-05:00

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

2011-11-13T22:49:00.002-05:00

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

2011-11-08T06:30:00.000-05:00

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

2011-10-11T20:58:00.002-04:00

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

2011-08-09T06:52:00.000-04:00

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.

2011-05-05T19:35:00.000-04:00

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.

2011-03-17T19:00:00.003-04:00

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?

2011-02-17T17:44:00.002-05:00

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"

2011-01-08T15:35:00.003-05:00

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).

Chapters 18 -25

2010-11-18T18:39:00.002-05:00

I have enjoyed reading this book. There were many instances when I laughed at her directness. I am in awe of both her dedication to and the scope of the food pantries she developed. She fed the body and the spirit. However, as the book progressed, I wanted to see her broaden her interpretation of communion. Initially she made a wonderful connection between the communion meal and reaching out to feed those in need physically and spiritually. Though,with the exception of her description of administering communion to her dying friend, I didn't get the sense that I shared the same understanding of communion. Communion as the representation of Christ's suffering and death for our salvation.

Discussion: Chapters 10-17

2010-10-14T19:00:00.002-04:00

I am amazed at Sara's ability to continue to grow so much in her faith and to expand her love for God by serving others. In Chapter 17, The Desert, she talks about recognizing that the beautiful space and rituals we experience while attending church, while important, aren't the only places we should be "seeing" God. And this moves her to go searching in the nearby projects, delivering food in assistance to another pantry.Later, she writes that one of her friends notes that once "church powers" start to control how communion is handled, it gets "further and further from the power and the genius of that meal." What do you think about that?

Discussion: Chapters 1-9

2010-09-23T19:01:00.002-04:00

I have to be honest, Take This Bread, isn't what I was expecting. It's a brutally honest look at religion from a person who had no faith to start with. Unlike, Girl Meets God, Sara Miles comes to church not knowing what to expect and being overwhelmed with the feelings she has when she receives communion. But as I read further, I appreciate her transformation and feeling that God has spoken to her and she hears, "Feed my sheep." Her connection with food reminds me a bit of another author, Ruth Reichel, and the beginning of the book reminded me of some of Reichel's tales. Reichel, a former food critic for the New York Times and editor of Gourmet, doesn't follow a religious path.

What has struck you the most about the book so far?

Live blog changes to Sept. 23

2010-09-10T06:30:00.003-04:00

Hello everyone,
Hope you're all enjoying the book this session. There are several of us who have a conflict with next week's "live" blogging session. We will be moving that session to Thursday, Sept. 23. I apologize for the schedule change.

2010-08-20T09:45:00.002-04:00

Beginning in September, we'll be reading Take this Bread by Sara Miles.

Linda Post Bushkofsky from the WELCA wrote this review of the book: "I thought this was going to be yet another memoir of a California-based journalist who finds religion and becomes an Episcopalian. There’ve been a lot of those. It was this, but then so much more. Miles’s faith is grounded in the Eucharist, the table to which Jesus invites all. Since she wasn’t raised in the faith, Miles doesn’t get bogged down in rituals and pretense, like so many cradle Christians do, and instead lives the Gospel and creates church – communion – in a food bank that serves all, without question."

The "live" blog will begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 16 and will cover Chapters 1-9; Chapters 10-17 on October 21 and finish with Chapters 18-25 on November 18. If you have any questions about the blog, please contact Kim Shindle at kimstamps@comcast.net.

2010-08-19T19:00:00.002-04:00

As I finished this book, I was struck by something profound Nora says in the chapter, Pentecost. As they prepare for their workshop on homosexuality, Mark, their priest questions where the church as been as people grapple with divorce, birth control, homosexuality and other issues. And both Mark and Nora suggest this is how the church has become irrelevant in so many people's lives. Because it is "standing on the sidelines or insisting on rigid standards while a whole generation dealt with sudden sexual liberation and confusion." I think this is a fascinating observation. And the process as this church tries to decide whether to call a homosexual pastor is another issue churches grapple with as well.

Lent, Holy Week, & Eastertide

2010-07-15T19:00:00.002-04:00

I like the way she dovetails the message of the church season not only with her involvement in the church's life and mission, but also the events of her personal life. I find myself really identifying with her as she describes typical lay involvement in church activities. There were a few things that hit close to home! But, if I take only one thing from this text, it is the statement that it is (the monk's job) "to make sure I know where the gas stations are". What a great analogy for our need to know where we can be "filled up" or for that matter, that we need to periodically stop and fill up.

I liked the comment - "Holy week is the ultimate list". Do we get too caught up in the details, planning, and behind-the-scenes involvement that we lose sight of the message of a particular church season?

Believing Allows Us to See

2010-05-20T09:20:00.003-04:00

Some folks say “seeing is believing.” Author Nora Gallagher, in her book Things Seen and Unseen, turns that cliché around to bring out a truth: Believing is seeing.

Gallagher shows through her description of a year in the life of her congregation that faith in God’s abiding presence in our world produces a type of seeing that opens up all kinds of possibilities for Christ-like love and service.

The phrase “things seen and unseen” reminds us of the familiar words of the first article of the Nicene Creed: We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. Nora understands it is often difficult to see God at work and present in our world. In fact, she even equates faith with peripheral vision, saying we can only hope to increase that peripheral seeing, even if it is not direct and clear.

But as Nora continues telling the story of that particular church year in her congregation, we discover what she discovers—that we truly have a God who has chosen to be incarnate, “in the flesh.” Because God is incarnate, and not detached and “from a distance,” God is to be seen again and again: In the meal of Holy Communion which nourishes Nora, and which she lovingly distributes to others as a communion assistant. In the faces of the poor and hungry who come to her parish to eat in the soup kitchen. In the people who prepare and serve those meals to the hungry each day. In her fellow sisters and brothers as they strive to live faithfully in spite of frailties and foibles, always seeking God’s strength and direction and grace. In the person of her brother, Kit, who is slowly dying of AIDS.

During Pentecost Season (also called “Ordinary Time”), she meets a poor gentleman at a church meeting. She realizes how easily someone such as this homeless man could be rendered invisible, could be “not seen.” She writes, “In our midst is a man without a blanket and shoes too large for his feet. We have organized our lives so that he is hidden from us. He lives, like God, in invisibility. But when we do see him, I think tonight, we keep a rendezvous. In the seeing is a glimpse, a foretaste of the kingdom: it will be a place where everyone is seen, including us. Here we are together, in Ordinary Time, learning how to see.”

May Nora’s thoughtful words help us to see God in the places we travel, in the people we meet, and in the ways we serve.

New book blog begins in June

2010-05-02T14:58:00.002-04:00

We'll be starting a new book blog in June and we're changing the date for the "live" blogging. In June, we'll begin discussing tThings Seen and Unseen: A Year Lived in Faith by Nora Gallagher. We'll be dividing the book into three parts and blog June, July and August. I've talked with a few people and Tuesdays have created some conflict. I'm thinking we might try the third Thursday of each month (which would also keep us away from summer holiday weeks. That would mean we would follow this schedule: Thursday, June 17: Chapters Advent, Christmas and Ephiphany (pages 3-79); Thursday, July 15: Chapters Lent, Holy Week, and Eastertide (pages 80-157); and August 19: Chapters Pentecost and Ordinary Time (pages 158-234).

Final blogging

2010-04-15T19:36:00.002-04:00

I don't know about you, but I found Lauren's thoughts about the Book of Ruth to be very interesting. She suggests in the book, that biological parentage in not the only kind of parentage that counts. And then draws us to the Gospel of Matthew where the genealogy of Jesus Christ is discussed. And Christ himself had more than two parents.

Last discussion in April

2010-04-10T05:30:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone,

Our last discussion on "Girl Meets God" is in April, covering the last two chapters, Pentecost and Advent. Several are unable to make this coming April so we are going to move our live discussion to Thursday, April 15 @ 7:30. I hope you will all be able to attend.

I have talked to several of you to start a discussion through the summer, splitting a book into three months (June-August). Please let me know or email me if Tuesday doesn't work for you through the summer. I'm looking at a couple of books and will let you know as soon as possible when the book is selected. If anyone has suggestions, please let me know. The books I'm looking at have been recommended by a couple of different people.

Looking forward to our final discussion!

2010-03-08T21:27:00.002-05:00

Good evening. I don't know about all of you, but I found this chapter to be quite a puzzle.
I hope our disscussion helps put the pieces in place.

Lauren goes to extreme lengths to make her confessions. Yet, even after traveling 2 hours from home, why do you think she is still reluctant to fully confess her sins? What are your thoughts/reactions to her approach to confession?

On page209 she expresses her concern over looking ordinary and normal and not impressive or kindred in Father Peter's eyes. This concern seems contradictory to the wonderful analogy she gave between her teacher and a loving, forgiving God who accepts us as imperfect individuals. Is confession more psychological then theological for her?

There are numerous references throughout this chapter to God, Jesus and Heaven being up above us. In what ways do we draw closer to and connect with God? Does a private vs public confession strengthen our connection to God?

This chapter is titled Eastertide. How do all the threads of this chapter connect to the resurection?

March Blogging Next Week

2010-03-05T06:53:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone,
We'll be live blogging next Tuesday, March 9 at 7:30 p.m. and we'll be finishing the discussion in April. We're considering doing another book over the summer, probably several chapters each month. Please let us know if you're interested.
Thanks!

Blogging in February

2010-02-05T20:49:00.003-05:00

Hello everyone,
Just a reminder that we'll be live blogging on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Judy Collins will be our host for the evening and we'll be discussing the chapter titled "Holy Week," found on page 157. Looking forward to discussing this with all of you!

Live blogging begins again in January

2010-01-02T20:36:00.003-05:00

Hello --- Just a reminder that the live blog will be on Tuesday, January 12 at 7:30 p.m. We'll be discussing the chapter titled, "Lent," which begins on page 117.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-01T06:39:00.001-05:00

There's no live blogging this month but I hope to see everyone at the Women of Trinity luncheon on Saturday. We can try to sit together if you'd like to talk about the book! See you then.

No Live Blogging in December

2009-11-11T06:12:00.002-05:00

We don't have a live blogging session scheduled in December but you're always welcome to post comments about something you've read or comment about something someone else has already posted.

I want to invite our bloggers to attend the Women of Trinity Luncheon on Dec. 5 at noon. We can always discuss the book while we're eating lunch! The luncheon is $6 and is being prepared by Trinity's fabulous Kitchen Crew. Please sign up in the Gathering Space if you'd like to attend. Come hear the presentation, "The Gift of Hope Around the World," by Judy and Ken Collins, who will share their personal faith experiences while teaching English in Russia, China and the Czech Republic.

2009-11-10T19:37:00.001-05:00

The Epiphany Chapter was one of the most meaningful to me. On page 80, I liked her discussion about baptism. What did you think?

We'll discuss Epiphany next week

2009-11-04T08:18:00.002-05:00

We'll be blogging live next Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m. We'll be discussing the Chapter titled Epiphany (pages 77-116). Or let us know what you think about the book so far. You can blog anytime you want to comment about the book. I'm hearing great comments about it as I talk to women reading the book. Let us know what you think.

Add your comments

2009-10-14T06:49:00.002-04:00

We had a great discussion about what struck us the most in the first three chapters of Lauren Winner's book on Tuesday evening. The beauty of a blog is that you can read the comments whenever you have time and add your comments as well. We'd love to hear from you and you don't have to wait until November to join in the conversation! If you're following the blog, just sign in to add you comments. If you aren't following us, you can still leave comments, you'll just be asked to verify that you're not leaving spam by typing in that wavy word at the end.

The First Three Chapters

2009-10-13T19:14:00.004-04:00

I don't know about you, but from the moment I began reading Girl Meets God, I was hooked. Frankly, I think it's her intellectual search of her faith.

I've always been curious about the Jewish faith and traditions, so I'm finding that aspect of the book really interesting. For example, I didn't know that the faith is passed to the children maternally.

When she started thinking about believing in Jesus and her friend Pastor Mike said, "... you can't just divorce Judaism," I think that was insightful.

What struck me personally in my own faith is her comment from the Mitford books where they quote Philippians 4:13 "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." I think perhaps these books drew Lauren into the Christian faith more than she realized at the time. This particularly scripture is a reminder to me that God doesn't give us more than we can handle. And oftentimes, when I'm going through a particularly difficult time, it's for a reason. And sometimes, I never discover the reason. I often forget that my strength comes from Him, not me.

Did anything strike you personally as you read the first three chapters of this book?

Starting next week

2009-10-07T07:36:00.002-04:00

Less than a week before we begin to blog about the book! I can't wait to hear what you all have to say about this woman's amazing journey. As long as I can figure everything out, we'll be blogging live on Tuesday, October 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Chapters to Read

2009-09-14T21:21:00.002-04:00

You don't have to read the entire book before October. We're splitting it up so you only have to read a bit each month.
Here's the schedule:
OCTOBER - Chapters: Sukkot, Advent and Christmas (Pages 1-76)
NOVEMBER - Chapter: Epiphany (Pages 77-116)
DECEMBER - Meet your fellower bloggers at the WOT Luncheon on December 5
JANUARY - Chapter: Lent (Pages 117-156)
FEBRUARY - Chapter: Holy Week (Pages 157-196)
MARCH - Chapter: Eastertide (Pages 197-224)
APRIL - Chapter: Pentecost and Advent (Pages 225-296)

2009-09-09T10:07:00.002-04:00

An Introduction to Girl Meets God by Lauren F. Winner

by Pastor Nancy R. Easton

For those of us who consider ourselves “born and bred Lutherans” and who have never strayed far from the faith of our fathers and mothers, Girl Meets God provides insight into a journey of faith we haven’t taken.

The author Lauren F. Winner tells her story of both her life in Orthodox Judaism as well as her conversion to Christianity, not to mention that lengthy period of time in transition from one faith to the other. What I find compelling is that Winner does not simply toss away Judaism, considering it false or unfaithful. As she grows in her Christian faith, the beauty and meaning of the Jewish religion lend richness to her Christianity. And her Christian beliefs and understandings add depth to her reflections on Judaism. (Maybe we would do well to study Judaism and its history and ritual more fully, so that we might better appreciate our Judeo-Christian identity.)

In a world of religious diversity, which can easily tend toward division, we witness in one person a coming together of two of the world’s major religions. This is not a smorgasbord faith, as if Lauren chose a little bit of this and a little bit of that from the buffet table of religion. For Lauren does indeed become a follower of Christ. But her years in Judaism, ironically, prepared her for that conversion, stoked the fires of wanting to know God more, and gave a shape to her Christianity for which she is very grateful.

While many vignettes within Girl Meets God are memorable, one of my favorite parts of the book is when Lauren first learns the Lord’s Prayer at a summer camp. One of the few Jewish girls at the camp, she was completely unfamiliar with the wording of that prayer our Lord taught us. Her camp counselor, having observed her unfamiliarity with it, decided to teach her that prayer. While you and I are used to figuring out whether to use “trespasses” or “debts” or “sins” and know Roman Catholics leave off the final doxology in the prayer until later in the Mass, just imagine our not knowing this prayer at all! And then, hearing it for the first time, mulling over the words, and coming up with not only an interesting but incredibly profound interpretation of “Thy will be done”! Winner, hearing the words “Thy will be done,” thought Thy was the subject, and will was the verb. So she prayed that Thy would be done. Winner then wrote: “Sometimes in church I think about that still, I think maybe that is what we should be praying for, not just that God’s will be done, but that everything that is God’s, everything that is His, everything that is Thy, will be done.”

Girl Meets God allows us to contemplate how far afield our faith journey may take us, and yet how close to home we really are. Because home is wherever God is present with us.

Girl Meets God: A Memoir by Lauren F. Winner

2009-08-03T15:24:00.000-04:00

Our Women of Trinity group will be reading the book, Girl Meets God: A Memoir by Lauren F. Winner. This blog will allow you to meet to discuss the chapters, beginning in October. There will be copies of the book available in Trinity's library.