January discussion

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

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?