Thomas
Deepening Spiritual Culture
May. 02, 2025 12:03 Filed in: Commentaries
Friends,
Last Sunday, Dr. Marion Larson preached for us on the story in John's Gospel about Thomas. She shared a remarkable insight with us -- Thomas may have believed that, in his abandonment of Jesus before the crucifixion, he was the one who betrayed Jesus. From Thomas' perspective, his choices and fears separated him from the rest of the grieving, fearful disciples. How does he find his way back to his friends, his faith, his Lord? Listen to Marion's sermon from last Sunday here.
Lay leadership in the spiritual life of our congregation is a strength at Grace Episcopal Church. From the Healing Prayer team that gathers once a month and prays at the back of the church on Sunday mornings, to the Centering Prayer practice here each Wednesday at 5:30pm, to the adults leading Godly Play with our youngest members, lay (non-ordained) leaders create a shared culture of discipleship at Grace.
We're deepening that culture here. Marion and Dave Larson are both participating in the two-year Lay Preaching Training Institute offered by our diocese. With studies of Scripture and sermon-craft, this program helps lay preachers open the Gospels with pastoral, prophetic, and theological wisdom. Similarly, a team of four members from Grace are participating in the three-year Transforming Hearts program offered by the Episcopal House of Prayer. With in-person overnight retreats, monthly meetings, and personal practice, participants will learn contemplative spiritual practices that they can bring back and teach in our congregation. Dave Carpenter, Jake Fischer, Kathleen Anderson-Wyman, and Diane Barnett are the team from GEC, and I'm participating in a related pilot program as well.
I preached on Easter Sunday that we can find courage to practice the way of Jesus from four touchstones: Time spent with Jesus, deep connection to others on the way, humble service, and remembering the resurrection. (Catch my sermon from Easter Day here.) Lay leaders at GEC are spending time with Jesus through these programs, deepening our shared capacity for courage and action. Alleluia!
See you in church!
Susan+
Last Sunday, Dr. Marion Larson preached for us on the story in John's Gospel about Thomas. She shared a remarkable insight with us -- Thomas may have believed that, in his abandonment of Jesus before the crucifixion, he was the one who betrayed Jesus. From Thomas' perspective, his choices and fears separated him from the rest of the grieving, fearful disciples. How does he find his way back to his friends, his faith, his Lord? Listen to Marion's sermon from last Sunday here.
Lay leadership in the spiritual life of our congregation is a strength at Grace Episcopal Church. From the Healing Prayer team that gathers once a month and prays at the back of the church on Sunday mornings, to the Centering Prayer practice here each Wednesday at 5:30pm, to the adults leading Godly Play with our youngest members, lay (non-ordained) leaders create a shared culture of discipleship at Grace.
We're deepening that culture here. Marion and Dave Larson are both participating in the two-year Lay Preaching Training Institute offered by our diocese. With studies of Scripture and sermon-craft, this program helps lay preachers open the Gospels with pastoral, prophetic, and theological wisdom. Similarly, a team of four members from Grace are participating in the three-year Transforming Hearts program offered by the Episcopal House of Prayer. With in-person overnight retreats, monthly meetings, and personal practice, participants will learn contemplative spiritual practices that they can bring back and teach in our congregation. Dave Carpenter, Jake Fischer, Kathleen Anderson-Wyman, and Diane Barnett are the team from GEC, and I'm participating in a related pilot program as well.
I preached on Easter Sunday that we can find courage to practice the way of Jesus from four touchstones: Time spent with Jesus, deep connection to others on the way, humble service, and remembering the resurrection. (Catch my sermon from Easter Day here.) Lay leaders at GEC are spending time with Jesus through these programs, deepening our shared capacity for courage and action. Alleluia!
See you in church!
Susan+