AME-Episcopal Book Study Continues January 26

Archdeacon Callie Walpole shared the following update on the weekly AME-Episcopal Book Study that will resume this week:

Over the next six weeks (January 26-March 2), the Tuesday Book Study will examine the Sermon on the Mount and consider the following question: What might God be calling and enabling us to do, and be, in response to racism and a caste society? To answer these questions, we will be grappling with Matthew’s Gospel, chapters 5-7. 

Some of the questions the study may ask in reference to racism:

• Is Jesus really serious when he says – Love your enemies? You’re “blessed” when people lie about you and bully you? And, just exactly when will those who hunger and thirst for righteousness “be filled?” And “don’t worry?”
• Is Jesus focusing mostly on a far-off future here—a remote utopia?
• Is Jesus laying out a socio-political strategy—a diagram for ideal commonwealth?
• Or, is Jesus only talking about out “intentions” and the “inner life?”
• Is there any good news, comfort, empowerment, grace here?

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The Reverend Dr. Steve Rhodes will lead the discussion. Steve is a Presbyterian minister who served as pastor to three churches, professor of theology and Academic Dean at Memphis Theological Seminary, and later as Co-Director of the Appalachian Ministries Educational Resource Center (AMERC). His fourth collection of Poetry “was that you Boss,” will make its appearance in the next few months.

All are welcome to join the conversation. Participants are asked to have a Bible/New Testament handy. To sign up to receive the Zoom link, please contact Tater Beak at [email protected].

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