Adult Forum

 

For the 2008 Adult Forum series, we are discussing the book, Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith, by Kathleen Norris.

 

About the Book

Struggling with her return to the Christian church

after many years away, Kathleen Norris found it

was the language of Christianity that most distanced

her from faith. Words like "judgment," "faith,"

"dogma," "salvation," "sinner"—even "Christ"—

formed what she called her "scary vocabulary," words

that had become so codified or abstract that their meanings were all but impenetrable. She found she had to wrestle with them and make them her own before they could confer their blessings and their grace. Blending history, theology, storytelling, etymology, and memoir, Norris uses these words as a starting point for reflection, and offers a moving account of her own gradual conversion. She evokes a rich spirituality rooted firmly in the chaos of everyday life—and offers believers and doubters alike an illuminating perspective on how we can embrace ancient traditions and find faith in the contemporary world. (Description courtesy of the publisher, Penguin Books USA).

 

About the Adult Forum

St. Luke’s Adult Forum meets every Sunday at 9:20 a.m. (between the 8:30 and 10:00 services) in the Church House.  All are welcome to drop by and participate in our discussion.  The Forum is facilitated by one or two church members who initiate the discussion.  Each week we discuss one chapter (one word) from the book.  What does it mean to you?  What does it mean in contemporary society?  How does it fit into our church life and our personal life?  What role does it play in defining our individual and collective faith?  We explore these questions and more each week in the Adult Forum.  Participants leave the 40-minute sessions with greater insight, self-appreciation, enlightenment, and a greater understanding of their role in the Christian faith.  Feel free to stop by and experience it for yourself.