Starting up again on September 18

Hi everyone
I meant to post sooner this photo from our retreat in May.  Finding it reminded me of how I've missed everyone (including those not in the photo!)  - and looking forward to seeing you all again in September.     We will be meeting at the Johnsons' from 7-9 as usual on September 18, and then on first and third Tuesdays going forward.  We agreed that it would be "potluck" the first time, and I'm inclined to let it be just that -- just bring what you want to. But if you want to tell me what you're bringing  you can email me at kathleen.staudt@gmail.com and I can try to coordinate a little bit. We've never had too little food and it usually works if everyone brings something they'd like to share.

Our study focus this fall will be on the book of Psalms, and I've had a good summer returning to the psalms and commentaries on them.  Our focus will be both on where the psalms come from and, just as important, how they reflect different ways of praying and can lead us into prayer.  I've been looking at the psalm texts in the King James version and also in a little book by Nan C. Merrill called Psalms for Praying, which paraphrase the psalms into much more intimate prayers.  There is lots to talk about n the psalms -- the parts that trouble and put us off, the familiar lines that seem to resonate down through the ages,  the ways that people pray, from wild thanksgiving to angry and dark lament.   I look forward to looking at these profound and beautiful poems with you and reflecting together on how they do (and sometimes don't) speak to where we are in our lives with God.

Please feel free to get in touch with me if you're thinking of coming for the first time and need directions (if it's your first time please don't worry about bringing food!), or if you have any other ideas or concerns about the year ahead. I really look forward to being with you all again soon!

--Blessings to all
KATHY

Thanks for a Great Retreat - and next meeting 5/21

Our next meeting will be Monday May 21 and we'll be talking about the Resurrection story in John 21.
Joel will be cooking.


I'm already looking forward to seeing everyone again -- especially after the lovely time we had at the retreat at Lost River this past weekend (May 11-13). Thanks to all who came:  what a lovely place and "getaway".  It was great to have the chance to know each other better, to have some serious conversations about faith and life and also some serious fun.  Joel's pen & ink drawings do a beautiful job of capturing the feel of our time together, in beautiful weather, out in the meadow and beside the lake.  You can view them on flickr, here .

 On Sunday for our shared worship I asked everyone to write a “help me” prayer and a “thank you” prayer that would reflect on our time together in this place.   Even if you couldn't be with us on the retreat, I hope that these prayers give you some of the spirit of what we talked about, in our conversations about faithful living and finding purpose in our lives and work -- so many of these prayers and thankgivings are about concerns that many of you share. Here is a sampling: 

Thank you:

     for crackling fire

     melting marshmallows

     croaking bullfrogs

     starry sky

     butterflies

     friends’ laughter   

     voices blending together

     and time alone

     I thank you, Creative Love

Help me

    As I dig into myself, my life,

     I find things I don’t like

     Help me not to run away

     Help me to hash this out

     Help me to grow

     . . . and help me be the person

     You and I want me to be.

Thank you God for the gift of life and a wonderful wife, for the world full of amazing creatures and adventures. 

Please help me find fulfillment in my job.  Help me find the strength to evaluate my career choice

Thank you for my family and friends, my physical and financial security, trees, birds, laybugs and bot-chee ball.

Help me to follow the way to you and feel your presence in all I do.  I need your guidance to see this path in my professional life -- to bring spiritual purpose and passion to a paycheck.

Help me figure out where I am and where I’m headed

     Thank you for bringing me this far.

Thank you for speaking to me in tall the ways you do!  Help me see the beauty in everything I see. 

I am grateful for the uniqueness of each voice and the deepening of friendship and connection and insight that everyone shared on this retreat,  truly a special time, which I know will spill over into our regular Bible Study group meetings in all kinds of ways.  Thank you everyone for the gift this was to me!    --KATHY

Spring Retreat: "Shaping a Faithful Way of Life"

A Weekend Retreat for Young Adults (20s & 30s)

At Lost River Retreat Center

 2015 Mill Gap Rd.

Lost City, WV 26810

May 11-13, 2012

At a time of life when it seems like we’re either crazybusy or else blocked by limited or confusing choices about what do with our lives, how do we keep track of the core of faith that gives our lives meaning?  What kinds of spiritual practices can lead to a greater sense of life’s richness?  How can a community of faith help us find greater meaning and purpose in our work and vocation? 

Come join other 20’s and 30’s for a weekend of refreshment and reflection.  Enjoy a spring weekend at the beautiful Lost River Retreat Center, about a 90 minute drive  from Northern Virginia, with outdoor activities like hiking, horseback riding, sports and just being in a beautiful place.  Spend time in prayer, community meals and conversations with other Young Adults who care about the life of faith. 

The retreat is sponsored by the “Pathfinders” Progressive Christian Young Adults group in Northern Virginia (http://youngadultpathfinders.blogspot.com/) and open to any interested young adults.  For more info and/or to register email pathfindersyoungadults@gmail.com.

Cost for the whole weekend (2 nights and including meals Saturday and Sunday)

Single room:        $100  

Shared room        $90.00

Leader - Dr. Kathy Staudt

has taught at the University of Maryland, Virginia Theological Seminary, and Wesley Seminary.

Kathy is a poet and a spiritual guide,

interested in connections among theology, scripture, and the life of the imagination. A teacher and parent of 20-somethings, she has developed a series of learning resources called Shaping a Faithful Life, aimed at equipping young adults to explore the deep questions of meaning and purpose that have always been at the heart of the Christian journey. She blogs at http://poetproph.blogspot.com

Program for the weekend (tentative)

Friday Night: Dinner on your own

    Arrive between 6:30- 9

9:00   Opening Gathering:   Sharing our Stories; words we'll be using; hopes for the time ahead

Saturday

8-9        Breakfast

9-10:15:   Gather for Session I: Questions that Help us Shape a Faithful Life:  Connecting what I "do" (my "profile") with what I care about (my "purpose").  

10:15-10:30 Break

10:30-12   Session II :  Learning to Dream with God 

12:30 Lunch, followed by free time all afternoon

7:00-9:00  Session III:  Prayer and Practice - setting priorities for free and faithful living

9:00     Evening relaxation (bonfire?)

Sunday

8:30     Breakfast, followed by closing session,

10:00   morning worship

11:00  Brunch and departure.

To register, contact

pathfindersyoungadults@gmail.com

Pathfinders Progressive Christian Young Adults group meets twice a month (1st and 3rd Mondays) for dinner, Bile study and prayer at a home in Vienna, VA.   We seek and value diversity in race, gender, sexual orientation, denominational preference and outlook on life. Some of us are connected to progressive Christian congregations, (including Vienna Baptist Church and Little River UCC church, which sponsor this ministry). Some of us are simply seeking greater clarity about religious faith and spiritual practice. All of us are seekers -- knowing that there is always more to learn about the life of faith, and about how to make ourselves more available to the needs of a hurting world.

Monday March 5: Food, Fellowshp & Study

"The Rest of the 'Hinge'" - John 12: 12-50.

Hi everyone -- I hope it's on everyone's calendar that we're back to 1st and 3rd Mondays for the rest of the year.  So this Monday March 5.  I'm cooking.  We'll continue our study with the rest of John 12 -- remembering how last time we talked about the raising of Lazarus and the supper at Bethany as a "hinge" in this gospel -- a turning point from the first part, when Jesus is giving "signs" about who he is and what he wants people to understand about him,  and the second part, which tells the story of his death and resurrection.  Your commentary, , chapter 8, "The Entry into Jerusalem," has some good guidance about this part of the gospel.   In typical fashion, this part of the gospel of John gives us a familiar story that we can reflect on once again -- and also a number of "Wisdom sayings" having to do with spiritual light and darkness, and death and resurrection, and claims about who Jesus wants to be for his beloved disciples.  It's a short and rich part of the gospel, and lots to explore -- have a look at it ahead of time if you have a chance, or just come listen and join in as we explore it together.

Next Meeting February 7 - Meanwhile - some information about service, food, and sheep -

Hi all -- it was great to have so many people there last time -- 10 young adults around the table.  And I really enjoyed our conversation looking at the 4 different versions of the Feeding the 5000 story -- some great insights and good sharing -- please continue to hold your "prayer-partner" in prayer 'til next time.  And welcome to anyone checking this site for the first time. If you'd like to join us and need directions, please contact me at kathleen.staudt@gmail.com.

A reminder that a number of people in this group are also participating in the ministry to City Gate, a ministry to children and families in Southeast DC.  (see photo featured here)   Volunteers meet at Vienna Baptist one Saturday a month to carpool downtown - leave at 10, back by1:00.  The next time will be February 18.  Also volunteer slots are still available for next week's work at the hypothermia shelter sponsored by FACETS, the week of January 29.  Contact Ben Wagener for information about both opportunities for service.  He's at bwagener@vbc-va.org

Next time we'll be continuing our conversation about the various "I am" statements by Jesus in the gospel of John -- last time it was "I am the bread of life."  Next time "I am the good shepherd."  I think we've learned a lot by unpacking some of this familiar language together so I'm looking forward to this.  In the commentary some of you have (and I have more copies), it's chapter 6, on John 10: 1-18.  (This part of the gospel of John contains what may be my favorite single sentence from the gospels.  See if you can guess which line it is! )

Notice that we'll be meeting on Tuesdays in February, and then shifting back to Mondays in March.  Here are the dates, with info on who is cooking when:

TUESDAY 2/7: Kathy

TUESDAY 2/21:(mardi gras/shrove Tuesday --  Pancake supper-- Heidi and Kunal will bring griddle and batter: everyone bring a favorite topping or accompaniment for pancakes.

MONDAY March 5:  [Kathy]

MONDAY March 19:  Natalie

MONDAY April 2:  Cameron

MONDAY April 16:  Mary Beth

MONDAY May 7:  Joe and Carolanne and Eva

WEEKEND OF MAY 11-13: RETREAT at Lost River

MONDAY May 21:  Joel

There's always room for other cooks to sign up with those who have already picked a date. 

Next Meeting this Tuesday January 17

Hi everyone

Just to remind you that we meet this Tuesday, January 17. Carolanne and Joe are cooking. Please be thinking about when you can cook as I think we're at the end of the signup list.  And also whether continuing on Tuesdays seems like a good idea for spring.

We got so involved in the "Bread of Life" conversation that we never got to the Feeding of the 5000 so we'll go back to that, at the beginning of John 6, this week - and maybe also compare it to the telling of the same story in the other gospels. If you remember, bring your own Bible, whatever translation you like best.   We also will have some available.

See you Tuesday!
KATHY

TUESDAY January 3 -- Feeding the Five Thousand, the Bread of Life etc.

Hi again all, and Happy New Year! - just a look ahead to our meeting this Tuesday January 3.  We'll be looking at much of Chapter 6 of the Gospel of John -- as much as we get through with our usual questioning mode.  In particular I thought it would be interesting to pay attention to the way John tells the story of the feeding of the 5000 -- how it's different from other versions of the story in the other gospels and what that tells us about who Jesus is in this gospel, and what that might mean for us.  That is probably enough to keep us busy for one evening's discussion - or maybe more.

Also let's talk in a preliminary way this week about plans for a retreat in May -- we've been talking about SAVING THE DATE of May 11-13 for a weekend away.   And watch this space for more info.

See you Tuesday!
KATHY