Summer 2024
Greetings from the St. Paul Center for Theology and Prayer!
FORMING DISCIPLES OF JESUS IN EVERY CONGREGATION
The St. Paul Center for Theology and Prayer exists to form disciples of Jesus in every congregation. It seeks to do this by equipping and resourcing local congregations for the tasks and joys of faith formation, teaching and learning, catechesis, and the life of prayer.
As we start to turn our minds to the coming summer, to longer days, perhaps even to time away on holiday, chances to rest and relax, our theme for this newsletter is HOPE. What are you hoping for, through the warm days ahead?
Don’t forget, you can find our previous newsletters online. If you’re reading this because someone shared it with you, and you’re not yet on our newsletter mailing list, please do sign up here, so you’ll be sure to receive all future news from TSPC!
A THOUGHT FROM TSPC
The Rev. Dr. Dawna Wall, Priest Affiliate at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, and a member of TSPC’s Curation team, shared with us some thoughts about HOPE which inspired her:
Mariame Kaba has said (quoted on enfleshed.com), ‘For me, hope is not a metaphor; it’s a lived practice. It isn’t a thing I possess. Rather, I remake it daily. I don’t have hope. I do hope.”
Reflecting on her new book, A Faith of Many Rooms, Debie Thomas shared some thoughts and questions for reflection on the below passage at a recent clergy conference in the Diocese of Massachusetts:
“When we’ve found our hope too small to cope with the daily realities, we yearn for a hope that is honest, an unclenched hope, free from expectation, a hope that embraces finitude and is not quantifiable.”
Romans 8, tells us in Thomas’ words that: “…hope can get tongue tied.”
“Hope is not the opposite of lament. Lament is a form of hope.”
“Hope is rooted in God who is grounded in vulnerability. Hope is about the long haul. Hope gets in apathy’s face.”
We’re grateful to Rev. Dawna for sharing her thoughts with us. Many clergy were inspired by Debie Thomas’ words at clergy conference. We are delighted Debie has given us permission to share videos from her presentations on our website; look for those, coming soon!
WHAT’S ON AT TSPC
summer 2024
Why Pray? July 27th, 10am - 2.30pm, in Newburyport, Taunton and Boston
Each Summer, The St. Paul Center for Theology and Prayer hosts an in-person day to tackle a 'Big Question'. This year we're asking 'Why Pray?'
'I'm tired of praying - I never get an answer!'
'I don't have enough hope to pray.'
'I don't know how to pray!'
These and many other thoughts may have crossed all of our minds. Prayer is at the heart of our call as Christians, but many Christians find it the most mysterious spiritual practice. How can lay leaders and clergy inspire their congregations to pray? How should we pray as a group or as individuals?
Please join TSPC to explore this important question together, in honest and open conversation. All are welcome - clergy and lay, Episcopalians, seekers, and ecumenical friends, experienced prayer warriors and those who feel like beginners. Our day will include teaching, conversation, reflection, and of course prayer! All participants will leave with materials to bring back to their congregation, to continue the conversation and learning.
'Why Pray?' days will be hosted at St. Paul's Newburyport, St. Thomas' Taunton, and the Cathedral Church of St. Paul Boston, July 27th, 10am to 2.30pm. You are warmly invited to join us at whichever location works for you! Tea and coffee will be served at the start of the day, and you are invited to bring a packed lunch.
Please sign up to attend, here.
And don’t forget! Our Learning to Pray Video Series can help guide and inspire your prayers. You can find them here - where you’ll also find a link to our conversation guide, should you wish to share and explore the videos with others.
We hope to add more Learning to Pray videos, from others around the Diocese. If you attend the ‘Why Pray?’ day, and are inspired to create your own video, please do connect with us via email!
* * * * *
coming soon!
Clergy are invited to join TSPC regional Learning Communities
We all know that clergy people, be they full or part time, have many demands on the hours in their days. Life can be hectic, with so much to do, and clergy may sometimes feel unsupported, or alone. The St. Paul Center for Theology and Prayer aims to counter that feeling, by giving the hardworking clergy of the Diocese of Massachusetts opportunities to gather; to share ideas or concerns; to support one another.
We have created three Learning Communities: one for the Northern and Western Region of the Diocese, one Central Region, and one in the Southern Region. These Communities will gather via zoom every six weeks or so, focusing on a particular topic each session. The sessions will be hosted by the Communities' co-leaders, but the format will be discursive and open, rather than being led by one person. It is our hope that priests and deacons will be nurtured by this time to share resources, discuss problems, and explore aspects of faith and formation.
There will also be two in-person gatherings each year - the first of which will happen this June or July, to allow the groups to meet and mingle! Clergy will shortly receive an email invitation to their regional group; please look out for that, coming soon! Meanwhile do not hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions; you can contact us at tspc@diomass.org
Northern and Western Region Learning Community - co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Jarred Mercer and the Rev. Jacqueline Clark
Central Region Learning Community - co-hosted by the Very Rev. Amy McCreath and the Rev. Greg Johnston
Southern Region Learning Community - co-hosted by the Rev. Joseph Mumita and the Rev. Dr. Maggie Arnold
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from around the diocese - and beyond!
We’re grateful to Kristin LeMay, from Friends of the SSJE, for sharing with us a resource from the Society of Saint John the Evangelist. Kristin tells us:
The resource is called “Cultivating Hope”. In three collected sermons, the SSJE Brothers reveal why hope is at the heart of our calling as Christians, now more than ever. In the face of despair, we are called to hope in the future, as we trust in the promises of God.
This resource might appeal to two main audiences: preachers looking to prepare their own sermon; individuals looking to deepen their prayer and spiritual practice.
to hope and act with creation - the season of creation 2024
This year’s Season of Creation 2024 theme, "To Hope and Act with Creation," offered by the World Council of Churches, calls participants to reflect on the biblical message of "The Firstfruits of Hope" (Rom 8:19-25), emphasizing our active role in praying and caring for our planet as we strive for a better future amidst current ecological challenges.
The official Celebration Guide for the Season of Creation 2024 will be launched online in a global webinar on 5 June at 3pm CEST. The live streaming in English will be available on YouTube. Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and French interpretations will be available via Zoom for registered participants.
Dr. Louk Andrianos, WCC consultant on Care for Creation, Sustainability, and Climate Justice, emphasized the importance of this event: “The Season of Creation is a time for the global Christian community to come together and renew our commitment to caring for our common home. This guide will inspire and equip us to make a tangible impact in our communities.”
More information about the Season of Creation
Closing with … INSPIRATION for HOpe
Hope
Hope has holes
in its pockets.
It leaves little
crumb trails
so that we,
when anxious,
can follow it.
Hope’s secret:
it doesn’t know
the destination –
it knows only
that all roads
begin with one
foot in front
of the other.
Where do you find hope, on bright, sunny days, or on gloomier ones? Please share your thoughts, reflections and questions with us - our email inbox is always open! tspc@diomass.org