Fall Reconciliation Series: September 18-October 9 

 

Reconciliation is central to the gospel. This is why God sent Jesus to be with us. As St. Paul wrote, “all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). Through Christ, we are “a new creation” and have been given a new humanity (2 Corinthians 5:7). As new creations, we can enjoy relationships (with God, one another, and all of creation) that are marked by wholeness, unity, love, and joy.

While this new reality was made possible, we know all too well that division, hatred, and even violence and war continue to pervade our world. Despite the brokenness we bear witness to, God continues to long for the day when all of creation is reconciled, making God’s “appeal through us.” (2 Corinthians 5: 20).

As Christians, we have been given a ministry of reconciliation. This is the church’s mission: “to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ (BCP, p. 855). This fall, amid the backdrop of a contentious political election, let us reflect on the ministry of reconciliation and listen to how we are being called to participate in it.

This Wonderful Wednesday series will culminate in a local half-day retreat with reconciliation practitioner and conflict resolution and peace studies theologian, David Porter, on October 19. 

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Wednesday, September 18 at 7pm: First Wonderful Wednesday: Introduction to the Ministry of Reconciliation Series. Led by Mother Liz

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This first class will lay a biblical and theological framework for thinking about the Ministry of Reconciliation. We will reflect on how God created us to be in relationship, how this relationship was broken, and then restored through Jesus Christ. We take time to name aloud the brokenness that we witness and imagine how we might be called to be reconcilers in our personal lives and as a church body. We will consider how, in Christ, we are offered the gift of being reconciled to God, our neighbor, and creation. Due to scheduling needs, we will consider reconciliation with our neighbor before with God.

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Wednesday, September 25 at 7pm: Reconciliation Series Part I: Reconciliation With Our Neighbor. Led by the Rev. Canon Carla Robinson and Adrienne Elliott

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This session will reflect on how God made human beings to be in community with one another, as claimed by through Holy Scripture and the theological work of Martin Buber and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Guest speaker, the Reverend Canon Carla Robinson will share about how the Diocese of Olympia is working to build the beloved community and to do the work of reconciliation through the Multicultural Ministries and Community Transformation Ministry. We will end the session by considering how St. Thomas might partner with the diocese in this important work.
 

Wednesday, October 2 at 7pm: Reconciliation Series Part 2: Reconciliation With Our God. Led by Mother Liz

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The Ministry of Reconciliation begins with our relationship with God. This class will consider God’s desire to be in full relationship with us, and practices from the Christian tradition that may assist us in experiencing this union. To consider how we might experience union with God, we will consider ancient contemplative prayer practices as well as the Rite of Reconciliation from The Book of Common Prayer.

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Wednesday October 9 at 7pm: Reconciliation Series Part 3: Reconciliation with Creation

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This session will reflect on the scriptural imagination for humanity’s relationship with creation. We will consider how the relationship between God and creation, and creation and humanity is portrayed in the Bible. We will consider the contribution that Franciscan Spirituality has had in creation care and justice ministry. Guest Speaker John Kydd, Missioner for Climate Care and Climate Justice from the Diocese of Olympia will share about the work being done in the Diocese of Olympia, and how we as individuals and as a church can get involved.

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Wednesday, November 6: Prayer for a Peaceful Election​ at 7pm

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Wednesday, November 13: Forward in Faith Day of Prayer & Prayer Vigil 

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Wednesday, December 11: Carols and Cookies 

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Join us for an evening of singing and sharing cookies as we get ready for our Christmas at church!

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