By Joyce Sohl
Are you looking for a new and different approach to reading the Bible? Are you wanting and needing to experience a more transformative spiritual journey? If you answer “Yes” to either of these questions, I think, I have a place for you to fulfill some of your needs and desires. I invite you to join us at Scarritt-Bennett Center at a retreat entitled “Fresh Approaches to Reading the Bible for Transformative Spirituality.” This retreat is Saturday, November 8 at 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM. The cost is $50 including lunch.
Fresh approaches to reading the Bible will be explored. Each of us will learn how to truly engage in contextual Bible studies by exploring key themes, characters, points and concerns of the stories, and issues at the center of the communities involved in the stories.
Using a nesting doll (remember those that are Russian souvenirs) as a tool, we will explore the ways of receiving gifts from the voices of those living on the margins of the stories and also within our own context. We will also listen for the voice of God in the stories and in our communities.
Our goal for the day is to learn more about transformative spirituality; to experience contextual Bible studies so we can integrate it into our individual Bible reading/study and also within small Bible study groups such as a Sunday School class, United Methodist Women or United Methodist Men or similar groups, Youth ministry programs, etc.
The leader of this event is Dr. Glory Dharmaraj. She is the recently retired director of spiritual formation and mission theology for United Methodist Women, a workshop and retreat leader, and an author. Her book A Theology of Mutuality: A Paradigm for 21st Century is just off press. She lives in Scrub Oak, NY with her United Methodist clergy husband.
This will be a wonderful and enriching experience. I urge you to register by calling 615.340.7557, online at conta.cc/1sGcwSS, or emailprograms@scarrittbennett.org. I hope you will join us.
Laywoman-in-Residence