Prompted by the successful turnout and lively discussion of Joan Chittister’s The Gift of Years, “First Thursdays” will offer opportunities for morning fellowship and discussion, starting March 4. Gatherings are planned for the first Thursday of March-June, from 9:30 to 10:30 AM in the Wilson Room (March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3). Millard Fuller’s Building Materials for Life will serve as a springboard for explorations of faith and life issues. The first meeting will be led by our new moderator, Robin DiGiammarino, whose family has had a long association with Habitat for Humanity and the Fuller Center. The April meeting will be led by Paul Shupe. Building Materials for Life (vol. 1) is available at amazon.com (starting at $5.99) and at fullercenter.org (for $10).

Sunday Morning Pastor's Class

8:30-9:30 AM in the Pearson Room

Don’t remember much from Sunday School? Want to learn some basic Bible stories? Having difficulty with concepts like sin and salvation?

“Christian Faith 101”, led by Paul Shupe, will talk about the Bible (what it is, what it isn’t), about faith (what it is, what it isn’t), Jesus (what he taught, what he brings), and some knotty theological problems (why is there suffering? what about sin?  salvation?).  This class is for anyone who would like to know more about our faith, whether newcomers or long-time church members.

No required reading.  Each Sunday morning session will stand on its own, so if you can only attend one, you should, and if you can attend them all, you’ll be welcome!  If you are unsure about whether it will be worth your time, the only way to find out is to give one a try.  Coffee will be provided!

Questions?  Call Paul Shupe at 781-862-4220, or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Further Reading from the Adult Education Committee

The 2009 Lenten Reading program focused on Dave Tomlinson’s Re-enchanting Christianity (Canterbury Press, 2008). Participants in the Lenten reading program found that this short, very readable book was a good springboard for reflection and discussion of wide-ranging themes such as the existence and nature of God, death and resurrection, prayer, and mission.

The Adult Education Committee reviewed several books in the process of selecting Tomlinson’s book and recommends the following:

* Martin L. Smith, A Season for the Spirit (2004). Daily readings for Lent, linked to scripture passages. These meditations address issues such as: mercy vs. judgment; the need for wonder and imagination; the practice of empathy; doubt; grace. The book ends with a thoughtful discussion of the multiple dimensions of Holy Week.

* Joan Chittister, In Search of Belief (1999). Written by a Benedictine nun and social psychologist, this book examines the Apostles’ Creed line by line to arrive at the core of Christian faith. Chittister writes in a lively and personal way, examining the historical context in which the creed was formulated, questioning traditional interpretations, and ultimately re-wording the creed in an inclusive and affirming way.

* Cullen Murphy, The Word According to Eve (1998). Lively and informative, this book touches on a wide range of topics related to women in the Bible and women who write about the Bible. Some chapters consider Old Testament stories involving women, interpretations of the role of Mary in the New Testament, Mary Magdalen, women as apostles in St. Paul’s letters, and women in the Gnostic gospels. Others address the work of female archaeologists and Biblical scholars, such as Karen King and Elaine Pagels, and their impact on the evolution of Biblical interpretation in the 20th century.

* Peter Gomes, The Scandalous Gospel of Jesus (2007). In his own inimitable style, Rev. Gomes explores the radical nature of Jesus’ message of hope and change. This book mixes personal anecdotes with serious emphasis on the inclusive and socially transforming character of the “good news.”

* Karen Armstrong, The Bible: A Biography (2007). An occasionally dense but very informative book that encompasses a wide range of topics. The first chapters describe the formation of the Old and New Testaments and the process by which they became sacred texts. Then Armstrong explores how Jewish and Christian interpretations of the Bible developed through the Middle Ages, and the central role of the Bible itself and Biblical interpretation in the Reformation. The final chapters discuss the impact of the Enlightenment and modern historical-critical methodology. In the end she argues for a “compassionate” interpretation of scripture in a world divided by conflicting claims of Biblical authority.

We would love to hear your suggestions and recommendations as well! Please send messages to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .