Sharing Scripture
It has been said that one of the best ways to learn is to teach. I have found this to be very true indeed. For the better part of four years Fr. Greg and I (along with Fr. Karl and Fr. Jay during their time here) have developed a method, taught, and reflected on the Sunday Scriptures with adults who have a hunger to learn about God’s revelation through Scripture. I will admit I was more than a bit apprehensive (well aware of just how far my knowledge of Scripture went) when Fr. Greg suggested that we begin Bible Study at St Julie’s. Yet the consistent presence of our attendees bore out that something very good was happening in our twice weekly gatherings. Each week as we gathered together in prayer and conversation, we unpacked the many ways that the words of Scripture are relevant today, in our lives and in our world. The wisdom of our participants I encountered through their sharing was superseded only by the wisdom of God we encountered in both the Old and New Testament readings. Encountering the collective wisdom of adults open to learning is truly an amazing experience. I give thanks to God for the presence of each person who participated in our study of Scripture.
Lately Fr. Greg has alluded to the current financial situation in the parish. As a result of our present situation and at the urging of the parish finance council we as staff have been asked to re-evaluate and make suggestions while keeping our eye on the bottom line. In the interest of the parish budget I have volunteered to reduce my hours (and salary) at St. Julie’s. I am not going away, but I won’t be here as often during the week. Fruitful as our Bible Study has been the preparation for the weekly sessions demands a sizable amount of time, which does not bode well with this recent change. In the scheme of things we acknowledge the importance of Bible Study for our parishioners and are prayerfully considering alternatives for the future which honor the financial situation of the parish and the availability of staff.
While we as a parish turn this new corner in ministry I ask for your prayers and welcome your suggestions. As always our goal is to keep the best interests of the parish at the heart of our decisions. I will miss our Tuesday mornings and Wednesday evenings together, yet I will ever be enriched by the memory of those times and people, and look forward to the opportunities I will have to minister to you in the future.
Paula Raposo, Adult Faith Formation
