People of the Way: Followers of Jesus in the Episcopal Church

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Bishop Mariann’s Blog

People of the Way: Followers of Jesus in the Episcopal Church

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Thank you for the great expression of interest in a diocesan initiative to explore what it means to be a follower of Jesus as Episcopalian Christians. You have responded from every corner of the diocese to the simple idea of reading a spiritual book together and finding ways to share questions and insights. I have been deeply moved by your many e-mails and Facebook and blog postings. Many have offered to help organize this initiative, for which I am deeply grateful.

 
Pondering how we might begin, I am reminded that, in the words of author Inagrace T. Diettrich, “The early followers of Jesus Christ were not called people of ‘the experience,’ or the people of ‘right doctrine,’ or the people of ‘moral values,’ or even the people of ‘the church.’ They were called the people of ‘the Way.’ ” They were known for the way they lived, not only for what they believed or valued. Christians were associated with a particular and discernible way of living and relating that both grew out of their faith and gave testimony to that faith.
And so I propose that our first book be one that focuses us on what it means to live as a Christian, to walk the path of Jesus, aptly titled: Finding Our Way Again, by Brian McLaren.   
McLaren writes: “You can’t take an epidural shot to ease the pain of giving birth to your character. In a sense every day of your life is labor: the rhythmic agony of producing the person who will wake up in your body tomorrow… Spiritual practices are actions within our power that help us narrow the gap between the character we want to have and the character we are actually developing… They are ways of becoming awake and staying awake to God. For the kind of person you are becoming determines how much of God you can experience—and maybe even which version of God you experience.   
We will begin this diocesan initiative, People of the Way, in early March, as the season of Lent begins. If you’d like to help, or participate, or ask a question, let us know by e-mail or by posting a response on this blog. I am very excited about the possibilities before us, as we all deepen our understanding and our experience of what it means to be followers of Jesus in our time.
28 Comments

Linda Kaufman

I would be glad to participate in any way I can.

Frank Dunn

I rejoice that we're already beginning to think and talk and pray and discern what it means for us to be People of the Way. Count me in. I'm ready to do whatever I can. Frank

Cay Hartley

Do you happen to know if the book is available in the Cathedral Book Store?

Sherrill Page

I am looking forward to participating in this discussion with you & others as we discern more fully who we are as God's people of the Way

stuart kenworthy

Thank you. I'm in and look forward to contributing in some way. I may now do this in the parish during lent along side our clergy-wide endeavor.

George Huckabay

I am in full agreement with Linda's and Frank's comments. The Episcopal Church must embrace "the way" in order to survive. And it won't be easy for Mariann to do this from the oppulence of the National Cathedral.

Sheila McJilton

Count me in too! I think it will be a good Lenten reminder to folks that we live out Christ's love by the way we live everyday.

Carlyle Gill

While not with you physically, I am totally with you soulfully and will read the book with you and with God's grace, walk the talk......and do anything I can to help.

Sarah Shirley

I'm in! If I can help from afar I'd be delighted. Thank you for creating ways for us to be together even when we are far afield.

Sarah Shirley

Love to participate! Thank you for creating opportunities for us to be together even when far afield. If I can help from a distance (Tennessee), I'd be delighted.

Elizabeth Montoya

I can't be with you but I want to read Brian's book for Lent. Thank you.

Kristen Hawley

I am thoroughly heartened by the cross-diocese effort and chatter already happening... and before the program even begins! I'm in.

Harriett Mathews

I would very much like to participate. Your choice of book is very relevant to my struggle spiritually and I like the Diocesan companionship.

Gordon Avery

I, too, would like to participate. I note Verna Dosier, who said, more or less, the great mistake the church made in trying to do something new in the world was deciding to worship Jesus rather than to follow him. Gordon Avery

Judy Partlow

A wonderful way to observe Lent. I'm in.

Mary Alcuin Kelly

Great idea and I am in too! Look forward to reading and hopefully applying McLaren's suggestions or practices.

Angela D. Wright

I like the idea,count me in. thanks

Jessica Hitchcock

YouthLeaders Book Discussion of Finding Our Way at Capital Q http://www.capitalqbbq.com/ (Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro) on March 13 at 6:45

Noreen Seiler-Dubay

Having read McLaren while on sabbatical in 2010, I am excited to read this book too, and hope to share it with others in my parish during Lent.

Ken Howard

Let me know if I/we can help...

Ann Finch

With you in the journey, and looking forward to being a part of this new creation!

Lori Gottschalk

I will be joining you in reading Finding Our Way Again for Lent. Thanks for the nudge, Mariann. A great book to explore during Lent.

Anne Gilson

I'll be joining you all virtually in any way I can from my outpost on Cape Cod.

Thelma Smullen

Love the idea and will order the book.

Linda Ewald

Please e-mail me with information about what the framework is for reading this book with a group!

Peggy Beers

I am enjoying reading the book - just begun. An endorsement by Phyllis Tickle goes a long way with me! of course the Bishop's request is the real reason for buying the book & beginning this process.

Gerry Connolly

The Men's Group of Christ Church on Capitol Hill (AKA Washington Parish) has taken on a study of the McLaren book as our Lenten discipline. We meet every Saturday norning in the church kitchen at 9am. Light breakfast, coffee, and good conversation. Our group has been meeting for over two years and we are glad our Bishop has made this suggestion.

Linn Maxwell

Please email with information about reading this book with an online group. I have found the facebook page, is that it? You may get a spam blocker message when you respond, but I will find your message. Many thanks, Linn Maxwell



 

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