Ears to Hear

I wanted to let you know about a book which relates to our theme from the Kanuga Conference, "Hearing the Father's Call." Written by the Rt. Rev. Edward Little, who is currently the bishop of Northern Indiana, Ears to Hear: Seeking God in All Things is available in paperback from Morehouse Publishing ($15.95), and would make a wonderful study book for your small group.

Here's a little bit about the book from the Morehouse website:

"The word “vocation” may conjure up images of clergy in black suits, bishops in pointed hats, and monks in long robes. But they’re not the only ones with vocations—or calls—from God. Lay people, too, are called to serve God, and in this book, Edward S. Little invites us to recognize – and respond – to our own unique vocations."

"Ears to Hear takes readers on a journey through the Old Testament, showing the way God called ordinary people to service, and drawing parallels for ordinary people in the twenty-first century. The story of Abraham, who was called away from his homeland with no clear destination, exemplifies the insecurity of modern-day readers who may be called to abandon the security of their homes or their jobs to do God’s will. The story of Moses, who was armed with a list of serious—and logical—objections to God’s call, is a lesson for contemporary readers faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles to their vocations. In each of these stories, Little shows that God’s call—in Old Testament days and now—is always accompanied with more than enough grace to answer it."

"Each chapter concludes with a set of discussion questions, making this an ideal book not only for individuals discerning God’s call, but also for parish study groups."

Edward S. Little, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Indiana, has served as a priest in parishes in Indiana and California. Active in church mission affairs, Bishop Little has made several short-term trips to Uganda and serves as president of SOMA (Sharing of Ministries Abroad), an Anglican mission organization. He lives in South Bend, Indiana.

Praise for Ears to Hear:

"Bishop Little's portraits of the call of God upon the lives of some of the greats of Scripture is poignant, perceptive, and to the point. They are a lesson to us in reading, marking, learning, and inwardly digesting the Scriptures, then faithfully interpreting them so they speak to each of us in today's rush and tumble world."--Richard Kew

"Bishop Little is doing something wonderful for the church--he is reclaiming the title of teaching bishop. Using personal examples, real people, and up-to-the-minute references, this exceptionally gifted storyteller shows us how vital and dynamic the Bible continues to be. There is nothing canned, phony or dull on any page of this lively volume. Well-written, imaginative and easy to read, Ed Little's work will be a delight for both individuals and study groups."--The Rev. Fleming Rutledge, Author of The Bible and the New York Times

West Tennessee ECW Focusing on Education

The ladies in the Diocese of West Tennessee are sponsoring a forum this fall related to their focus and their bishop's great interest in improving the public schools in their diocese. Sharon Taylor and Alison Wetter send us this information on their upcoming event.

Save the date...

The Episcopal Church in the Classroom
Sunday, September 12, 2004 at 2 p.m.
Church of the Holy Communion
4645 Walnut Grove

Has your parish answered Bishop Johnson's call to become involved in improving public schools in our Diocese? Make sure to mark your calendars for this informative and inspiring afternoon.

Superintendent of the Memphis City Schools, Dr. Carol Johnson, and award winning religion columnist, David Waters, will educate and motivate us about the needs of our schools. Information about existing programs, including tutoring, mentoring, reading, and adopt a school, will be available as well as representatives from groups sponsoring these programs.

Every parish or mission in the Diocese is urged to send several representatives to this free forum, sponsored by the ECW of West Tennessee. Look for registration material in the Fall. Please call Jeanne Hollis (755-9346) or Alison Wetter (767-8961) if you have any questions or suggestions.

Summer Reading?

"You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you"
-- St. Augustine

I've been reading The Confessions of Saint Augustine this past week. Augustine of Hippo was a major figure of the early Christian church. He was born in AD 354 in North Africa, the son of a farmer, and he rose to become Bishop of Hippo. An incredibly influential Christian writer, his Confessions are still read today because of their amazing spiritual depth and humanity. When we read his words, we can identify with struggles and temptations which beset this man who yearned for God. The story of his conversion, in his own words, at the age of 32, is a great read. Check out St. Augustine this summer and share the journey of a seeker just like you and me.

You can find a few different versions of this classic . . .

The Confessions of St. Augustine
(Extracts Selected and Translated by Carolinne White
with Illuminated Manuscripts from the British Library)
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing (ISBN 0-8028-3928-2) $20.

Confessions -- Saint Augustine
(Translated by R.S. Pine-Coffin)
Penguin (ISBN 0-14-044114-X) $8.95

Faith Alive reports increase in interest

Here's some encouraging news from Faith Alive, an organization which assists congregations in planning weekend renewal conferences. Their annual meeting was just prior to the Province IV Women's Conference at Kanuga. Here's what was reported recently in The Living Church:

"Faith Alive is experiencing a surprising increase in registrations from churches seeking to schedule its weekend program of spiritual renewal, according to a presentation made during the organization’s June 4 annual meeting at the Kanuga Conference Center.
“This is a far greater number than we have experienced in many years,” said newly elected board chair Howard M. Tischler, of Albuquerque, N.M. “We attribute this resurgence of activity to Faith Alive’s focus on the Church’s primary objective, learning to live lives that are pleasing to God.” . . . "Faith Alive works with local rectors to provide materials and voluntary lay leadership for weekend renewal conferences."

You were within me . . .

"I have learnt to love you late, Beauty at once so ancient and so new! I have learnt to love you late! You were within me, and I was in the world outside myself. I searched for you outside myself and, disfigured as I was, I fell upon the lovely things of your creation. You were with me, but I was not with you. The beautiful things of this world kept me far from you and yet, if they had not been in you, they would have had no being at all. You called me; you cried aloud to me; you broke my barrier of deafness. You shone upon me; your radiance enveloped me; you put my blindness to flight. You shed your fragrance about me; I drew breath and now I gasp for your sweet odour. I tasted you, and now I hunger and thirst for you. You touched me, and I am inflamed with love of your peace."

Confessions of St. Augustine, Book X, 27.