“Rubbed Out!!” “But Not Forgotten!!” “But How??”

written by John Everall.

Based on the fascinating research by Jesus Seminar Fellow, Professor Arthur Dewey in his book How the Death of Jesus was remembered – Inventing the Passion, we will become part of a Panel of Inquiry as “A Further Inquiry Reviewing ‘The record as to the death of Jesus of Nazareth’ under the title “ Rubbed Out!!” “But Not Forgotten!!” “But How??”. Think Banking Inquiry but with our seven actors testing and reviewing Professor Dewey’s proposition.

In a very ‘different’ Gathering, we will firstly explore some of the wonderful senses and sentiments that the “spoken word” can convey in meditations and poetry from our 21st century culture, and then , through the medium of Drama in a play, compare this with 1st Century Jewish culture.

All Explorer and our Regional Friends are especially invited to this Gathering at 5.30pm -7.30pm

Having our Presiding Officer (Zoe McLachlan) put a Roman Envoy (George Thomas) , a Jewish Scholar (Alan Hindmarsh), a refugee from Jerusalem’s sacking (Glenwyn Carson)and a New Testament Biblical researcher (Rev. Brian Gilbert) into the limelight through questioning by our Counsels Assisting,(John Everall and Margaret Landbeck) this should give our Gathering “Panel” an enjoyable and highly instructional night.

That Panel (played by YOU!) takes part in actually weighing up ‘the evidence’ and forming a ‘consensus’ opinion as to “Does Professor Dewey’s proposition have resonance in the ‘progressive journey’ for many of today’s active Christian explorers?

Having enjoyed challenging thoughts, indulged in both chuckles and straight out laughter, and maybe a little tear with our Jewish refugee, we also add in for you a byo light finger food meal in the context of a 1st Century Didache Syrian community shared meal, and, finally, round off the evening with a return to beautiful 21st Century thoughts through Rev. Bruce Sanguin’s work for “concentrating one’s thoughts”.

Caloundra Explorers Group is never afraid to offer something that is not only ‘inspiring’ but also a bit ‘challenging’ to our journey!

Why not join in this rather special, and different, evening Gathering.

Our actors have been in rehearsal for over four weeks, and they would be delighted if you could accept their personal invitation to ‘come along’ and be part of ‘the action’ on Sunday night, 21st October, in the Caloundra Uniting Church Hall.

Enquiries: Email contact

oOo

Glennis Johnston will be remembered by many of those present at the Explorers 8th Annual Seminar for her fascinating insight into Process Theology, plus adding in a bit more with quantum physics, a touch on the concept of time, of course throwing in resourceful meditation, and all themed through an interesting introduction using some church history to put everything into our modern perspective; … how could we not be fully engaged and delighted!! Intriguing discussion as to ‘our dark side’ and much, much , more. Glennis’ new book “ A New Spiritual Tapestry” should give considerable thought to many readers.

And of course, being Caloundra, a fabulous spread for morning tea, and Subway excelled themselves in providing the basis for our lunch ;as always! Great credit to the Caloundra Explorers Team….. why would you buy sausage rolls for morning tea when you have the best ‘home grown sausage roll maker’ in town volunteering as part of the Team!

Our 8th Annual Seminar was a resounding success….. but we are now exhausted!

Of course, all will change by the 21st October when we have our final 2018 Gathering of Explorer and our Regional Friends at 5.30pm on the Sunday night.

We will firstly explore some of the wonderful senses and sentiments that the “spoken word” can convey in meditations and poetry from our 21st century culture, and then , through the medium of Drama in a play written by one of our members, compare this with 1st century Jewish culture. Based on the fascinating research by Jesus Seminar Fellow, Professor Arthur Dewey in his book “ How the Death of Jesus was remembered – Inventing the Passion”, we will become part of a Panel of Inquiry as “A Further Inquiry Reviewing ‘The record as to the death of Jesus of Nazareth’” under the title “ Rubbed Out!!” “But Not Forgotten!!” “But How??”. Think Banking Inquiry but with our seven actors testing and reviewing Professor Dewey’s proposition. Having our Presiding Officer put a Roman Envoy, a Jewish Scholar, a refugee from Jerusalem’s sacking and a New Testament Biblical researcher into the limelight through questioning by our Counsels Assisting, this should give our Gathering “Panel” an enjoyable and highly instructional night as they weigh up ‘the evidence’ and form an opinion as to “Does Professor Dewey’s proposition have resonance in the ‘progressive journey’ for many of today’s active Christian explorers?” We also add in a byo light finger food meal in the context of a 1st century Didache Syrian community shared meal, and round off the evening with a return to beautiful 21st century thoughts through Rev. Bruce Sanguin’s work for “concentrating one’s thoughts”.

Caloundra Explorers Group is never short of something or other ‘inspiring’ to our journey! Why not join in this rather special, and different, evening Gathering.

Contact: John Everall

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It is fast becoming the norm for our gatherings of ‘progressives’ to be strong on fellowship and meaningful discourse. Today was no exception. The discussion about Bessler‘s third and contemporary quest for the human Jesus was preceded with a sharing of individual thoughts on the current state of the church, society, theological studies, leadership in a time of challenge to the very notion of truth seeking, and much more. This highlighted how comfortable we are with shared conversations rather than traditional dogmatics, with learning from each other as well as the literature and enjoying the tension of contested ideas.

Participants were invited to leave notes for the committee to consider future topics for discussion. This invitation is extended to everyone. Just send your thoughts to Desley.

We are currently looking at having either the October or the November gathering on a Sunday afternoon so that people who cannot make it to weekday sessions have this option. Watch for details coming soon.

Paul Inglis 26/09/18

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Glennis Johnston is the author of “Turning Points of the Spirit” and Director of Fernbrook Lodge Retreat Centre, Dorrigo. She is an ordained UC Minister, and international volunteer and experienced counsellor. Creating considerable interest, is that she has also been the Spiritual Director of a multi-faith residential community in Melbourne.

1. Caloundra Uniting Church – Saturday 29th September
2. Buderim St Marks Anglican Church – Sunday 30th September

CALOUNDRA PROGRAM 9.30am Opening Session1 “Re-imagining God” ‘A view of God’ – finding a personal and meaningful understanding – exploring a little way into Process Theology
11.30am Session Two thru to 1.00pm “What does Worship mean from this New Perspective?” The difference between attending to God and worshipping
2.00pm Afternoon Session Three – thru to 3.30pm “Creative Transformation and our Beautiful Messy Lives”
—-Valuing imperfection and change within ourselves, and integrating our shadow side
—-What does creative transformation look like in our lives and how do we move towards it?

Where: Caloundra Uniting Church HALL, 56 Queen Street, Caloundra.
When: Saturday 29th September 2018 9.30am to 3.30pm
Cost: Fee $25 per person. (Lunch included) –Please note -Registration required for catering!
We encourage payment, after registering, by Direct Credit -Caloundra Uniting Church BSB 334-040 Account 5538-665-68
REGISTRATION: by 7pm Thursday 27th September. E:jjeverall@bigpond.com or Ph: 5492 4229: CONTACT: John Everall Ph.5492 4229; Margaret Landbeck Ph.5438 2789; Alison Green E:alisonjgreen62@gmail.com

BUDERIM PROGRAM Is there such a thing as ‘Christian values’? If so, where do they come from? Is it possible to reject the core doctrines of traditional Christianity and still be Christian? Is a progressive Christian spirituality different from a humanist spirituality?

More details: https://www.facebook.com/events/426975197797668/?ti=icl

Where: St Marks Anglican Church 7 Main Street, Buderim.

When: Sunday 30th September 3pm to 5pm.

Enquiries: Rev Deborah Bird

The Progressive Christian Network (Q) Explorers meets again on Wednesday 26th September at 10am.

Venue: Merthyr Road Uniting Church, New Farm.

Topic for Discussion: Professor Joe Bessler’s Three quests for the historical Jesus

Quest 1
From around the time of the Reformation – fuelled by both the growing concerns about the power of the established churches over public discourse and by an emerging recognition of the need for a new framework for public life. New models of faith and Reason. 17th Century development of toleration and breaking away from State controlled Churches.

Quest 2
The second quest emerges during a period of turning away from the growing influence of secular thought. By 1958 we have Vatican 2 – ‘opening the Church to allow some fresh air’.
This second quest involved a search within the Christian community itself, for a theology connected to human experience and the modern world. It focussed on eschatology (which is the ultimate destiny of humanity) as political critique of Church and Society. It brought liberation theology and black and feminist theology.

Quest 3
The stage was set for a renewed quest in the current era. The Jesus Seminar shaped the quest. A significant number of scholars moved outside the church and the academy to address a wider, public audience. It had a commitment to examine texts outside the Christian canon of the New testament and to making conclusions without regard to doctrine.

Bessler discusses these in A Scandalous Jesus.

It is not essential to have read this book but those who have could help with the focus on each quest. Enjoy a delicious morning tea and a great conversation.

oOo

The Redcliffe Explorers will meet on Monday night 3rd September at Azure Blue (91 Anzac Ave., Redcliffe), when Rob Daly will lead a discussion on the deification of Jesus by the writer(s) of John’s Gospel. This is part of our exploration of the four gospels based on retired Uniting Church minister Rev Dr Lorraine Parkinson’s illuminating book Made on Earth – how gospel writers created the Christ.

As usual we meet at 6:30 p.m. for a pre-session cuppa and chat. All are welcome; if you’re new to our Explorers meetings please call me on 3284 3688 or 0401 513 723 for details and how to access the Azure Blue facility.

Ian

(Dr) Ian Brown

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With about 30 people at our first session this morning kicking off the monthly gatherings of this group, we are very pleased with the enthusiasm and interest. Accompanied by a delicious morning tea at Merthyr Road Uniting Church the 90 minute session was never short of input from the group. A robust conversation around Professor Bessler’s recent seminar on the Platonic influence that shaped the Church brought out many threads for future discussions. We never made it to the second topic we hoped to talk about so that may be the focus next month – The Three Quests for the Historical Jesus. Good to have people from other groups join us.

Next gathering – 10am on 26th September.

Paul Inglis 29th August 2018.

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This Wednesday morning at Merthyr Road Uniting Church, New Farm, Brisbane.

For those who can make it on Wednesday 29th August from 10am.

Enriched from our seminar with Joe Bessler a few weeks back, encouraged to keep learning, inspired to have more fellowship with friends on the ‘progressive’ path of Christianity, we have decided to start a PCN Explorers Group which will meet monthly on the last Wednesday of each month at 10am for morning tea followed by 60 -90 minutes of sharing.

At this first session let’s reflect on the content of Joe’s talks. Maybe some people will have read his book and can contribute some thoughts from that. Joe’s early morning session at New Farm focussed on the influence of Plato on Christian thought, and the afternoon session looked at the three historical quests for Jesus that changes theology for ever. If you missed the talk and would like a copy of the PowerPoint slides, please ask,

Come prepared to contribute to the discussion so we can be enriched and encouraged on our journeys. Apologies to those who are still working, but this is just a suggested time to start a regular meet-up and I am open to other suggestions.

Warm regards,

Desley or phone 0409 498 493 (Desley Garnett) or Paul

If you get a chance, please have look at the introduction to Joe’s book – A Scandalous Jesus at the Amazon site:  A Scandalous Jesus prior to the conversation. (Not essential, but useful).

oOo

1. Caloundra Explorers – 8th ANNUAL SEMINAR

SATURDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER 2018 – CALOUNDRA – 9.30 am

Our Special Speaker – GLENNIS JOHNSTON

Author of “Turning Points of the Spirit”

PROGRAM
9.30am Opening Session
“Re-imagining God”
—-‘A view of God’ – finding a personal and meaningful understanding – exploring a little way into Process Theology

11.30am Session Two thru to 1.00pm
“What does Worship mean from this New Perspective?”
—-The difference between attending to God and worshipping

LUNCH – A Light Finger food Lunch will be provided, with tea, coffee, and fruit juice.

2.00pm Afternoon Session Three – thru to 3.30pm
“Creative Transformation and our Beautiful Messy Lives”
—-Valuing imperfection and change within ourselves, and integrating our shadow side
—-What does creative transformation look like in our lives and how do we move towards it?

Where: Caloundra Uniting Church HALL, 56 Queen Street, Caloundra.
When: Saturday 29th September 2018 9.30am to 3.30pm
Cost: $25 per person. (Lunch included) –Please note -Registration required for catering!
We encourage payment, after registering, by Direct Credit -Caloundra Uniting Church BSB 334-040 Account 5538-665-68
REGISTRATION: by 7pm Thursday 27th September. E:jjeverall@bigpond.com or Ph: 5492 4229:
CONTACT: John Everall Ph.5492 4229; Margaret Landbeck Ph.5438 2789; Alison Green alisonjgreen62@gmail.com

MORE! YES, MORE!! ENJOY FURTHER STIMULATING DISCUSSION WITH GLENNIS JOHNSTON
2. On Sunday 30th September 2018, at St Mark’s Anglican Church Hall, Buderim – ‘Sunday Conversations’ at 3.00pm $10 at door.

Contact alisonjgreen62@gmail.com

Glennis Johnston addresses the Question:
What is the relationship between ‘beliefs’ and ‘values’?
Is there such a thing as ‘Christian values’? If so, where do they come from?
Is it possible to reject the core doctrines of traditional Christianity and still be Christian?
Is a progressive Christian spirituality different from a humanist spirituality?

oOO

The West End Explorers, for a time, will now meet on the 2nd and 4th Sundays, until further notice.  The group meets at the West End Uniting Church (11 Sussex Street, West End, Brisbane) at 6.30pm on these Sunday evenings over tea, coffee and nibbles to explore questions of faith within contemporary thinking. Gatherings are in the Hall at 6.30pm.  They will be continuing with discussions on Val Webb’s book,  “Stepping out with the Sacred”

West End Explorers is on Facebook.

‘For open-minded discussions about faith and practice’

Contact Kris Maslen for more information.