Thursday, November 19, 2009

Minister reflects on Moore's Convo 2009 talk

Rev. Kathryn Bert blogs about the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Convocation 2009 held in Ottawa over last weekend. In her post,
"Day #1 Convo"
she writes, "Thomas Moore, author of Care of the Soul, Education of the Heart, and The Soul of Sex, is the keynote speaker. His thesis is that ministry (and caring for the soul) is more about acceptance and trust than improvement. He says that virtue as a goal gets in our way...(yes!)"

In her post today, "The Soul and Spirit of Leadership", she reflects on Moore’s descriptions of soul and spirit. Rev. Bert includes, "Moore equates Soul with attachment. Spirit with detachment. This is not how I’d have framed these concepts, but I find it intriguing. Soul: attachment, immanent God, belonging, body, emotions, individual, the physical. Spirit: detachment, transcendent God, perspective, the other or others, community, thought. (Please remember this is just my novice interpretation of Moore’s words, not his understanding!)"

On her About page, Rev. Bert explains the name of her blog, The Stole’n Word as "The Stole represents my theology and those I love: the family which made it and the congregation I serve wearing it. The Word, of course, is the theology I share in my ministry and in this blog."

Monday, November 16, 2009

Jesus is Epicurean at the wedding in Cana

In today’s post, "Class Notes, November 15", the blog, Sharing Spiritual Journeys, describes reactions to Chapter 3 of Writing in the Sand in which Thomas Moore writes about Jesus and his mother attending a wedding in Cana. The blogger suggests,

"Thomas Moore reads the story as having to do with pleasure. He puts Jesus in the context of the Greek philosopher Epicurus, who thought the meaning of life lay in the enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures. He doesn’t just bless marriage, but blesses pleasure: men and women having a good time together, eating, drinking, dancing, celebrating, enjoying life. And it’s a story that makes Jesus parallel with the Greek god Dionysus, the “child god” who dies and comes back to life, whose followers encounter him in wine, who has something to do with the reconciliation of extreme opposites, like sensuality/spirituality,... So one of the important lessons of the story for Moore is that Jesus was not an uptight moralist, “inhibited, controlled, righteous, and fearful,” but gave the nod to earthy earthly pleasure. Jesus’ way is ecstatic, celebratory, and a way of joyful reconciliation as opposed to being torn apart by conflicts."

The post then considers why parishoners who are experiencing personal difficulties may want to worship at a different church.

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Care for the sick, waken the lifeless

In the south of England, Diane Woodrow, at A Positive Blog, writes about Thomas Moore’s latest book, Writing in the Sand: Jesus and the Soul of the Gospels.
"I have started an amazing book ― Writing in the Sand by Thomas Moore, which is much more on my wavelength. I am not sure what translation of the Bible this comes from but for me it sums up how I feel about my walk with Jesus ―
From Matthew 10:7-8 "As you walk around let people know that the kingdom of heaven has come. Take care of the sick, waken the lifeless, get to the root of suffering and banish the demonic..." To me that is it in a nutshell and makes me know too that I can do this. Not everyone we pray for gets healed, but everyone we know who is sick needs someone to care for them.”
After sharing features of her family’s story, Diane continues, "Moore talks about how following Jesus isn't about trying to figure out what is right and wrong, good and evil, but of living life to the full."

Perhaps Moore will publish his translation of the Gospels.

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Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Easton UU Fellowship discusses Moore's work

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Easton, Maryland offers the program, Emerson Café: A Feast for the Mind & the Spirit Wednesday evenings. These programs are free and everyone is welcome.

The 2010 schedule includes discussion of Thomas Moore’s work:
February 3 2010 The Care of the Soul
"How to add spirituality, depth, and meaning to modern existence, based on the bestselling books by Thomas Moore. A film interview with the author, and a discussion of the impact of the concepts in everyday life. Led by Paul Sharp."

February 10 2010 The Care of the Soul, Part II
"A continuation of the February 3 discussion, including ideas from the book Soul Mates, by Thomas Moore. Led by Paul Sharp."

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is located on the westbound side of Route 50, roughly one mile south of Dover Rd. 7401 Ocean Gateway, Easton, Maryland 21601. Call the Fellowship at 410 822-8103 for more information.

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