Lent Course 2012: Exploring Prayer
The Lent course this year is called ‘Exploring Prayer’ and will be based on John Rogerson’s book The Art of Biblical Prayer (published by SPCK). Professor Rogerson is Emeritus Professor of Biblical Studies, University of Sheffield, and Canon Emeritus of Sheffield Cathedral. Rogerson writes that many people think of prayer primarily as petition or intercession where we take the initiative, rather than understanding that prayer is God’s gift through which God’s grace is worked. His book has been described by John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford, as ‘an anchor’ that will ‘encourage anyone trying to pray or to pray more realistically.’
In order to encourage a greater depth of discussion, groups will be limited to 10 participants. Discussion groups will be offered as follows:
- On Sunday mornings following the service from 12noon to 1.0pm in the Upper Hall on 26 February, 4 March, 11 March, 18 March, and 25 March
- On Monday evenings at Dorothy Patrick’s from 7.0pm to 8.30pm on 27 February, 5 March, 12 March, 19 March and 26 March
- On Wednesday mornings at Katrina Quinton’s from 10.30am to 12noon on 29 February, 7 March, 14 March, 21 March and 28 March
- On Wednesday evenings following the Eucharist at 7.30pm in the Upper Hall on 29 February, 7 March, 14 March, 21 March and 28 March.
If you would like to take part in one of the groups you will need to buy the book. If you sign up for the course before 10 February (when the order will be placed) we will order a copy of the book for you (cost £9.99). If you sign up after that date you will be responsible for buying your own copy.
In addition to the course there will be a ‘Quiet Morning of Prayer’ at St Mary’s on Saturday 17 March from 9.30am to 12.30pm when there will be an opportunity to learn about and pray in different ways such as lectio divina, with icons or pictures, or with poetry or other texts.
During Lent Ruth and I will be available to anyone who would like a ‘Spiritual MOT’ to talk about their personal prayer life.
As an introduction to the course, the Revd Ann Coleman, Director elect of the North Thames Ministerial Training Course and Assistant Dean of St Mellitus College , will be preaching on Sunday 12 February. The title of her sermon is ‘Prayer – an exercise? an experience? an encounter?’
The course aims to be both interesting and challenging and will, I hope, encourage us all in our life of prayer, which is vital to our faith and so to our personal lives, our life at St Mary’s and beyond. Ruth and I very much hope that the course will appeal to many of you and will be well attended.
Ginny Thomas
Please let the parish office know if you would like to come or sign up on the sheet at the back of Church.