Weekly post

Jan. 22, 2007

Dear friends,

Well, the semester has gotten under way with a vengeance. Although two of the online courses I had taken were in systematic theology, I had managed to suppress just how challenging reading theology is. My memory has now, ah, been refreshed.

Greek has also returned, with a dauntingly heavy load of homework. Still, I did ask for this. And I at least have Homiletics this semester, a course to which I have been looking forward. (Homiletics=same root as the word for "homily.") The professor is fond of choosing a brief Scripture passage and having each student come forward for a 30-second sermon on the spot!

Yesterday I resumed my duties at Emmanuel; I have taken on the Adult Sunday School class for five weeks, teaching from a booklet supplied by Augsburg Fortress. Right now we are in the Gospel of John. Emmanuel, being a smallish church, has only two adult Sunday School classes, the Pastor's Class and the Other One, and the woman who volunteers to teach the Other class was glad of a break. I'm glad as well, for the chance to try teaching adults. I've done it only a couple of times and welcome the experience, and they are really lovely folks and not stinting on the praise.

Last week, I preached two services at First, and I will be glad to send a copy of the manuscript by e-mail if you like. It went well, although I am still very very new to the craft.

"Religions of Africa" begins this week -- it's taught by a visiting professor and so is taught for 3 hours each on Monday and Wednesday evenings, half a day Fridays and all day Saturday from Jan. 26 through February 9. I will keep posting, but probably won't come up for air much until after then. A bein tot!

Grace and peace,
Beth