Post by Tom Green on Feb 9, 2007 23:50:43 GMT -5
"Reading the Bible Again for the First Time"
Potluck Dinner
"St. Joan of Arc Bible Study is an open and growing group that meets for fellowship and to discuss the Bible and other faith-centered literature. Our informal study group draws from biblical scholarship, historical perspectives, current events and personal reflections. We welcome honor and respect the personal ideas and spiritual journeys of all who join us."
Greetings
We had another potluck, and so much more! I am very full. And that statement is layered with meaning. Do you ever feel your are blessed almost beyond belief? Me too.
We were very sad that Betty, Vi, Colette, Karen, Kerri, Denise, Mary V and Ron, among others, weren't able to make it for various reasons. We really miss your presence.
We arrived and got straight to work getting the wildly succulent dishes out and ready to serve in all their splendor and abundance. We had salads of all types including greens with nuts, avocado and home made dressing of apple cider vinegar, an oriental salad which I didn't get any of as I was way to slow.
There was fried chicken, pronto pups (are you kidding me?), bread with ham, corned beef and cheese baked in, green beans and mushroom dish, little crispy deals that are like a cross between pizza and fajitas, rice dishes, potato dishes, mushroom dishes, homemade cream cheese & Salmon soup, BBQ meatballs, and the perennial "Jeff's" German meatballs with sour kraut and I am forgetting something.
Now, don't eat too much because we have about 100 deserts of all shapes and sizes. Anyone heard of that famous bakery in Anoka? Well we got an out-of-this-world 'Bee Hive' cake that was stuffed with a custard-like substance surrounded by flaky crispy strudel from that store! We got someone's family recipe of the favorite frozen peppermint chocolate cake, a chocolate chocolate chocolate cake (I'm not kidding) with a beautiful splash of icing to top it off, another family favorite Pineapple upside-down cake with whipped cream and cherries and homemade cookies of any variety...meringue, coconut chocolate, etc. And again I know I am missing something. Due to the sheer volume, it is actually difficult to sample everything! We tied all of this together with an assortment of red and white wine, soda and juice. Aaaaaaaahhhh.
After eating a slow leisurely supper we turned down the Jesus Christ Superstar music playing on the boom box and gathered, standing in a circle, to give thanks, to pray for our loved ones, ourselves and share stories of Christmas. This time together is very moving and really brings to our attention the remarkable beauty of our community and of our world. Let's keep seeing. We hang with good people, we do good things, we take care of ourselves and always someone else, we serve, we give thanks and we pray.
Here I return to the blessings I feel pouring over me, into me and through me as waves of light and pure joy. I am fairly speechless and don't quite know how to express fully my gratitude for the people here that I have the privilege of calling friends.
We forgot to mention the Jesus Christ Superstar show coming in January. We want to know if there is a group that would like to go. Here is the scoop so far.
January 28 - February 2, 2003
Historic Orpheum Theatre
Ticketmaster (612) 673-0404
GROUPS OF 20 OR MORE CALL (612) 373-5665
Tickets also available at the Historic State & Orpheum Box Offices and all Ticketmaster locations, including ticketmaster.com
Staring Carl Anderson (motion picture JUDAS) and Sebastian Bach (formerly of Skid Row as Jesus) ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
TICKETS NOW ON SALE
For more information on the show visit www.reallyuseful.com
I have not inquired about groups of 20 or more but will do so. I think tickets are $25 regularly. If anyone is interested in going please let me know. It would be great if we could get a group of twenty.
Also be reminded or informed that members of the Bible Study will be meeting for a lunch at noon on New Years Eve day at the Ruby Tuesdays-Southdale. It was originally a women's event but we were informed that if we bring our Sophia-feminine side, we men can go too!
Another important date is January 7 when we gather again at 7pm for an hour-long slide presentation by Dorothy Irvin on "Women in the Early Church" and will then plan what to study for the next session. Bring your ideas. Everyone welcome.
One more thing for your edification and amazement. This was brought to our attention before supper tonight and we want to pass it on.
TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (origin and author of this explanation unknown)
There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? Today I found out, thanks to the Internet. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtledoves were the Old and New Testaments.
Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
So there is your history lesson for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish. Thanks girl-cousin-C.
Happy Holidays and peace to us all.
Rik Murray
(612) 872-8694
Potluck Dinner
"St. Joan of Arc Bible Study is an open and growing group that meets for fellowship and to discuss the Bible and other faith-centered literature. Our informal study group draws from biblical scholarship, historical perspectives, current events and personal reflections. We welcome honor and respect the personal ideas and spiritual journeys of all who join us."
Greetings
We had another potluck, and so much more! I am very full. And that statement is layered with meaning. Do you ever feel your are blessed almost beyond belief? Me too.
We were very sad that Betty, Vi, Colette, Karen, Kerri, Denise, Mary V and Ron, among others, weren't able to make it for various reasons. We really miss your presence.
We arrived and got straight to work getting the wildly succulent dishes out and ready to serve in all their splendor and abundance. We had salads of all types including greens with nuts, avocado and home made dressing of apple cider vinegar, an oriental salad which I didn't get any of as I was way to slow.
There was fried chicken, pronto pups (are you kidding me?), bread with ham, corned beef and cheese baked in, green beans and mushroom dish, little crispy deals that are like a cross between pizza and fajitas, rice dishes, potato dishes, mushroom dishes, homemade cream cheese & Salmon soup, BBQ meatballs, and the perennial "Jeff's" German meatballs with sour kraut and I am forgetting something.
Now, don't eat too much because we have about 100 deserts of all shapes and sizes. Anyone heard of that famous bakery in Anoka? Well we got an out-of-this-world 'Bee Hive' cake that was stuffed with a custard-like substance surrounded by flaky crispy strudel from that store! We got someone's family recipe of the favorite frozen peppermint chocolate cake, a chocolate chocolate chocolate cake (I'm not kidding) with a beautiful splash of icing to top it off, another family favorite Pineapple upside-down cake with whipped cream and cherries and homemade cookies of any variety...meringue, coconut chocolate, etc. And again I know I am missing something. Due to the sheer volume, it is actually difficult to sample everything! We tied all of this together with an assortment of red and white wine, soda and juice. Aaaaaaaahhhh.
After eating a slow leisurely supper we turned down the Jesus Christ Superstar music playing on the boom box and gathered, standing in a circle, to give thanks, to pray for our loved ones, ourselves and share stories of Christmas. This time together is very moving and really brings to our attention the remarkable beauty of our community and of our world. Let's keep seeing. We hang with good people, we do good things, we take care of ourselves and always someone else, we serve, we give thanks and we pray.
Here I return to the blessings I feel pouring over me, into me and through me as waves of light and pure joy. I am fairly speechless and don't quite know how to express fully my gratitude for the people here that I have the privilege of calling friends.
We forgot to mention the Jesus Christ Superstar show coming in January. We want to know if there is a group that would like to go. Here is the scoop so far.
January 28 - February 2, 2003
Historic Orpheum Theatre
Ticketmaster (612) 673-0404
GROUPS OF 20 OR MORE CALL (612) 373-5665
Tickets also available at the Historic State & Orpheum Box Offices and all Ticketmaster locations, including ticketmaster.com
Staring Carl Anderson (motion picture JUDAS) and Sebastian Bach (formerly of Skid Row as Jesus) ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
TICKETS NOW ON SALE
For more information on the show visit www.reallyuseful.com
I have not inquired about groups of 20 or more but will do so. I think tickets are $25 regularly. If anyone is interested in going please let me know. It would be great if we could get a group of twenty.
Also be reminded or informed that members of the Bible Study will be meeting for a lunch at noon on New Years Eve day at the Ruby Tuesdays-Southdale. It was originally a women's event but we were informed that if we bring our Sophia-feminine side, we men can go too!
Another important date is January 7 when we gather again at 7pm for an hour-long slide presentation by Dorothy Irvin on "Women in the Early Church" and will then plan what to study for the next session. Bring your ideas. Everyone welcome.
One more thing for your edification and amazement. This was brought to our attention before supper tonight and we want to pass it on.
TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (origin and author of this explanation unknown)
There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? Today I found out, thanks to the Internet. From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtledoves were the Old and New Testaments.
Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
So there is your history lesson for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish. Thanks girl-cousin-C.
Happy Holidays and peace to us all.
Rik Murray
(612) 872-8694