Clergy Group

One pleasant aspect of life in Northeastern Michigan has been the clergy scripture study group which meets on Tuesdays.  We look over the lessons scheduled for the coming Sunday and discuss how these might be handled in preaching.  Most days the talk is very insightful and a great help in getting my homily in focus.  Other times, like today, we groan over the selections we've been handed, and end up talking shop more than homiletics.

There are actually two clergy groups meeting in Alpena.  One is composed of the town's more conservative, fundamentalist (and exclusively male) clergy.  Our group, which numbers about 14 when all participants show up, draws from the ELCA Lutheran, United Methodist, Presbyterian, UCC, Roman Catholic, and Episcopal churches.  We are definitely not conservative, or fundamentalist, or literal interpreters of the Bible — and our number includes three women, two ordained Lutherans and a RC sister.  We're a diverse and interesting gaggle.  No one is shy about stating his or her opinion!

Right now we're meeting at the Methodist church.  We formerly met at Grace Lutheran, where Owen was our host.  Unfortunately, Owen has been forced into early semi-retirement by arthritis and cannot go near his church — at least for 2-3 months — without endangering his insurance coverage.

The group gathers at the Methodist church in Alpena.

Some clergy drive over an hour to attend this weekly meeting.

Owen (left) and Tracy catch up on news.

Owen has been especially helpful in our discussions.  Having an excellent command of Greek, he has pointed out nuances in the Greek text which get lost in translation into English.  For example, at John 21:15-17, when Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me?" Peter's response is normally translated, "Lord, you know I love you."  But the Greek version of Peter's response could be translated, "Lord, you know I'm fond of you," because the text uses different words for the English "love."  Jesus seems to be asking Peter for a bit more than Peter may be willing to give!  As usual.

We have two bikers in the group.  Tracy and Dick usually ride their bikes to the meeting.  Dick, at 75, loves the road and takes his bike to Montana each summer to visit his children.

Tracy (left) and Dick talk shop over Dick's motorcycle.

Today was lovely here, with temps in the high 60s.  Spring is smoothing out at last. •••