Grace's OASIS class kicks off 2022 with a study of Bishop Michael Curry’s book Love Is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times.
Bishop Curry is the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States. You may be familiar with him from his sermon for the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018. You can read more about Bishop Curry here: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry Biography.
Love Is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times is Bishop Curry’s latest book, published in 2020. Here’s a brief summary of the book (from the cover blurb):
“The way of love is essential for addressing the seemingly insurmountable challenges facing the world today: poverty, racism, selfishness, deep ideological divisions, competing claims to speak for God. This book will lead readers to discover the gifts they need in order to live the way of love: deep reservoirs of hope and resilience, simple wisdom, the discipline of nonviolence, and unshakable regard for human dignity.”
The class follows Grace’s explorations of the Gospel of Luke and its focus on Jesus’ ministry, and the book of Acts and its account of how the early church followed “The Way.” We hope this study will help us continue to explore what the way of Jesus really is--and what love really is.
This is a discussion-based class, exploring one chapter each week. If you aren’t able to keep up with the readings each week, no worries. The topic and the format will be inclusive, so we hope you'll feel comfortable participating even if you aren't reading the book (or get behind at any point). Just come when you can!
Class Schedule
1/9 Introduction (Warren Clayton)
Power Point: Love Is the Way - Introduction
1/16 Chapter 1: “What Is This Thing Called Love?” (Maria Clayton)
Power Point: Love Is the Way - Chapter 1
1/23 Chapter 2: “Looking for God.” (Linda Hitchens)
Power Point: Love Is the Way - Chapter 2
Song played at the end of the class: His Eye Is On the Sparrow
1/30 Chapter 3: “Making Do and Making New.” (Donna Lucas)
Power Point: Love Is the Way - Chapter 3
Video played near the beginning: Bishop MIchael Curry on Agape Love
Video played at the close of class: Imagine - Glee Cast
2/6 Chapter 4: “What Desmond Tutu and Dolly Parton Have in Common.” (Pam Evett)
Power Point: Love Is the Way - Chapter 4
2/13 Chapter 5: “Love’s Call — and Love’s Calling.” (Cheryl Outland)
Power Point: Love Is the Way - Chapter 5
2/20 Chapter 6: “It’s Not Easy.” (Cheryl Outland)
Power Point: Love Is the Way - Chapter 6
2/27 Chapter 7: “Leave No One Behind.” (Sharron Dreyer)
Power Point: Love Is the Way - Chapter 7
3/6 Chapter 8: “When the Spirit Reworks You.” (Maria Clayton)
Power Point: Love Is the Way - Chapter 8
3/13 Chapter 9: “The Real E Pluribus Unum.” (Pam Evett)
Power Point: Love Is the Way - Chapter 9
3/20 Chapter 10: “The Great Relationship Revival.” (Linda Hitchens)
Power Point: Love Is the Way - Chapter 10
Video played at the close of class: We Are the World on the Love Is the Way webpage
3/27 Chapter 11: “The Still More Excellent Way.” (Sharron Dreyer)
Reclaiming Jesus Core Values Handout: Reclaiming Jesus Values-Summary
Power Point: Love Is the Way - Chapter 11
4/3 Chapter 12/Appendix: “Hope, Help, and Healing.” (Donna Lucas)
Power Point: Love Is the Way - Chapter 12
Link to poem read to close the discussion: Continue by Maya Angelou
