The book of Genesis takes us from the primeval atom to Adam and narratively carries us through some of the most formational stories of our faith. So many of us grew up hearing these stories in ways that captured our imaginations as children but left us wanting as we began to engage them critically. Over the next few weeks, our community will engage in a conversation that takes a fresh look at these stories to create space for them to be subverted and reimagined as they offer us a new way forward. 

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Amen.

The Shared Story

I Just Wanna Live | Keedron Byrant ft. Jonny Tobin

I Can’t Breathe | Sunia Gibbs

Poetry | Drew Jackson

At Your Name | Kareem Adly

Message | Blessed Mother

Our stories shape us, giving our imagination material to dream about possible futures. However, there are times when other people assume the right to control our narrative and delimit our hopes. This is what happened to Eve. The Church fathers, men in the early Church, used Eve's story to inhibit a woman's ability to lead within Christianity. Join us as we walk through Eden to discover Eve's wisdom through the voices of her daughters.

Formational Learning

As we explored the story of Eve in Genesis, what stood out to you?

Were there any points of curiosity, clarity, confusion, or conflict that emerged as you walked through these stories?

(Head)

Eve's story has been used to limit the role of women throughout the history of the Church, inhibiting their ability to influence groups. How have you seen this shape or playout within your experience of the Church?

How do we wrestle with 1 Timothy using Eve to delimit women?

(Heart)

Have you ever missed someone's voice, unable to hear what they are saying because you were trying to speak for them rather than listen to them?

(Hands)

Genesis and 1 Timothy are two examples of telling Eve's story. How do we create space to listen to both while protecting the vulnerable in the community?

Our Benediction

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you;

may he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm;

may he bring you home rejoicing: at the wonders he has shown you;

may he bring you home rejoicing: once again into our doors.*

*Claiborne, Shane. Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals (p. 52). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.