February 2018 Voice of The Redeemerimages.acswebnetworks.com/1/2118/February2018VoiceofThe... ·...
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Volume 8 Number 2 February 2018 e d i t i o n o f More coverage online at www.TheRedeemer.org Do we have your email address? If not, go to the above address and “Join our email list” WHAT’S INSIDE Sunday Worship ............................ A2 Ash Wednesday Service Times ...... A2 Children’s Ministries .................... A2 Youth Update................................ A2 February Forums.......................... A3 Annual Giving Update ................ A3 March 3 Retreat ............................ A3 Beautiful Windows ....................... A4 Lenten Study ................................. A4 IHN Guests Coming ................... A4 Brass & Organ Concert............... A4 Organized around our principle themes of: WORSHIP - OUTREACH - FELLOWSHIP These themes are an outgrowth of the goals in our most recent strategic plan “Spiritual Center” (Worship); “Outreach Within and Beyond Our Campus” (Outreach) and “Parish Vitality” (Fellowship). The Redeemer Worship-Outreach-Fellowship of the people of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Bryn Mawr, PA oice of V Episcopal Church of BY PETER VANDERVEEN VOICE of The Redeemer www.TheRedeemer.org MAKE THIS LENT BEAUTIFUL AND TRANSFORMING 166th February 4, 2018 following the 9am service Annual Parish Meeting REMINDER there is NO 11:15am service this day. Reports from: The Rector Rector’s Warden Accounting Warden Launching of the full participation phase of the Legacy into Promise Campaign Celebratory luncheon follows the meeting The son of Bart Giamatti, the late Commissioner of Baseball, said of his father that when he was seated in the bleachers at Fenway Park he never seemed more relaxed, more alive, more radiant, or more animated—“his arms thrown back, his face arched toward the sun.” Baseball stadiums are designed to provide just this kind of respite. Time is transformed within them. It’s more expansive and uncluttered. All that seems to matter—for a while—is what happens on the field and within the stadium walls. I’d like to think that church could be approached in the same way. Similarly, part of the magic of Longwood Gardens is the way its entrance ushers one into a very different world. The gardens are separated from the parking lot by an enormous berm, and visitors enter by crossing through it into an otherwise hidden space. Time seems luxurious here, too, by the presence of ancient trees and long expanses of plantings. It’s a place set apart for relaxation, sparked by an immediate admiration for the beauty of nature. Stepping into the churchyard or entering the church should have the same effect. Colleges and universities invest heavily in creating campuses that make the school attractive and inviting. Campuses offer a cloistered environment where students can feel removed from the more hurried contexts of general life. They change the experience of time so that the patient work of study and research can be more effectively pursued. The campus of The Redeemer should provide the same sense of freedom. Churches should change our perception of time, and The Redeemer is blessed by the nature of the space within which the church stands. The full campus—the Parish House and churchyard along with the church—provides a context where time is expressed in its fullness. The time of generations past is collected up in the prayers and work of our present time, as we envision the future that will be ours in God’s eternity. This is the fundamental testimony of our campus: it physically provides Sabbath space. And if this is at all apprehended, the grounds are experienced as holy—as viscerally so as any ballpark, garden, arboretum, or college campus. And simply being on campus can open up the possibility that we feel more relaxed, more alive, more radiant, more animated than we do anywhere else. This month, the season of Lent will begin. It’s generally approached as a time to take up a spiritual discipline— often understood as an obligation to give something up. Few Lenten disciplines of this sort amount to anything that lasts. The greater invitation, however, is to do only this: take notice of how the campus transforms your perception of time, how it uniquely and eloquently expresses the truth of our being most at home within the faith and promise of God. In this realm we can be most ourselves, most beautifully human. Consciously making that recognition and developing our understanding of it is what it means to pray—and through such prayer to be at peace. In observing the demands and passions of our modern era, Thomas Merton noted that it “has its own pervasive form of contemporary violence,” which he claimed was our inclination to “activism and overwork.” We are too vulnerable “to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, to surrender to too many demands, to commit oneself to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything,” which, he said, “is to succumb to violence, [for] the frenzy of our activism neutralizes our work for peace. It destroys our own inner capacity for peace. Peace, in any lasting way, depends on recognizing, desiring, and sustaining God’s Sabbath. This is needed above all other things. The world needs the church to be the church, as a witness to what is holy. The next time you come onto the campus, choose to become more aware of just how this campus space hallows all that is good and brings peace to light.This prayer alone would make this Lent beautiful and transforming.
Transcript of February 2018 Voice of The Redeemerimages.acswebnetworks.com/1/2118/February2018VoiceofThe... ·...
Volume 8 Number 2February 2018
e d i t i o n o f
More coverage online atwww.TheRedeemer.orgDo we have your email address?
If not, go to the above address and “Join our email list”
What’s InsIde
Sunday Worship ............................A2
Ash Wednesday Service Times ......A2
Children’s Ministries ....................A2
Youth Update................................A2
February Forums ..........................A3
Annual Giving Update ................A3
March 3 Retreat ............................A3
Beautiful Windows .......................A4
Lenten Study .................................A4
IHN Guests Coming ...................A4
Brass & Organ Concert...............A4
Organized around our principle themes of:
Worship - outreach - FelloWshipThese themes are an outgrowth of the goals in our most recent strategic plan “Spiritual Center” (Worship); “Outreach Within and Beyond Our Campus” (Outreach) and “Parish Vitality” (Fellowship).
The RedeemerWorship-Outreach-Fellowship of the people of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Bryn Mawr, PA
oice ofV Episcopal Church of
By Peter VanderVeen
VOICE of The Redeemer www.TheRedeemer.org
Make thIs Lent BeautIfuL and transforMIng
166th
February 4, 2018following the 9am service
Annual Parish Meeting
REMINDER there is NO 11:15am
service this day.
Reports from: The Rector Rector’s Warden Accounting WardenLaunching of the
full participation phase of the Legacy into Promise Campaign
Celebratory luncheon follows the meeting
The son of Bart Giamatti, the late Commissioner of Baseball, said of his father that when he was seated in the bleachers at Fenway Park he never seemed more relaxed, more alive, more radiant, or more animated—“his arms thrown back, his face arched toward the sun.” Baseball stadiums are designed to provide just this kind of respite. Time is transformed within them. It’s more expansive and uncluttered. All that seems to matter—for a while—is what happens on the field and within the stadium walls. I’d like to think that church could be approached in the same way. Similarly, part of the magic of Longwood Gardens is the way its entrance ushers one into a very different world. The gardens are separated from the parking lot by an enormous berm, and visitors enter by crossing through it into an otherwise hidden space. Time seems luxurious here, too, by the presence of ancient trees and long expanses of plantings. It’s a place set apart for relaxation, sparked by an immediate admiration for the beauty of nature. Stepping into the churchyard or entering the church should have the same effect. Colleges and universities invest heavily in creating campuses that make the school attractive and inviting. Campuses offer a cloistered environment where students can feel removed from the more hurried contexts of general life. They change the experience of time so that the patient work of study and research can be more
effectively pursued. The campus of The Redeemer should provide the same sense of freedom.Churches should change our perception of time, and The Redeemer is blessed by the nature of the space within which the church stands. The full campus—the Parish House and churchyard along with the church—provides a context where time is expressed in its fullness. The time of generations past is collected up in the prayers and work of our present time, as we envision the future that will be ours in God’s eternity. This is the fundamental testimony of our campus: it physically provides Sabbath space. And if this is at all apprehended, the grounds are experienced as holy—as viscerally so as any ballpark, garden, arboretum, or college campus. And simply being on campus can open up the possibility that we feel more relaxed, more alive, more radiant, more animated than we do anywhere else. This month, the season of Lent will begin. It’s generally approached as a time to take up a spiritual discipline—often understood as an obligation to give something up. Few Lenten disciplines of this sort amount to anything that lasts. The greater invitation, however, is to do only this: take notice of how the campus transforms your perception of time, how it uniquely and eloquently expresses the truth of our being most at home within the faith and promise of God. In this realm we can be most ourselves, most beautifully human. Consciously making
that recognition and developing our understanding of it is what it means to pray—and through such prayer to be at peace. In observing the demands and passions of our modern era, Thomas Merton noted that it “has its own pervasive form of contemporary violence,” which he claimed was our inclination to “activism and overwork.” We are too vulnerable “to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, to surrender to too many demands, to commit oneself to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything,” which, he said, “is to succumb to violence, [for] the frenzy of our activism neutralizes our work for peace. It destroys our own inner capacity for peace. Peace, in any lasting way, depends on recognizing, desiring, and sustaining God’s Sabbath. This is needed above all other things. The world needs the church to be the church, as a witness to what is holy. The next time you come onto the campus, choose to become more aware of just how this campus space hallows all that is good and brings peace to light. This prayer alone would make this Lent beautiful and transforming.
sundays
staff ContaCt InforMatIon
Lectionary readings available on The Lectionary Page accessible from TheRedeemer.org/links
Managing Editor: Ken GarnerContributors this issuE: Peter Vanderveen, Tory Dunkle,Jo Ann Jones, David Romanik,Michael Diorio, Jay Einspanier,Ken Garner
Deadline for the March issue: February 5, 2018
Church of the Redeemer 230 Pennswood Road Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
610-525-2486 Fax 610-525-8547www.TheRedeemer.org
Facebook: RedeemerBrynMawrTwitter: @TheRedeemerPA
Submission guidelines are available at www.TheRedeemer.org/voice or by contacting Ken Garner.
All submissions are subject to editing for grammar, content clarity,
and space limitations.Trish Bennett, Copy Editor pro bono
Episcopal Journal is published monthly by the Episcopal Journal. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Episcopal Journal, PO Box 937, Bellmawr NJ 08099-0937
Back issues available at: www.TheRedeemer.org/voice
WorshipA 2 Voice of The Redeemer February 2018
Voice of The Redeemer
PurPLe Is for PreParatIonBy tory dunkle
February 4 The FiFTh Sunday aFTer epiphany
Music: Choristers & Redeemer ChoirLaudate Dominum W. A. MozartAve Verum W. Byrd
February 11 The LaST Sunday aFTer epiphany
Music: Schola & Redeemer ChoirLight out of darkness E. ElgarLux aurumque E. Whitacre
7:45 am Holy Eucharist, Rite I 9:00 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II 11:15am Choral Matins
Communion from the Reserved Sacrament
The Rev. Peter T. Vanderveen Rector ext. 17 [email protected]
The Rev. David F. Romanik Associate Rector ext. 13 [email protected]
The Rev. Jo Ann B. Jones Associate Rector ext. 16 [email protected]
Adrian Binkley Michael Stairs Organ Scholar ext. 22 [email protected]
Michael Diorio, DMA Organist & Director of Music ext. 22 [email protected] (M, T & W office hours)
Tory Kline Dunkle, MTS Director of Children’s Ministries ext. 20 [email protected] (Wednesday office hours)
Jay Einspanier Parish Administrator ext. 21 [email protected]
Ken Garner Director of Communications & Stewardship ext. 19 [email protected]
Francesca (Fran) Merritt Program Assistant ext. 14
[email protected] (M,T,W,Th 9-2 office hours)
Paulo Reyes Sexton ext. 18 [email protected]
Betsy Wolford Parish Accountant ext. 11 [email protected] (M & W office hours)
By Jo ann Jones
February 18 The FirST Sunday oF LenT
Music: Choristers & Redeemer ChoirO Lord in thy wrath O. GibbonsPanis Angelicus C. Franck
February 25The Second Sunday oF LenT
Music: Schola & Redeemer ChoirThou knowest, Lord H. PurcellSicut Cervus G. Palestrina
ash Wednesday Liturgies
7:30 am - Church spoken service
12:15 pm - Church with Hymns
7:30 pm - Church with Hymns & Choir
February 14, 2018
Growing up in a non-liturgical church, for me, the season of Lent was a largely a foreign concept. From what I could gather from my less-than-reliable friends, Lent was all about giving up junk food, television, or swearing, in preparation for Easter. It’s no wonder that from a young age, I came to associate Lent with the purging of bad habits and the promise of cleaner living. Lent had more to do with New Year’s resolutions than Easter. It wasn’t until college that I began to understand Lent as a period of deliberate and intense preparation leading up to the Easter celebration. This evolution of thought was a result of an unexpected note I received from my hall mate’s mother. When I called to thank her for her thoughtfulness, she explained that for the past decade she had committed to prayerfully serving God and others during Lent. Every day she prayerfully sought out small ways in which she could go outside of her routine to serve God and share God’s
love with others. No two days were the same, but each morning she prayed that God would reveal in her a glimpse of Christ’s sacrificial love for us. Lent was not a period of loss, but rather a season of reflective sacrifice, necessary for us to fully appreciate the miracle of Easter.
One of our favorite Catechesis songs reminds us that “purple is for preparation.” As we enter into the season of Lent, let us be ever mindful that Christ’s sacrifice is not a call to loss and withdrawal, but rather a call to active and revolutionary love, community and justice.
our Words, our thoughts, our aCtIons toWards god
For much of Advent, the Rite 13 Class explored what it means for the members of the class to talk to God. They have examined prayer from a variety of classic Christian approaches and forms: the Lord’s Prayer; supplication; thanksgiving; confession; and adoration. We in The Redeemer community offer our prayers for their continued commitment to being in conversation with God and for listening in these holy moments for God’s answers and directions for their lives. We fully support them in this most important part of their development within the Arc of Formation: Worship, Outreach and Fellowship.The Redeemer Youth Group has taken a different approach to using words in directing and developing the members’ relationship with God. Each day during Lent, Rebecca Northington will share a word meant to lead the members of Redeemer Youth Group in meditation. What an intriguing and inspiring list of words she chose: Journey, Gather, Simplify, Heal, Mend, Prepare, Messenger, Watch, Voice, Wilderness, Among, Hope, Open, Embrace, Renew, Greeting, Child, Believe, and Celebrate.
All of them capture some element, lesson, or perspective on the spirit and meaning of the Lenten season. We continue to be in touch with the members of the Diocese of Southeast Florida. Many in the Florida Keys have yet to experience significant relief since the hurricane of last year. This is due to the processing of FEMA claims. For those in unincorporated areas, there is little or no local government support for relief efforts. This makes the RYG trip to this part of the Florida Keys all
the more important. The Youth Group will be engaged in needed clean-up efforts over their stay in March. What a rich experience for the Youth of The Redeemer to engage in, that also plays an important point on the trajectory of the Arc of Formation. Finally, 11 young people made a mature commitment to God in their Confirmation Service on January 14 at the 9:00 am service. Please keep them continually in your prayers and support them in their spiritual growth.
Scene from the area in the Florida Keys where RYG will work in the Dio-cese of Southeast Florida
WorshipFebruary 2018 Voice of The Redeemer A 3
By daVid roManik
Lenten retreat MarCh 3By daVid roManik
sunday aduLt foruMs
Aspiring to LovePart III
God’s Truth Abideth Still
Aspiring to Love Part IIIWhen William Penn founded a city on the banks of the Delaware River in the 17th century, he took a unique approach to naming it. Instead of honoring a benefactor or the place he had come from, Penn named the city for a virtue. Drawing from the Greek words for “love” and “brother,” Penn called the city Philadelphia. Hav-ing escaped from religious persecution, this was not a superficial decision. Indeed, Penn hoped the colony he established would be a place of toleration, mutuality, and fraternal love. From its very inception, in other words, Philadelphia was more than a place; it was an aspiration. For the last several years, our winter forum series has showcased some of the organizations in this area that are helping the communities around Philadelphia live up to its name. In January, we began this series specifically highlighting organizations that The Redeemer supports through the Outreach Grants Committee. We’ve already heard presenters from Episcopal Community Services, Eldernet, and other agencies describe how their organizations are working to make a difference for the most vulnerable among us. On Sunday, February 11, we will continue to learn how the organizations this parish supports are aspiring to love.
February 11The Advocate Cafe
Since 1983, the Advocate Cafe has been a mainstay of the North Philadelphia community. Located at the historic George W. South Memorial Church of the Advocate, the Advocate Cafe serves a nutritious meal to more than 100 people every weekday. It also provides dinner for children who participate in the Advocate’s after school enrichment programs. In addition to enjoying meals at the Cafe, patrons support the work of the Advocate Care by volunteering to serve meals, clean the dining room, and manage the community clothes closet. For this and many other reasons, the Advocate is an anchor institution in its neighborhood. Join the Reverend Dr. Renee McKenzie-Hayward, vicar of
the Church of the Advocate, as she concludes our series by sharing stories from this remarkable and important ministry.
“God’s Truth Abideth Still”: The Reformation 500 Years LaterDuring the fall, we commemorated the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation with a series of forums exploring its continuing relevance. Unfortunately, our final forum was postponed due to the threat of a gas leak in the Parish House. Happily, this forum has been rescheduled for the first Sunday in Lent, partially because it was a convenient day, but also because the theme of “reformation” is enormously significant in the season of Lent. Just as the church is constantly called to reform itself, the season of Lent invites us to do the work of self-examination and discern the ways that we can more fully reflect God’s grace.
February 18The “Other” Schism
The Protestant Reformation precipitated a profound transformation within Christianity, but it was not the first time the Church was divided as the result of theological controversies. Almost five centuries before Luther’s protest, the churches of Rome and Constantinople broke communion over questions of theology and ecclesiastical authority. In our bias towards simplicity, we often pinpoint the split between the Eastern and Western churches to this particular moment in history. In fact, however, the schism evolved over centuries, beginning a conversation that was relevant during the Reformation era and, in many ways, continues to this day. Join Joseph Loya,
professor of theology at Villanova University and priest in the Eastern Catholic tradition, as he examines the ongoing dialogue between East and West and warns that we oversimplify history at our peril.
“Who Knows What God Loves?”: Restlessly Seeking the Divine with Annie DillardAt the heart of the season of Lent is a paradox: It is a time when we acknowledge our utter failure to live up to God’s expectations, even as we put our trust in the infinite grace and mercy of God. Few writers have embodied this paradox more eloquently than Annie Dillard. In 1975, Dillard took up residence on an island in Puget Sound, in a wooden room furnished with, as she put it, “one enormous window, one cat, one spider, and one person.” For the next two years she asked herself questions about time, reality, sacrifice, death, and the will of God. The fruit of her labor was Holy the Firm, which the theologian Frederick Buechner described as a “book of great richness, beauty, and power.” In this short but challenging text, Dillard describes a world that is, at once, indescribably beautiful and terrifyingly cruel. She
Pledges Received as of 1-19-18Number of Pledges 335 Total Amount Pledged $926,672.26
So far, your fellow parishioners have increased their pledges by 5.77%. Please join them!
our sInCere thanks to these ParIshIoners Who have PLedged theIr fInanCIaL suPPort for 2018
Karl Beinkampen & Beth Corrigan
Luke & Betsy BlockAna BorgersenJoseph & Mary Beth BrightJim & Lin BuckDick & Lisa CarrBlake & Julie ChristophW. Morgan and Sonia ChurchmanPeter & Elisabeth Cooke, Jr.Charles & Lisa CraigBill & Sally DordelmanSuzy DorranceCharles & Karen ErnstSevren & Lynn FahrPhilip & Suzanne FisherJohn & Cara FryTony & Erin GeyelinPeter Grove & Nancy GreeneLouise HavensAnn Hedges
Frank Helminski & Margaret Helminska
Bessy HopkinsTac & Melinda JustiGordie & Janice KeenBarbara KipJarrett & Judith KlingJon LeylandRoger & Monica LindAndrea LombardiniJoanie MackieCharlie & Ann MarshallCraig & Celia MartinJoe & Suzanne McDevittWalt & Ann McIlvainSandra McLeanPaul & Cindy McMullenGregg & Mary MillerAbraham Munabi &
Susan Adeniyi-JonesRobert & Priscilla Nalls
Eric & Georgie NollRyan & Rebecca NorthingtonMichael NortonDuncan & Joan OrrMary PageJohn & Emily PickeringMargot PowellLaura PowellDoug & Lisa RaymondKen & Amanda SchwenkeMary Beth Sedwick &
Helen WorthamBetsy SlatteryArthur & Marsha SolmssenThorne & Marby SparkmanJohn & Amy SusaninGill TysonGraham & Jane WagnerMichael & Kathy WarholMargie WidmannDixie Wigton
This list is not cumulative. It represents the pledges received since the January issue of Voice of The Redeemer (Dec. 16 thru Jan. 19).
A complete list will be published in the Annual Report and is also available on the campus video screens.
honestly and unflinchingly explores the reality of human suffering, even as she seeks to frame her life within an understanding of God’s grace. In other words, Dillard speaks to the paradox of the Lenten season. Join us as we reflect on Annie Dillard’s experience wrestling with the tensions at the very heart of our faith. For this retreat, we will return to the Bournelyf Retreat Center. Located on 20 placid acres in West Chester, Bournelyf is an ideal place to engage the work of Annie Dillard, who was so inspired by the beauty of the natural world. Our retreat will meet from 10:00 to 2:00 on Saturday, March 3 and will include lunch, worship, teaching, and time for quiet reflection. Please contact David Romanik ([email protected]; 610-525-2486 ext. 13) if you would like to register or have any questions. We hope you will make time for this opportunity for renewal and refreshment.
FelloWshipA4 Voice of The Redeemer February 2018
Notice of Event Change Please note that Dining with Divas will not take place this season.
We have, instead, created a new event.On Sunday, April 15 at 7pm
we will feature The Philadelphia Brass in a concert of music for organ & brass.
A festive reception will follow the concert.This will be a great concert for children to attend!
Check the March issue of Voice of The Redeemer for ticket and music details!
ParIsh BusIness
By Jay einsPanier
Let the sunshIne In Phase II
It has been a while since we had a chat about building repairs. Since I know that you are all extremely interested in what we are doing, I thought we should talk about one of your all-time favorites: windows. And we are not talking about any old windows. These are stained…in a good way.A year or so ago, we repaired and refinished the rose window, including a new protective glazing. Shortly thereafter, we cleaned the windows above the historic altar and also replaced the protective glazing on those windows as well. Now, we have moved on to the windows on the main floor, along both the north and south side of the church.We began the work in mid-November on the north side of the church. As you can imagine, the work progressed fairly rapidly until the winter weather arrived. So, as of early January, the north side and most of the south side has received the new protective glazing. By the time you read this article, we are hoping to be complete: north and south.Note in the picture above the slightly shaded glass to the left. This is an example of the old glazing. The other windows all have the new material. The contrast is startling.Next time you are in the chancel, enjoy our beautiful stained glass throughout the church.
JoIn a Lenten study
By daVid roManik
Saying What We Mean and Meaning What We Say: Reading The Face of WaterLast year, Sarah Ruden published a book called The Face of Water, in which she examines and retranslates some of the Bible’s most famous passages. During the season of Lent, we will read The Face of Water in the context of Home Study Groups. These study groups are opportunities to get to know fellow parishioners and to engage questions of faith and life in an informal setting. We will begin our exploration of The Face of Water by gathering as a community to hear from Dr. Ruden on Sunday, February 25 at 10:30am. During the weeks of February 26, March 5, March 12, and March 19, parishioners will open their homes for small group discussions of the book. All are welcome to participate as we explore the importance of
saying what we mean and meaning what we say. Please contact David Romanik at [email protected] if you would like to purchase a copy of the book or have any questions.
Saying What We Mean and Meaning What We Say: Reading The Face of Water
author ruden to sPeak
VOICE of The Redeemer www.TheRedeemer.org 610-525-2486
The most impressive piece of liturgical art at Rome’s Church of St. Peter in Chains is Michelangelo Buonarroti’s arresting sculpture of Moses. The piece is vintage Michelangelo: so lifelike that the patriarch appears ready to step off his seat to deliver the commandments of God. The details are particularly noteworthy: one critic marvels that the beard is “so soft and downy that it seems as if the iron chisel must have become a brush” and that the face “seems as one regards it to need the veil to cover it, so splendid and shining does it appear.” Distracting from the transcendent artistry of the statue, however, is the presence of two small horns on Moses’ head. They almost look accidental, yet they were placed there intentionally because of a translation error in the version of the Bible used by the Church at the time. In Exodus, when Moses descends from Mt. Sinai, the Hebrew indicates that his face was “radiant.” The Latin version of this text used by the Church erroneously translated the word for “radiant” as “horned.” Thus, for centuries, Christian art depicted Moses with horns. While this might seem like a harmless piece of trivia, this translation error contributed to the offensive and anti-Semitic stereotype of the “horned Jew.” It was, in other words, used to further isolate an already marginalized community. This is just one example of how important it is to know what the Bible actually says. Many misunderstandings of Scripture, including those that have been used to cause harm, can be attributed to inaccurate translations or our failure to appreciate the context in which the texts were written. Precise language, however, is not only important to our understanding of Scripture. Indeed, in all circumstances, the language we use reflects the way we experience the world. In short, the words we use matter.Sarah Ruden understands the value of precise language. A prolific writer, she has published new and sometimes challenging translations of some of civilization’s most important texts. In a book called The Face of Water, Ruden turns her attention to the Bible, brilliantly and elegantly explaining some of its most famous passages. Ruden reexamines and retranslates from the Hebrew and Greek what has been obscured and misunderstood over time. Though not a Biblical scholar, Ruden reveals what translation can accomplish when done well. Her translations of some of the Bible’s most famous texts allow us to read them as if for the very first time. One reviewer, who refers to Ruden’s “translating genius,” suggests that her provocative book rep-resents a “strong jolt to our complacent and comfortable acceptance of Bibles that say the same old things the same old way.” This year, we will read The Face of Water in our Lent Home Study Groups, and we are delighted that Sarah Ruden will join us at Redeemer on Sunday, February 25 at 10:30 to introduce the study and discuss the importance of saying what we mean and meaning what we say.
