 (Readings in the Gospel of Mark) Leader: David Holcomb What does it mean to follow Jesus in a fragile world? In 2025, that question seems highly resonate. However, it was also a question at the forefront for the earliest followers of Jesus. Mark’s Gospel was written in a context of fragility – whether the context was Rome and early persecution of Christians or Galilee / Syria and the destruction of Jerusalem (the two most likely settings). Mark’s gospel is filled with responses of fear and also responses seeking control through power, but Jesus offers a different way: a way of trust and vulnerability, sharing and compassion. Come join us as we ponder the intersections of God’s story and our story. Class documents:
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When this series was taught at PMC, we were in the midst of two significant periods: the transition to a new lead pastor over the next year or so with Pastor Rod’s recent retirement and the broader celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Anabaptist movement in 2025. With these things in mind, we believe this series of gatherings was particularly timely. What is an Anabaptist Christian? The Anabaptist movement can look very different depending on the context, but the movement has a few core values that tie it together. In recent years, this framework – Jesus is the center of our faith, community is the center of our life, and reconciliation is the center of our work – has been a good way to capture these values. During the fall, we want to ask ourselves this question:
As a part of the global Anabaptist movement and as a local faith community that is engaged with the broader culture, how are we to live in a way that centers Jesus, Community, and Reconciliation? So, there will be some history, some looking back at our roots. But the focus will be on who we are now at PMC and how best to move into the future in our particular Pacific Northwest context. Much of our discussion will be based on two writings of Parker Becker: this pamphlet from 2008 and this book from 2017. Below are resources from our 8 weeks of discussion: Slides and Other Resources Week 1 slides – Introduction Week 1 video clip Week 2 slides – Jesus part 1 Week 3 slides – Jesus part 2 Week 3 – link to article by John Roth (referenced by Luis) Week 4 slides – Community part 1 Week 5 slides – Community part 2 Week 6 slides – Reconciliation part 1 Week 7 slides – Reconciliation part 2 Week 8 slides – Wrap-up Videos We have videos for Weeks 1 and 3-7 but not for weeks 2 and 8. These videos can be found here. Discussion Questions Week 1 responses - summary Week 2 small group questions Week 3 small group questions Week 4 small group questions Week 5 small group questions Week 6 small group questions Week 7 small group questions  "Common Conversation #3" brainstorming ideas! Common Conversations at PMC
In our first gathering, we listened to Conscientious Objectors (COs) share their stories of resisting war, and the second focused on those who resisted violence and war through voluntary service. At this third and final Common Conversation, we engaged each other in small group conversation about how we are “seeking the peace of the city” today, both individually and collectively. Click the link to see the results of the brainstorming session. Praying the Psalms… in the key of Jesus.We will seek to better understand this book of the Bible – as individual poems written by (and/or for) David and many others; as a collection shaped by the life of ancient Israel; as the songbook used in the temple and synagogue (including in the time of Jesus); as a prayer book for many segments of the church over the past 2,000 years. While understanding the Psalms is important, the Psalms are meant to be experienced. So, we will spend time praying the Psalms together, with the hope of being more deeply grounded in God by being more deeply grounded in the Psalms. In all of this, we will stay attuned to Jesus. After all, he would have been shaped by praying these same Psalms. Even more, Jesus claims that the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms all testify about him. May we learn from him as we pray with him. 
Jan-Feb 2023 / Portland Mennonite Church / David Holcomb BIBLE STUDY – GENESIS 1-11 Join us in January and February as we explore the literary artistry of the first eleven chapters of Genesis, and as we consider what this text has to do with Jesus and with our current world. These earliest chapters in our Bibles contain stories that many heard as children in Sunday School and that are still deeply embedded in the larger culture. So, they are familiar – perhaps too familiar and in need of another look. Let’s take a look together! Week 1: Genesis 1 - The First Creation Story Reading the text and making some observations Week 2: Genesis 1 - The First Creation Story Reading the text again and some comparisons with other Ancient Near East creation accounts Week 3: Genesis 2 - Adam & Eve Reading the text and making some observations Week 4: Genesis 3 – Adam, Eve, and “the fall” Reading the text and making some observations Week 5: Genesis 1-3 Theological Reflections Time on your own to think about one of the questions on the reflections sheet Some time for sharing and discussion Week 6: Genesis 4 – Cain and Abel Reading the text and making some observations Connections with Genesis 1-3 Week 7: Genesis 6-9 Reading the text and making some observations Connections with Genesis 1-4 Week 8: Genesis 10-12 – Tower of Babel and the call of Abram Reading the text and making some observations Discussion for all 8 weeks – what have we learned? |
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