Welcome Back!

It’s a little hard to believe that we are starting the seventh year of our Women’s Bible Study. We’ve learned a lot in the last six years, and I think we’re getting better every year. Our first meeting is designated for our group discussion on C.S. Lewis’ classic, Mere Christianity. The original study guide is available below in a previous post. In this entry I am including a link to the same document, but this one includes my personal notes (my answers to the questions)—in case anyone is interested. Click here.

As usual, we’ll have to cover some business items. If you are not able to attend the meeting, take a moment to look over the information below.

1. Please make sure that I have your current phone number and email (if applicable).
2. Last spring I had asked that everyone fill out a survey. Most everyone seems fairly content with the way things are going—an all women study, catechism lessons following our regular lesson, and summer book study. I aim to please, but some suggestions simply cannot be accommodated. I’m working on satisfying the request of some to be able to get the study guide before our meeting by developing this blog. Now we just have to get everyone on board.
3. Please spend some time reviewing the group rules on our schedule--we get lazy about some of them as the year progresses--and re-read the essay as well—it’s inspiring. Here are a few changes for this year…
1. This is not really a change, just a request. Our study group is scheduled to meet from 9-11. I would appreciate it everyone would make a real effort this year to be on time and stay for the entire meeting. I know that it can’t always be avoided, but it’s disruptive to the group when people are coming in and out, and it demonstrates a lack of priority for what we do here. I’m not saying this because I think I’m so fascinating, but I think you owe it to yourself to set aside just two hours every few weeks to learn and share your faith. When you spend the time to do your homework, don’t short-change the other important component of the study—group discussion. Everything else shouldn't be more important than your responsibility to participate in our group.
2. We will continue to share the responsibility for the opening prayer. I will let you know the schedule at our next meeting when I have the class list finalized. However, this year, instead of having individual prayer intentions, I am going to make a request that we share in one common prayer intention for our parish and our pastor. This link will take you to a suggested prayer that I hope you will consider including in your devotions. Click here.
3. Finally, I am asking that each member who is able to preprint their own copy of the study guide for the lesson prior to our meetings. I will try to have the study guide available online by the Tuesday evening before our Thursday meeting. If you do print your guide, leave a comment on the blog indicating that you have done so. I usually print out the guides on Wednesday and will consult this site before I do so to get a count. If I plan to have extra materials—articles, catechism topics, etc.—I will provide those to the group and add them to the site after the meeting.

Comments or questions are welcome. Let's have a good year!