Hello Tablers. As I write this, I feel acutely aware of the fragility of my aging parents and father-in-law. It’s a reminder of how little control I have over things that matter deeply to me, and how much I sometimes long to have my hands on the cosmic reins. I want to be in control! That feeling usually only lasts until I stop to reflect on what that would mean for the universe, and then I realize it’s nonsense. I would make a lousy God. In fact, whenever I give it a try, even in small matters, that conviction is reinforced. I’m just not equipped to be God.  But the longing for control is still there, as is the fear of loosing things I value.

The popular atheist blogger Hemant Mehta says, “Christians aren’t leaving the faith because people like us are pulling them away from it. They’re leaving the faith because the Church is pushing them away”.  And one of the ways that happens is when the Church can’t face it’s fear of losing control, of talking about questions that do not have singular answers, of engaging in faith is ways that are not “either/or”, but “both/and”.

So this week we’re going to talk about the sort of questions that arise when we feel like our faith is shifting. There will be an opportunity to share what some of your questions are, so screw your courage to the sticking point and ponder asking (out loud) the question you’re afraid might get you kicked out of your faith community. Of course, nobody will MAKE anyone ask anything…but even the pondering of such questions might stir your soul.

I hope some of the questions will be shared. It’s one way we can authentically explore what we believe, and that’s what we gather to do.

I’ll see you on Wednesday evening.

Peace,