Ears to Hear: Learning to Listen in a Divided World

St. Mark’s Lenten Discussions

75 Cold Spring Road, Westford, MA

Compline, 5 p.m. 

Soup & Bread Supper and Discussion,  5:30 p.m. 

March 5:  Called to Listen

March 12: Listening Like Jesus: Developing our Listening Skills

March 19: Listening to “Other” Voices

March 25: Stopped Ears and Hardened Hearts: Stumbling Blocks to Listening

April 2: Listening in Love: What Have we Heard? 

Each week will include reflection on a Bible passage and a reading, video, or other resource. These resources will be posted each week on St. Mark’s blog at stmarkwestford.blogspot.com for reflection before each week’s discussion. 

Optional Reading Resources: 

• “Fear of the Other: No Fear in Love” by William H.  Williamon
• “The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction”by Adam S. McHugh
• “Living Nonviolent Communications: Practical Tools to Connect and Communicate Skillfully in Every Situation” by Marshall Rosenberg

Opportunities to Open our Ears this Lent:

“Meet Your Muslim Neighbor” presentation at the JV Fletcher Library on March 28, 7-9 p.m.

The evening will include screening of the film “Prince of Slaves,” followed by a discussion afterwards with local Muslims. Sponsored by the Islamic Center of Boston- Wayland, the local organizer writes, “Our hope is to help build a better understanding of our faith and alleviate fears which we find are usually founded in misinformation.” 

The mosque also welcomes congregations to visit and observe congregational prayers on Sundays 12:30- 1:30 p.m. If you would be interested in organizing a St. Mark’s visit, please see Rev. Suzanne for more information. 

Matters of Race in the United States, at Reuben Hoar Library, Littleton, MA, Wednesdays 3/22, 3/29, 4/5, 4/12, 4/19, register by March 1, ezsalzman@gmail.com, 978-952-0131. This five-week conversation will explore questions of race in the United States, including “Why are we still talking about race in 2017?”, “Is there a relationship between 1776 and 2017?” “Will we still be talking about race in 2025?” and “What questions do you have about this complex topic?”  Discussion facilitators are Edythe Saltzman of Groton and Roland Gibson of Littleton. 

Merrimack Valley Project: Know Your Rights Workshop for Immigrants - Tuesday, March 28,  8 p.m. at Ebenezer Christian Church, 319 Haverhill St., Lawrence. An opportunity to reflect on public policy on immigration from the perspective of the immigrant community in the Merrimack Valley. 

Diocesan Anti-Racism Training led by the diocesan Anti-racism Ministry Team, offering participants opportunities to share experiences, reflect on current issues and develop tools for change, will next be offered at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul (138 Tremont Street) in Boston on: Friday, March 10, 5-8:45 p.m., and Saturday, March 11, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Register online at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07edqy976oe5b48a9e&llr=s4blzzbab

"Fear and Resiliance: Five Lenten Stories":  At a time when fears threaten to isolate and divide, come together at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston on Thursdays during Lent for its annual lunchtime preaching series.  Guest preachers will offer their perspectives during a simple noon worship service, followed by a brown-bag lunch and conversation from 12:30-1:30 p.m.  All are welcome.    

Weekly preachers and their topics will be:

* March 9:  Sharley Paul and The Rev. Gay Cox, Deacon--Vulnerable Women

* March 16:  The Rev. Paul Minor and The Rev. James Hairston--The Military

* March 23:  The Rev. Dr. Lisa Fortuna--Children of Immigrants

* March 30:  Sheila Dillon--Housing in Boston

• April 6:  The Rev. Dr. Karen Coleman and The Rev. Judith Stuart--Students on Campus

“Our Stories Speak of God” Diocese of Massachusetts Spring Learning Event, Saturday, March 4, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul (138 Tremont Street) in Boston. Keynote speaker the Rev. Hershey Mallette Stephens will lead an interactive workshop in two parts: The  first will help those gathered to learn about story, narrative and myth and how they function in faith and to consider what our stories say about who we are and how we understand God and the church. During part two, participants will engage their spiritual imaginations and learn how storytelling can redefine evangelism.

Find more information and register online by March 2 here. FOR INFORMATION: Amy Cook, Congregational Resources and Training (617-482-4826, ext. 645 or acook@diomass.org).

Engaging Our Global Church: Palestinian Christians in Today’s World.  Join Bishop Gayle E. Harris and a network of others in the diocese engaged with ministry in Jerusalem and the Middle East for a special event, “Engaging Our Global Church: Palestinian Christians in Today’s World," to be held on Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Church of Our Saviour (25 Monmouth Street) in Brookline. Special guests will be Wadie Far and Halim Shukair, both seminarians at Virginia Theological Seminary, who will share their experiences and perspectives.  It will also be an occasion to learn more about the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and ministries underway in the diocese. Questions may be directed to Marsha Searle at msearle@diomass.org or 617-482-4826, ext. 445.