Have you wanted to explore Jesus’ role in your faith journey but feel like he has been ‘hijacked?’ Do you want to take some time to reclaim him as a model in your own faith journey? Then consider this an invitation to begin upon that path. During 2011-2012, there will be 12 opportunities to explore. We have already begun this the Exploration Programme, Saving Jesus from Living the Questions, in 2011 with the first six gatherings. 2012 will see an invitation to gather for the final six. As 2012 unfolds, consider this an invitation to dig deep into your faith and find out who Jesus might be for you. As you reflect upon this opportunity, the first set of reflections are available below for your discernment!

Week 1

On this first Sunday in our exploration of Saving Jesus, Rev. Shelly reflects how we try to trap Jesus and how his response turns everything upside down. Our challenge, she suggests, is to get him out of the box we have created for him and no longer ignore him.

Week 2

On this second Sunday in our exploration of Saving Jesus (see below), Dea. Richard reflects about who we say that Jesus is. Our challenge, he suggests, is to acknowledge the danger of this question and realise that should we stop asking the question, we must face the tension of making a ‘fluffy’ Jesus.

Some of the resources for Dea. Richard’s Reflection are:

• Slides (these were projected during the Reflection);

Week 3

On this third Sunday in our exploration of Saving Jesus (see below), Rev. Shelly reflects about the Bible and how it might seem that the Bible does not ‘make sense.’ She continues to discuss that when we approach the Bible as a memoir and seek to ‘prove it,’ Sacred Scripture becomes problematic. What becomes apparent, however, is that when we engage with the text as stories about those who have come before us, examine their context, the Bible can become a living memory of struggles we have had as a people of faith and may still have today.

The following clip was discussed by Rev. Shelly:

Week 4

On this fourth Sunday in our exploration of Saving Jesus, Rev. Shelly explores how the words we use to describe Jesus are often heavily laden with irony. This tool & the nuance of language can open up who Jesus is and, in turn, can challenge us to see him so differently and contrary to our own expectations.

Week 5

On this fifth Sunday in our exploration of Saving Jesus, Dea. Richard introduces a visitor, Mary (the mother of Jesus), who has been to UCiM before. Mary discusses the truth about Jesus and our story as Christians. As well, she challenges us not to get stuck in the facts.

Week 6

On this sixth Sunday in our exploration of Saving Jesus, The Gathering Circle shares stories in a manner that is intended to offer some insight as to how Jesus shared God’s Wisdom through the use of parables.

Week 7

On this seventh Sunday in our exploration of Saving Jesus, Rev. Shelly reflects about the radical & dangerous idea that Jesus modelled and prophesied about: the Kingdom of God is at Hand! “It is as simple & complicated” as that. The challenge, is how do we respond, in order to become Disciples who are agents of making it so?

Week 8

On this eighth Sunday in our exploration of Saving Jesus, Rev. Shelly reflects on Jesus’ ministry of compassion. What does that look like? How do we understand it as something more than a word or only something that Jesus did? Rev. Shelly poses the challenge that if we do not find a way to live out this kind of ministry, than our words are hollow & meaningless!

Week 9

Coming soon …

Week 10

On this tenth Sunday in our exploration of Saving Jesus, Rev. Shelly, using history, Sunday’s Anthem (Nothing But The Blood of Jesus: Words by Robert Lowry; Music David Rasbach), a hymn (My Love Colours Outside the Lines), & Scripture, considers what does it mean to be ‘Saved?’

Week 11

On this eleventh Sunday in our exploration of Saving Jesus, Rev. Shelly, reflects about where we put our energy. Do we get entangled in trying to ‘prove’ our faith? Do we need to defend our beliefs? If so, what does that mean about what we are actually doing in the world?

These are the images to which Rev. Shelly referred during her Reflection

Week 12

On this twelfth Sunday in our exploration of Saving Jesus, Rev. Shelly & Dea. Richard reflect through poem & a visitor from the first century. During this time Palm Sunday worship, they challenge whether or not we are prepared to follow Jesus, who was prophesying crosses instead of palms? As Disciples, are we prepared to walk on even though fear threatens to push away compassion?