Looking for extra resources to follow up on a particular "weird and wonderful" session? Jump to Resources at the bottom of this page...
Want to know more about regular Sunday gatherings with Pathfinder Church? Visit the "Sundays with Pathfinder Church" page
Our Weird and Wonderful Series
There are some passages in the Bible that are nothing short of weird!
Here in Northstowe, we love a big question, a tricky challenge, and to get our teeth into really understanding what's going on in the Big Story of God's ongoing encounters with diverse people: the narratives, poetry, songs, and teachings found in The Bible.
Across the Northstowe Church Network, we've been using the Good News Bible Family Edition as our Church Journaling Bibles. And we've been intrigued by one of the Bible Journeys suggested in the front , in which they invite us to "explore, laugh at, or wonder about together... the weird and wonderful"
So you are welcome and invited to join us in our Summer Term Sunday Afternoons (3.30-5pm) in the Pathfinder CofE Primary School (until 7th July), as we dig into these weird and wonderful accounts...
Summer Term Afternoons with Pathfinder Church
26th May - 14th July, 3.30-5pm in The Pathfinder CofE Primary School
During the School Term, Pathfinder Church welcome you to join our interactive and multisensory gatherings. Read all about them on our website, and then come ready for some Big Conversations!
- 3.30pm Pick up a cuppa, a colouring sheet, and get to know those around your table
- 3.35pm We'll start to set the scene and share news and updates
- 3.40pm We light our candles and turn to worship
- The Gathering continues with bible readings, discussion, interaction, sung worship, and at least 20 mins of free-flow exploration and prayer time, before we draw back together to ask "what are we noticing from God", and share in more prayer and worship. On 26th May, we'll also share in communion.
- We conclude at 5pm, when everyone helps pack up the table top boxes and clear the room ready for the school to use it in the morning.
From 14th July...
During the school summer holidays, the various worshipping communities in the Northstowe Church Network all take a break from their regular gatherings, and instead come together to eat breakfast, get to know each other better, and share something of themselves:We'll keep updating this part of the page with helpful extra resources, videos, and links to find out more.
June's adventures in the book of Judges
You might find the Bible Project summary a useful introduction:
This weird and wonderful account is popular with children... but when was the last time you heard it discussed at a deeper level?
Within our intergenerational gathering (or using these resources at home) we will help you peel back the layers and explore the passage from a number of perspectives (literary criticsism, archaeological evidence, Jewish teaching, feminist poetry...). In our gathering we'll also use it as a springboard to worship and a deeper encounter with the God who blesses us!
Within our intergenerational gathering (or using these resources at home) we will help you peel back the layers and explore the passage from a number of perspectives (literary criticsism, archaeological evidence, Jewish teaching, feminist poetry...). In our gathering we'll also use it as a springboard to worship and a deeper encounter with the God who blesses us!
To set the scene, this illustrated bible timeline might help place it in the bigger picture - we're in the Wildnerness Wanderings this week [linked to original source]
Here are some of the helpful book and journal articles we refered and chewed over:
- Douglas, ‘Balaam’s Place in the Book of Numbers’.
- Potter, ‘I, Who Set Out to Curse You’;
- Peters, ‘Is Bilam the Greatest Prophet?’;
- Hallo, ‘Numbers’;
- Hoftijzer, ‘The Prophet Balaam in a 6th Century Aramaic Inscription’;
- Frisch, ‘The Story of Balaam’s She-Ass (Numbers 22:21-35)’.
Again, the Bible Project's printable book summary helps put these stories into context (we've copies out during the Gathering)
During the Exploring Time, these will be our Biq Questions and Springboards for exploration, prayer and worship:
- Chewing over Commentaries: Was Balaam Saint, Sinner... or something in between? And does it matter? (With opportunities to explore what else the biblical record, and various commentators, have to say about him)
- Contemporary Encouragement: Balaam's first oracle celebrates God-at-work amongst the Israelites. Where can we celebrate God-at-work locally and nationally? And turn that into prayers of Praise!
- Repenting of our cursing: Reflecting with the feminist poetry "I, who set out to curse you" alongside Balaam's failed attempts to curse Israel, where do we need to repent and change how we're speaking about something/someone loved by God.
- Wondering and Re-enacting the Story - what do you think is the most important part? could any bits be missed out, without changing the impact? where would you be in the story?
- Praying with Art: contemplating with artistic depictions as a way into prayer and reflection.. or drawing/modelling your own!
- Spending time with God - enjoying worship music and poetry
This Blessing featured last week - but it's too good not to share again!
To quickly place this story within the bigger narrative of the Book of Genesis, have a watch of this video from the Bible Project, or pick out the story in this illustrated guide. Remember - these are NOT stories that show us good examples of how to live well!
Click on the image to download a full res version from the Bible Project
NOTE: This video is not rated as suitable for children
You might like to explore how artists have depicted this week's story - and even try to create your own!
Here's the children's book we were talking about on Sunday afternoon
This is the beautiful track we listened to from The Porter's Gate
Yong, Amos. The Bible, Disability, and the Church: A New Vision of the People of God. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2011. has some excellent discussions on this passage. You can read a review of the book here... which might inspire you to pick up a copy of the whole book!
The Northstowe Church Network is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Safeguarding Officer. The Diocese of Ely’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our SO. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.
