Borders & Belonging: 

 The Book of Ruth: a Story for Our Times 
Sermon series, book study discussion groups, and adult learning classes

About the Sermon Series

Join us on Sundays (April 19 – May 17, with a 3-week break, and continuing June 14 – 28) as we explore the book of Ruth through the eyes of Irish theologian, poet, and peacemaker Pádraig Ó Tuama. Each Sunday, we’ll cover one chapter of his book, Borders and Belonging: The Book of Ruth: A Story for our Times, each week. The book is only about 100 pages and will be available for purchase in Trinity Court, or you may purchase it through your favorite bookseller.

 

The Center for Faith and Justice describes, “In a world marked by borders and riven by divisions, stories of belonging, kindness, and generosity endure. More than that, they carry the power to inspire a better future as people of faith embody their lessons. Join us as we explore how stories of belonging can guide us toward lives of collective flourishing [through truth-telling and inclusion], even in a world where exclusion so often prevails.”

 

Join us for Modern Worship Collective Sundays, April 26, May 10, and 17 at 5 pm, where we'll continue our engagement with the Borders and Belong sermon series by hearing the immigrant stories of people in our community. Of course, we'll enjoy food, music, and conversation as always!

 

Jump to the sermon schedule

 

Please note: the sermon series will be weekly—except these three Sundays: May 24, May 31, and June 7.


Book Study Discussion Groups

Everyone is encouraged to join a small group to discuss the book. Groups will meet weekly during the sermon series. Sign up for one of the discussion groups here.

  • Friday mornings at 10 am at the church, April 24, May 1, May 8, May 15, May 22, (off for three weeks), June 19, June 26.
  • Sunday mornings at 11:30 am at the church, April 26, May 10, May 17, (off for three weeks), June 21. 
  • Online group: Sunday mornings at 11 am on Zoom, April 26, May 10, May 17, (off for three weeks), June 21.
  • Note: On Sundays, May 3, June 14, and June 28, you are invited to the Adult Learning Classes at 11:30 (Soulé Hall and online) in place of the Sunday discussion groups.

Sermon Topics

Rev. Annanda Barclay preaching. Centered around Ruth 1:1, 1:8-18, and covers Chapter 1 in the book "Borders & Belonging" by Pádraig Ó Tuama and Glenn Jordan.

April 26 - Stereotype of  A Moabite Misunderstood

Rev. Hardy Kim preaching. Centered around Deuteronomy 23:3-4, and covers Chapter 2 in the book "Borders & Belonging" by Pádraig Ó Tuama and Glenn Jordan.

May 3 - With Courageous Hearts

Rev. Annanda Barclay preaching. Centered around Ruth 2:11-12, 3:10-11, and covers Chapter 3 in the book "Borders & Belonging" by Pádraig Ó Tuama and Glenn Jordan.

 

Watch ther recorde Adult Learning class led by Pastor Annanda here. 

May 10 - Gleaning at the Edge of Someone Else’s Abundance

Rev. Hardy Kim preaching. Centered around Ruth 2:8-13, and covers Chapter 4 in the book "Borders & Belonging" by Pádraig Ó Tuama and Glenn Jordan.

May 17 - The Story the Empire Doesn’t Tell

Rev. Hardy Kim preaching. Centered around Nehemiah 13:1-3, 13:23-27, and covers Chapter 5 in the book "Borders & Belonging" by Pádraig Ó Tuama and Glenn Jordan.

May 24, 31 and June 7 - (not part of the sermon series)

Worship on these dates will not be part of the Borders & Belonging sermon series. Please join us for worship as usual, and again on June 14 when the sermon series resumes.

June 14 - What Happened on the Threshing Floor

Rev. Laura Cheifetz preaching. Centered around Ruth 3:1-8, and covers Chapter 6 in the book "Borders & Belonging" by Pádraig Ó Tuama and Glenn Jordan.

 

Join us at 11:30 am (Soulé Hall and online) for the Adult Learning class led by Pastor Laura.

June 21 - The Loophole That Saved a Lineage

Jessica Vasquez-Torres preaching. Centered around Ruth 4:1-10, and covers Chapter 7 in the book "Borders & Belonging" by Pádraig Ó Tuama and Glenn Jordan.

June 28 - Bloodlines, Borderlines, and Belonging

Jessica Vasquez-Torres preaching. Centered around Ruth 4:11-17, and covers Chapter 8 in the book "Borders & Belonging" by Pádraig Ó Tuama and Glenn Jordan.

 

Join us at 11:30 am (Soulé Hall and online) for the Adult Learning class led by Jessica.


Adult Learning Classes

Adult Learning classes will take place on three of the Sundays during the sermon series to discuss the scripture, sermon topic and chapter of the book. The classes will meet at 11:30 am in Soulé Hall and online.

  • Sunday, May 3: She Was Never Who You Thought She Was, taught by Rev. Annanda Barclay
  • Sunday, June 14: What Happened on the Threshing Floor, taught by Rev. Laura Cheifetz
  • Sunday, June 28: Bloodlines, Borderlines, and Belonging, taught by Jessica Vasquez-Torres

May 3 - The Story the Empire Doesn't Tell

Led by Rev. Annanda Barclay

What are the stories that we don’t tell in our country as it relates to our relationship with immigrants? What facts and histories do we keep hidden and silenced? Who does this serve? How do we participate or get co-opted in the production of immigrant storytelling? What is Ruth teaching us about the stories we don’t tell?

 


June 14 - In conversation with Pádraig

Led by Laura Cheifetz

We'll watch a video of a conversation with Pádraig Ó Tuama, and Laura will facilitate a discussion.


June 28 - In conversation with Pádraig

Led by Jessica Vasquez-Torres

We'll watch a video of a conversation with Pádraig Ó Tuama, and Jessica will facilitate a discussion.