The Caim
May Ways to Change the World
This month's Canadian registered charity supported by the KB community is:
The Stories That Made Us
Nicole's Story
Communion
Genesis 8: 22 (NRSVUE): As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall not cease.”
Marshalling Hope:
Imbolc and the Many Brigids
Discussion:
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​What gives you hope? (personally, in community, nationally or internationally).
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What is the difference between marshalling real hope, and wishful thinking?
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How are you affected by the seasons?
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Have you considered the commonalities across cultures and religions in spring rites? Is hope fundamentally built into us via the arrival of spring? Can spring rites be used to be build bridges between different groups? Does the link between the pre-Christian goddess Brigid and the historical Christian leader Brigid provide inspiration for connection between different worldviews today? Are all cultures tuned to the birth-death-resurrection themes of the gospel via the seasonal cycles we all live in?
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We collectively celebrate St. Brigid today, but what historical figures do you personally admire? How have they influenced the way you live? What about mythical figures and stories?
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What are your thoughts on the passage from Paul's Letter to the Romans below? Does the progression of endurance producing character, which produces hope resonate with you?
Background Materials
Romans 5 (NRSVUE): Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
How St Brigid became a queer icon for the Irish LGBTQ+ community
Although queer folk can feel alienated when it comes to religion, Brigid's hidden history helps many feel represented.
Good basic background on historical St. Brigid but from a modern Catholic perspective but missing recognition of the uniqueness of the celtic church from 5th to 7th centuries and missing mention of her relationship with Darlughdach.
Good basic background on pre-christian goddess and modern new age, but ignorant of scholarly information on the historical St. Brigid and the largely independent Celtic Church from 5th to 7th centuries.