2010-2011 Horizons  Bible Study
Journeys Through Revelation: Apocalyptic Hope for Today
 
In June of this year, Lolla Ballard, Sharon Graham, and Alice Lawson attended a workshop for the 2010-2011 Horizons  Bible study, which is titled Journeys Through Revelation: Apocalyptic Hope for Today by Barbara R. Rossing.  Rev. Agnes Brady, pastor of Norwood Presbyterian Church, led the participants through challenging and uplifting sessions as they learned that "...Revelation takes us on a journey into the heart of God's own dream for our world."  Rev. Brady provided many printed resources for the women to take back to their churches and make available to the PW members.
 
Alice, Lolla, and Sharon will make a brief presentation at the Presbyterian Women's meeting that will be held after worship service on Sunday, August 29th.  Copies of the Horizon's Bible Study can be purchased in the church office and will also be available at the PW meeting on August 29th.  Copies of the resource materials will also be available in the church office and at the meeting. In order for participants to benefit from this study of Revelation, the recommendation was made that each lesson and corresponding resource materials be read prior to each meeting.
 
The following observations are meant as encouragement for all women of the church to participate in this study this program year.
 
Alice:  "The book of Revelation is one I have never studied.  Perhaps it was the popular notion of violence and mayhem that deterred me or perhaps it was the complexity of the imagery and metaphors.  I really don't know why I haven't studied it before, but after attending the workshop and getting my misconceptions corrected, I am looking forward to this year's Bible Study."
 
Lolla:  "From the Bible Study workshop, I came to appreciate that Revelation should be viewed as a book of hope not fear.  I learned that the word "apocalypse", which seems to generally be regarded in our culture now as an end;  should be translated as "revelation" or "unveiling" and this book , as we study it, will reveal to us God's plan for his people."
 
Sharon:  "I have always loathed to read, let alone study, Revelation, because of the destructive and violent imagery that terrified me.  I could not reconcile those images with the God of Grace and Glory, whom I love.  Participation in the workshop and then coming home and reading and rereading the book of Revelation with the study guide as a companion has helped me to learn that: 
   '...Revelation invites us to drink deeply from its metaphors of promise and warning, vision and blessing.  It is a book not of judgment but of justice, radical hope for the world's future.  God is with us through every beginning and ending, ours Alpha and Omega.  That is the promise of Revelation.'"  Journeys Through revelation: Apocalyptic Hope for Today (p.76)