One of my goals in retirement - I hesitate to call it a “hobby” - was to learn more about the history of Christianity. I was curious to see how Christianity has changed over its 2,000 year history.
What an adventure it has been! I started out learning about 1,600-year-old Benedictine spirituality, thanks to a book my friend Janet lent me. Strangely enough, as old as the Benedictine tradition is - I immediately felt at home!
Part of the adventure has involved meetIng authors of books I was reading: I met Kathleen Norris and Phyllis Tickle at conferences in Toronto, and Esther de Waal at a week-long retreat at Canterbury Cathedral in England.
Terry and I both met Barbara Brown Taylor at a conference in Chautauqua, NY. Now he’s a big fan.
More recently, during the pandemic, I enjoyed learning about the Jesuits - from The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything by James Martin.
I’ve read online about the Moravians and now subscribe to an online daily text from them.
I’ve read books by Quakers. I’m currently reading a book by Anthony Bloom, a Greek Orthodox leader. Two years ago I was able to take a course in Greek Orthodox icon making, in an attempt to understand that aspect of their faith.
Looking back - I had no master plan for any of this - but it’s been an interesting journey! I wonder where it will meander next.
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