Jesus and nature: Teachers of Faith by the Rev. Sara Olson-Smith
Jesus often turned to the natural world in teaching, opening our eyes to see creation not just as something to be cared for, but as our teacher and kindred. It is no mistake that Jesus, who lovingly spoke of soil and plants, was thought to be a gardener that first Easter morning. This three-session Bible study will shift our perspectives and allow nature to be our teacher, through the words of Jesus and other parts of Scripture. The trees, the soil and the creatures will offer us new perspectives on the character of God and challenge us to deepen our stewardship of God’s precious creation.
September 2022, Session 1: “Trees,” will tap into Biblical images of trees and explore why planting and protecting trees is important, while rooting us in models of interdependence and mutuality. View the video supplement | Download a PDF of Session 1
October 2022, Session 2: “Soil,” will dig deeply into the parable of the soil (otherwise known as the parable of the seed, Matthew 13) and other Biblical accounts that relate to care for this part of creation, while looking at models of growth that involve wholeness and wellness. View the video supplement | Download a PDF of Session 2
November 2022, Session 3: “Creatures,” offers us an opportunity to observe and learn about God from birds, foxes, sheep, dogs and other animals, while considering habitat protection, food justice and the model of trust. View the video supplement | Download a PDF of Session 3
This delay in receiving the Gather magazine has gone on long enough. Sure, they have been putting the study on their web site to download, but we have a lot of members that are not comfortable with computers. I can’t see us continueing to renew if this is not resolved.
Thanks, Bonnie. We apologize for the difficulties readers have had in receiving the magazine. The PDFs provided for the Jan/Feb Bible study sessions are for you to use and share until your issue arrives (please visit: http://gathermagazine.org). Unfortunately, production and mailing times have increased, and these times were further delayed over the holidays. We’ve been told it should arrive in homes Jan. 7-15.
The good news is that we are about to add another magazine staff person– back to pre-pandemic magazine staffing levels—so that we will be able to return to having the magazine arrive for most subscribers by the middle of the previous month.
The digital issue is available at https://www.gathermagazine.org/digital-edition/
Blessings, Beth
We also have not received January and our circle meets the first week of the month. If you can’t get the magazine out, why not send out an email copy. We have cancelled meetings because of this and are thinking of changing out meeting date to allow for this problem. Please respond. [email protected]
Thank you for your comment, Barbara. We apologize for the delay. You can access the digital issue here: https://www.gathermagazine.org/digital-edition/
And you can access Session 1 and Session 2 from our website: http://gathermagazine.org
Thank you for your patience and we appreciate your faithful readership. Blessings, Beth
We have not received the January Gather magazine for our January Bible study.
I have not received Gather Magazine.
Other gals have not received theirs.
Bible study is Tuesday.
What can be done about this?
Thanks
Hi Jeanette, We apologize for the delay, Session 1 and Session 2 are available on our website: http://gathermagazine.org
We were told that issues would be arriving between Jan.7-Jan. 15. Thanks for your patience and faithful readership.
Sincerely, Elizabeth (Beth ) McBride
Please do not ignore us – you are too good a magazine to do this!
Where do I receive your replies to our questions??? I am in the dark – where is the download of Session 3
Bible study just a couple of days away and no one has received their November Gather magazine.
Thank you, Bonnie. We are sorry for the delay. Here is a direct link for the Session 3 https://www.gathermagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/November2022_Gather_Bible_study_LG.pdf Blessings, Beth
I have not received my November issue of Gather. Our Bible Study is next week. When can I expect it?
I’m writing from Marin Lutheran Church, Corte Madera, CA. gather account # 00021913. We (the church) have not, and none of our women have as yet received the Nov/Dec issue of gather magazine. I have access to our online subscription but wonder if there is a copy of only the Bible study available. I understand that the magazine is on the way, however our women meet at the beginning of the month for their Bible study and feel they will not be able to prepare adequately. Some can assess their online versions, but printing is a problem. Would it be possible to email a .pdf of session 3 to the church?
Thank you,
Bev Kamphoefner, Administrator
Thank you for your comment, Bev. Here is a link to Session 3 Bible study: https://www.gathermagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/November2022_Gather_Bible_study_LG.pdf
Yes, would you please tell me when the pdf for session 3 or when the November Gather magazine will be available? Thank you.
Thanks, Linnae, Here is a link to the Session 3 Bible Study. Thanks for your patience. Blessings, Beth https://www.gathermagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/November2022_Gather_Bible_study_LG.pdf
When will the pdf for session 3 be available? We have our leader’s meeting November 1 and no one has received their copy yet.
I am waiting also for Session 3 for our study on Nov. 1. Can this be emailed to me? Thanks!
Thanks, Gloria, Here is a link and it is also posted above in this page. https://www.gathermagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/November2022_Gather_Bible_study_LG.pdf Blessings, Beth
Our group is experiencing the same concern regarding getting the Nov. Bible study in time. Our gathering is the first Thursday of the month and we have not received the magazine yet to be timely in preparation and study. Please submit a link so that we can download and print session 3 for Nov. 2022. Thanks
Thank you, Pauline. Here is a link to the Session 3 Bible study https://www.gathermagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/November2022_Gather_Bible_study_LG.pdf and it is posted above. Blessings, Beth
I haven’t received my Gather Magazine for November and it’s October 28th. Our Circle meeting is November 8th.
When can I expect to receive it? Thx
We did receive the magazine on Saturday. Earlier would have been better, but I was glad to get it then. Thanks!
Thanks, Nancy. We are sorry for the delay. Here is the link to the Session 3 Bible study: https://www.gathermagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/November2022_Gather_Bible_study_LG.pdf Blessings, Beth
When will the PDF file of the Sessions 3, November 2022, Bible Study be ready to have emailed to my email address? Jerry Philip [email protected]
I need a pdf of the November study as well. Our circle meets on Nov. 3 and I have no magazine. I am the Bible Study leader and would like to prepare
Thank for your message, here is a link to the November Session 3 Bible study: https://www.gathermagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/November2022_Gather_Bible_study_LG.pdf
Hi Jerry, Here is the direct link and it is posted above. Blessings, Beth https://www.gathermagazine.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/November2022_Gather_Bible_study_LG.pdf
Thank you for this Bible study on Trees. Our group got a late start but found the study to be so timely in what was going on in our farming community. The video supplement added much to what we discussed and studied. The daily devotional tied into the fig tree story.
Looking forward to the study on soil.
Our church group has still not received our fall magazines. We printed off the Sept. Bible study but I now want to go ahead and print off October. When will it be available???
I downloaded the Session One of Jesus and Nature and it was well received at my small coed Sunday school at First English Lutheran Church in Columbus Ohio, I got more discussion than I thought I would !! When is Session 2 available?
I enjoy every issue of Gather and do not discard any of them. Looking forward to the nature issues. I remember the Women’s issues w2hen the magazine was just the size of a R
eader’s Digest magazine.
Our congregation has three study groups for women. Two of the groups serve the needs of our eldest population; and they do not have access to on-line guides. We sincerely hope you will continue to publish hard copies. Thank you.
Sept. 8, I have not received my Gather magazine.
When will I receive it.
Thanks
I was wondering if and when the Sept. Gather would be sent. Our minister offers a preview of the Bible Study the fourth Wednesday prior to the month we meet. Our next meeting will be Sept. 13, but as of today, Aug. 23, my magazine has not arrived. We have postponed our preview to Aug. 31. Do you think my magazine will be arriving by then?
What is the Zoom link for September 2022?
For September 2022’s Bible study video supplement, the link appears in the story at the top of this page, or you can click on that same link here:
https://www.gathermagazine.org/september-2022-video-supplement-to-jesus-and-nature-teachers-of-faith/
http://www.gathermagazine.org/september-2022-video-supplement-to-jesus-and-nature-teachers-of-faith/
I am leading the Bible study on Sept 14th for my women’s circle at church — I subscribed to Gather magazine in June.
When can I get the printed material for study per the September “Trees” topic???
Thanks, Dori! Your magazine should arrive by the end of August. If it does not, please contact us at [email protected], and we can email you a PDF file to use until your magazine arrives!
I am very interested in this Bible Study. I am new to this. How do I sign up and/or access this Bible Study? Thank you.
I have subscribed to the Gather, but have not received my September issue. I need to lead the Sept study on Sept 1. Is there a way to access this online if my copy does not arrive? Thanks
I’m one of the many still missing Sept/Oct Gather
Hi Janet.
Thanks for your comment. If you haven’t already received your issue, you can access the complete first session of the fall Bible study here: https://www.womenoftheelca.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Gather_Bible_Study_Sept_2022.pdf
Beth McBride
I am looking forward to this new Bible Study for the Fall. Thank you Gather and the WELCA team for all you do to keep us in the WORD.