Diocese of Algoma

Lenten Book Study

Faithful, Creative, Hopeful: Fifteen Theses for Christians in a Crisis Shaped World

By: The Rev. Dr. Jesse Zink

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I hope this message finds you well and filled with the hope and peace that comes from the grace of God.

As we approach the season of Lent, a time of prayer, reflection, and growth, I would like to introduce you to an inspiring resource that would make for a meaningful Lenten study within our diocesan community: Faithful, Creative, Hopeful: Fifteen Theses for Christians in a Crisis Shaped World by Jesse Zink.  I was privileged to have been invited by Dr. Zink to participate in a panel discussion webinar of the launch of this book last fall. I commend it to you as worthy of deeper reflection this Lent.

The Rev. Dr. Jesse Zink is an Anglican priest and principal of Montreal Diocesan Theological College in Montreal. An experienced teacher, author, and leader in the Church, offers thoughtful reflections on what it means to live as faithful followers of Christ. He is also the son of the Rev. Beth Hewson, incumbent of St. John’s Anglican Church in North Bay.

In Faithful, Creative, Hopeful, Zink explores the core values that anchor our faith while challenging us to engage the world with a renewed sense of imagination and possibility. Through his writing, we are encouraged to reflect on the ways in which we, as individuals and as a community, can embody a Christian life that is not only rooted in tradition but also bold in its creativity and openness to new ways of living out our mission.

Our Assisting Bishop, Michael Oulton will be leading this study on Wednesday evenings during Lent (March 12^th, March 19^th, March 26^th, April 2^nd, April 9^th) from 7pm to 9pm and you are warmly invited to participate.  The author will join us on the final evening of the Study, April 9^th.

Please register with Carla MacEwan carlamacewan@dioceseofalgoma.com who will send you the Zoom link. Registrations will remain open throughout Lent, but we hope you will register by Monday 10^th March, 2025.

Faithful, Creative, Hopeful: Fifteen Theses for Christians in a Crisis Shaped World is readily available at Amazon.ca

An urgent call for Christians to face a changing world with faith and resolve.

The world is changing rapidly. Between climate change, an unequal economic system, and widespread human migration, our societies are under stress and strain like never before. And just now, when the world needs to hear good news, many people perceive the Christian church as too old, tired, or out-of-touch to respond.

In Faithful, Creative, Hopeful, Jesse Zink demonstrates the importance of the Christian gospel and its witness to the flourishing of human societies. Zink offers 15 theses—echoing those of the church reformers—that together offer a vision for a renewed faith and a renewed church in this crisis-shaped world. From the future of the Eucharist to the nature of Christian hope, from the challenges of neoliberal capitalism to the joys of local community, Zink skillfully weaves together theology, Scripture, liturgy, congregational ministry, and on-the-ground experience of church in a variety of contexts to provoke, motivate, and challenge Christians to renew their ministry and live our mission in a changing world. (Amazon.ca website)

For pre-book study insights check out this link to this podcast interview Dr. Zink did with Martha Tatarnic of the Diocese of Niagara:https://futurechristian.podbean.com/e/jesse-zink-on-charting-realistic-hope-for-the-church-s-future/.

And this podcast interview with an American podcast: https://theleadersway.podbean.com/e/47-apocalyptic-clarity-with-jesse-zink/.

May this season of Lent be a time of deep renewal and transformation for you, your congregations, and all of us in the Diocese of Algoma.

forward to seeing you online!

+Anne