Springs of Life: Water in the Ritual and Imagination of Christians and Jews

Sunday evening, April 26, 7:30 - 9:00 pm
Lutheran Church

Rabbi Audrey Marcus-Berkman and Pastor John Stendhal will address the topic Springs of Life: Water in the Ritual and Imagination of Christians and Jews. In this topic both commonalities and differences abound. What are the biblical sources and symbols that speak to our distinct communities? What are the connections between mikveh and font, purification and baptism, and how do they differ? The presentations and conversation will look not only at the history and the theologies involved but at what the practical effects are when these symbols are interpreted by or in relation to the community of the other. Come to listen, and bring your questions, experiences, and observations to share as well. Light refreshments will be provided.

Liaison Committee History

The Liaison Committee came into being in December 2007. The need for the committee arose because Rabbi Audrey had joined us the previous August and was by this point experiencing a multitude of demands coming from different directions. For example, Ritual might ask her to attend their meetings, Adult Education wanted her do a program, Programming was looking for her participation in holiday celebrations and Membership was saying they needed her to be involved in finding new members. The problem was there was no coordination between these demands.

Very quickly after we began meeting a parallel issue emerged. We did not know exactly what we expected from the Rabbi. It was one thing to say we wanted her to do all these things and another to be realistic and decide what was both feasible and met our priorities.