Ephesus- Recent Impressions and Reflections

This article by Murray Jansen, a more recent member of Ephesus, a Wellington based group closely aligned with SOFiA, contains current information  on the group and some considerations regarding the future. It follows on from the article by Ian Harris in the previous newsletter.

As a relative newcomer to Ephesus here are some personal impressions from the last few years:
I’ve enjoyed the informality: the cup of tea and pot-luck finger food, catch-up with familiar faces, then with tables cleared, the opening: “We meet to explore and understand ways of fully living and being in the 21st Century, not forgetting what has been in the past and looking to what will be in the future.”

There is simplicity and directness in this, and the night’s topic is set in motion. To “explore” and “understand” means our minds will be engaged – that’s a given. Richard Rohr says that a characteristic of liberals is their reaching for what is “real” and authentic. That implies some mental activity - and some honest reflection. This is Ephesus.

Discussions, usually part of a presentation, often bring up a personal insight or roadblock that someone has wrestled with, although in a larger group setting there is not always time to tease things out. The absence and welfare of members is noted at meetings by those in touch, and behind-the-scenes contacts maintained. I’ve been impressed with the range and depth of interests among members (they are often the session presenters in the list below), the variety of book titles I hear about, and the willingness to consider ideas. Some session topics over the last year or so:
”Do we really want a good society” (pre-election series);
“Darwin in his Life and Times”;
“Saving Jesus from the Church” (Robin Meyers on YouTube);
Dominic Crossan: illustrated talks on Resurrection and Ascension (video series); “Impermanence in Religion, Philosophy, Art and Quilting”;
“Francis of Assisi as Patron Saint of the Natural World”;
“Upending Power and Privilege”;
“The Green Man”;
“Pentecost: Inspiration and Music”;
“Process theology”;
“What are we going to do with the Bible?”.

This last topic was an historical overview by Jim Cunningham whose regular input is always appreciated.
The weekend retreats, with focus topic and speaker, have been an annual highlight in pre-Covid days. As well as exploring a theme, these were opportunities for members to spend time together and develop closer relationships. Now, I wonder if the energy is still in the group to revive this?

Occasional liturgies remind us that there is an implicit centre to this group, and that we also value this quieter space together. That we continue to build regular liturgies into our programme says something: Ephesus is more than individuals with burning questions (and answers) and a general pooling of ideas.

Religion is complex and multilayered – apparently binding people in different ways depending on our personal needs, age, education, or social setting. For it Biblical roots and rich Judeo-Christian tradition are important. “Spirituality”, tricky to pin down, is always present too, yet easily slips under the radar, maybe because it can be very personal - and fragile. I notice the aversion to invoking simplistic or outdated ways of talking about “God”. Rational territory is more easily navigated, but in my mind, by itself, is incomplete.

The future: with an aging membership where now for Ephesus? Do we look to younger people to hold the old baton – or a new one? Would the new holders run things in the same way? Or does the new future need to be more action oriented – something the Ephesus I know was not expected to be.

There is something perennial about Ian Harris’s Ephesus metaphor of transposing the valued past into current culture – today largely secular; and the brief set out almost 35 years ago is certainly wide enough to admit any worthwhile new directions. So, is it now just a matter of settling on burning 21st century issues such as climate change, interfaith connections, inequality? If so, the way they are handled may be all-important.