“Father Abraham’s Many Children” with Tyler Mayfield of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary

Monday, February 28 and Tuesday, March 1 at St. John XIII Pastoral Center, Charleston (beginning with lunch Monday and ending with lunch Tuesday)
Registration deadline: Thursday, February 17

Spouses are welcome!

This retreat will explore religious difference by seeing parallels between reading Genesis expansively and engaging our contemporary religious landscape generously. We will pay attention to the fuller story of Genesis, especially those figures we do not commonly consider blessed or chosen, the other brothers of Genesis – Cain, Ishmael, and Esau. Each of these three characters has been derided, overlooked, and dismissed from discussions about Genesis and about God’s ways in the world. Likewise, we pay attention to people in other faith traditions who are not regularly deemed faithful and blessed. When we value and listen to our religious neighbors, we also explore our contemporary lives of faith and our mysterious God’s work in the world. What if our children’s song “Father Abraham Had Many Sons” was right all along? Abraham had many sons. Likewise, Abraham has many children today: me and you, our Jewish neighbors, and our Muslim friends. I am one of them, and so are you.

LEADER: Tyler Mayfield is a biblical scholar, teacher, and administrator at Louisville Seminary, where he teaches courses in biblical theology, ethical readings of Scripture, and prophetic literature. He leads a triennial travel seminar to Israel and Palestine to explore the ancient biblical sites as well as contemporary Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. He is the author of four books, including A Guide to Bible Basics; Unto Us a Child Is Born: Isaiah, Advent, and Our Jewish Neighbors; and Father Abraham’s Many Children: The Bible in a World of Religious Difference. He is currently working on a theological commentary on Ezekiel.

The cost per person is as follows:

  • $120 for first participant from a church (Note: all single rooms unless sharing with a spouse)
  • $90 for each additional participant from a church
  • $80 for commuters (Note: this rate includes meals. Commuters should plan to be present at least 1-4 and 7-8:30 p.m. Monday and 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday.)

Register online below, or if you prefer, you can mail your registration and a check to Susan Sharp Campbell, Presbytery of West Virginia, 520 Second Ave., South Charleston, WV 25303. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Sharp Campbell, Associate for Educational Ministry, at susan_sharp_campbell@hotmail.com or 304-667-9428.