FORMATION + FELLOWSHIP

We know that Christian education is more than acquiring knowledge; it is about helping one another discover God’s presence in and purpose for our lives. Christian Formation provides opportunities for learning and growing together in our faith, as well as in our relationships with one another.

For our 2025 Lenten series, we will explore five “feminist killjoys” of the Hebrew Bible: biblical women whose disruptive unhappiness threatens the simple black-and-white morality of the stories around them. Although their tales are ancient, these five “antiheroes” can still teach us how to wrestle faithfully with God’s word. This class will be taught by Dr. Esther Brownsmith, an assistant professor of Hebrew Bible at the University of Dayton and a Christ Episcopal Church parishioner.

Sample the Series on Sunday, March 16, 9 am — Hagar the Uppity

As an Egyptian slave impregnated by Abraham, Hagar’s life was not easy—particularly after Sarah accused her of being too “uppity” and drove her away to the desert. Yet even at the lowest point of her life, the Bible preserves her voice and gives her a remarkable honor. We will use this story to reflect on how women’s voices—particularly those from the African diaspora—have spoken uncomfortable truths from the ancient world to the present.

Wednesday, March 19, 6:15pm — Tamar the Brazen

Mistreated by her in-laws, the biblical Tamar concocted a bold, scandalous plan to achieve the security and family that she dreamed of.  In the brazenness of this ancestor of Jesus, we will find inspiration to insist on justice and act for equity, even when it means challenging and outwitting those in power.

Wednesday, March 26, 6:15pm — Miriam the Proud

As the sister of Abraham and Aaron, Miriam the prophetess had a position of honor. But when she dared to speak against those in authority, she was punished and silenced. Together, we will uncover Miriam’s story and legacy, reflecting together on the endurance of women’s proud prophetic voices.

Wednesday, April 2, 6:15pm — Michal the Offended

Michal, the daughter of King Saul and wife of King David, spoke up against David—and paid the price for it. Within the Bible’s careful curation of David’s image, Michal’s offended unhappiness preserves an alternative view. We will sit with Michal, listening to her stories, and discuss our responses when our own “killjoy” impulses resist a simplistic reading of God’s word.

Wednesday, April 9, 6:15pm — Jezebel the Harlot

Everyone thinks they know the story of Queen Jezebel: a seductive idolater who challenged God’s prophets and led Israel into sin. But how much of that story is history, and how much is later propaganda? In this final week, we will discuss the legacies of history’s feminist killjoys; we’ll study Scripture “at a slant” to locate traces of our foremothers, and we’ll share strategies to read the Bible faithfully while honoring those traces.