Womens spirituality – The Wisdom Years

A New Study from The Wisdom Years

April 10, 2026Marjorie George

A Word from the Desert

Beginning April 23

Thursdays, 4 p.m. (Central time)

By Zoom

It is possible to be a solitary in one’s mind while living in a crowd, and it is possible for one who is a solitary to live in the crowd of his own thoughts.”
– Amma Syncletica

At a particular moment in history, around the fourth century, certain Christian women chose to eschew their contemporary society and move to the deserts of Egypt, Israel, and Syria where they lived in solitude. Christianity was no longer outlawed by the Roman government, and active persecutions had stopped. For these women, it became increasingly difficult to inhabit lives focused solely on God.

The women, who were called ammas, became known for their wisdom, and people would come out from the cities to ask for a word from them.

Using The Desert Mothers, Spiritual Practices from the Women of the Wilderness by the Rev Mary C. Earle, we will seek wisdom for ourselves especially in the chaotic times in which we live.

We will read a chapter a week on our own, then gather for conversation by Zoom on Thursdays at 4 p.m. (Central time) beginning on April 23.

If you would like to participate in this study, please send an email to Marjorie George at marjoriegeorge62@gmail.com.

There is no cost for the study, but you will need to provide your own book. To order from the St. Mark’s bookstore, go to https://bookshop.org/shop/stmarksbookstoresa and put the title in the search bar. Be sure to select the book by Mary Earle.

We welcome persons of all denominations to join us.

The Way of Sabbath

February 1, 2023Marjorie George

On Our Website starting February 23

and Gathering by Zoom

Thursdays, 4 to 5:15 pm (Central time)

February 23 to March 23

Pulling from the wisdom of The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel, we will look at Sabbath not as a set of rules for one day of the week, but as a model for living all the days of the week.

Our time with friends and family on the Sabbath can make us more sensitive to the needs of other human beings. Celebrating the grandeur and beauty of nature on Sabbath, we are made more sensitive to the needs of the earth and reminded that God calls us to serve as co-creators of a just and compassionate world. Time for silence on the Sabbath shows us the value of solitude and silence every day. As we celebrate Sabbath, we can carry with us something of the sabbath through the rest of the week.

Sabbath, says Abraham Heschel, is not only a day of detachment from material things. “It is a day of attachment to the spirit.”

Together we will read The Sabbath by Heschel, then gather on Thursdays from 4 to 5:15 (Central time) for conversation by Zoom.

The study material will also be posted on the Wisdom Years website for use by congregations, small groups, or individual study.

There is no cost for the study. Participants will need to buy their own book: The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel, publishers Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

To indicate your interest in this offering or if you have questions, please send an email to Marjorie George at marjoriegeorge62@gmail.com or to wisdomyears2020@gmail.com.

To support independent book sellers, order from St. Mark’s Bookstore at https://www.stmarksbookstore.com

We apologize if you receive this notification more than once. We just don’t want anyone to miss this exciting news.

Exploring Sophia; Seeking Wisdom

April 27, 2022Marjorie George

May 12 through June 30

Thursdays 4 p.m. (Central time)

By Zoom

Is knowledge the same thing as wisdom? Not necessarily. Knowledge is what one knows; wisdom is when and how and where to apply it.

Seven books of scripture (including two from the Apocrypha) offer us wisdom about life – addressing topics such as relationships with each other and with God, why suffering and injustice exist, and what to do about good and evil. We call it the wisdom literature. It typically appears as a collection of pithy sayings and short, didactic teachings, or as long monologues, or even as poetry.

The ancient Hebrews sought to gather wisdom from their lives and experiences and pass it on to their children, especially their sons. Ironically, in scripture wisdom is often considered a feminine characteristic.

Wisdom, it is said, comes to us only as a divine gift, and it belongs to the very nature of God, revealing God’s feminine side. Many refer to her as Sophia – the Greek word for wisdom.

In our study we will consider where we can find Sophia/wisdom in scripture and how we can benefit from her teachings. How can we companion with her to live full and meaningful godly lives?

We will also read from The Star in my Heart by Joyce Rupp to follow how Sophia has guided her life. Participants will need to buy the book.

Then we will gather by Zoom on Thursdays at 4 pm (Central time) for discussion. Together we will learn from each other and from the Holy Spirit as we listen for what the spirit has to teach us.

If you want to join this study, please send an email to Marjorie George at marjoriegeorge62@gmail.com. The study will be led by Marjorie George, Carla Pineda, and the Rev. Patricia Riggins.

We invite you to join us.

Questions? Contact Marjorie George at marjoriegeorge62@gmail.com.

The Star in My Heart is available from St. Mark’s bookstore at https://bookshop.org/shop/stmarksbookstoresa.

This entire study will be posted on this website, suitable for use by congregations or individuals who wish to join us but are not able to meet by Zoom on Thursday afternoons.