Barclay Press

09/20/2022

Illuminate: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations

Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Lamentations form the focus for the fall quarter in our Friends Bible study curriculum, Illuminate. Contributors include: Cherice Bock, Mark Condo, Rhiannon Grant, Jen Higgins-Newman, Kristina Keefe-Perry, Nate Macy, Daniel Smith-Christopher, and Leigh Ruddick Tolton.

If your group is using this resource, what have you learned so far? What discussions has it sparked?

If you haven't ordered it yet, it's not too late! Order digital and print copies at the link.

Friends Bible Study

08/15/2022

Illuminate Summer Speaker Series 2022 - Pendle Hill - A Quaker study, retreat, and conference center near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Our final session is next Monday in our collaborative virtual series on the Gospel of John with Pendle Hill. Join us for a discussion with Zachary Moon and Bob Henry regarding the original disciples' reactions to Jesus' resurrection appearances, and implications for our own faith journeys. Though this is the final session in the series, you can register for this session alone, or register for the whole series and receive recordings to the previous sessions. https://pendlehill.org/events/illuminate-summer-speaker-series-2022/

The Gospel of John is beloved by many in the Religious Society of Friends: it is the source of our... Learn More

08/08/2022

Illuminate Summer Speaker Series 2022 - Pendle Hill - A Quaker study, retreat, and conference center near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Join Ben Snyder and Jen Higgins-Newman for a discussion of Jesus' resurrection according to the Gospel of John and the presence of Mary Magdalene in our virtual summer series with Pendle Hill, TODAY at 7:30pm Eastern / 4:30pm Pacific. https://pendlehill.org/events/illuminate-summer-speaker-series-2022/

The Gospel of John is beloved by many in the Religious Society of Friends: it is the source of our... Learn More

08/01/2022

Illuminate Summer Speaker Series 2022 - Pendle Hill - A Quaker study, retreat, and conference center near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Moving through the story of Jesus in the Gospel of John, next week we'll consider his resurrection and the presence of Mary Magdalene in all gospel accounts in our virtual summer series in collaboration with Pendle Hill. This session features Ben Snyder and Jen Higgins-Newman. Register to attend this session or the whole series, including recordings of past sessions. https://pendlehill.org/events/illuminate-summer-speaker-series-2022/

The Gospel of John is beloved by many in the Religious Society of Friends: it is the source of our... Learn More

07/25/2022

Illuminate Summer Speaker Series 2022 - Pendle Hill - A Quaker study, retreat, and conference center near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Join us at 7:30pm Eastern / 4:30pm Pacific to hear from Jaimie Mudd and Kemper Sandstrom, Author, Speaker about the Gospel of John's unique take on the Last Supper, as part of our virtual summer series in collaboration with Pendle Hill. https://pendlehill.org/events/illuminate-summer-speaker-series-2022/

The Gospel of John is beloved by many in the Religious Society of Friends: it is the source of our... Learn More

07/18/2022

Illuminate Summer Speaker Series 2022 - Pendle Hill - A Quaker study, retreat, and conference center near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Next Monday, we'll hear from Jaimie Mudd and Charity Kemper Sandstrom, Author, Speaker on the Gospel of John's unique take on the Last Supper in our virtual summer series with Pendle Hill. You can register for individual sessions or join for the rest of the series. https://pendlehill.org/events/illuminate-summer-speaker-series-2022/

The Gospel of John is beloved by many in the Religious Society of Friends: it is the source of our... Learn More

07/11/2022

Illuminate Summer Speaker Series 2022 - Pendle Hill - A Quaker study, retreat, and conference center near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The session on "Living Water" featuring Cherice Bock and Leigh Ruddick Tolton begins in half an hour! Register and join us for a virtual discussion on the Gospel of John with our Illuminate Friends Bible study editor and contributor, in collaboration with Pendle Hill . https://pendlehill.org/events/illuminate-summer-speaker-series-2022/

The Gospel of John is beloved by many in the Religious Society of Friends: it is the source of our... Learn More

07/10/2022

Illuminate: John (Friends of Jesus)

Leigh Tolton explores Jesus' claim to be the Way, Truth, and Life in the Gospel of John in this week's Illuminate Friends Bible study. She considers his transcendent power over life as he raised Lazarus from the dead, as well as the ways that his claim to be the Way, Truth, and Life have been used by some Christians to try to control others and instill fear in harmful ways.

Brent Bill offers a Friendly Perspective on Lazarus, considering what this experience might have been like for him.

Purchase a copy of "John: Friends of Jesus," and spend time learning and growing through the Gospel of John with other Friends this summer. Illuminate is available in both print and digital versions. http://www.barclaypressbookstore.com/ILLUMINATE/Illuminate-John-Friends-of-Jesus.html

Friends Bible Study

07/05/2022

Illuminate Summer Speaker Series 2022 - Pendle Hill - A Quaker study, retreat, and conference center near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Register now to attend the next session in our summer series on the Gospel of John with Pendle Hill. Next Monday's session features Bock and Leigh Tolton on the topic "Living Water." https://pendlehill.org/events/illuminate-summer-speaker-series-2022/

The Gospel of John is beloved by many in the Religious Society of Friends: it is the source of our... Learn More

07/03/2022

Illuminate: John (Friends of Jesus)

Cherice Bock considers Jesus' offer of "living water," as well as the theme of water in the Gospel of John, in this week's Illuminate Friends Bible study. She encourages us to consider our responsibility to ensure there continues to be clean water accessible to all as we are initiated into Christ's community, even though Friends do not practice rituals involving water using physical elements.

Leigh Tolton reflects in her Friendly Perspective on Jesus calling as disciples men from Nazareth, a place others considered "nothing good" could come from.

Participate in the study of the Gospel of John this summer with other Friends when you order "John: Friends of Jesus," in print or digital version. http://www.barclaypressbookstore.com/ILLUMINATE/Illuminate-John-Friends-of-Jesus.html

Friends Bible Study

06/27/2022

Illuminate Summer Speaker Series 2022 - Pendle Hill - A Quaker study, retreat, and conference center near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Don't miss our second session in the virtual Hill series on the Gospel of John, featuring Paul Anderson and Greg Woods, TODAY at 7:30pm Eastern / 4:30pm Pacific! You can still register and attend in person, or receive a recording to watch later. https://pendlehill.org/events/illuminate-summer-speaker-series-2022/

The Gospel of John is beloved by many in the Religious Society of Friends: it is the source of our... Learn More

06/26/2022

Illuminate: John (Friends of Jesus)

Paul Anderson considers one of Friends' favorite metaphors, Christ as Light, in today's lesson in our Illuminate Friends Bible study, "John: Friends of Jesus."

Additionally, Greg Woods considers the healing passages in John through the perspective of disability theology.

Read more when you order this quarter's Illuminate, available in print or digital versions. http://www.barclaypressbookstore.com/ILLUMINATE/Illuminate-John-Friends-of-Jesus.html

Friends Bible Study

06/20/2022

Illuminate Summer Speaker Series 2022 - Pendle Hill - A Quaker study, retreat, and conference center near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The second session in our virtual summer series on John with Pendle Hill is next Monday! Even if you missed the first session, you can still register, either for a single session or the whole series. Next Monday's session features Paul Anderson and Greg Woods on the topic, "Light of the World." https://pendlehill.org/events/illuminate-summer-speaker-series-2022/

The Gospel of John is beloved by many in the Religious Society of Friends: it is the source of our... Learn More

06/19/2022

Illuminate: John (Friends of Jesus)

On this Sunday, which is both Juneteenth and Father's Day, our Illuminate Friends Bible study is focused this week on Jesus as Bread of Life in the Gospel of John. Jesus feeds the 5,000, providing physical nourishment for those who are literally hungry. Food is available to all God's children (all people) in the form of literal bread and fish shared together, and in terms of spiritual sustenance. Paul Anderson shares more about the metaphor of Jesus as bread in this week's lesson.

In this week's Friendly Perspective, Robin Mohr shares about the Spirit speaking through her as she read the scriptural story of the Samaritan woman at the well on a visit to Friends in Cuba. Read more when you order a print or digital copy of "John: Friends of Jesus." http://www.barclaypressbookstore.com/ILLUMINATE/Illuminate-John-Friends-of-Jesus.html

Friends Bible Study

06/13/2022

Illuminate Summer Speaker Series 2022 - Pendle Hill - A Quaker study, retreat, and conference center near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Join us TODAY at 7:30pm Eastern / 4:30pm Pacific for the first session in our virtual summer session collaboration with Hill on the Gospel of John. Today's speakers are Paul Anderson and Charity Kemper Sandstrom, Author, Speaker on the topic "John Among Friends." https://pendlehill.org/events/illuminate-summer-speaker-series-2022/

The Gospel of John is beloved by many in the Religious Society of Friends: it is the source of our... Learn More

06/12/2022

Illuminate: John (Friends of Jesus)

The beautiful Christ-hymn of John 1 is explored in this week's Illuminate Friends Bible study, "John: Friends of Jesus." Paul Anderson discusses the clarity in this chapter of Jesus as incarnate Word of God, transcendent and accessible.

Brian C Young shares this week's Friendly Perspective with a focus on John the Baptist. He notes John the Baptist's humility in pointing toward the Messiah rather than trying to compete for popularity or numbers. How might we do likewise?

Join us in learning more about the Gospel of John this summer when you purchase a print or digital copy of "John: Friends of Jesus." You can also learn directly from Illuminate contributors and other participants via a virtual summer series on John through Pendle Hill.

http://www.barclaypressbookstore.com/ILLUMINATE/Illuminate-John-Friends-of-Jesus.html

Friends Bible Study

06/06/2022

Illuminate Summer Speaker Series 2022 - Pendle Hill - A Quaker study, retreat, and conference center near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

One week from today, our virtual summer series collaboration with Hill on the Gospel of John begins! Paul Anderson and Kemper Sandstrom, Author, Speaker start off the series by discussing "John Among Friends," June 13, at 7:30pm (Eastern). Register for individual sessions or the whole series here: https://pendlehill.org/events/illuminate-summer-speaker-series-2022/

The Gospel of John is beloved by many in the Religious Society of Friends: it is the source of our... Learn More

06/06/2022

We're looking forward to hearing from our Illuminate Friends Bible study contributors in this virtual series, in collaboration with Pendle Hill! Featuring Paul Anderson, Charity Kemper Sandstrom, Author, Speaker, Greg Woods, Cherice Bock, Leigh Ruddick Tolton, Jaimie Mudd, Ben Snyder, Jen Higgins-Newman, Zachary Moon, and Bob Henry. The series occurs every other Monday at 7:30pm Eastern / 4:30pm Pacific on Zoom starting June 13, 2022. You can register for one or all sessions, attend in person or receive a recording. We hope to see you!

Join Us This Summer for The Gospel of John: Illuminate Summer Speaker Series - A Collaboration Between Barclay Press and Pendle Hill
Jun 13, 27, Jul 11, 25, and Aug 8, 22, 2022

This series discusses the life, teachings, and actions of Jesus as described in the Gospel of John - the most theological of the four gospels in the Bible. “Friendly Perspectives” accompany each week’s lesson, showing Jesus’s encounters with a variety of people, and prompting consideration what it means to be a Friend of Jesus in this time.
Read more and register here: https://pendlehill.org/events/illuminate-summer-speaker-series-2022/

06/06/2022

Illuminate: John (Friends of Jesus)

Today was the first day of this quarter's Illuminate Friends Bible study, "John: Friends of Jesus." Renowned scholar on John and Quaker, Paul Anderson, started off the study of John with the passage where Friends draw our denominational name from (John 15:14) and Jesus' command to love one another.

The disciple John is called the Beloved Disciple in the Gospel of John. Charity Kemper Sandstrom reflects on what his experience might have been like, and the experience of being beloved.

Do you have your copy of "John: Friends of Jesus" yet? If not, you can still order your copy today, in print or digital versions. Use this study guide with a group at your church or meeting, and/or sign up for the summer series on John at Pendle Hill, where contributors to this quarter's study will share more and participate in a virtual discussion. Link to the Pendle Hill series in the comments. http://www.barclaypressbookstore.com/ILLUMINATE/Illuminate-John-Friends-of-Jesus.html

Friends Bible Study

05/18/2022

We're collaborating with Pendle Hill again this summer to bring you the 2022 Illuminate Summer Speaker Series on "John: Friends of Jesus." This six-week session will happen each second and fourth Monday, June 13–August 22. Register here: https://pendlehill.org/events/illuminate-summer-speaker-series-2022/

The following lessons and Friendly Perspectives will be featured, with the contributors sharing from their scholarly study and experience:

June 13: Illuminate Study Guide ~ Week 1, Paul Anderson, “John Among Friends”; Charity Sandstrom, Friendly Perspective on the Beloved Disciple in John

June 27: Illuminate Study Guide ~ Week 4, Paul Anderson, “Light of the World”; Greg Woods, Friendly Perspective on the Man Born Blind in John

July 11: Illuminate Study Guide ~ Week 5, Cherice Bock, “Living Water”; Leigh Tolton, Friendly Perspective on Philip and Nathanael in John

July 25: Illuminate Study Guide ~ Week 9, Jaimie Mudd, “Last Supper”; Charity Sandstrom, Friendly Perspective on Mary and Martha in John

August 8: Illuminate Study Guide ~ Week 12, Ben Snyder, “Resurrection”; Jennifer Higgins-Newman, Friendly Perspective on Mary Magdalene in John

August 22: Illuminate Study Guide ~ Week 13, Zachary Moon, “Fearful and Faithful”; Bob Henry, Friendly Perspective on Thomas in John

05/13/2022

Our summer Illuminate Friends Bible study is on a Quaker favorite: the Gospel of John. A strong crew of scholars, ministers, authors, and insightful Friends contributed to this study: Paul Anderson, Brent Bill, Cherice Bock, Bob Henry, Jen Higgins-Newman, Michael Jay, Robin Mohr, Zachary Moon, Jaimie Mudd, Charity Kemper Sandstrom, Ben Snyder, Leigh Ruddick Tolton, ’Tricia Williams, Greg Woods, and Brian C Young. We hope you will enjoy it and be able to connect with God and other Friends as you participate this summer. You can purchase a print or digital copy of John: Friends of Jesus here: http://www.barclaypressbookstore.com/ILLUMINATE/Illuminate-John-Friends-of-Jesus.html

02/27/2022

Illuminate: Hebrews

For our final week in Hebrews, Jen Higgins-Newman shares in our Illuminate Friends Bible study curriculum about the closing section of Hebrews, which exhorts Christ followers that the main point is mutual love and radical hospitality. She speaks of Jesus' death outside the city walls, a reminder for us of the risk and sacrifice inherent in this communal work of discipleship.

Phil Baisley also emphasizes the mutual love encouraged by the author of Hebrews. He shares a memorable story of feeling loved and accepted in a small act of kindness by a church member when he was a child.

Though this is the last week we are using this quarter's curriculum on Hebrews together, individuals and groups are encouraged to use the study whenever it is appropriate for your group. It can be purchased here in digital and print formats: http://www.barclaypressbookstore.com/Illuminate-Hebrews.html

Friends Bible Study

02/20/2022

Illuminate: Hebrews

As the Winter Olympics draw to a close, Paul Mark Almquist offers a timely meditation on Hebrews 12 in our Illuminate Friends Bible study on the metaphor of "running the race" with perseverance and joy.

Melinda Wenner Bradley writes this week's Friendly Perspective, sharing a story about when her child asked why we can't see God's face. She weaves together God's ultimate otherness and intimate presence in the face of those around us.

You can participate in this quarter's curriculum, "Hebrews: Our Connection to Christ," through digital or paper formats. http://www.barclaypressbookstore.com/Illuminate-Hebrews.html

Friends Bible Study