Class #6

The core teaching of this class was to understand that we are part of the church universal. As the body of Christ, we share a common heritage with all Christians. For more than seventy-five percent of our history in the western church, the Roman Catholic Church was the only church. To better understand the Roman Catholic Church is to better understand our own history, heritage, and common elements we share with all Christians.

After beginning the evening with the traditional "bible drills" we took a trust walk back into the past. The first persecutions of the Christians came not from Rome but from out closest relatives. Some in the Jewish community felt threatened by the new faith. Because of persecution, many people were forced into "underground churches" to practice their faith. A walk to our underground church began.

In the time we call the Dark Ages, there was one light. That one light was the church. In what ways has our very own church been a "light" to you and your family?

We learned some very interesting information about how churches were built. For instance, stained-glass windows were a symbol of God's light. When you look above to God, you see light, color and beauty. Most people could not read, but they could understand pictures. The windows in Gothic cathedrals depicted scenes and stories from the bible. Ask your kids if they know what the story of OSUMC's stained glass windows is.

Oh darn who was it that tracked in that mud?