Background

New Leaf School for Christian Living began with a question. How do we share with one another what we are learning about God and following Christ?

A summer abroad. An Ameri-Corps year working for justice. Being a mother. 70 years of life and the perspective one gains. In all of these experiences, we see the work of God in our lives and the lives of others.

Come, learn what God is doing in people, here & now.

Time & Place

All courses will meet at the Hyattsville House at 5608 31st Avenue, Hyattsville MD 20782. Classes will meet at 6:45pm for dinner and then begin at 7:30pm. The School is Metro accessible via the Green line at the West Hyattsville Metro stop. For more information about the Hyattsville House, click on "Community" and then "Hyattsville House" link.

Course Offering, March 2010

Ruthless Trust

taught by Nat Ayewah only March 26, 2010

This class will begin with a potluck dinner around 6:30pm. By 7:30pm, we'll get right into learning from Nat.

Here's how Nat describes the course: Brennan Manning is recognized for using the word "Ragamuffin" to describe Christians who are "conscious of their brokenness and powerlessness before God". His central theme has always been that God loves us extravagantly, just the way we are, not as we should be.

In the book "Ruthless Trust", he argues that our gift back to God is our trust. Says Manning: "The splendor of a human heart which trusts that it is loved gives God more pleasure than Westminster Cathedral, the Sistine Chapel, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Van Gogh's Sunflowers, the sight of ten thousand butterflies in flight, or the scent of a million orchids in bloom."

Ruthless trust is the shriveled old man who has lived a life of suffering, but who still gets on his knees every morning, tears of gratitude streaming down his face. Ruthless trust is the beleaguered believer, tormented by doubts, who nevertheless persists in the practice of faith, believing that God will answer. Ruthless trust is Jesus saying in his last few hours: "Abba, everything is possible for you. Take this cup away from me. But let it be as you, not I, would have it".

Trust combines our faith in God's power, with our hope in his goodness. Join us as we discuss the way of trust.

Upcoming Courses for Winter-Early Spring

• Gardening with God in April taught by Alex Caruso & others

Students

How to Become a Student

The New Leaf School for Christian Living is open to all and is free of cost. We ask that you indicate your interest in participating in a particular course by registering via our Facebook site or by sending an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . This helps us order materials for the appropriate number of people.

What to Expect

An atmospshere of  "figuring things out together." We're all trying to live lives in honor of God. The School for Christian Living is an opportunity for us to grow as individuals & as a community. We recommend a St. Francis approach: "O Divine Master, I may not seek so much to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love."

Teachers

How to Become  a Teacher

Teachers are commited to New Leaf Church and/or the broader DC area network of churches and Christian communities. They are followers of Christ and are commited to their own discipleship and the discipleship of their fellow Christians. Contact Amy if you are interested in becoming a teacher or have a proposal for a class!

Current Teacher

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Archive of Classes

Solidarity & Stories, taught by Eileen Schofield, www.larchegwdc.org

India: Solidarity, taugh by Aida Stuk & others

Forgiveness, taught by John Kohl

Becoming a Prayer, taught by Brian Gorman, http://brianjgorman.wordpress.com/