What do Jesus' parables mean? Or is that even the right question? How can we learn to look at these stories in ways that bring us to a deeper understanding of Jesus’ call to new life?

We will look at the parables of Jesus as stories of God, grace and the Blessed Community, from a storyteller’s perspective. We will engage with the parables, working out our understandings of each one, seeing them as inexhaustible meaning calling for response. We will work on putting the parables in the 4 contexts of Jesus’ time, of Judaism, and of story, and how they can still speak to us today. Merrill will talk about the contexts of the parables, engage us in discussion, and lead us in small group exercises and worship sharing.

Merrill Kohlhofer brings to mind Parker Palmer's characterization of teaching as being like engaging in a dance with his students. He has degrees in religion from Andover Newton Theological School. But as a teacher and as professional storyteller for more than 20 years as well, he has used his gifts for engaging presentation and his understanding of the relationship between information and narrative to evoke learning and growth. Merrill has spoken on parables and other subjects in meetings and churches across New England, including New England Yearly Meeting where he led a workshop on parables Merrill is a member of Northshore Monthly Meeting.