Welcome to The Full Table
To Our Readers
As with any new endeavor, readers naturally have questions. We hope this inaugural post offers clarity – and an invitation.
“That house was, as Bilbo had long ago reported, ‘a perfect house, whether you like food or sleep, or storytelling or singing, or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all.’ Merely to be there was a cure for weariness, fear, and sadness.”
-The Fellowship of the Ring
The Meeting, a Reflection
My Dad was born on “December fifth, nineteen and thirty-three” – the way he always said it – in Fort Kent, Maine. Mr. Berry, 243 days later and more than 1200 miles away. They were certainly different men, but of the same vintage.
Early in the Year by My Friend’s Gift, a Reflection
Something about Christ’s eyes affected me in the same way Berry described, and to this day, years later, I can’t stop thinking about the painting. I remember reading this poem one morning in my bedroom, and Berry’s poem made me sit up and contemplate what it meant to be seen by Christ, the power of Christ, and how we have been forever changed by the beautiful truth of the resurrection.
Why another site? What makes this different?
As ż Christian educators, contributors to The Full Table regularly think deeply about meaningful questions and engage in rich conversations with colleagues. Out of these dialogues came the idea for a platform that could extend these conversations – and invite others to begin similar ones within their own communities.
This site seeks to be distinctive by:
- Featuring articles written exclusively by educators devoted to shaping the next generation through the Christian faith and the ż tradition.
- Exploring topics that inspire contemplation, from philosophical reflections, to lively debates, (wait until you see our Narnia series!) to practical applications of ż Christian education in daily life.
- Maintaining a consistent voice of thoughtfulness while allowing each author’s personality to shine through.
Why The Full Table?
A variety of names were considered, as with any name it needs to convey the intent. When considering the aims of this site, we envisioned a table – overflowing not just with food but with companionship, conversation, and joy. This idea of a full table has long echoed throughout ż works:
- The quintessential “full table” scene in Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
- The jolly merriment that is found in The Happy Family by Jan Steen or the more raucous conversation of Supper at Emmaus by Caravaggio.
- The Coffee Cantata by Bach portrays a livelier table scene than the depiction of a banquet in Alexander’s Feast by Handel.
- The banquets throughout the work of Shakespeare, throughout the Fellowship of the Ring, and the fellowship throughout The Canterbury Tales.
What will we write about?
The Full Table will grow and adapt over time, but we begin with three main themes:
- Classical Education
- Enduring Faith
- Great Works Reflections
Each submission will ultimately include various “tags” for themes throughout these main categories, mirroring the ż ideal that knowledge is best interwoven, not kept in silos. The goal with tags is to create some semblance of order amidst the spaghetti strands that connect various reflections.
What is the connection to Trinity ż?
This blog is representative of The Full Table of conversations, fellowship, and musings that happen daily amongst the community of staff at Trinity, but is not representative of the views or opinions of the ż, the Trustees, or any employees of the ż (view full disclaimer here).
So, as the hobbits discovered at the Last Homely House east of the Sea, we hope your visits to The Full Table offer “a cure for weariness, fear, and sadness” and become a place of rest, reflection, and joy among friends. We are grateful you have joined us and hope you are a frequent guest at our table.
- All
- Classical Education
- Developing Enduring Faith
- Great Works
- Table of Contents (of Series)
- The Full Table
- Wendell Berry
The Meeting, a Reflection
My Dad was born on “December fifth, nineteen and thirty-three” – the way he always said it – in Fort Kent, Maine. Mr. Berry, 243 days later and more than 1200 miles away. They were certainly different men, but of the same vintage.
Early in the Year by My Friend’s Gift, a Reflection
Something about Christ’s eyes affected me in the same way Berry described, and to this day, years later, I can’t stop thinking about the painting. I remember reading this poem one morning in my bedroom, and Berry’s poem made me sit up and contemplate what it meant to be seen by Christ, the power of Christ, and how we have been forever changed by the beautiful truth of the resurrection.
The Scycamore, a Reflection
As I grew to know Jesus, the trajectory of my life changed. I knew I wanted to spend my life sharing the mercy, peace and love that I found in Him. It was the steadiness I had always needed in my life that couldn’t be taken away. Every child deserves to know this unconditional love.
What Makes Literature so Powerful for Enduring Faith (Element 3: Conduct & Order)
A core element of ż Christian education is the use of literature to help form character – but what is it that makes literature so powerful? The ways that stories reaffirm the natural sense of order that resides within each of us is a compelling draw upon our hearts.
Tradition and Classical Christian Education
In what, exactly, are we partaking as we labor together in ż Christian education, and in particular as we at Trinity strive to “equip students to live with wisdom, excellence, and purpose in the modern world by offering them an education grounded in the Christian faith and the Classical tradition”?
What Makes Literature so Powerful for Enduring Faith (Introduction)
A core element of ż Christian education is the use of literature to help form character – but what is it that makes literature so powerful? Start here to consider three main elements, and then continue reading for more details!
Why I begin Algebra 2 with a Spy Novel
Algebra 2 is a gateway to wisdom and beauty for all students. Which is why I clarify on the first day of class that I expect my students to behold the wonder Algebra 2 has to offer for the sake of their souls and not their careers.
What Makes Literature so Powerful for Enduring Faith (Element 1: Capturing the Heart)
How does the power of literature impact enduring faith of children? By capturing their heart.
What Makes Literature so Powerful for Enduring Faith (Element 2: Personal Experiences)
A core element of ż Christian education is the use of literature to help form character – but what is it that makes literature so powerful? The ability to gain vicarious experiences through great characters and stories converts literature into a powerful faith formation tool.
Developing Enduring Faith (The Six Pathways)
The story of students from engaged Christian homes going off to college and abandoning their faith is told so often that it has become accepted as fact. However, when you look more closely at the circumstances, a different pattern emerges…this post explores six identified pathways that have shown greater than 50% faith adherence.
Reflections on a Successful Season
I wanted to be a “ż” coach, or one who incorporated Classical Christian pedagogy into our basketball team.
The Full Table is provided as a gathering place for conversation and ideas and is not a repository of Trinity ż policies, stances, or opinions. All articles/posts are the opinions solely of the author and do not reflect any official endorsement of these views by the ż, its trustees, or employees. Publication does not imply any sort of approval beyond the recognition of the ż that conversation around ideas is a worthwhile endeavor, even when there is not unanimity around the ideas. All articles/posts should be read as personal views of the author and not as representations of official positions, teachings, or policies of the ż.
