Rumi Forum had its monthly circle on December 6, 2023, to study Abrahamic scriptures on the topic of “Reconciliation” with our study leader, Dr. Thomas Conroy, from Virginia Theological Seminary.
Scriptural Reasoning (SR) allows Christians, Jews, and Muslims to study each other’s sacred texts. SR participants meet monthly to read short passages on a topic from their respective scriptures. Facilitated by a study leader, each session is an opportunity to listen and share various perspectives. SR sessions help participants reflect on a curious list of topics within the Abrahamic tradition. The result is often a deeper understanding of others and one’s scriptures and the development of strong bonds across faith communities.
Scriptural Reasoning: Introduction Jewish Scripture: Hebrew Bible
Cristian Scripture: New Testament Islamic Scripture: Quran
This Month`s Study Leader
Dr. Thomas Martin Conroy is a middler in the Master of Divinity program at Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) and a member of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Alexandria, VA. Tom is a Companion Member of the Center for Anglican Communion Studies. He was the VTS student representative for The Compass Rose Society annual meeting this past November in London. The Society for the Increase of Ministry welcomed Tom as one of their scholars for the 2022-2023 academic year. His vocational focus is on interim ministry work and he presented a workshop on Congregational Discernment at the Interim Ministry Network annual conference this past November.
Before his move to Alexandria, Tom served Mary Queen of Peace Parish in Pittsburgh, PA, as organist, choir director, and bell choir director. His Catholic upbringing comprised Maronite and Roman rites, and he began playing for services at his Lebanese parish, St. Maron Church in Youngstown, Ohio, at age twelve. He completed his master’s degree in composition at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 2003, where he also was a faculty member from 2009 to 2013; he earned his doctorate of musical arts in composition at Rice University in Houston, Texas. He served on the faculties of Texas A and M University, University of Houston, and Ball State University.