This week we ponder the very strange and beautifully intricate poem that Jonah utters in the belly of the fish. This is a powerful and heavily ironic moment in the story.

Jonah is God’s own prophet and yet he is the only one in the story who refuses to listen to God.

This first week we lay the groundwork for exploring the story of Jonah from a fresh perspective: Who is Jonah? Why did he flee and get on a boat to Tarshish? And why is his story in the Bible?

Sometimes the need seems so great, and our resources so small, that we are reluctant to give, fearing what we give might go to waste.