Our diocesan Theologian-in-residence, the Rev. Canon Victor Lee Austin, has been leading theology discussions with clergy in various places in the diocese. For those Christians interested in learning how to speak from their faith around the issue of bioethics, Austin will lead a class on the subject using the book Bioethics: A Primer for Christians, by Gilbert Meilaender (3rd edition).

He plans to focus on the following chapters of the book: Christian Vision, Procreation versus Reproduction, Prenatal Screening, Suicide and Euthanasia, Refusing Treatment, Who Decides? and Sickness and Health.

This class will be opened to interested lay persons along with clergy at St. Matthias in Athens. (Lay leaders who are interested in joining one of the other groups are invited to drop a line to Father Austin, .)

Each class lasts 90 minutes and is offered at the following places:

For laity and clergy: 10:30 a.m., September 26, at St. Matthias, 205 Willowbrook Drive, Athens.  (Morning Prayer will be said at 10 a.m.; RSVP with the Rev. Matthew Frick at so he can order lunch.)

For clergy: 2 p.m., September 26, at St. Philip’s, 1206 College Street, Sulphur Springs.

For clergy: 10 a.m., September 27, at St. Paul’s, 420 South Coit Road, Prosper.

For clergy: 1:30 p.m., September 27, at Incarnation, 3966 McKinney Avenue, Dallas.