Reading the First Four Chapters of Paradise Lost on Maundy Thursday. 
We are going to read Paradise Lost throughout the day of April 2nd. We’ll start promptly at 10 am, we should be finished by 5 pm. Throughout, we hope to have selections of music sung from Haydn’s Creation, much of which was inspired by Paradise Lost.
Why Paradise Lost? Milton had taken part in a revolt against the monarchy in his time, in an effort to move England toward a fledgling form of democracy. That effort failed, and so Milton wrote his massive poem about the rebellion in heaven, of the fall, and of the consequences of free will. In other words, Milton was grappling with some of the same issues that are emerging once again in our own time, though in a different form. This is a poem that we need right now, for all of its theological, moral, and aesthetic.
We’ll take breaks between books to stretch our legs, and to get snacks and coffee.
Then, when we’re finished, we’ll gather for a simple dinner of soup and bread, followed by the sharing of communion.