The Adult Forum
The Forum
Sacred Conversations about Life
The Forum is an adult education program hosted on Sunday mornings (other than “Community Sundays” that are focused on fellowship) during the Education Hour, from 11:05 to 11:45 a.m. We invite all to join us in the church sanctuary for these “Sacred Conversations about Life” where guest speakers, clergy, and leaders from our Church will stimulate deeper thought and questions about what it means to live as Christians in a complex world. Detailed schedules of the topics and speakers will be made available through the parish newsletter, in Sunday leaflets, and on our web site. We hope that members and their friends will look over The Forum schedule and attend those programs that are of the most interest. No preparation is needed and there is no homework assigned.
Schedule
Hosted by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Sundays from 11:05-11:45 in the church. All are invited to join us!
October 27 – Discussing Politics – How to Speak and Listen in Challenging times.
A Presidential election is upon us. The church should be a safe place to be ourselves – even our political selves. How do we keep the tension of “separation of church and state” while still having God guide us in all aspects of our lives? And how can we listen and speak to each when we might have different political views? This forum will take place in the Undercroft to facilitate conversation.
November 3 – Community Sunday
No Forum, instead all to gather for refreshments and fellowship in the back of the church.
November 10 – Progressive Theology – What can a modern person believe?
Progressive scholars have been exploring how 21st century Christians can engage the doctrines and traditions of the church in a new way. They are rethinking such topics as how to read scripture, the person of Jesus, the Resurrection, miracles, and even the nature of God. Do some of these scholars go too far? And how might they open up inspiring ways of understanding our faith? Join Mark Stanley to look at some liberal scholarly views on the Christian belief.
November 17 – Discovering God Through Black Girlhood.
Our special guest speaker is the Rev. Khristi Lauren Adams – author and the new Executive Director of Community & Belonging at the Saint Paul’s Schools in Brooklandville. In her new book, Womanish Theology: Discovering God Through Black Girlhood, Khristi reflects her faith journey, inviting readers to learn from a new perspective and guiding them to a deeper understanding of their own spirituality. Khristi introduces a new branch of theological thought she calls womanish, as a play on the womanist tradition (the theology of Black womanhood). “Womanish,” is a term Black mothers used for young girls as they grew more interested in doing grown-up things. In this forum Adams will draw on her own life story as well as the life stories of other Black girls to explore theological concepts such as Scripture, salvation, prayer, neighborly love, and the image of God. This conversation will reveal that theology is for everyone and that the whole community of God can learn from the spiritual insights of Black girls.
November 24 – Decorating the Church for the Holidays
All ages are invited to stay a while after church to decorate for Christmas. Lunch will be provided and there will be fun activities for children, including decorating their own tree and making ornaments. Join us as we prepare the church and get in the mood for Advent and Christmas.
December 1 – Advent Wreath Making Event for All Ages
We will provide all the supplies you need for each household to build their very own Advent wreath. We might even have a visit from Saint Nicholas of Myra (otherwise known as Saint Nick).
December 8 – An Edgy Joshua.
Joshua and his peeps are finally on the edge. Imagine their thoughts and feelings as they leave the wilderness behind and step into promise. And Joshua has some stuff to say! So, have you ever stood on an edge? Bet Joshua has something to say to us too! Join the Rev. Flo Ledyard to look at this great Old Testament leader.
December 15 – Is there a Hell?
Eternal punishment in the afterlife as the destination for bad people is a pretty standard Christian belief. Or is it? Where did the concept of hell come from? What was its role in the past – or for our faith today? Are there other ways to look understand the notion of hell?
Past Forums
September 29 – The Religious Art of Michelangelo.
Michelangelo was an artistic genius of the Italian Renaissance who created some of the greatest sculptures and paintings of all time. The subjects of his works were so often the key figures and moments of the Judeo-Christian faith. What did it mean for him to sculpt David looking out with slingshot in hand? Or to paint God at the moment of touching Adam’s finger to bring him to life? Join Mark Stanley to explore some of the religious art of Michelangelo including the David, the Pieta, and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
