Sunday Forum 2024-25
Our adult forum meets during the 9:00 Christian Formation hour on Sunday mornings, between the 8:00 and 10:15 services. It's sometimes led by Pastor Stephen and sometimes by other guest leaders. Join us for this regular opportunity to grow in faith together. Here's our Sunday Forum schedule for 2024-25. The schedule may change, but if so, the most current schedule will always be posted here.January 12, 2025: Getting to Know Icons (Part 1). What makes an image an icon? How can this particular form of sacred art enrich our own spiritual lives? Susan Prier will lead this two-part series, which includes a short film on January 12 and further discussion on January 19.
January 19: Getting to Know Icons (Part 2). Led by Susan Prier.
January 26: An Ethiopian Pilgrimage. The Ethiopian Orthodox tradition is one of the most distinctive and beautiful forms of Christianity. Joan Roughgarden will share about her visit to Ethiopia during the festival of Timkat (the Ethiopian name for Epiphany), which features dramatic processions, reenactments of the baptism of Jesus, and the blessing of local bodies of water.
February 2: Stump the Theologian. How many angels can dance on the head of a pin? (and why does it matter?) Why the platypus? And serious theological questions and discussions as well. Join professional theologian Ellen Wondra to discuss pressing theological questions. It will be informative—and fun!
February 9: Evolution and Christian Faith. How does a scientific understanding of evolution enrich our sense of God's role in creation? Join Joan Roughgarden, author of Evolution and Christian Faith: Reflections of an Evolutionary Biologist, as we explore how science and faith can be mutually complementary as we look at God's world with awe and gratitude.
February 16: Understanding Dementia (Part 1). It is so easy to blame aging for our memory loss, but when memory lapses disrupt a person's daily life, it may be more than just getting older. During this session, professional dementia specialist Laurie White will talk about many of the neurodegenerative conditions, what to know and where to go to seek an evaluation and distribute a list of resources to help.
February 23: Understanding Dementia (Part 2). The journey of dementia can be challenging, lonely, and surprisingly rewarding for everyone involved. Laurie White will present information on how you can best help and support the person with dementia and the family during the early stages as well as towards the end of life. Complimentary copies of Laurie's two books, Coping with Behavior Change in Dementia and Moving a Relative with Dementia, will be available.
March 2: Childhood Trauma, Compassion, and Resilience. How can childhood trauma affect the course of a person's life? The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study revealed how potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood can impact our physical and mental health throughout our lifespan. Understanding these effects can lead to a greater compassion for ourselves and others. This understanding can, in turn, lead to improved resilience. Led by Grace Harris.
March 9: Journey of Holy Week (Part 1). Holy Week and Easter are at the heart of the church's year. In this sacred week, we come very close to the heart of God through sorrow, compassion, and joy. Come learn about the history and meaning of our Holy Week liturgies as Christians have celebrated them from the time of the New Testament to the present day. It will enrich your celebration of Holy Week this year. Led by Stephen Shaver.
March 16: Journey of Holy Week (Part 2). Led by Stephen Shaver.
March 23: Faith and Food (Part 1): Eating Your Way through Luke's Gospel. Jesus is born in a feed trough, and in his last meet-up with his disciples before his ascension asks them if they’ve got anything to eat. Along the way there are banquets, picnics and family suppers. What do the many stories about them reveal about the key themes in Luke’s Gospel? Led by Phina Borgeson.
March 30: Faith and Food (Part 2): First-Century Fare. What were the everyday foods in the Eastern Mediterranean of Jesus’ time? What do we know about how they were grown or procured and prepared, and the customs of the table? Led by Phina Borgeson.
April 6: Faith and Food (Part 3): The Breaking of the Bread. The Eucharist began as a full community meal, and early Christians put special emphasis on "the breaking of the bread"--a phrase that appears over and over in the New Testament. How does the symbolism of a loaf broken and shared inform who we are as God's people? How do we come to know Jesus in the breaking of the bread? Led by Phina Borgeson and Stephen Shaver.
April 13, 20, and 27: No Sunday Forum (Holy Week/Easter Break)
May 4: Daily Practice and Gratitude (Part 1). The practice of gratitude is close to the heart of spiritual life. How can gratitude be part of an intentional daily spiritual practice? Led by John Torres.
May 11: Daily Practice and Gratitude (Part 2). Led by John Torres.
May 18: Courage: A Theological Reflection. How do we think of God? Where is God in our lives? In this forum we will experience the practice of Theological Reflection as practiced in EfM, Education for Ministry--more on this at the forum! While this reflection can be done as individuals, when done in community the sources for insight multiply. Led by Fernando Dizon.
Sunday Forum will be on summer break after May 18 and will resume in the fall.
