2011-2012 Sunday Forum -
Sunday, 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
We meet each Sunday between services in Passavant Hall (upstairs) for a forum on either appointed scripture readings for the Sunday or another topic of interest. Sunday School for children is held concurrently in Passavant Hall. Many of the sessions will include the study of scripture, a practice encouraged by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Book of Faith initiative. See below for a full schedule.
Schedule
September 11 – The Power of Forgiveness
On the tenth anniversary of 9/11 our gospel text is about forgiveness. To observe this day, come at 9:30 to watch this documentary with feature stories on the Amish, the 9/11 tragedy and peace-building in Northern Ireland, along with interviews with renowned Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, Elie Wiesel, Thomas Moore, Marianne Williamson and others. The film explores the role of forgiveness in various faith traditions, and looks at the intensity of anger and grief that human nature is heir to.
If we can forgive ourselves it’s a wonderful thing. I think it’s probably our lack of compassion with ourselves that makes us so upset with others. – Alexandra Asseily
September 18 –The Crib – David Weasely
The Crib an innovative low-threshold overnight shelter for young people, run by The Night Ministry and housed at Lakeview Lutheran Church. Rev. David Weasley, The Night Ministry’s Community and Congregational Relations Coordinator, will facilitate a conversation about The Crib, the youth who call it home, and ways to get involved. The program will also include a brief overview of the history and other programs of The Night Ministry.
September 25 – Politics and Religion – Barbara Wahler
Our beliefs and values inform our views about politics and religion. These are typically two hard-to-discuss subjects. At this forum, Barbara Wahler--a therapist with Holy Trinity’s Spiritual Life Center --leads an open discussion about politics’ role in religion and how religion plays out in politics. Differing opinions are welcome and will be honored at this open forum.
October 2 – 30 Worship Matters: Centripetal Worship: The Evangelical Heart of Lutheran Worship.
As part of a year-long emphasis on worship formation, we will read and discuss Centripetal Worship, which examines how worship is, and should be at the center of a congregation’s life. Themes include: Martin Luther’s witness to the center of worship; music in worship; participation as faith construction; redefining evangelism. A Calvin Institute of Worship grant provides books for all participants at no cost. Leader: Craig Mueller.
November 6 – Walking the Labyrinth – Karol Weigelt
The labyrinth is an ancient tradition used across varied spiritual disciplines. It is one of the oldest contemplative and transformational tools known to humankind, used for centuries for prayer, ritual, spiritual and personal growth. Learn about the history of the labyrinth, its use as a spiritual pathway and its connection to experiencing one’s own center. Holy Trinity will have a labyrinth to walk as part of our Advent journey. Leader: Karol Weigelt.
November 13 – Today’s Readings
A discussion of this Sunday’s scripture readings, led by one of our seminarians.
November 20 – Habits Of The Heart – Carol Schickel
‘I am making all things new’ is a promise we hear in the book of Revelation. When we feel discouraged, lost or stuck in our lives, the idea that change is possible and that we can acquire new rhythms in our lives can fill us with hope. If you are longing to become a creature of new habits, join this session for an exploration of spiritual resources you might draw on to make effective change a sustainable possibility for your life. Leader: Carol Schickel, a therapist in Holy Trinity’s Spiritual Life Center.
November 27 – Today’s Readings
A discussion of this Sunday’s scripture readings, led by one of our seminarians.
December 4 – Poetry for Advent and Christmas – Ryan LaHurd
Most of us are familiar with the vast store of artistic works about the Birth of Jesus in painting and in Christmas hymns and carols. But throughout the centuries many important poems by some of the world’s great poets have been written on the subject. Join us for an introduction and a discussion of some of them as a way of injecting new images and perspectives on a familiar topic.
December 11– Lutherans Living with Religious Pluralism – Carol LaHurd
This season of Advent, anticipating the Word made flesh that is Jesus Christ, happens to be sandwiched between the Muslim Feast of Sacrifices (Nov. 7) and the Jewish Hanukkah (Dec. 20). Such liturgical connections are often obscured by ignorance, negative stereotypes, and even hostility toward religious others. Come and explore the rich resources Lutherans have for fostering friendships and collaboration with persons from other faith traditions.
December 18 – The Jesus of Mark – Joel Cruz
Though the shortest of the Gospels, the portrait of Jesus in this year's readings is dynamic and diverse, ranging from the heroic demon-buster to the enduring martyr. Come and discover Mark's unique portrait of Christ as we begin our new liturgical year.
December 25 and January 1 – No Forums.
January 8 – Epiphany Mysteries – Josh Judd-Herzfeldt
We are familiar with the traditional, western celebration of Epiphany: three Magi from the east follow a star to visit the newborn Jesus, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The early church and many eastern Christians today, however, celebrate much more than just the Magi and the birth of the infant Jesus. Come learn about other ‘Epiphany Mysteries’ as we discuss many different Epiphany traditions.
January 15 –Death & Dying – Barbara Wahler
Medical science has extended dying and its impact on relatives and loved ones. While people may have gained extra years, this may come with added costs--medical, social, economic and personal. Barbara Wahler, a therapist with Holy Trinity’s Spiritual Life Center, facilitates this forum where we can begin to explore the contemporary, as opposed to traditional, grief we face as a result.
January 22 - The Immigration “Issue”
We as Americans are confronted with the illegal immigration issue wherever we are--where we eat and where we live. They are our neighbors, our children’s friends, our co-workers, our workforce, our clients or students. The complexity of this issue makes it daunting to understand and to work for change. Our legal expert will discuss some of the current political climate surrounding this issue with a focus on the Dream Act.
January 29 – Today’s Readings
A discussion of this Sunday’s scripture readings, led by one of our seminarians.
February 5 – "That's not in my Bible!" And Introduction to the Apocrypha – Joel Cruz
Revered my many, rejected by others, the Apocrypha--those "extra" books in some Bibles --remains a mystery to many Christians. This short introduction promises to acquaint you with this wonderful collection of stories, poems, history, proverbs and apocalypse!
February 12 & 19 – Paul and Community - Chris Brown
Join us for a two week Bible Study that will explore the "community" that the Apostle Paul envisioned when he was establishing churches across the Roman Empire. This Bible Study will look at several of the letters Paul wrote and highlight some of the key words Paul used in the Greek, which we have lost in our own translation today. Together we will discuss what implications this has for our contemporary society as well as the community at Holy Trinity, and how this informs our ministry. Led by Seminarian Chris Brown
February 26 – April 1 – Special Lenten Study: Watering God’s Garden: Christian Worship and Earth’s Ecology
Written by Holy Trinity member Benjamin Stewart, Watering God’s Garden makes connections between worship and care for creation. There are chapters on water; seasons and days; fields and vineyards; earth to earth. Using ancient images, contemporary science, medieval mystics, and cosmic symbols, the book calls us to care for the ground on which God has planted us—local community and global home. A Calvin Institute of Worship grant provides books for all participants at no cost. Leader: Craig Mueller.
April 8 – Easter – No Forum
April 15 – Art of the Resurrection– Joel Cruz
During this Eastertide we have heard the witnesses and tasted the bread and wine of Christ's victory over death. But how have people through the ages seen the Resurrection? Join us on this brief tour as we explore the vision and the theology behind some of the most famous depictions of the Resurrection in the visual arts.
April 22 – Today’s Readings
A discussion of this Sunday’s scripture readings, led by one of our seminarians.
April 29 – “How can I know God’s will?” – Joan Beck
Using Discernment to Decide -- As individuals and as groups, we often have decisions to make. How do we include God in our decision-making? How do we find God’s will for our lives? Ignatius of Loyola (a Roman Catholic contemporary of Martin Luther) believed that God will help to draw people to good decisions because God loves us and wants to help us. Ignatius recommends ways to use prayer, reason, and emotions to realize the will of God through our loving choices. Rev. Beck will introduce the group to several of these practical ways, inviting people to try them out on their own dilemmas.
May 6 – Meaning and Metaphor – Ryan LaHurd
If you think metaphor is something just for poets, think again. In normal conversation, we utter one metaphor for every 10-25 words. Metaphor is ubiquitous and fundamental. Not just a component of language, metaphor also plays a basic role in how we perceive our world, how we think, and how we act. Sometimes this influence is obvious, but it can also happen well below the level of our consciousness. Metaphor is an intrinsic part of religion, theology and values; this forum will discuss what metaphor is and how it helps shape our thinking about God, the meaning of life, and our dealings with fellow human beings.
May 13 – The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Poorer? – Carol LaHurd
Last year many of us took part the Lenten discussion of economic justice issues via the book Rediscovering Values. A year later we will ask old and new questions: What difference does it make to Christians that economic disparities continue to widen in the United States and around the globe? What guidance can we glean from our biblical and Lutheran traditions? How can we work together to make Holy Trinity's outreach to our neighbors suffering financially even more effective?
May 20 – Color & Spirituality– Richard Bough
Held in Passavant Hall, this will be a hands-on experience using only Color Aid paper, scissors and glue stick that will encourage participants to use combinations of color in a spiritual/prayerful manner. Those who wish to will be invited to comment on their creations. Richard Bough is an artist and spiritual director from Holy Trinity’s Spiritual Life Center.
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