Theme: Ethics – St. Paul – and Hell in America

Adult Forum meets in the library, from 9:15-10:15. We dig deep with an open spirit into questions that seem important to the life of faith. The childcare center is open downstairs during this time. Grab a cup of coffee on the way in, if you like, and join us!

September 16, 23 – Mark Bertelsen introduces the topic of ethics with a look at David Brooks, the question of character, and some of the themes that came up in last years’ forums.

September 30 – George Knudson leads us in conversation about how Lutherans approach ethics.

October 7 – Jesus taught us not to judge but to serve others. Kristin Menon shares her learnings on how Nonviolent Communication can be a tool to help us live this way.

October 14 – we’ll look at some of the ethics behind our efforts at accompaniment, sanctuary and asylum.

October 21 – “Have I got a proposition for you” – Joe Haletky will lead us in some conversation about the midterm elections.

October 28 – TAsylum ethics, p.2.

November -We will look at the life, times, teachings and relevance of Paul, including his experience on the road to Damascus and how he, a Jewish zealot, became a “Jesus Man” and planted the seeds in communities throughout the Roman Empire that eventually grew into what we call Christianity; and what is his legacy and on-going relevance to Christians today.

December 9 Adult forum welcomes guest speaker on a fun topic: hell!  It may not seem like the most fitting topic for the “holiday season.”  Do we even believe in hell? The fact is, for many Americans throughout history the threat of eternal suffering has seemed very real.  What difference has this belief in hell made in peoples’ moral lives, our shared experiences, in how we see ourselves and one another?

On December 9 we welcome a special guest to our adult forum: Dr. Kathryn Gin Lum, Associate Professor of Religious Studies (and by courtesy, History) at Stanford.   We have invited Dr. Lum to talk about her book, Damned Nation: Hell in America from the Revolution to Reconstruction (Oxford University Press, 2014).

December 16 we continue with Paul.  Pastor Bernt will lead a discussion of the scripture reading from Paul we’ll hear at worship on this day, Philippians 4:4-7 in the context of the letter as a whole.  What would it mean for us to “rejoice always,” especially when life and the world can get us down?

December 23 Mark Bertelsen leads a discussion concluding our study of Paul.