Adult Forum
Transitions in Life Series Continued
Sunday, November 7:
Transitions in Life: Rituals that bring life into our endings. Well before a burial rite families and individuals can create rituals which offer dignity to chapters of changed life. How do we not only talk about, but mark our wishes in ways that bring a return to wholeness? How do we mark moments of declining freedom that make what may be our last chapter one that continues into the mystery of the unknown, one that feeds our remaining and significant time here? All of life can be seen in context of loss and adaptation. How do we live as we die? How do we live in ways that bring comfort and peace, that mark our connection to physical presence in the world, that mark our relations with each other and God? Led by Betsy Gardner and Kay Mantiply-Clark.
Sunday, November 14:
Transitions in Life: Further opportunities for work. We will discuss further resources and opportunities for individuals and families wishing to work on issues of medical, financial and liturgical directives as well as how we communicate these.
Walking through Advent with Eyes Wide Open
In his book, From Holidays to Holy Days, A Benedictine Walk through Advent, Robert Holtz, a brother in the Order of Saint Benedict defines contemplation as “a long loving look at the real”. He also reminds that the Order of Saint Benedict is based upon two foundational principles: 1) God is present everywhere; 2) Christ is in every person.
During the Season of Advent the Adult Forum will provide time for reflection, time for a long, loving look at the real. Each week themes from the lectionary will provide the basis for consideration of what we have seen and are seeing during this season. Sessions will include an introduction to the theme and time for participants to reflect upon what has been seen in the past week. In this contemplation we will join with Mary who when confronted with the appearance and word of the angel Gabriel responded as follows: “Mary was much perplexed by his word and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.”
Sunday, November 28:
Times of Tumult: God is present everywhere. “For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man…Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”
Sunday, December 5:
A very strange man: Christ is in every person. “Now John wore clothing of camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. John proclaimed, ‘The Coming One will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire’.”
Sunday, December 12:
Saying Yes to God. “The angel appeared in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit’. When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife.”
Sunday, December 19:
Visit from Saint Nicholas of Myra: Community Breakfast.