Recordings of previous forums are now available on our YouTube channel.
As an alternative to attending the meeting on Zoom, you may phone in by dialing 253-215-8782, Meeting ID 889 7318 2418 Passcode 507066
September Schedule:
September 8: Creation Care/Self-Care: How Then Shall We Live? (Talking Circles)
In two recent sermons, Pastor Kim has challenged us to think about how we live our lives as Christians during these uncertain times. Many of us are stressed by the divisiveness around us—in the world, in our nation, and even in our own families and at home. These circumstances can make it challenging to “stay the course”: to show love for God, our neighbors, and ourselves.
This forum session will use talking circles to explore ways in which we can sustain our own well-being (spiritual, mental, physical) and offer support and encouragement to those around us. We will consider the following questions and perhaps a few others, depending on time and the group’s inclination:
- What personal spiritual practices do you find most nourishing/fulfilling?
- What ways of serving others bring you joy?
What does “Christian community” mean for you?
Participants are encouraged to bring items for sharing as part of the discussion (e.g., photographs, books, other items that have personal meaning for them and that come to mind based on individual reflection about these questions).
September 15: PLU Professor Emeritus Sam Torvend
Can early medieval monasteries serve as a model of sustainable development and environmental conservation in today's world? It can be tempting to think that current experiences of climate change, environmental degradation, and institutional corruption are so unique that we have nothing to learn from the past. PLU Professor Emeritus Samuel Torvend will address these issues using his recent book Monastic Ecological Wisdom as the topic of his presentation. His book explores environmental practices and structures of Benedictine life that have influenced Christian tradition.
Copies of his book will be available at the church for $20 starting September 1st for those who would like to explore the topic beforehand. While his book is available on Amazon or Thriftbooks, Professor Torvend has asked those who prefer to purchase individually to use Liturgical Press, at Monastic Ecological Wisdom: A Living Tradition: Samuel Torvend: 9780814667972: litpress.org : Paperback in support of the specific publisher.
September 22nd: Tips to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Please join George Unruh and the ADLC Green Team as they lead this forum and teach us how we can contribute to caring for our creation by reducing our waste by reusing and recycling. To turn our learning into action, they will also host a Recycling Day the following Sunday, September 29th. Watch your Thursday emails in the weeks before the 29th to learn about the recycling items that can be dropped off.
September 29: The Gig Harbor Land Conservancy
The Gig Harbor/Key Peninsula area has experienced extensive development over the last 10-15 years. As a result, we have lost significant numbers of trees and natural open spaces that not only contribute to our iconic natural beauty, but that also provide important habitats crucial to the health of our animals, plants and overall ecosystem. As we see another development going in south of Agnus Dei, people may wonder when all our forest will be gone.
The Gig Harbor & Key Peninsula Land Fund was created to help preserve our community's green
forests, healthy salmon streams, wildlife corridors and quiet open spaces. Please join us at this forum as they explain how their projects contribute to the health and natural beauty of Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula. For those who would like to explore this topic beforehand, their website is Gig Harbor Land Conservation Fund
October 6: Talking Circles: Sumptuary Laws
Sumptuary laws were ancient laws designed to restrict excessive personal expenditures in the interest of preventing extravagance and luxury, usually on religious or moral grounds. Such laws have proved difficult or impossible to enforce over the long term. Phil Waite will lead a discussion about how we who are blessed with huge houses, multiple cars, and belongings need to be part of caring for those who go without.
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