THE FORUM

The Trinity Episcopal Church Adult Forum meets in the Parish Hall from 9-9.45am most Sunday mornings during the program year to connect Christian faith with everyday life. Our invited speakers come from many walks of life and have addressed all manner of topics. In the recent past, our topics have included Death and Dying; God in the Workplace; Spiritual Parenting; AIDS in Africa; Stewardship; Marriage and Spirituality; Grief during the Holidays; Sabbath Time for Everyone; Mission Work at Home and Abroad; Prison Ministry; Prayer and Daily Life; Christian Sexuality; God and Politics; Family Advent Customs; The Episcopal Church’s place in the Anglican Communion. Our current schedule is published below and is updated regularly: Please join us. Directions to Trinity can be found  here.

2009-2010 Forums are listed below.  2008-2009 Forums are available here.

June 6th: On the Ground in Haiti: Jude Harmon, Episcopal Church Young Adult Service Corps

Mr. Harmon, currently a postulant for ordination in the Diocese of Massachusetts, had been in Haiti for 4 months when the earthquake of January 12, 2010 hit.  He has a moving story to tell.

May 30th: A Journey Not a Destination:  Theological and Psychological Perspectives on the Life of Faith

Professor John McDargh has been a member of the theological faculty of Boston College since completing his doctorate in the area of the psychology of religion at Harvard thirty years ago.   An Episcopal lay person and member of the vestry of St. Paul’s Newton Highlands, John teaches interdisciplinary courses that integrate developmental psychology and Christian  spirituality.  He is an Associate of the Society of St. John the Evangelist and has a practice of spiritual direction.


May 23rd:The work of common art—art by Boston’s poor and homeless

Mary Jane Eaton, M.Div, Program Director. During the month of May, the Trinity Arts Council has been exhibiting the work of common art, a program of Ecclesia Ministries. Since 1999, common art has provided space, materials and caring support staff to homeless and low-income members to develop their artistic abilities. Ecclesia Ministries, which embraces common cathedral, common cinema, and a host of other programs and ministries with the homeless, has been providing spiritual community to homeless people since 1994. Proceeds from the sale of these works supports both the artists and the ministry. For more information, visit www.ecclesia-ministries.org.

May 16th:  The Latest Economic Outlook: Professor Cathy Mann, Brandeis University

Are we poised for a robust and broad-based global recovery, as suggested by Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase? Or, is the economy likely to follow modest growth, as suggested by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke? Or could the situation turn worse, as suggested by the NFIB small-business survey? The gap in economic performance and outlook between Wall St and Main St has never been greater.  Will Wall St. pull up Main St. or just suck the last breath out? Before coming to Brandeis, Cathy worked for 20 years in Washington DC, including stints at the Institute for International Economics, the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, the President's Council of Economic Advisors at the White House, and the World Bank. She is a regular commentator on NPR and other news outlets on economic affairs.

 May 9th:  Life Together: The Diocese of Massachusetts Young Adult Intern Program--Jason Long.

Jason is the associate director of Life Together, a vibrant young adult program in the Diocese. From a non-denominational megachurch background in Colorado, Jason came to Boston College and connected with the Episcopal Church. Having spent a year as Micah Intern (he’ll explain what that is) he became the Associate Director of the Young Adult Intern Program. Jason spoke movingly at the 2009 Diocesan Convention of his own faith journey.

May 2nd: Exploring Faith Through Creative Arts: A Mini Workshop: The Rev. Amy Bruch

 When was the last time you made something with your hands just for fun?  When you pray, do you ever find yourself repeating a word or phrase in an effort to focus your thoughts? Learn how Amy answers these questions and more in the practice of her ministry of liturgical arts. Based at Norwood United Church of Christ, Amy travels to Boston area churches offering on-site classes in the practice and exploration of faith through a variety of creative arts classes including clay, paper, fabric and other mediums.  During this session everyone will create a Bible bookmark from beautifully printed papers for your own use or to give as a gift.  No experience necessary…just bring your God given-gift of creativity and a willingness to explore it!

 April 25th: The Ministries of the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul’s, Boston
The Very Rev. John P. Streit, Dean

Jep comes to Trinity to share the variety and richness of the ministries at our Cathedral, the spiritual center of the Diocese. Trinity has been serving at the Cathedral’s Soup Kitchen for more than 25 years.

April 18th: Difficult Conversations - Another Approach: Brian Blancke, Ph.D.

Are you facing a difficult conversation at home or at work and are not sure how to handle it? Are you avoiding having that tough conversation even though you should have it because you are afraid of what might happen? Are you tired of the stress and anxiety, and wondering if there is a better way? In our baptismal covenant, we are called to seek and serve Christ in each other. How do we do that when we are not getting along? Come join us to learn about how to change a difficult conversation into a learning conversation. Based on the bestseller, "Difficult Conversation", we will explore what makes conversations difficult, how this effects our ability to listen, how we can shift the conversation and pointers about how to prepare for and conduct the conversation. Brian Blancke is a content consultant and trainer for Vantage Partners, a negotiation and relationship management consulting firm in Boston affiliated with Harvard's Program on Negotiation.

 April 11th: Does the separation of the Church matter any more?
Laura Everett, Associate Director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches

The issue of Christian unity has been a lively one since the days of the Apostles. For contemporary Anglicans, the issue is particularly salient as parishes and even dioceses in the Episcopal Church align themselves with conservative Anglican bodies in Africa and South America. In the wider church, separation over a variety of issues remains a painful reality. Laura Everett will speak on possible ways forward for reconciliation in 21st century ecumenism. Ms. Everett is a graduate of Harvard Divinity School. She has represented the United Church of Christ with the National and World Council of Churches and Churches Uniting in Christ, including leading the lay ecumenical formation program at World Council of Churches 9th Assembly in Porto Alegre, Brazil. She is a member of Hope Central Church in Jamaica Plain.

 No Forum on Palm Sunday (3/28) & Easter Sunday (4/2)

March 21: Trinity’s First Youth Pilgrimage

From June 29 to July 8, 2010, the Pilgrim Youth Group at Trinity will be making a spiritual journey to Ireland. Preparation for this pilgrimage has been a spiritual journey as well. Come hear what the Pilgrims have to say about this experience and their hopes for this journey in their own words. During the 10 am service, journals for theological reflection will be blessed and presented, and the Pilgrims will be formally entered into the weekly prayers of the people. If you would like to pick an individual pilgrim to pray for, you may choose one randomly from among the paper slips that will be contained in a glass jar in the Parish Hall. Finally, the Pilgrims will sponsor the coffee hour on that day with a belated St. Patrick’s Day Irish Bake Sale. 

March 14: Community Response to Domestic Violence 

Domestic violence, continues to remain hidden in suburban communities. The Domestic Violence Services Network provides a coordinated community response to victims of domestic violence and their families, with highly trained advocates and police officers in Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Maynard, Wayland Stow and Hanscom AFB. Jim Terry and Marilyn Peterson, DVSN's Board members, will explain the dynamics of domestic violence, identify early warning signs, and describe the services DVSN offers to victims and their families.

March 7: Hiroshima & Nagasaki: 1945 & 2009 

Out of hatred and violence have grown friendship and community.  Parishioners George Dallas and Carolynn Luby will share slides and video from their trips to the “atom bomb cities” of Japan.
 
Feb 28: Why Theological Education Matters:  The Rev. Dr. Katherine Ragsdale, President and Dean of The Episcopal Divinity School

Katherine was instituted as the 6th Dean of EDS this past October. At the time of her appointment she had served as vicar of St. David’s in Pepperell for nearly 15 years, and was president and executive director of Political Research Associates, a progressive think tank. She was profiled in the March 5, 2009 issue of the Boston Globe. In her new post she has been thinking deeply about the significance of theological education to the church and the wider world.

Feb 21: Annual Meeting and one service at 9am. No Forum

Feb 14: Trinity Outreach: Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries: Alex Kern, Executive Director

CMM is Boston’s oldest interfaith social justice network, formed in 1966 to address poverty, housing and racial justice to bring about Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community. CMM has long been one of Trinity’s outreach commitments. Alex will share CMM’s recent activities, featuring The Day of Interfaith Volunteer Service, which will engage youth of many faiths on Sunday April 18th, 2010. Alex hopes to bring several youth and their families. A Quaker, Alex is also Protestant Chaplain at Brandeis, and has had a broad and multifaceted peace and social justice ministry in the US and around the world.

Feb 7:  From Roman Catholic to Episcopalian: Twice? The Journey of The Rev. Dr. Christian Brocato

Christian began life as a Roman Catholic, became an Episcopalian in young adulthood, returned to Roman Catholicism and became a Dominican friar and priest, then came back to the Episcopal Church. Along the way he earned a PhD in musicology.  Intrigued? Come hear his story. Christian is currently priest-in-charge at All Saints, Stoneham; a priest associate at Church of the Epiphany in Winchester; and a full time college administrator.

January 31: The Infancy Narratives of Luke: Professor Pheme Perkins, Boston College

One of the preeminent New Testament scholars of our day, Professor Perkins has taught in the Department of Theology at Boston College since 1972. She has written nearly 20 books and countless articles; contributed to many standard commentaries, including the New Interpreter’s Bible and the Catholic Study Bible; and is associate editor of the 3rd edition of the New Oxford Study Bible. Her work has been translated into Italian, Japanese, and Spanish. She is an active Catholic layperson. Professor Perkins will also be our preacher at 10:00 am.

January 24: Help for the Hurting: The Samaritans

A team from Samaritans will come to present their comprehensive approach to the tragic and difficult to discuss topic of suicide. More than 1million lives are lost to suicide worldwide each year—more than deaths from murder, armed conflict or HIV. In Massachusetts, more than 65,000 family members are affected by suicide each year; more than 11,000 attempts require medical attention; over 500 attempts are completed. Come learn how to break the stigma and bring hope to this painful subject.

January 17: Aquinas and Anglicanism: The Rev. Matt Kruger

Matt will talk about the influence of Thomas Aquinas, Thomism and Scholasticism on the early reformers of the Anglican Church. Matt is a doctoral student in theology, and was recently ordained to the priesthood out of his home parish of St. Paul’s, Bedford. He serves as Trinity’s curate.

January 10: Take and Eat Part II. Eucharist Theology and Practice in the Anglican Tradition. The Rev. Nick Morris-Kliment.

Nick recaps Eucharistic theology and practice up to the Reformation, and then describes developments in Anglicanism from the 16th century to the present.

The Forum with Prof. Pheme Perkins scheduled for December 20 was postponed until January 31 due to snow. No Forums were held on December 27 or January 3.

December 13: The New Job Security: An Introduction
Leo Jesudian

Trinity parishioner, businessman and Internet entrepreneur, Leo Jesudian will give us a taste of a workshop series to be offered at Trinity starting in January, 2010. Based on Pam Lassiter’s book The New Job Security (editor’s choice for October by CareerJournal.com, the Wall Street Journal’s career site) this approach is for those who are employed, as well as those who are under- or unemployed. Leo attended a training led by Lassiter herself and describes the book as uplifting, free of buzzwords, and full of practical information.
 
December 6th:  How to Heal our Health Care System
Dr. Hunter "Patch" Adams

Perhaps best known for being played by Robin William in the movie of the same name, Dr. Adams has for nearly 4 decades been an advocate for healing the whole person through medicine, laughter, and friendship. Dr. Adams has touched hearts in war zones, prisons, hospitals, schools, and orphanages around the world, as well as in the halls of Congress. Long appreciated by those of a more liberal persuasion, Dr. Adams was invited
last summer to address a circle of Republican Congressmen on solving the health care crisis. His work is carried out through his Gesundheit Foundation, which hopes to break ground this coming year for the Patch Adams Teaching Center and Hospital in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.
 
November 29: Take and Eat: Eucharistic Theology in the Anglican Tradition

Have you ever really thought about what is going on at the front of the church during our Sunday morning Eucharists? Why do we do it? What are the objects on the Altar? Or is it a Table? What, if anything, is happening to the wafers and wine when prayers are said over them? What, if anything, is happening to us when we eat them? And does it matter what we believe about what is happening? Sermons on the Eucharist this summer, based on the “Eating passages” from John’s Gospel on 5 successive Sundays, piqued interest in these questions in the congregation. Nick will offer some answers from an Anglican perspective.

November 22: From Homeless to Housed and Working: One Man’s Story

Chris Nourse, coordinator of the Cathedral Soup Kitchen (where Trinity parishioners have served faithfully for over 25 years) will be our speaker. The number of lunch time guests at the Soup Kitchen has ballooned from 125 to over 200 at time. Chris himself was a homeless person. Come hear his story.

November 15: From Oklahoma to EDS: Meet the Seminarian

Native Oklahoman Stephanie Mitchell comes to us via EDS with rich life experience in community organizing, the arts, and the Peace Corps. She expects to return to her home state to pastor a small Episcopal parish in the Bible Belt, much like the one that nurtured her faith. Come hear her story.

November 8: Prayers for Life’s Wounds: The Trinity Healing Prayer Team

Ever wonder what’s going on in the side chapel after Communion at 8 and 10? Come hear what Trinity’s Healing Prayer Group, now in its 4th year, is up to and how you, too, can be touched by the healing power of God. The group will offer a brief introduction to healing prayer, offer their own stories of what healing prayer has meant to them, and answer questions.

November 1 The Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance (GAIA)
The Rev. Dr. David Ames

The Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance (GAIA) partners with religious organizations in resource-poor countries for community based HIV/AIDS prevention and care. GAIA is currently emphasizing service in Malawi, one of the poorest and most infected areas in the world. Inspired by his visit there last summer, David builds congregational and community relationships to raise funds for this work, and to implement the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) there. David will share critical challenges Malawians live with on a daily basis, and demonstrate ways that can help improve quality of life.

October 25: Where is Our Economy Now? Professor Catherine Mann

Cathy will again guide us through the ongoing complexities of our current economic situation. Cathy is a Trinity parishioner and Professor of International Economics at Brandeis University and Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Prior to Brandeis, she worked for 20 years in Washington DC, including stints at the Institute for International Economics, the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, the President's Council of Economic Advisors at the White House, and the World Bank. She has been interviewed on NPR and in other media outlets.

October 18th: The Work We Do When We Walk:    
Rev. Bert Marshall, New England Director for Church World Service

Bert will talk about the work we do together through the CROP Hunger Walk.  Through word, music, and video he will share some stories about people and communities whose lives have been changed because of our commitment to justice for all God's people.  Rev. Marshall is a graduate of Yale Divinity School and is ordained in the United Church of Christ.  On a sabbatical in 2003 he committed the Gospel of Mark to memory and now does storytelling performances of the whole Gospel all over the country (www.gospelofmarkalive.com).  He released a CD of original songs - Prairie Child - in June 2009 (available at his website).  He and his wife live in Plainfield, MA.

October 11th; From Bedford to Aquinas: The Rev. Matt Kruger

Matt joined Trinity’s staff as part-time Curate and began the PhD program in medieval theology at Boston College this fall. Matt grew up at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bedford, and attended Tufts University and Harvard Divinity School. Matt will share some of his intellectual and spiritual journey with us this morning.

October 4th:  “Phenomenal:”
Youth Pilgrims from St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Sudbury

St. Elizabeth’s sponsored its second Pilgrimage of youth and adult mentors this past July, as part of the Journey to Adulthood program. These young people and adults will be visiting us to share the excitement and transformational nature of their experience: “Phenomenal” was how the  Rector of St. Elizabeth’s described it. Trinity will be sending of its first ever youth Pilgrimage to Ireland in June, 2010. The Pilgrimage is a cornerstone of the Journey to Adulthood program.