Trinity Episcopal Church, Concord, MA

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 current schedule is published below and is updated regularly: Please join us. Directions to Trinity can be found here.

Our 2012-2013 program appears below, and will grow as we add more forums. Our 2011-2012 forums are here, our 2010-2011 forums are here, our 2009-2010 forums are here, our 2008-2009 forums are here, and our 2007-2008 forums are here.

Click HERE for current forums.

Our Forum program resumes on September 9. Each speaker will connect with one of 6 themes—word, worship, wonder, world, witness, work—each being an important aspect of our Christian life.

Sept 9—World—Faith and the Financial Crisis

Economist, scholar and parishioner Catherine Mann will present some of her thoughts on making faithful choices in the coming election, especially regarding the ongoing financial crisis in the US and the world.

Dr. Catherine L. Mann holds the Barbara ’54 and Richard M. Rosenberg Chair in Global Finance at the International Business School, Brandeis University and is a Visiting Scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. During her 20+ years in Washington, she was a Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and had policy appointments at the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, President's Council of Economic Advisers, and the World Bank. Dr. Mann received her PhD in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her undergraduate degree is from Harvard University. Dr. Mann’s research focuses on two related topics: US external imbalances and the dollar; and information technology in global markets. Her written work includes more than 85 scholarly articles and seven books. She appears frequently on Bloomberg media and CNBC as well as on PBS NewsHour and NPR Marketplace.

Sept 16—Wonder—Prayerful Playtime: Arts and Crafts for the Grown-ups

It is too easy for us as adults in church to lose our sense of Wonder. One way to regain it is allow ourselves to play (in some cases, re-teach ourselves to play!). A God who invented laughter must find great joy in our play. As a former art teacher, Becky Gettel finds collage making to be a great way to play. She will bring collage materials, scissors, glue, and paper; you bring your sense of playfulness. This is not an art workshop, though you may-well end up with a piece of artwork at the end. It is a low-pressure play session with friends, materials, and the Holy Spirit. You may end up making a prayer card, an icon, or a collection of images that awaken your spirit to keep in a home prayer space. You may end up sticking a bunch of fun images together and offering it up as a rambunctious gift to God. The children get to do arts and crafts in church regularly and it serves to bring them into a playful and creative space with their Creator. It's our turn! Feel free to bring your own favorite art materials, magazines, or anything else to use and/or share, or just bring yourself and the rest will be provided.

Sept 23—Word—Daughters of Abraham

Born in response to 9/11, the mission of the Daughters of Abraham is to overcome stereotypes and to foster mutual respect and understanding among Muslim, Jewish and Christian women. Through the discussion, insights and relationships that grow out of regular book group meetings, they hope to learn about the commonalities and differences found in Islam, Judaism and Christianity and to develop an interfaith community of women who can speak intelligently about the Abrahamic faiths. Every group includes a fairly even mix of women who are Jewish, Muslim and Christian.

Whether you are interested in joining or starting a group, or just learning about this amazing faith-based network, please come for a fascinating presentation led by Mary Lou Lovecchio.

Sept 30—Witness—Open Table: Caring for Families and Creating Community

Trinity’s Social Ministry Commission is sponsoring this forum on the Open Table, which offers weekly community supper programs and pantries to more than 225 guests, including many children in Concord and Maynard. No questions asked. All are welcome. Founded in 1989, Open Table’s mission is to address hunger and social isolation in our area, while respecting the privacy and dignity of our guests in a welcoming community of support.

Please join Janet Lovejoy, Lisa Richards and Harriet Kaufman and learn about the good spirit being spread right in our own backyards.

Oct 7—Witness—Journey to Adulthood with Rev. Becky Gettel and Sharon Dickinson

Trinity offers the Journey to Adulthood (J2A) program, a complete youth ministry curriculum of spiritual formation for 6th-12th grades. It encourages relational ministry and uses Bible study, prayer, rites of passage, outreach ministries and both serious and playful activities to underscore the two guiding principles of the program: 1) Manhood and womanhood are free gifts from God; and 2) Adulthood must be earned. Come join this Forum to learn more about J2A!

Oct 14—Wholeness—Nourish to Fourish with Cathy Zolner

Cathy Zolner is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor who empowers individuals to make positive lifelong changes in their health and nutrition through one-on-one counseling. She believes in nourishing your body with nutrient dense foods incorporating the rainbow of colors and a full spectrum of tastes. Cathy received her training to practice Health and Nutrition Counseling at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. In this Forum, Cathy will discuss ways we can all honor the temple of the body God gave us through nutrition.

Oct 21—World—Creation Care Season with Bud Cederholm, Retired Bishop Suffragan

We have a biblical mandate to care for creation as well as our Diocesan Convention resolution in 2010 urging congregations to do so. Each year I have seen more and more people, young and old, living the words of 12th-century visionary Hildegard of Bingen by “falling in love deeper and deeper with creation and responding to its endangerment with passion.” What might Creation Care Season look like at Trinity Concord this year?

Imagine thousands trusting in the grace and power of the Holy Spirit and forming a partnership with God in Christ and with others for a bold witness of caring for creation. I invite you therefore to an observance of a holy Creation Care Season. And when you say, “YES,” God will say “that it is VERY good”!

Bishop Bud will lead the Forum at 9AM, preach at the 10AM liturgy, and be available afterwards for informal conversation, questions, kudos and concerns.

Oct 28—Witness—Thinking Outside The Narthex: Hinduism with Vidushi Singla

Any attempt to find a unifying definition of Hinduism would run the risk of generalizing to such an extent that we fail to grasp the infinite diversity of forms that constitute it. In this Forum, rather than face such a daunting task, we will instead hear from one person her particular way of living a life of faith as a Hindu. Vidushi Singla is a daughter, sister, wife, mother and professional. Born in northern India, she now lives in Massachusetts. Please do come join us as we learn about this widespread, ancient, amazing religion.

Nov 4—Wonder—April Prewitt—Living Mindfully, Meditatively, and Gracefully in an Increasingly Busy and Restless World

Have you ever felt like you have so many things to do that you don't know where to start, or whether you'll ever finish? Have you ever felt like your responsibilities are keeping you from enjoying the current moment, or savoring an important experience? Are restful and regenerative moments all too rare in your life? Spend some time this morning reclaiming (or learning) some habits and strategies that will increase the joy, restfulness, and balance in your life. April Prewitt PhD is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years experience working with individuals and families to do just that. She will discuss and demonstrate several quick, simple tips that can change your life for the better!

Nov 11—Witness—Diocesan Convention Proceedings

Come hear about the presentations, discussions, and actions of the 227th Convention of the Diocese of Mass., held at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston on November 2 and 3. Trinity Clergy and Parish delegates will offer their impressions.

Nov 18—Worship—Maureen Dallison Kemeza, MDiv, PhD, and Priest Associate in Trinity Episcopal Church, Concord

Each of Concord’s cemeteries enshrines certain core values dear to residents of the town. Some values are shared by all in all times: to care properly for the bodies of our loved ones, to honor their lives, to be faithful to the traditions that give meaning to the living and the dead. But in various times, among the different Concordians, these values have been expressed differently. How do burials express the cultural/religious outlooks of generations of Concordians- from the native Americans, then the British colonists and their descendants, then the 19th century Transcendentalists and newly arrived immigrants from Ireland, to now, a time when the funeral industry may be eclipsing the faith communities as the location and shaper of final rituals?

Nov 25—Witness—Sister Linda Bessom: Mass Coalition for the Homeless

The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts has resolved to call upon local churches, associations, and commissions to join together with faith-based and other coalitions across the Commonwealth to end all homelessness by offering direct services to homeless people while simultaneously participating in legislative advocacy to end homelessness. The Diocese therefore draws upon the resources of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Faith Into Action Together, the Campaign to End Homelessness, as well as its own Ecclesia Ministries to provide individuals and churches with practical solutions to assist in the task.

Dec 2—Word—The Birth of the Messiah—Jim Wood

Following Father Raymond E. Brown's book of the same name, we will examine the two accounts of the nativity of Jesus Christ. Where do Matthew and Luke's accounts agree? Where do they differ? Why do they differ? What is the larger context of the two narratives and how does that context help us understand the message or messages they convey. Just as a teaser: there are no shepherds in Matthew, no wise men in Luke--and we aren't told if there were three or forty-two! Required reading: the two accounts of the birth of Our Lord that are so familiar we've often forgotten what they really say.

Dec 9—Word—Trinity’s Icons—Raoul Smith

The chapel at Trinity Concord is home to several Eastern European Icons and in this Forum, Professor Raoul Smith, from the Museum of Russian Icons, Clinton MA, will teach us how to “read” an icon and open our eyes to the stories they tell.

Prof. Smith received his baccalaureate in Russian and his doctorate in Linguistics at Brown University. He held a joint appointment as a professor at Northwestern University in Linguistics and in Slavic Languages and Literatures where he taught, among other courses, the History of the Russian Language and Old Church Slavonic.

He is currently Research Fellow at the Museum of Russian Icons and is editor of its online, peer-reviewed Journal of Icon Studies. Professor Smith resides in Acton.

Dec 16—World—Beijing Circle: Educating Girls in Rwanda—Deb Scarff

The Beijing Circle’s International Outreach to the Maranyundo School in Rwanda will be updated showing Trinity Church’s support to the girls at this school since we began our relationship in Jan. 2011. We will discuss a grant we applied for from the Diocesan Capital Campaign to help the teachers incorporate technology in their teaching methods and to have the Maranyundo School be a resource to other teachers in their area for the use of technology in the classroom. We will propose an idea for a Christmas present from Trinity Church to the school that has been demonstrated as an immediate need in their classes that is out of their budget, but a small sum for us. A short slideshow from the June trip will wrap up the presentation.

Dec 23—Christmas Break—No Forum

Dec 30—Christmas Break—No Forum

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Jan 6—Wonder—Thinking Outside The Narthex: Zen Buddhism with David Rynick

Author, Life & Leadership Coach and Zen Master David Dae An Rynick, will read from his recently published collection of all too human anecdotes and reflections, THIS TRUTH NEVER FAILS, in which he tries to apply the ancient teachings of Zen to his everyday life. David’s coaching clients include religious leaders from several different faith traditions and he has been working closely with the Episcopal House of Bishops as creator and lead trainer of their peer-coaching program since 2005. David is a former professional potter and private school headmaster. He is now Abbot of the Boundless Way Zen Temple in Worcester, Massachusetts where he is co-resident teacher along with his wife, Melissa Myozen Blacker.

Jan 13—World—China 31 Years Later—Susie Buttrick and Walter Birge

In this feast for the eyes, Susie and Walter will share their photos and their thoughts on changes happening in China in the 21st century. They traveled from Beijing to Xian to Chengdu to Lhasa to Chongqing on the Yangzi and ultimately to Shanghai. Please join them to become virtual tourists for 45 minutes and learn about "Made in China" survival!

Jan 20—Wonder—Thinking Outside The Narthex: The Quaker Faith with Patricia Wild

Patricia Wild has been a member of Friends Meeting at Cambridge for over thirty years. She is serves on the Memorials Committee, the Prison Fellowship Committee, and the First Day School (Sunday School) Committee. Ms. Wild has been a full-time writer since 1998, when her novel, Swimming In It, was published by Flower Valley Press. Other works include Way Opens: A Spiritual Journey, her website blog: www.Patriciawild.net, and short stories appearing in Wilderness House Literary Review, Out of the Blue Writers Unite: An Anthology and Peeks and Valleys: A New England Fiction Journal. Her poetry has been published in P&Q Press and the Ibbetson Street Press; and her two-act play, “Those Starving Armenians,” is currently under review at Nora Theater Company.

Patricia lives in Somerville, Massachusetts

Jan 27—Word—The View from the Sycamore Tree: Shame , Violence and the Deeper Sources of Our Dis-ease—Dr. John McDargh.

With Dr. McDargh we will explore together how the story of the encounter between Jesus and the tax collector Zacchaeus provides clues to understanding how the good news of the Gospel may perhaps be addressed more to human shame than to human guilt.

Dr. John McDargh has taught the psychology of religious development on the theological faculty of Boston College since completing his doctorate in religion and psychology at Harvard University in 1979. In this talk he will be drawing upon developmental psychology as well as Christian spirituality and biblical studies to formulate an understanding of the sources of intra-psychic, interpersonal and social violence and dysfunction. In addition to his interdisciplinary teaching at BC he is the director of the new Center for Psychotherapy and Spirituality at the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology. John is involved in prison ministry with Christian lifers, does spiritual direction and supervision, and is an active member of the Episcopal Parish of St Paul in Newton Highlands.

Feb 3—Worship—Why We Do What We Do—Rev. Dr. Mary Luti

Mary Luti is the Visiting Professor of Worship and Preaching and the Director of Wilson Chapel at Andover Newton Theological School. She is the author of Teresa of Avila’s Way, a volume in the series “The Way of the Christian Mystics” (The Liturgial Press), and numerous articles on topics of Christian life. A sought-after conference speaker, workshop leader, and preacher, Luti was recognized for outstanding teaching by the United Church of Christ at its 2011 General Synod.

Her teaching has centered on the many ways people of faith have sung, prayed, preached, shaped communities, and handed down the meaningful traditions of the Christian church over the centuries.

Feb 10—Annual Meeting—No Forum

Feb 17 & 24—Word—The Deuteronomist & His History—Jim Wood

This two-part forum will focus on the largest section (24%) of the Old Testament attributable to a single source (or school)—the Deuteronomistic History, which runs from the book of Deuteronomy itself though the books of Joshua, Judges, I & II Samuel and I & II Kings. This section of the Old Testament is not so much a history, as a theologically framed interpretation of the history of Israel from the time of Moses (whose speech Deuteronomy purports to be) though the conquest/settlement of the Promised Land, the period of the rule of the Judges, the establishment of the Davidic and northern kingdoms, and ending with the disaster that befell both Israel and Judah with the conquest by Assyria and the Neo-Babylonian empires.

We will look at the themes of this history and how those themes influenced other sections of the Old Testament—most notably, the first four books of the Old Testament, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers). These themes—the idea of Covenant, the dangers of idolatry, the promise/threat of God’s judgment of God on rulers and subjects alike, and the messianic promise found in the history of the David kingdom—are central to all of Old Testament theology.

Mar 3—Witness—Nashoba Learning Group—Liz Martineau

Liz Martineau is a Concord resident and the Founder and President of Nashoba Learning Group, an organization dedicated to enabling individuals impaired by autism achieve their potential. Previously a management consultant, she pursued a degree in Behavioral Education and then founded the school in 2002. Her inspiration for this path was her son, Sean, who was diagnosed with autism in 1995. While seeking help for Sean, she was struck by the tremendous unmet need for services and it became her mission and passion to create quality services for these children and their families. NLG now serves 90 students in Bedford and reaches many more through offerings on their website, www.nashobalearninggroup.org. On March 11th NLG will open an Adult Program to provide support to adults with autism.

Liz will discuss NLG, the challenges faced by those with autism, and welcoming children and adults with autism in the community.

Mar 10—Wonder—Entering an Indigenous World: Seeing Jesus with Shamanic Eyes—Shirley Blancke

Around Easter, biblical accounts of the Resurrection stories and other "miraculous" events may give us pause. Do we tend to view these as some kind of fairy story, a largely unbelievable figment of the past, or is there a "way into" experiencing them as real?
Shirley Blancke, an archaeologist whose anthropological studies led her into a fascination with differing worldviews, tells how her encounters with indigenous spirituality came to inform her understanding of the gospels.

Mar 17—Wonder—Julian of Norwich—Rev. Judy Krumme

Julian of Norwich (ca. 8 November 1342 – ca. 1416) was an English anchoress who is regarded as one of the most important Christian mystics. She is venerated in the Anglican and Lutheran churches, but has never been canonized, or officially beatified, by the Catholic Church, probably because so little is known of her life aside from her writings, including the exact date of her death. There is also scholarly debate as to whether Julian was a nun in a nearby convent, or even a laywoman. Please join us to learn and wonder more about this mysterious and amazing woman of faith.

Judy Krumme is a Spiritual Director, the leader of the Healing Ministry and a Priest Associate at Trinity Concord.

Mar 24—Palm Sunday—No Forum

Mar 31—Easter—No Forum

Apr 7—World—Jeff Clements speaks about his book, Corporations Are Not People

Parishioner Jeff Clements is the president and co-founder of Free Speech for People, a national, non-partisan campaign to challenge the creation of Constitutional rights for corporations, overturn Citizens United v. FEC, and strengthen American democracy and republican self-government. Jeff, an attorney, has represented people, businesses and the public interest since 1988.

Jeff will speak about his book, Corporations Are Not People (Berrett-Koehler, 2012). The book, with a foreword by Bill Moyers, tells the true story of how some of the largest corporations in the world organized to take over our American government and Constitution, culminating in 2010 with the 5-4 Supreme Court decision, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. This latest blow to government of the people followed a three-decade campaign by and for global corporations to disable democracy. Corporations Are Not People is about how devastating this corporate campaign has been to America and Americans. It also is about how we can work together to take back freedom and democracy for people.

Jeff served as Assistant Attorney General and Chief of the Public Protection & Advocacy Bureau in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office from early 2007 to 2009. As Bureau Chief, he led more than 100 attorneys and staff in the enforcement of environmental, healthcare, financial services, civil rights, antitrust and consumer protection laws. Jeff also served as an Assistant Attorney General in Massachusetts from 1996 to 2000, where he worked on litigation against the tobacco industry and handled range of other investigations and litigation to enforce consumer protection and antitrust laws.

Apr 14—Witness—Common Cathedral—Deacon Ken Schmidt

The Rev. Ken Schmidt is an ordained Deacon in the Episcopal Church Diocese of Massachusetts. He holds an M.Div. from Andover Newton Theological School, and is part of the Ministry Team at Common Cathedral.

Common Cathedral is a community of un-housed and housed people, called together by God for the purpose of transforming all our lives. We bridge the resources of diverse congregations, living in God’s preference for the poor. We give voice to the voiceless, we respect the dignity of every human being, and we see the face of Christ in ourselves and others.

Common Cathedral’s mission is to remind chronically un-housed adults in downtown Boston of who they are – children of God, loved by God, worthy in the eyes of God. We form supportive spiritual community with chronically un-housed adults in downtown Boston, with those moving off the streets into housing, and between housed and un-housed people. Common Cathedral advocates for and with unhoused people toward ending the condition of homelessness in Boston and the Commonwealth.

Our weekly outdoor worship service and our midweek programs, common art, common cinema, and our support and reflection groups, provide community, inspiration and healing to thousands of un-housed men and women each year, and our spiritual care program in hospitals and jails allows us to maintain and deepen our connection with vulnerable men and women in need. While we provide a Christian context for our worship and spiritual reflection groups, we are a non-proselytizing ministry, open to broad discussions of belief and belief systems.

Apr 21—Wonder—The Second Half of Life—Sharon Dickinson

“In the first half of life, we are naturally and rightly preoccupied with establishing our identity – climbing, achieving, and performing. Bit those concerns will not serve us as we grow older and begin to embark on a further journey, one that involves challenges, mistakes, loss of control, broader horizons, and necessary suffering that actually shocks us out of our prior comfort zone. Eventually we need to see ourselves in a different and more life-giving way.” (From the book jacket of Falling Upward by Richard Rohr)

In this Forum, parishioner Sharon Dickinson, will lead a discussion of the joys and challenges of the second half of life through a spiritual lens.

Apr 28—Witness—Thinking Outside The Narthex: Islam with Saeed Osmani

Islam is a monotheistic and Abrahamic religion articulated by the Qur'an, a book considered by its adherents to be the verbatim word of God (Allāh) and by the teachings and normative example (called the Sunnah and composed of Hadith) of Muhammad, considered by them to be the last prophet of God. With about 1.57 billion followers or 23% of earth's population, Islam is the second-largest and one of the fastest-growing religions in the world.

Saeed Osmani is an American citizen who came from Afghanistan at an early age. He lives and works in the Boston area. Saeed will speak about his own experience as Muslim. Please join us in this fascinating forum to help us learn about how our Muslim brothers and sisters live out their faith in love and integrity.

May 5—Wonder—Hildegard of Bingen—Kathryn O'Connell Cleary, MA

Feather on the Breath of God: Hildegard of Bingen, a twelfth century mystic, composer and author, described the Holy Spirit as the Greening Power of God, and herself as a Feather on the Breath of God. During our time of prayer, we will join Hildegard in celebrating our relationship with God through her richness of symbol and imagery.

Kathryn O'Connell Cleary holds a Master's degree in Pastoral Ministry from Boston College. She worked in parish ministry for 20 years, in the role of Pastoral Associate and Director of Liturgy and Music. From 1992 until 1998, Kathryn was a member of the Retreat Team at St. Stephen Priory. Presently she offers Spiritual Direction as well as Directed and Guided Retreats on a freelance basis. She is a certified Reiki and Energy Healing Practitioner. She is also currently a guest director at the Campion Renewal Center in Weston, Massachusetts. Kathryn is married, and has recently and joyfully become a grandmother.

May 12—Witness—Mothering God—Panel of Parishioners

This Forum will focus on the image of God as Mother. Julian of Norwich talked about Jesus as a Mother and indeed we see a nurturing God in both the earthly women and men in our lives. Several parishioners will reflect on people in their lives who have been a mothering presence to them, whether it’s been their own mothers or another maternal influence.

May 19—World—Seeing Divinity Within and Without Us—Henry David Thoreau

As a Transcendentalist, Henry David Thoreau was always on the search to find God "in all of his lurking places." Thoreau believed that God was all around, as well as within him. In his essay "Walking" Thoreau explains his habit of roaming the fields and woods of Concord, in a daily exercise he called his "holy time."

Join Henry Thoreau (portrayed by Historian Richard Smith) as he reads excerpts from "Walking", one of his most beautiful and spiritual essays. In it, he describes the Divinity he experienced all around him. After the reading, "Mr. Thoreau" will be open for questions and a discussion about his Transcendental views. Is Thoreau the "atheist" that many Concordians believed him to be? Or is he a deeply spiritual man? And what, exactly, is Transcendentalism?

Richard Smith lives in Acton and has been portraying Henry Thoreau for 14 years with great success. He did 90 presentations last year at schools, colleges, libraries, churches and historical societies. While he "travels a good deal in Concord" as Thoreau, Richard has also done presentations all over the country, including Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, Burlington, Vermont and Atlanta, Georgia. Richard has appeared on the Boston TV show "Chronicle" and has portrayed Thoreau three times on C-Span. He can be seen regularly at Walden Pond.

May 26—Memorial Day—No Forum