Join us for discussions and presentations from a wide variety of faithful perspectives at our Sunday Forum. Forum meets on Zoom during the current COVID surge, on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. during the program year. Join us online, or participate in our Zoom discussion in Fellowship Hall. All are welcome.
Jan. 30: Life, Faith and Career during COVID: A panel of teachers and education professionals share their experience of navigating through the challenges of their work during the COVID pandemic. Educators who are members of Gloria Dei will describe how they have managed over the last few years, reflecting on their personal lives, their professional lives, and their faith journeys. Nancy Agneberg, spiritual director, will moderate the discussion. As we pray for those who are on the front line of this pandemic, come to hear their stories.
Feb. 6: Beyond Deep Gladness: Coming to Terms with Vocations We Don’t Choose, with Deanna Thompson. Theologian and writer, Frederick Buechner, famously described vocation as “the place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” In our current context of COVID surges and reckoning with racism, climate change and more, reflection on who and what we are called to be and do must include space for deep sadness as well as deep gladness. Through honest acknowledgement and lament of our individual and communal sadnesses, we make more space to experience deep gladness within vocations both chosen and unchosen. Deanna Thompson is a member of Gloria Dei, who directs the Lutheran Center for Faith, Values, and Community at St. Olaf College.
Past Forums’ Recordings and Resources (if applicable)
Advent Peace, Dec. 5, 2021. To learn more about speaker John Noltner’s book and resources, please visit his website, A Peace of My Mind. Or to buy his book, visit this website.
Advent Hope, Nov. 28, 2021
Making Room in the Inn: Preparing to Welcome our First Guest(s) to Room 99, Nov. 21, 2021
Caring for Children and Adolescents in Times of Societal Stress, Nov. 14, 2021 (Speaker’s Presentation)
Making Room in the Inn: What Does it Mean to Seek Asylum?, Nov. 7, 2021
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, Oct. 31, 2021
Rituals of Anger with Dr. Corri Carvalho, Oct. 24, 2021
Ecothelogy with Dr. Alan Padgett, Oct. 17, 2021
Sacred Land and Reparations with Pastor Bradley Schmeling, Oct. 10, 2021
“Rise, O Church” Design Update with Task Force and architects, May 2, 2021
– Online immersive experience of the renewed sanctuary. (Access from a smart phone or other device.)