To sign up in the current class:
Adult Forum Series
You are invited for conversations!
Time: Sundays, 9:15 AM
Location: Zuni Room (Admin. building)
As we reflected on our nation and society, we identified two studies to begin this fall:
1) ELCA Social Statement on our Church in Society and on Civic Life and Faith. These messages offer guidance to Lutheran Christians on the proper role of government and how they should interact with it, and on how to engage in civic affairs.
2) The study “When Christians get it Wrong” by Adam Hamilton (senior pastor of The UMC of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. Through his pastoral experiences, Hamilton has identified some issues and attitudes that can lead people to turn away from attending church. Is he right? We hope to learn about why church memberships are declining in our nation.
You may want to buy his book with this title at Christianbook.com or at Amazon.com (optional). An information flyer is available in the church lobby.
Grab a cup of coffee and join us! All are welcome.
For more information, speak with Hazel Mella or contact David Follstaedt at dFollstd@unm.edu or church office
at 505.299.2621.
Past Adult Forum
We use The Wired Word curriculum. Each week, we discuss faith and scripture as it
relates to a current topic that has been in the news within the past week or two.
What will happen? The Wired Word sends the lesson electronically at the end of each
week for the upcoming Sunday.
Class members can receive advance copies of the lesson, which includes: summary, links
to media reports on the topic, related Biblical passages, and discussion questions. Or, you
can just show up, ready to listen and share your perspectives.
Pastor Wayne and David Follstaedt will be leading the conversations
Interesting quotes on the art of conversing:
“You can disagree, without being disagreeable.” – Ruth Bader Ginsburg
““In order to think through things clearly, we need other opinions and viewpoints in order to navigate into the nuance. We need civil debate to present opposing viewpoints and point out our blind spots. We need the ability to speak freely and civilly to one another.” – Eric Overby
“I hold to the idea that civility, understood as the willingness to engage in public discourse, is the first virtue of citizens.” – Jim Lehrer
“Jesus keeps on bringing in people I don’t like or enjoy being with (who are political
Neanderthals) to the conversation. I just wish the scope of his salvation was just a little more narrow … the church is the optimal location for intergenerational conversation!- Bishop William Willimon
“Let no offensive talk pass your lips, only what is good and helpful to the occasion, so that it brings a blessing to those who hear it.” – St. Paul (Eph. 4:29)
Sundays – June 5th & 12th – 9:15 AM
(between our morning worship Services)
This “Social Statement” was adopted by a church wide Assembly in 1991 and still continues to speak to a church body that is divided over this controversial issue. We will examine the document, its theological assumptions, it’s critique of “rights language” and its conclusions that “Abortion ought to be an option only of last resort. Therefore, as a church, we seek to reduce the need to turn to abortion as the answer to unintended pregnancies.”
The History of Christianity II
Starting Sunday February 6 9:15 AM (immediately after the 8:15 AM service) In the Fellowship Hall Beginning February 6, Adult Forum will watch and discuss a series from The Great Courses entitled “The History of Christianity II: From the Reformation to the Modern Megachurch,” by Molly Worthen, Ph.D., Professor of History, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. We previously studied Christian history up to the Reformation. This course will examine the big changes brought by the Reformation during Medieval times and continue with subsequent developments up to Christian churches currently in America and the rest of the world. Prof. Worthen’s research interests include studying the tension between traditional religion and modern thinking in today’s world. We expect to learn a lot about today’s Christianity: How it came to be and how we fit into the current religious culture. Participation by those attending produces a greater, enriching experience for everyone in Forum. Please bring your religious background and join us for discussions! Join us. Coffee will be available.
The Forgotten Luther
Sundays, starting January 9 at 9:15 AM on ZOOM link here
We will discuss these presentations and related materials about how Lutherans address social problems during Adult Forum.
For more information, contact David Follstaedt at dfollstd@unm.edu or Susan Alexis at sjalexis@msn.com
Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms, painting by Anton Von Wermer, 1877.
Featuring: Presentations at “The Forgotten Luther” symposium held in Washington, D.C., in November, 2017
When remembering the Reformation, Lutherans typically think about Martin Luther’s theological reforms, such as summarized in his phrase “Saved by grace alone”. They often overlook Luther’s social reforms and the part of his theology addressing care for our neighbor’s well being.
At this symposium, leading scholars, theologians and Lutheran church leaders examine Luther’s legacy. They find that he was not only concerned with directly alleviating hunger and poverty, but also correcting the systematic causes of these problems in society. The result is that from both our heritage and our theology (eg., Luther’s Catechisms), addressing social problems is seen to be a very Lutheran thing to do.