THE SUNDAY FORUM

Sept. 20 Ministry Fair
If you’ve ever wondered what the various groups in the parish do and where and how you might get involved, then don’t miss the Ministry Fair! There will be displays and information regarding the many ministries within St Martin’s as well as people available to answer questions - and treats!

Sept. 27 Interim Rector’s Forum and Update on the Search Process
What are your questions and concerns regarding St Martin’s as we journey through this time of transition? Our Interim Rector, the Reverend Lou Temme, and Barbara Dundon, the chair of our Discernment Committee, will be on hand to discuss parish life during the interim, bring everyone up to speed on the search process, and answer any questions.

Oct. 4 Mitakuye Oyasin: Lessons Learned in the Black Hills
Mitakuye Oyasin is Lakota Sioux for ‘all my relations’. It is a prayer of oneness and harmony with all forms of life. It reminds us that we are connected to all aspects of Creation, that we share a common kinship in the Hoop of Life. Hear more of this and other lessons the young people learned this summer on their trip to the sacred Black Hills of South Dakota.

Oct. 11 - 25 Power in Weakness: Gospel Stories of Healing
What is wrong with me? Why am I sick? How can I get well? How was I healed? Magic? Miracle? Medicine? Money? What kind of health care? These questions have been asked in every culture and era. With the guidance of the Right Reverend Frederick Borsch, we will explore New Testament times and stories and ask what they have to tell us today.

Nov. 1 - 8 Living Lives of Generosity
Hal Taussig, Sr. of Untours, the 1999 recipient of the Newman’s Own/George Magazine Award for the Most Generous Company in America, will challenge and encourage us as we explore what it means to live lives of generosity.

Nov. 15 No Forum on St. Martin’s Sunday

Nov. 22 Centering Prayer
The Reverend Sharline Fulton will introduce us to a method of prayer commonly called ‘centering prayer’, which is a practice of silent prayer in which we focus attention on the present moment. It is a practice based on faith in the God of whom Nicholas of Cusa says, ‘God is the One whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere.’ In addition to exploring basic Christian assumptions about the life of prayer and how centering prayer relates to other prayer practices, Sharline will invite us to experience this prayer of silence and stillness and reflect on our insights.

Nov. 29 - Dec. 6 Sing Aloud, O Daughter Zion: The Prophets in Advent
The prophetic readings during Advent invite us to contemplate a world lived under the reign of God: a world of justice, beauty, wholeness, and rejoicing. What was the context in which these proclamations were first heard and under- stood? What are their implications for our world today as we prepare again to hear the Christmas story? .

Dec 13 Guatemala: What Comes Next?
Come meet the Right Reverend Carlos Lainfiesta and his wife, the Reverend Edna Lainfiesta.  Bishop Lainfi- esta is the newly elected Suffragan Bishop in Guatemala for the western area where our three companion parishes are and is resident at our companion parish of San Juan Apostol, Chichicastenango. Edna was one of the first women
ordained to the Episcopal priesthood in Guatemala and is also a teacher. This is an opportunity to explore new ideas for our continuing companion relationship.

Dec. 20 No Forum - Carol Sing

Jan. 3 & 10 An Outrageous Romp
Not sure what’s in the Bible or Prayer Book? Over the course of two weeks, Helen White and Cathy Cowling will lead us in a whirlwind overview of the Bible and the Book of Common Prayer: their contents, how they are organized, and used.

Jan. 17 No Forum: Trip to St. John the Divine

Jan. 24 - Feb. 7 Whatever happened to Civility?
Whether it be in town hall meetings on health care or debates within the Anglican Communion, people seem to have difficulty keeping a civil tongue. Have we become so polarized that we can no longer have public discourse without it deteriorating to shouting, name calling, or worse? What is happening to our society? If the church cannot manage to behave itself, is there any hope?

Feb. 14 Taking the Pulse
With the Vestry’s presentation of the budget and an update on the search process, this Sunday will provide a brief time to reflect on the pulse of the parish: how are we doing during our time of transition?

Feb. 21 - Mar. 21 To One of the Least of These
Ever since the Episcopal Church made a commitment to the Millennium Development Goals as its mission priority, it has been in the forefront of the U.S. movement to achieve the MDGs. Working in tandem with this international commitment has been added a call to address and alleviate domestic poverty. As the gap widens between the rich and the poor, these goals can be both challenging and threatening. During Lent we will examine some of the most critical and complex issues facing the world and our nation—and thus the church.

Mar. 28, Apr. 4 & 11 No Forum on Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, or Easter 2

Apr. 18 - May 16 No Future Without Forgiveness
Restoration. Unity. Forgiveness. Reconciliation. These are words the church bandies about regularly, but what do they really mean? If what Desmond Tutu tell us—that there is no future without forgiveness—is true, what are the implications for daily living?