Sunday Adult Forums
–– November 24
Solar Panel Presentation
Withe the support of B&G and Vestry, the Creation Care Team has researched the possibility of installing solar panels on the roof. Solar panels will reduce our carbon footprint and cut utility costs in half. The Vestry is now considering whether to authorize this project and would like to hear from you. Please come Sunday, November 24th, at 9 AM to hear about solar and share your thoughts – whether or not to move forward and, if so, the placement of panels. The Buildings and Grounds Commission and Creation Care Team will make a presentation, with ample opportunity for questions and time to hear from you. Click here for more.
–– December 1
The Meaning of Memory
Advent is not only the perfect time to read the story of the birth of Jesus; it’s also a great time to dive deeper into the biblical texts that surround the event. On this first Sunday of Advent we will begin Amy Jill-Levine’s book and video series, Light of the World, and discusses Luke’s story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, the infertile couple who become miraculously pregnant with John the Baptist. Levine describes how the Angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah, and how Elizabeth’s pregnancy echoes that of other Old Testament matriarchs. Amy Jill Levine shows how these events lead up to the pregnancy of Mary and Luke’s Christmas story.
–– December 8
The Promise of Potential
In a continuation of the series based on Amy Jill Levine’s book, Light of the World, we will explore the events around the annunciation to Mary from the Angel Gabriel. Mary arrives to visit Elizabeth, and the two celebrate their pregnancies. Levine places these characters in the context of Old Testament stories and shows how Luke references these texts. We will also explore Mary’s song of praise.
–– December 15
The Journey to Joy
This week final week of the series, we explore how the census led Mary and Joseph to travel from their home to Bethlehem. Focusing on the historical details surrounding them, we will follow the story of their journey and the eventual birth of Jesus in the stable. Amy Jill Levine uncovers Luke’s symbolism as she discusses the birth and the visit from the shepherds, showing how Jesus’ future life is prefigured in the details of his birth.
–– December 22
Star of Bethlehem
Was the Star of Bethlehem a miracle, a myth, or a astronomical phenomenon? Join us on Sunday, December 22 at 9 AM when Jennifer Lynn Bartlett, a professional astronomer, explores the astronomical, astrological, and historical aspects of this question. A miracle or a myth require no further explanation. However, Christians have speculated about a natural event as the source of the Bible account since at least the 3rd century. If the fabled Star can be associated with an astronomical or meteorological event, the event must have been one that 1st century scholarly elites would have associated with the birth of a great leader.
Fall Adult Forums
Past Speakers
–– November 17 at 9 AM
Diocesan Convention Recap
Each fall the congregations comprising the Diocese of Virginia gather for learning and legislation at their annual convention. Three members of Saint Peter’s Episcopal Chuch (Paddy Link, John Lushetsky, and Jack Schick), along with the Rev. Jenifer Gamber and the Rev. David Potter represented our church.
Come this Sunday, November 17th, to hear about Bishop Stevenson’s Pastoral Address, resolutions passed at convention, workshops, and plenary sessions. Learn how the life of the diocese can support the mission and ministry of Saint Peter’s.
–– November 3 at 9 AM
Annual Meeting
Sunday, November 3 we will hold the annual meeting of the congregation where we will elect in-coming members of the vestry and hear about the state of the congregation from the Rector, Senior Warden, Treasurer.
It is critical that all adult members attend this meeting as we need a quorum to conduct our business. You are considered an adult member if you are 16 years old and older and have received communion at least three times in the past 12 months.
–– October 27
Life Transitions: Changes from Grief
GRIEF is like the ocean. It comes in waves ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm and sometimes it is overflowing. All we can do is learn to swim. The purpose of this forum is to share suggestions from both professionals and those who have experienced grief personally on how to live with the grief caused by the death of a loved one (or of any major loss), including the resources that could be used to support you at such a time. It is also envisioned that the Forum will be a time to share stories of loss and what it has meant to you.
The forum will be hosted by parishioners Teresa Mastrangelo and Kathi O’Neill, and Certified Grief Counsellor, Jennifer Lanouette, NoVa Grief Support; Counseling.
–– October 20
End-of-Life Planning
Saudia Carson, Lead Funeral Director at Murphy Funeral Home Falls Church, will be accompanied on October 20th by two of her associates, E.J and George, and they will share information on end-of-life planning and processes. Ms. Carson will speak about at-need services (services with no planning ahead of time) and will address the importance of having a service, and how it is not just for the one who has passed but also for the ones who are left behind. The focus will then shift to pre-arranging end-of-life processes and services which differ from a will or trust (a topic for a future Forum in the Spring.) This will feature a slide presentation and be followed by an opportunity for questions and answers. Our speakers will share cards informing attendees whom they can call if they would like to speak further.
–– October 13
The Miracles in the Gospels and Our World Today
Led by Doug Marshall and Bob Woody
When we think about “Miracles” what does it mean to modern Americans? What did it mean in Jesus time to the people around him?
We will explore first some “miraculous events” from our national history, sporting challenges and survival stories. We will of course consider those ordinary “close calls” in traffic, job accidents and health scares that we’ve all experienced. We will also hear from some important historical detractors who claim that miracles “just don’t happen.”
–– September 15 at 9 a.m.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Please join Patty Beneke in a conversation about a “shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.” What is our responsibility as members of Saint Peter’s and inhabitants in the gift of creation?
Patty Beneke is former Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Water and Science, Senior Counsel to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and Regional Director and Representative, United Nations Environment Programme, and professor of law at Georgetown University.
–– June 16
Summer Bible Study Series Preparation
Please join us as we prepare for our summer series of Bible studies during the forum hour. Our group studies at St. Peter's are meant to be light and fun and provoke interest in gaining more from the library of biblical books that underpins the Christian faith. Each Sunday's biblical passages are based on the "Sunday Lectionary," which is a three year cyclical lectionary that runs from Advent to Advent (not the calendar year). We are currently in year B. (for more info see https://www.lectionarypage.net )
–– June 2
Creation Care and Federal Advocacy
A lifelong Episcopalian, Susie Faria is Policy Analyst for the Office of Government Relations. Ms. Faria was previously an intern before beginning this role at OGR. Prior to joining this office, she obtained her B.A. in Global Studies with minors in International Relations and Arts and Communications, while traveling the world with Long Island University Global, studying in Central America, Europe, and Australia. Her experiences abroad developed and curated her passion for the environment, history, international relations, and interreligious relations.
–– April 21
Fruits of Repentance
Join the Rev. Joseph Thompson, Ph.D. for a discussion of the guiding principles in the design of the Virginia Theological Seminary Reparations Program.
THE REV. DR. JOSEPH DOWNING THOMPSON, JR. serves Virginia Theological Seminary as Associate Dean of Multicultural Ministries and as a member of the faculty in the area of Practical Theology. His courses and administrative work help to ensure that seminarians engage with issues of race, justice, and intercultural awareness as part of their theological education. His teaching and research interests include the theological and spiritual dimensions of racial ideology in the USA, as well as the moral and ethical implications of the reparations movement. He holds a Ph.D. in African American Studies and English from Yale University.
–– April 7
Loneliness in Children and Teens: How Parents Can Help
How can we measure a child/teen's risk of loneliness? What kinds of research-based strategies are available that may increase a child/teen's sense of feeling socially connected?
Join Maureen Harris, researcher at Georgetown University's Digital Health and Happiness Lab to learn how to help your children thrive at a time when loneliness has risen to historic levels.
–– March 10
How The New York Times Covers Climate Change
The newsroom has an entire team dedicated to covering the science, policy and effects of the rapidly warming globe. Hannah Fairfield Wallander, the Climate Editor at The New York Times, will take you inside recent climate coverage, including an award-winning series on the nation's depleted groundwater.
––February 25
Eldercare Options: Navigating the Maze
Understanding the various elder care options available for your loved one can be daunting. This forum led by parishioner Joanne Marshall will review what she learned when she traveled this journey with her parents.
Topics covered will include:
descriptions of different types of care communities vs in home care,
the pros and cons and lessons learned during her experience.
challenges handling financial matters in a digital world.
Photo: Joanne Marshall’s parents.