Open Forum

Our open forums are for all! We meet in the Campus Center Library Sundays 9:15-10:15am (masks are required). They are also available via Zoom. Contact the office info@ulctempe.org if you want Zoom link.

Forums for November and December are:

November 7: “God I Presume?” How God impacted the life of a young man while in Uganda. Brian Gamelin, presenter.

November 14: “Mission Today” led by Assistant to the Bishop Miguel Gomez Acosta.

November 21: “Polarization in our Parishes, Societies, and World Today” What Lutheran insights do we have to bring to this issue? Pastor Gary, presenter.

November 28: No forum, Thanksgiving Weekend.

December 5: “Close Encounters of What Kind?” led by students Dylan Weeks & Josh Burgett. Dylan is a senior majoring in Astro Biology, Josh is a senior majoring in mechanical engineering with an interest in space. Pastor Gary will also take part in the discussion. What life forms may be “out there”? If there are other life forms, especially those of an animal/human kind, what would that do to our Christian faith?

December 12: “Gaudete!” “Joy!” Reading Paul’s letter to the Philippians, only 4 short chapters, would be a help prior to this discussion. What scripture’s understanding of joy? Led by Pastor Gary.

December 19: To be decided…have an offering?

December 26: No forum, Christmas weekend.

Open Forums return on September 12th in our Campus Center Library. Open forums are Sunday mornings from 9:15am-10:15am. Currently, the plan is for them to be both in person and via Zoom. We are always looking for speakers and topics. Have one to suggest? Contact us at info@ulctempe.org — below are some of the forums we have planned.

September:

12: “Critical Race Theory” Calvin Schermerhorn, professor of American History specializing in slavery and antebellum history is the presenter. Calvin has been doing much research in post-Civil War racial issues such as Jim Crow, BLM, monuments, etc.

19: “Presidential Praise” What is your favorite hymn? Does your favorite hymn say something about you? About your faith? Pastor Gary will lead a presentation on the favorite hymns of US presidents. Will these hymns reflect who they were? What might they say about their faith?

October

3: “Keep Calm and Call the Chaplain” Deacon Lana Neighbors who has been in hospital/hospice chaplaincy since 1996 in Minnesota, Georgia, and Arizona and a member of ULC.

10: “Writing Personal Psalms” Deacon April Boyden

24: “Grandmother’s Hands” Deacon April Boyden, Discussion will focus on addressing White Supremacy by engaging our physical bodies to heal from pasto trauma and be aware in the present moment.

31: Deacon April Boyden, “All Hallows Eve…The work of mourning”