The Forum is an opportunity to learn about and discuss topics of interest in the period following the 9:00 a.m. service and before the 11:00 a.m. service.

9 - Registration Sunday – Now is the time to register for fall Christian Education Programs and various worship ministries at Bethesda! Registration and information will be available for the Church School and youth programs, Adult Education classes, our mid-week prayer groups, the Youth Choir, acolytes, and more! Parishioners of all ages are invited encouraged to learn about and sign up for the programs and ministries of interest. As always, everyone is encouraged to take a tour of the Church School classrooms and to enjoy the Family Brunch in the Parish Hall.

16 - The Magnetic Church – The last Bishop’s Spring Conference introduced the diocese The Magnetic Church¸ a new approach to church hospitality and new member ministry. As mainline church attendance has declined and as the general society is less familiar with Christianity, The Magnetic Church encourages new methods for welcoming and incorporating new member into the life and ministry of a congregation. Tom O’Brien, Zoe Stout, Phyllis Goodner, and Lynn Rundberg will present their reflections and insights, as well as ways in which we all may participate in the important ministry of hospitality to visitors and new members.

23 - A Brief History of the Anglican Communion – As we look ahead to Lambeth 2008, we will focus our attention throughout the coming year on the life of the Anglican Communion. But how and why did the Anglican Communion form? What were the major issues and developments? To help us on our way, Father Drew will walk us through a brief history of the Anglican Communion.

30 - Caregiver Stress – Caregivers often experience "caregiver stress," and are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety and high blood pressure. Clelia Pinza-Garrity, a social worker and pastoral counselor with Hospice of Palm Beach County, will discuss the signs of caregiver stress, as well as explore how one can manage the stress of caring for a loved one without compromising the care of you provide. Clelia has worked in the field of death and dying for the past 25 years.

7 - Blessing of the Animals – In celebration of the feast of St. Francis, we hold our traditional blessing of the animals during the 9 o=clock service. Festivities in the Garth follow. Please join us for this family celebration!

14 - Celtic Christianity: Pilgrimage of Self-Discovery – Pastor Lynne and the Bethesda pilgrims who traveled to the holy islands of Lindisfarne and Iona this year will lead this forum. We will share pictures, artifacts, Celtic forms of prayer, and much laughter as we encourage next year’s pilgrims to sign up! This Forum kicks off "Celtic Week" at Bethesda, which features special Celtic prayer services and communion, food, fun, and a caeli!

21 - Spiritual Weekend with Bishop Charleston – The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, Dean of Episcopal Divinity School and former Bishop of Alaska concludes the Spiritual Weekend that begins on Friday, October 19. A leader in the church on issues of justice and reconciliation, Bishop Charleston is a passionate preacher and teacher. Please join us for what promises to be an enlightening Forum.

28 - Reflections on Ethiopia and Burundi – In an effort to the deepen the relationship begun last Spring with the visit to Bethesda by Archbishop Ntahoturi, Archbishop of Burundi, Rick Wandoff and Father Drew ventured to Burundi this past summer. At today’s forum, Rick and Father Drew will reflect on their experiences in Ethiopia and Burundi, and the opportunities we have to strengthen our ties as we strive to do mission together.

4 - Volunteer Fair – How are you using the talents God has given you? Are you called to help with worship, education, pastoral care or some other ministry of the Church? The Volunteer Fair provides an opportunity to learn about and volunteer for the many programs for growth and service at Bethesda. Representatives of our many groups and ministries will be on hand to answer your questions. Brunch will be provided.

11 - An Anglican Covenant? – Over the preceding year, much has been made of the need for an Anglican Covenant. Beyond adding an additional "layer" of structure to the Anglican Communion, however, we must ask how such a covenant can benefit our participation in God’s mission. What form of covenant would be needed to further our shared ministry? What might such a covenant look like? How would such a covenant be formed and what are the hurdles that will arise? The Rev. Dr. Katherine Grieb, Professor of New Testament at Virginia Theological Seminary and member of the Covenant Design Group, will explore these questions and reflect specifically on the work of the Design Group and the proposed Covenant Draft.

18 - Exploring the Psalter – The Psalms, contained in The Book of Common Prayer, are an essential part of virtually every form of corporate worship conducted in The Episcopal Church. They are also part of the lectionary and other forms of personal worship. The retranslated version that we Episcopalians embrace for praise and prayer was an enormous undertaking that took nearly a decade to complete. J. Chester Johnson, one of the two poets (the other being W. H. Auden) on the drafting committee for the re-translation that is now included in The Book of Common Prayer, will be with us for the Christian Education hour on Sunday, November 18th, to discuss, among other matters, the Psalms as verse, the history of the Psalms as received by The Episcopal Church, the approaches taken by the re-translation project, the ways the retranslated Psalter differs from other translations (i.e., RSV, metrical psalms, etc.), the adoption of the Episcopal version by the Lutheran Church in America and the Anglican Church of Canada, and vignettes about W. H. Auden and the committee.

25 - That was Different! An Introduction to the Revised Common Lectionary – As we approach new Liturgical Year this Advent, we will also be introducing a new set of Sunday lessons, the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). Used in varying ways by other Churches, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and the United Methodist Church, the RCL was adopted by The Episcopal Church in 2006. But what makes the Revised Common Lectionary different? Why did the Episcopal Church adopt a new lectionary anyway? What are the hurdles involved in adopting a new lectionary? Father Warren and Father Drew will explore these questions as they attempt to shed light on the Revised Common Lectionary.

2 - Advent Wreath Workshop – This is the First Sunday of Advent which means it=s time to make Advent wreaths! We supply the greens, candles, punch, cookies, and music while your family creates a centerpiece to take home in preparation for the Christmas Season.

2 - Advent Spiritual Weekend – The Rev. Martin L. Smith concludes our Advent Spiritual Weekend, (November 30—December 2), by preaching today and leading the Adult Forum. Fr. Smith, noted author and retreat leader, is the senior associate at St. Columba Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. A former member of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, Fr. Smith’s books include: The Word is Very Near You; Love Set Free; and Compass and Stars. Please come and experience this gifted speaker.

9 - What’s Special about Matthew’s Gospel? – Advent begins a new Lectionary Year. This year, most of our Gospel readings come from the Gospel of Matthew. Tom O’Brien will discuss the development of Matthew’s Gospel and what makes it different from the other three Gospels. By understanding these differences, we can listen with more discernment to the Gospel lessons throughout this Liturgical Year.

16 - The Work of the Faith in Action Committee – Cecie Titcomb and members of the Faith in Action Committee will share their ongoing work and ways in which we all may participate.

23 - The Life Changing Work of Episcopal Charities in Southeast Florida – Since its inception in 1998, Episcopal Charities and its predecessor, The Episcopal Foundation of Southeast Florida, has provided over $1 million in parish-sponsored ministry grants to over sixty Episcopal congregations throughout our six-county Diocesan area. By virtue of the extraordinarily generous legacy gifts of Blair and Agnes Smith and Marcelle Hull Littell, and in conjunction with our parish partners, many families and lives have been materially impacted for the better over the last ten years. Charlie Ring, President of Episcopal Charities, will join us to discuss the numerous and diverse programs funded by Episcopal Charities.

30 - New Year’s Eve, Annual Wassail Celebration – Today we celebrate the New Year with one of Christianity’s most ancient and traditional customs – celebrating with Wassail. Join us in the Parish Hall for this inter-generational family celebration.

6 - Boar’s Head Festival – No Forum.

13 - An Insider’s Look at the Windsor Process and the House of Bishops – Bishop Mark Dyer, retired bishop of the Diocese of Bethlehem, member of the Lambeth Commission which produced the Windsor Report, and currently Professor of Theology and Director of Spiritual Formation at Virginia Theological Seminary, will join us to look at the current state of the Windsor Process and mind of the House of Bishops.

20 - Annual Parish Meeting and Picnic – The Annual Parish Meeting will be held for the election of Vestry Members, Committees reports, to review and receive the Parish Annual Report and Financial Statements, and for the conduct of other business, concluding with the celebration of Holy Eucharist at the 11 o’clock service. After the service the Annual Parish Picnic, including games for our children, will be held in the Garth. Plan to join us for this important and festive day.

27 - An Introduction to Miroslav Volf – In anticipation of the Smaltz Fellowship Weekend (February 29-March 2), Father Drew will explore the writings of the 2008 Smaltz Fellow, Dr. Miroslav Volf. Professor Volf, Director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture, and the Henry B. Wright Professor of Systematic Theology at Yale Divinity School, brings a passion for embedding theology deep within the center of our lives. Join us to hear about his provocative work and engaging theology.

We are privileged to offer you these studies as opportunities to enrich and stimulate your intellect and to deepen your faith. If you have suggestions for additional courses related to Christian Education, spirituality, or ways we might improve these programs, please give them to The Rev. Andrew Van Culin, the Associate for Christian Education at 655-4555, ext. 22, or vanculin@bbts.org, or to Tom O’Brien, Chair of the Forum and Adult Education Committee, at 624-0175 or tgobrien@adelphia.net.