Forum: Sundays @9AM
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Our Forums are open to everyone: occasional visitors, curious newcomers, or long-timers. Anyone who wants to connect with others, explore Christian thought and practice and the way they intersect with our lives in the world is welcome to join us. We meet on various Sundays from late September into June, exploring topics from Scripture and theology to faith’s intersection with issues of social justice, the faith-science dialogue, and religious expression in service to others. Experts leading the forums include local professors and directors of local non-profits along with our own “resident theologian,” Pastor Dan.
NOVEMBER 03: With Rev. Dr. Rick Rouse
Led by Rev. Dr. Rick Rouse on November 3, we explored the phenomenon that is sweeping the country known as White Christian Nationalism and discovered why it threatens both our democracy and the future of the Christian witness in the United States. We also unpacked the myth that American was founded as a Christian nation.
If you missed the forum—or attended it and would like more information—Rev. Rouse provided a number of handouts and video resources, which are all now linked HERE.
NOVEMBER 17: Faith in Action:
Stories of My Adventure to Tanzania
with Jimmy Porter, QALC
Over the summer, I was given the opportunity to travel to Tanzania with 11 of my classmates. Through my school’s Global Service Learning program, we spent a month living with host families in a community on the western shore of Lake Victoria. Our mission was to serve the community through our work at Twegashe school. Many of you may be familiar, as our friends Michael and Jeanette Banobi run the school. The service consisted of planning and running an educational summer camp for 90 second through fourth grade students. The days were filled with lots of learning, much of which was really the kids teaching us. The learning that I was lucky enough to do is what I’m here to share. Summer camp may have only been a portion of the time I spent there, but the lessons I took away came at me constantly throughout the trip. My classmates and I wrestled with dozens of questions. Topics such as materialism, happiness, privilege, faith, family, comfort, education, equity, and service. We found answers to some and more questions behind others, but regardless, we brought back new experiences and perspectives worth sharing. I’m excited to share my story with you.
12/08 &15 My Time in Princeton
Pastor Dan Peterson, QALC
01/05 Q & A with the Bishop
Bishop Shelley Bryan-Wee
01/12 Update on UW Campus Ministry
Rev. Chelsea Globe
02/02 The Language of Pronouns
Magdalena Phillips, Svea Phillips, & Constant Lundgren
02/09 Creating a Safe Space in Worship and Communion
Mary Lowe
02/16 What’s Next?
Magadalena Phillips
03/02 & 09 Atonement in the Hebrew Bible/ Rabbinical Judaism
Dr. Beatrice Lawrence, SU
03/23 & 30 Atonement in the New Testament
Dr. Lynn Hofstad
04/13 God’s Creation Needs the Church; God’s Church Needs Creation:
Biblical Foundations for an Earth-Ethic
Rev. Dr. Leah D. hade
04/27 , 05/04 Creation Care and Climate Change:
Putting Faith Into Action
Jeff Thiel
05/11 Isaiah and the Motherhood of God
Pastor Dan Peterson, QALC
05/18 Forum Suggestions for 2025/26
Open Discussion
Forums run Sundays from 9 –10 AM in hybrid format: in-person in the Conference Room, with an option to attend via Zoom.
Follow this Zoom link to attend:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89173017795?pwd=ZkdtcXlxYXFPYWFwSVZTaE9kUEdFdz09
Or dial in: 1 253 215 8782 Meeting ID: 891 7301 7795 and Passcode: 063447
STUDY GROUPS
SEATTLE SEEKERS:
Eager to explore life’s big questions? Searching for a sense of belonging?
Join the SEATTLE SEEKERS on the first Saturday of each month in the QALC Conference Room for meaningful discussion and connection. A light breakfast is provided, 10–10:30 AM; discussion 10:30-11:30 AM. All are welcome.
Link HERE for the most current information, and to sign up with the group.
WOMEN’S CIRCLES:
QALC Women meet monthly in two “Circles” to support one another and to study the Bible together.
Third Tuesday of each month, our QALCW Circle meets live in the Conference Room, with a Zoom option. Contact bbach4751@gmail.com for info.
Northern Lights, our north-end Circle, meets currently on the third Monday of each month via Zoom. Contact Dolly Smith at ohana3@comcast.net for info and locations.
Daily Grace: Need an on-the-go companion for your faith journey? Daily Grace, from the ELCA Women’s synodical organization, offers brief reflections every day in which you’ll encounter God’s extravagant, boundless and often surprising grace. Be comforted, challenged, inspired, consoled and confronted. Find it online here.
Did You Miss a Forum?
We generally do not record our forums. A few forums were recorded in the pandemic years. Go to our YouTube Channel and find the Forums & Classes Playlist for those recordings, including “Update on the Earth,” “Singing the Faith” and “Demons Darkness, and the Devil.” Some of our forum sessions were also aired on the podcast “God for Grownups.”
Pastor Dan Interviewed on Metamorphosis Podcast
Metamorphosis is the podcast of Trinity UMC of Piedmont, MO. (“sharing the unchanging gospel of Christ with a changing culture, providing training, and loving others.”) Host/writer Eric Sentell interviews our own Pastor Dan to talk about faith, doubt, death, grieving, the after-life, violence, the question “Why follow Jesus?” and other very grown-up topics. Eric writes, “Dan effortlessly weaves together philosophy, theology, and experience as he models humility, openness, and courageous Christianity.” Find the conversation at this link
“God for Grownups” Podcast Episode:
Is Violence Ever Acceptable?
— with Dr. Beatrice Lawrence
Pastor Dan Peterson and Dr. Beatrice Lawrence discuss and compare Christian and Jewish perspectives on violence, in light of the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol. You can listen here.
Note: Some of our forum sessions including “Demons Darkness, and the Devil” are also aired on the podcast “God for Grownups”
