October 9 
Present at the Creation

As the parish continues a season of celebration for fifty years of service and commitment, hear memories and reflections from a distinguished panel featuring the Rev. Bill Thomas, founding Vicar, and others from St. Tim’s early days.

October 16   
American Grace
Jim Hood, Ph.D., and Mike McDowell

The book American Grace is a major achievement, a fascinating look at religion in today’s America. Unique among nations, America is deeply religious, religiously diverse and remarkably tolerant.  But in recent decades, the nation’s religious landscape has been reshaped. American Grace is based on two of the most comprehensive surveys ever conducted on religion and public life in America. It includes a dozen in-depth profiles of diverse congregations across the country, which illuminate the trends described by Putnam and Campbell in the lives of real Americans.  Jim Hood and Mike McDowell will review some of the highlights of this major work and discuss the implications of the findings.

October  23
What Really Happened on the Road to Damascus?
Fr. Seán Charles Martin, S.T.D.

On his way to Damascus to harass followers of “the Way,” Paul of Tarsus had a profound and life-changing encounter with the Risen Lord.  But what actually happened on the road to Damascus?  How was Paul’s life forever transformed?  Join Fr. Seán Charles Martin, S.T.D., Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at Aquinas Institute of Theology, for an examination of the texts of the New Testament that present Paul’s encounter with Jesus.

October 30
All Souls – All Saints Day in the Episcopal Church
The Right Reverend Dr. George Wayne Smith

What do we believe about souls? What do we mean when we say “The Communion of Saints?” What do we really believe happens to a person’s soul when they die? What happens to that spirit that God breathed into them at their birth? When we pray to Saints, do we believe that they have become something in death that others who have died do not become? Do we believe in Angels and Demons, and if so, do we believe that they used to live on earth as humans? At this Forum which is two days before All Saint’s Day, we will explore what the Episcopal Church believes about these things, and how we talk about death, heaven, and if the “afterlife” has anything to do with how we pray and think about being people of faith. 

November 6
Our Neighborhoods and Their Future

The City Managers of Creve Coeur,  Olivette, and Chesterfield share their knowledge about the trends developing in our communities (economic, demographic, political, housing, etc) and how they will impact the future and affect long-range planning for St. Timothy’s. 

November 13
The Future St. Tim’s
Hear and see where we are in the planning/building process with an update from Chiodini Architects and the Building and Design Team. 

November 20
Report from Diocesan Convention

St. Timothy’s Delegates will share information about the recently concluded Convention of the Diocese of Missouri. Learn what topics were discussed, what resolutions were passed, and what impact this convention will have on our life as a Diocesan parish

November 27
Parish Wide Advent Event

Celebrate 50 years of ministry with fun and creative Advent activities as we begin the season of Advent. Everyone is invited to participate in this fun and creative intergenerational event. Come share a light snack and good fellowship with the entire parish family. The fun begins at 9:00 am in the Parish Hall.

December 4, 11, & 18
From Prophecy to Apocalyptic
Ben Asen, Ph.D.

This series of three classes will explore the basic elements of Hebrew prophecy and how the Old Testament prophetic message is picked up and developed further in the New Testament. Special attention will be given to the biblical criteria for distinguishing true prophets from false ones and how the prophetic message is still crucial to the church’s life and faith today.

January 8
Marriage, Family, Church
Heidi Clark

Being married, and being in a family, are both opportunities for people of faith to be in mission. Personal partnerships can greatly enhance our connections to the church, to our community, and to making a difference in the world. We will explore the missional qualities of marriage and family, and how St. Timothy’s can support our married folks, and our families.    

January 15
The Witness – The Legacy of Martin Luther King’s Last Days

Video and Discussion

January 22
Meet the Candidates

Candidates for Vestry, Convention Delegate, and Endowment Trustee will have the opportunity to introduce themselves and share the gifts they offer for these ministries. This provides an excellent opportunity to prepare for next week’s Annual Meeting as an informed voter.

January 29
Annual Meeting of the Parish






Prior Adult Forum topics include:

The Anglican Communion: Past, Troubled Present, Potential Futures
Jim Hood, Ph.D.

We will explore briefly the development of the Anglican Communion to its present state, looking at its institutions and its functions. We will examine the proposed Anglican Covenant and its implications. Then we will explore the stresses now affecting the Communion, and will try to imagine what will happen in the coming years.

 Building Common Ground for Civil Dialog in a Democratic Society
Wayne Fields, Ph.D. 

What is the need for and the mission of the John C. Danforth Center on Religion &  Politics at Washington University? Dr. Fields is a Distinguished Professor of English and American Culture Studies at the University
and is Director of the Center.


The Local and Global Impacts of Plant Science
Tom Bander

Fossil fuel dependence, soil erosion, water shortages, hunger & malnutrition, and environmental destruction….we face these and other challenges in our world today. Learn about the role plant science plays in addressing these concerns and where St. Louis fits into this global landscape. Join Tom Bander, from the Danforth Plant Science Center development office, for a presentation and discussion about the Danforth Center’s work on these topics and what this means for each us as we try to care for our planet, its people, and our future.

 
Ecomorality
Ursula Goodenough, Ph.D.

Morality has traditionally been framed in the context of human interactions. In our times, the faith traditions are called to articulate ecomoral sensibilities, where scientific understandings of the natural world offer important groundings for the project. Dr. Goodenough is a Professor
in the Department of Biology at Washington University.

 
The Rule of God in Matthew’s Redaction
Allen Callahan, Ph.D.

The Gospel of Matthew has an exalted place for scribes (Matthew 13:52; 23:34), and the gospel begins with a genealogy (Matthew 1:1-17) - a tedious preamble that only a scribe could love. Yet the Gospel of Matthew repeatedly identifies scribes among the mortal enemies of Jesus (Matthew 16:21; 20:18), who in turn repeatedly denounces them in the most unflattering terms (Matthew 23:13, 14, 15, etc., etc.). These representations of the scribe have profound implications for our understanding of the Rule of God according to the Gospel of Matthew. Dr. Callahan is a Visiting Professor of New Testament at Eden Theological Seminary.

 
The Poetics of Love: The Song of Solomon
Clint McCann, Ph.D.

The Song of Solomon is certainly among the least-used books of the Bible, not even mentioning God. Episcopalian Old Testament scholar Ellen Davis concludes that the Song of Solomon "is profoundly revelatory," and "in a sense, the most biblical of books." This session will lay out the case for such remarkably positive assessments of the Song of Solomon. Dr. McCann is Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Eden Theological Seminary.


A Call to Action
Roderick L. Jones, Ed.D., MPA

This discussion is an examination of the role of Grace Hill Settlement House in the furtherance of the mission work of the Episcopal Church and biblical call to service. We will take a brief look at the historical and present role of Grace Hill in meeting the needs of the poor. Dr. Jones is the President and CEO of Grace Hill Settlement House.

 
Report from Diocesan Convention

St. Timothy’s Delegates will share information about the recently concluded Convention of the Diocese of Missouri. Learn what topics were discussed, what resolutions were passed, and what impact this Convention will have on our life as a Diocesan parish.

Out of the Whirlwind: Fear and Faith in the Book of Job
Ben Asen, Ph.D.

This series of classes will explore the major theological themes in the Book of Job, its relation to Wisdom literature, as well as Job's supposed "patience" and the role of his "friends." Job challenged ancient Wisdom and refused to accept its comfort. For Job—and for us—there are no simple answers to the problem of suffering. Dr. Asen is an Associate Professor, Department of Theological Studies at St. Louis University.

Have an idea for a Forum or Speaker?

Please email it to sttim@saint-tims.org or leave a note in the office mail slot.