The Forum
Conversations about faith, life, politics, justice, art, ethics, and theology.
Welcome to the Forum.
The Forum is a conversation at Holy Communion about faith, life, justice, arts and culture.
Join us Sundays at 9am in Mitchell Hall as we enjoy breakfast and explore scripture, culture, and study.
Child care is available in the nursery for those who wish.
Children are welcome to stay with their caregivers during the program if desired.
Forming a Compassionate Christian Conscience - Fall 2023 & Spring 2024 Schedule
September 17
Get to Know You Program & Do You Remember When Discussion
Chester Hines, Jr., Leader & Kari Potts, Presenter
Come and meet a parishioner you have not met before; share stories from years past in about how we use to live. Eg: do you remember when there were public telephones on nearly every street corner?
September 24
Discuss Sunday’s Scripture Readings
Elizabeth Hines, Leader, with presenters Kellie McCoy, Denise Carpenter and Kelly Hamilton
The readings and the sermon for this Sunday will be discussed.
October 1
Women in the Bible and in the Episcopal Church
Kari Potts, Leader and Presenter
A look at Harriet Bedell, Julia Chester Emery and Pauli Murray, pt. 1
October 8
Women in the Bible and in the Episcopal Church
Kari Potts, Leader and presenter
The conclusion of Harriet Bedell, Julia Chester Emery and Pauli Murray, pt. 2
October 15
Women in the Bible and in the Episcopal Church
Kari Potts, Leader & Denise Carpenter, Presenter
The Woman of Proverbs 31
October 22
Women in the Bible and in the Episcopal Church
Kari Potts, Leader & Maharat Rori Picker Neiss, Presenter
The Women of Genesis
October 29
Pot Luck Breakfast!
Women in the Bible and in the Episcopal Church
Kari Potts, Leader & Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh, Presenter
Tamar and Judah in the Book of Exodus and/or the legend of Serach
Tentative Program to Follow - Topics Subject to Change
November 5
Report from meeting of Annual Convention of the Diocese of Missouri
Wardens and Convention Delegates, Leaders
November 12
Gratitude Sunday—What do you praise God for?
Gloria Grenwald, Leader
November 19
What are you thankful for?
Stewardship Committee
November 26
No Program
December 3
Advent Wreath Making
Liz Peoples, Leader
December 10
Advent Program Series
Reverend Julie Graham, Leader, Andrew Carpentier
December 17
Advent Program Series Continues
January 7
Discuss Sunday’s Scripture Readings
Elizabeth Hines, Leader, with presenters Kellie McCoy, Denise Carpenter and Kelly Hamilton
January 14
Music in the Church
January 21
Dr. Martin Luther King Presentation and Celebration Program
Chester Hines, Leader
January 28, 2024
Music in the Church
Mary Chapman, Leader
February 4, 11, 18 & 25
Black History Series
Chester Hines, Leader
March 3, 10 & 17
Living Well Through Lent
Babs Kehl-Fairchild and Kari Potts, Leaders, Maryanne Angliongto, William Potts, presenters
March 24 & 31
No Program- Palm Sunday & Easter
April 7, 14, 21 & 28
Book of the Bible—Galatians
Elizabeth Hines, Leader, Kellie McCoy, Maryanne Angliontgto and Denise Carpenter, presenters
May 5
Discuss Sunday’s Scripture Readings
Elizabeth Hines, Leader, with presenters Kellie McCoy, Denise Carpenter and Kelly Hamilton
May 12
Graduation Interview & Home from College Update
Chester Hines, Jr. and Elizabeth Hines, Leaders
May 19
Evaluation Sunday
Adult Forum Committee Members
The Rev. Mike Angell looks at the theology of sharing the chalice in the Episcopal Church, and asks questions about potential plans for sharing the Eucharist "in both kinds" (bread and wine) at this stage of the pandemic.
Deborah Nelson Linck talks about her new book, "Pauli Murray Shouting for the Rights of All People" and about the role schools, families, and church, can play in expanding the heroes kids learn in questions of Civil Rights.
Our senior warden Rudy Nickens and rector the Rev. Mike Angell talk through the year on vestry, preview our new Stained Glass Windows, and talk about leadership and Church. We will take questions during the annual meeting on February 13 at 9am on Zoom.
Our senior warden Rudy Nickens and rector the Rev. Mike Angell talk through the year on vestry, preview our new Stained Glass Windows, and talk about leadership and Church. We will take questions during the annual meeting on February 13 at 9am on Zoom.
Our treasurer Brian Barnhart walks us through 2021 and 2022 Finances. We will take questions during the annual meeting on February 13 at 9am on Zoom. You can read his full report and register for the meeting on our website.
Our vestry consists of nine members, elected to staggered three year terms. This year's candidates are Magdalene Linck, Robert Lowes, and Heidi Volkl (all for first terms).
Our rector speaks with Alison Nash MD, the chair of our Pandemic task force for Holy Communion and with Paul Mensah, PhD, Vice President of Biotherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences at Pfizer. We talk about omicron, the current precautions at church, and the hope on the horizon with expanded vaccine access and therapeutic treatments.
Christian Art theologian, Lisa Thorpe discusses her work, "Na'amah of the Ark" with the Rev. Julie Graham. The piece will be on loan to Holy Communion through Advent.Join us Sunday morning at 9am for Q and A in person (on the front lawn weather permitting, or masked in Mitchell Hall).
Christian Art theologian, Lisa Thorpe discusses her work, "Na'amah of the Ark" with the Rev. Julie Graham. The piece will be on loan to Holy Communion through Advent.Join us Sunday morning at 9am for Q and A in person (on the front lawn weather permitting, or masked in Mitchell Hall).
Christian Art theologian, Lisa Thorpe discusses her work, "Na'amah of the Ark" with the Rev. Julie Graham. The piece will be on loan to Holy Communion through Advent.Join us Sunday morning at 9am for Q and A in person (on the front lawn weather permitting, or masked in Mitchell Hall).
Dr. Michael Booker, a parishioner at St. Francis Eureka, joins us to discuss the question "Who is my neighbor?" Part of our ongoing series on questions of housing justice. Join us Sunday morning at 9am for Q and A in person (on the front lawn weather permitting, or masked in Mitchell Hall).
The Rev. Hopie Jernagen, interim chaplain at Rockwell House, joins us to catch up on Campus Ministry.
A group of HOCO volunteers have been connecting with other St. Louis non-profits, this summer, to understand where the biggest housing needs are, and how a congregation like Holy Communion might help the housing insecure of St. Louis. That team of volunteers now wants to engage the congregation to discuss "the menu" of options that they have collected.
The Rev. Marc Smith came as our priest associate in the Fall of 2016, with special charge of pastoral care and adult formation. Additionally Marc has served as the Bishop's Deputy for Violence Prevention. Marc will conclude his service with us on Sunday October 24, as he prepares to move to Colorado. You are welcome to join us for a Q and A with Marc on Sunday October 17 at 9am. To read the Pastoral Care Policy click here.
Brought to you by Grace GatheringS. We host Terrie Desloge of Synapsory. Terrie offers personal experience, practical tools and ways for spiritual communities to be in a supportive & mutual relationship with individuals with specific needs, and diverse abilities and their parents and caregivers.
On Sunday we celebrate the Feast of St. Francis, the culmination of a short "Season of Creation" in the church. Today for the Forum, the rector is joined by a University City resident, theologian, and storyteller Belden Lane, who asks us to engage questions of ecology and nature as a spiritual practice of talking with trees.
In the midst of our "Season of Creation" our rector interviews Dr. Rachel Penczykowski, assistant professor of biology at Washington University studying "disease ecology." We talk about climate change, disease/host interactions, and about faith in response to human driven environmental change. Join us Sunday September 26 at 9am on the Front Lawn of the church for a discussion about the forum.
Tired of the pandemic? Frustrated by vax deniers? Angered by so many preventable deaths? Us, too! Join the Rev. Marc Smith, our priest associate, for a discussion of the plagues which descended on Ancient Egypt and eventually forced Pharoah to "let God's people go." God's message to the people of Israel, as well as the Egyptian empire, have much to teach us about our response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Join us Sunday September 19 at 9am on the Front Lawn for a discussion about the forum.
In the first Forum of the 2021-2022 series, the Rector speaks with Bishop Deon Johnson. Bishop Deon will be with us for services on Sunday September 12, and for Q and A at 9:15am on the front lawn.