A Slice of Heaven: A Katrina Reconstruction Trip

Libby & Dan Varty

In February 2006 Dan and Libby Varty and 40+ folks from their Arnold church went to Mississippi to help get families back into their devastated homes. They will share their remarkable experience, including a DVD show. A group of 60+ will be heading to Kansas in May of 2008 on a similar mission.
Presented on December 09, 2007

Easter Sunday

Presented on April 08, 2007

Bishop`s Visitation

Bishop Romero, Diocese of El Camino Real

Presented on October 29, 2006

More on Family Systems Theory

Mary Jo Garrett, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

Mary Jo Garrett, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, helps us to a deeper level of understanding of the Family Systems Theory introduced by Pastor Karen a few months ago. This approach is rapidly becoming one of the most popular and effective methods of problem solving. Unlike conventional psychological theory which focuses on the individual, Family Systems Theory encourages people to think of issues (e.g. conflict, difficult relationships, loneliness, etc.) in terms of a multigenerational family or a `system.` This approach is extremely useful for helping people to move away from blaming others and towards individual responsibility.
Presented on April 30, 2006

Religion and the Rise of Jim Crow

Dr. James Bennett, Prof. of Religious Studies, Santa Clara University

Sunday morning remains the most racially segregated time of the week. But it wasn`t always that way. The emergence of segregated churches was neither immediate nor inevitable. Based on research from his book Religion and the Rise of Jim Crow in New Orleans, Author and Professor of Religious Studies at Santa Clara University, Dr. James Bennett discusses the long, tortuous and often contested emergence of racial segregation in American religious institutions. Bennett will also provide some comments on how religion and race shaped the New Orleans that Hurricane Katrina ripped apart for the world to see in 2005.
Presented on April 02, 2006

Sacred Drumming: Drums as a Temple

Heidrun Hoffmann, Teacher of movement, drumming and TaKeTiNa

Through many years of learning, teaching, and performing dance, rhythm, and drumming, Heidrun Hoffman found two important allies for her life; her body and her drums. They are full with endless gifts, tools for healing herself. Of these, she discovered that the qualities of listening are the most precious. By breaking down rhythm into basic elements, rhythm has come to be both a vessel and a mirror for her inner knowledge. Connecting with rhythm by first speaking, then stepping or dancing a pulsation, and then trying to clap or sing something else, lets her play with her borders of doing many things simultaneously. Staying with one rhythm over a long time slows her down, creating a quiet and enjoyable possibility to dive into another place inside, where she just listens and sees what she is doing. This depth of listening flows into other areas of her life, places where she has to listen, or where she should listen better, or where she can see more, when she really listens.
Presented on August 28, 2005

Women in the Church

Betty Harrah

Betty Harrah explores the role of lay women in the Episcopal Church, expecially their roles in what was once known as the Shadow Church or the Parallel Church. If there is time, she will recount come of the history of women at St. Jude`s.

Betty Harrah has a Master`s in Religious Education from St. Margaret`s House, also known as the Training School for Women`s Vocations or the Deaconess Training School of the Pacific. She was on the Board of St. Margaret`s when the decision was made to close the two national women`s training schools.
Presented on January 20, 2008

Martin Luther: Protesting Monk Changed by Grace through Scripture Still Reforming the Church Today

Pastor Dawn Teuthorn

Pastor Dawn Teuthorn is often asked what it`s like to serve as an ELCA pastor in an Episcopal congregation. She looks at the history of Lutheranism through the figure of Martin Luther and how we can today share in a Common Call to Mission as Lutherans and Episcopalians.
Presented on May 06, 2007

Wanted: Dead or Alive!

The Rev. Robert Seifert

What happens to the body after a person dies? Is there a consciousness that remains in tact? What does the Christian tradition say about all this? The Rev. Robert Seifert returns to talk about the `resurrected body` as it pertains to the afterlife and to the post-East Jesus.
Presented on April 15, 2007

The Lord Will Make You a House

Bruce La Fetra

In this session we meet a historical Abbess (the equivalent of a bishop) and a 20th century bishop whose ministries required that they make historically significant choices, and practice the discipline of making leadership choices within the context of their own particular time and place.
Hilda, Abbess of Whitby (436) and Paul Jones, Bishop of Utah (1941)
Presented on March 25, 2007

We Are Like Those Who Dream

Stephanie Sherman

The closest many of us ever get to true prophetic excitement is the world of dreams. Dreams take us to worlds we have never visited, allowing us to achieve things that our cognitive analysis alone cannot. Stephanie Sherman helps us to understand two great dreamers: Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome (604) and William White, Bishop of Pennsylvania (1836).
Presented on March 18, 2007

The Prophet Prepares the Way

Jerry Witherspoon

Prophets in the Bible were believed to be inspired by the Word of God. They appeared to help the people navigate the often unknown paths to change. In this session, Jerry Witherspoon helps us explore the call to Christian leadership and the implications for the vocation of a bishop in our community of faith.
Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome (461) and Samuel Seabury, the first American Bishop (1784).
Presented on March 11, 2007

When God Makes All Things New, Will We Be Ready?

Lindsay Jacobson

When things are chaning all around us, the natural response is the wish to be saved. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan (397) and Phillips Brooks, Bishop of Massachusetts (1893) were each known for taking strong stands on orthodoxy, and yet maintained broad-based leadership. Lindsay Jacobson presents.
Presented on March 04, 2007

American Gospel

Howard Hill, .

American Gospel is the title of Newsweek managing editor Jon Meacham`s recent book. The book offers a new perspective on how religion has shaped American public life, starting with the beliefs of the Founding Fathers. It is one of a number of recent books addressing, from different perspectives, the increasing polarization of religious views in America and the world. Howard Hill reviews the book and leads one of his always interesting discussions.
Presented on December 03, 2006

Foundations of the Faith

Pastor Karen Siegfriedt

Adult Confirmation Marathon: Pastor Karen will lead a class on `Foundations of the Faith` from 9am-3pm in the fireplace room.

This class is for those who desire to know more about the Episcopal Church or those who are interested in being confirmed or received by Bishop Romero on October 29th at 10:30am. Understanding the Prayer Book, the history of Anglicanism, the sacraments of baptism and confirmation, and the essentials of the Anglican Faith, will be presented. Lunch is included. Please call the office or let Pastor Karen know if you are interested. Repeaters welcomed.
Presented on September 23, 2006

How to Become an Episcopal Saint: David Oakerhater`s Journey to Episcopal Sainthood

Rev. Vern Jones, Retired Rector, St. Peter`s Redwood City

Did you know that there are Episcopal `saints?` The people commemorated by the Lesser Feasts and Fasts of the Church must be approved by the General Convention following a lengthy process prescribed by the Canons of the Church. The Rev. Vern Jones worked to secure a Feast day for David Oakerhater for his missionary work among the Cheyenne. Fr. Jones will treat us to the story of David Oakerhater and his path to `sainthood.`

St. David Pendelton Oakerhater was a Cheyenne deacon in Oklahoma from 1881 to 1931. He was a Cheyenne warrior who began his prolific art career while held prisoner at Fort Marion in Florida. He converted to Christianity and ministered to the Cheyenne during some of the hardest times in their history. His art illustrates the compatibility of traditional Native spirituality and Episcopalian Christianity.

Fr. Jones is retired Rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Redwood City, but spent many years living in Oklahoma and working amongst the Cheyenne prior to coming to California.
Presented on December 05, 2004

The Gothic Enterprise: Understanding the Medieval Cathedral

Robert Scott, Sociologist

The Gothic cathedrals of Europe are among the most astonishing achievements of Western culture, and they have fired the historical imagination for centuries. Cathedrals are magnificent feats of engineering, artistry and transcendent expression – how did ordinary people manage to build them, overcoming poverty, illiteracy, famine, plague, war and the incessant violence of their societies? Why would communities invest so much of their wealth in such buildings? And what did a cathedral mean to them? These are some of the questions that sociologist Robert A. Scott explores in his book The Gothic Enterprise.

Robert A. Scott is a former Professor of Sociology at Princeton University, and is Associate Director Emeritus of the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, located on the campus of Stanford University. He has published a number of books and has edited major reference volumes related to the social and behavioral sciences. The Gothic Enterprise grew out of his fascination with medieval cathedrals, and is the first book on this subject written by a sociologist.
Presented on October 31, 2004

Evangelicals in Modern America

Dr. James Bennett, Professor of Religious Studies, Santa Clara University

Evangelical churches have experienced dramatic growth during the past 20 years. What is driving this growth, and what are the implications for American society and the historically dominant mainline churches? Are there political implications in the coming election? Locally, what cultural elements feed the growth of Asian evangelical churches in Silicon Valley?

Prof. Bennett has a B.A. from UCLA, M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in American Religious History from Yale University. He has a particular interest in how the American context has shaped religion in the US, and how religion and culture in the US interact and constantly reshape each other, and especially how groups of people negotiate these to create their identities.
Presented on September 12, 2004

Christianity in America: A Unique Combination

Dr. James Bennett, Professor of Religious Studies, Santa Clara University

Christianity in the United States is very different than in Europe and other parts of the world. The origins of American style christianity go back to the founding of our nation--and the Founders. A fascinating history lesson about what makes American Christianity unique and the events that caused it to develop the way it did.
Presented on November 09, 2003

The Next Christendom

Bruce La Fetra

Author Philip Jenkins contends that we stand at a historical turning point—one that is as epochal for the Christian world as the original Reformation in the 16th century. Around the globe Christianity is growing and mutating in ways that observers in the West tend not to see. We hear a lot about the impact of Islam globally, but tumultuous conflicts within Christianity will leave a mark deeper than Islam`s on the century ahead. Christianity is growing very rapidly in Africa and Asia--already Nigeria has more practicing Anglicans than any other country with Uganda is not far behind, and the next Pope could be from Africa--but this Christianity is very different than in North America and Europe. Within the Anglican Communion we are seeing deep divides in the Church between the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Hear what the controversey is about, and then discuss what it means to us in the Episcopal Church. We will be impacted. Read the entire article by Philip Jenkins online.
Presented on April 13, 2003

Evangelism in Our Postmodern Culture

Kim Thacker

Kim Thacker presents a shortened version of her seminar which discusses: What Is Postmodernism Anyway? Challenges and Opportunities for Evangelism among Postmodern People
Presented on November 17, 2002

Religious Fundamentalism in America Part 2

Dr. Carl Jech

What is religious fundamentalism? What are the causes of it, the psychology behind it, political implications, and the impact on the church in America? This is part 2 of 2 weeks. Each week will stand independently
Presented on April 21, 2002

Religious Fundamentalism in America Part I

Dr. Carl Jech

What is religious fundamentalism? What are the causes of it, the psychology behind it, political implications, and the impact on the church in America? This is part 1 of 2 weeks. Each week will stand independently, but the topic is too broad to cover in an hour.
Presented on April 14, 2002

Understanding the Protestant Church in America

Pastor Karen Siegfriedt

Presented on July 22, 2001

Ethics

Ethical Dilemmas

Dr. Margaret McLean, Markula Center, Santa Clara University

Presented on June 01, 2008

Bioethics

Dr. Margaret McLean, Director of Biotechnology and Healthcare Ethics Markkula Center for Applied Ethics Santa Clara University

Dr. Margaret McLean has appeared several times before at St. Jude`s and is always a popular speaker. Her area of expertise, bioethics, touches on nearly every aspect of our lives, and includes the food we eat, how we live (and die), and the types and pace of medical innovations and treatments.
Presented on September 24, 2006

What Happened to the Stem Cells

Dr. Margaret McLean, Director of Biotechnology and Healthcare Ethics
Markkula Center for Applied Ethics
Santa Clara University

Join Dr. Margaret McLean as she explores the current state of Stem Cell research and the ethical implications from a year packed full of developments. In November 2004, the voters of California passed a ballot initiative to fund stem cell research in California. More recently, researchers at Harvard reported being able to grow embryonic stem cells from ordinary skin cells.

With her combined background in science and ethics, Dr. McLean has become one of the region`s top commentators and consultants on the ethical dimension of advances in medicine and biotechnology.
Presented on September 18, 2005

Ethical Issues at the End of Life

Dr. Ernle Young, Emeritus Co-Director and Co-Founder of the Stanford University Center for Biomedical Ethics (SCBE), and Professor of Medicine (Biomedical Ethics)

In the United States, only 17% of Americans die at home, and of these only a minority do so with the benefit of a Hospice support group of one kind or another. Of the 83% of Americans who die either in skilled nursing facilities or in hospitals, the majority die in Intensive Care Units. Dr. Young begins with an exploration of our cultural denial of death, the `technologization` of death, and the delusion of medical immortality, as well as with an overview of the sociology of a modern Intensive Care Unit. In the main body of the talk will focus on the withholding/withdrawing treatments from: unconscious, incapacitated patients as well as conscious or capacitated patients; those having Advance Directives as well as those without Advance Directives; and medical `futility` or medically non-beneficial treatment (and some of the religious and cultural factors that drive family demands for medically ineffective treatment). In closing, Dr. Young will touch on the controversial topic of Physician-Aid-in-Dying.
Presented on April 10, 2005

The Ethics of Genetic Modifications: Playing God or Doing God`s Work

Dr. Margaret McLean, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University

At least five ballot initiatives this November in California deal with genetics. Statewide there is Prop 71, The California Stem Cell Research and Cures Act which will sell bonds to finance stem cell research. At the local level four counties have local measures seeking to ban genetically modified crops. These are issues that touch all of us, so join Dr. Margaret McLean, Director of the Markkula Center of Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University as we discuss the ethical implicatons of the issues behind these ballot measures.

Dr. McLean gave an excellent Forum in April 2002 covering a framework for ethical discussion. Audio of this Forum is available online.

With her combined background in science and ethics, Dr. McLean has become one of the region`s top commentators and consultants on the ethical dimension of advances in medicine and biotechnology. Dr. McLean holds a doctorate in clinical pathology from the Medical College of Wisconsin and a doctorate in ethics from the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley.
Presented on September 26, 2004

Applying Ethics to Animal Research

Dr. Ernle Young, Co-Director, Stanford University Center for Biomedical Ethics

Learn how to apply an ethical framework to the question of animal research in this follow on to the ethical framework presented previously.
Ernle Young has M.Div and 23 years in bioethics field. His course on the subject is required for NASA personnel conducting animal experiments.
Presented on March 21, 2004

All God`s Creatures: The Ethics of Animal Research

Dr. Margaret McLean, Director of Biotechnology and Healthcare Ethics, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University

Do you think it is ethical to use animals for research? How about cloning to help endangered species fight extinction? Should frozen DNA be used to bring back extinct species? Come and explore these and other issues with the ever informative and thought-provoking Dr. Margaret McLean from Santa Clara University. Don`t miss this special opportunity to learn and laugh with this engaging speaker.
Presented on September 28, 2003

More on Ethical Thinking

Dr. Margaret McLean, Director of Biotechnology and Healthcare Ethics, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University

Dr. Margaret McLean will present a follow up to her very popular primer on Ethical Thinking. Bring your thinking caps.
Presented on September 29, 2002

Justice or Mercy: Capital punishment for capital crimes

Rev. Robert Seifert

The Rev. Robert Seifert, Episcopal deacon and chaplain of the Santa Cruz County Jail, will lead us through the pros and cons of the death penalty and help us examine our ethical concerns.
Presented on June 09, 2002

Application of Ethical Thinking to Complex Issues

Dr. Margaret McLean, Director of Biotechnology and Healthcare Ethics, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University

What do you think about cloning? What needs to be considered in stem cell research? Do you find yourself confused and frustrated when attempting to deal with these and similar issues? Margaret McLean, PhD is the Director of Biotechnology and Healthcare Ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. She also teaches ethics in the Religious Studies department at SCU and is the Director of The Applied Ethics Center at O`Connor Hospital. Tell your friends and neighbors to join you in this opportunity to hear Margaret McLean in our own parish hall.
Presented on April 07, 2002

Is God a Hawk or a Dove?

Dr. Martin Cook, Prof. of Ethics, National War College

This is a biblical and theological survey of `Just War Theories`. Dr. Martin Cook is a professor of ethics at the War College in Pennsylvania. He is sought after by generals and head defense personnel to advise on the ethics of war strategies. He is past assoc. professor of Religion at Santa Clara University, and an excellent speaker and teacher. For those of you who struggle with issues of war and peace from a Christian perspective, this forum is for you!
Presented on February 18, 2001

Family Issues

Neuroses

Noreen Miller

Autism, Asperger’s: the range of impact and what to do. Boys vs. girls and other issues.
Presented on June 08, 2008

Momfulness - Part 2: Mothering with Mindfulness, Compassion, and Grace

Denise Roy, Author, marriage & family therapist, spiritual director, and mother of five

Author Denise Roy returns to continue her discussion of Momfulness. Roy combines her experience as a marriage and family therapist, a spiritual director, and a mother of five in the her delightful books, Momfulness and My Monastery Is a Minivan. Roy defines momfulness as `the spiritual practice of cultivating a mindful, compassionate, mothering presence,` and outlines six spiritual lessons: developing true presence, practicing embodiment, paying attention, cultivating deep compassion, recognizing the sacred in all things and understanding the value of community.
Presented on May 04, 2008

The Spirituality of Addiction

Ed Momrow, Th.D, Ph.D

The topic of spirituality is becoming increasingly interesting to clinicians, psychiatrists, and researchers seeking more ways for people to deal with the temptations of addiction. When a person’s inner self becomes damaged or distorted, their spirituality can become damaged or distorted, resulting in addictive and self-destructive behavior.
Presented on February 17, 2008

Momfulness: Mothering with Mindfulness, Compassion, and Grace

Denise Roy &  

Author Denise Roy combines her experience as a marriage and family therapist, a spiritual director, and a mother of five in the her latest book Momfulness, a delightful sequel to My Monastery Is a Minivan. Roy defines momfulness as `the spiritual practice of cultivating a mindful, compassionate, mothering presence,` and outlines six spiritual lessons: developing true presence, practicing embodiment, paying attention, cultivating deep compassion, recognizing the sacred in all things and understanding the value of community.
Presented on October 21, 2007

Parents (and others): Are You Ready for the Adolescent Years?

Steve Saso, Author, Speaker, Teacher & Parent

International speaker Steve Saso - co-author with his wife Patt of the award-winning book 10 Best Gifts for Your Teen and the newly released Parenting Your Teens with T.L.C. - educate over twenty-five thousand parents yearly, providing them with the tools they need to help raise respectful and responsible children.

Saso seminars teach parents how to reduce conflict with their children by relating when needed and relenting when necessary, offering support without infringing on their teen`s burgeoning sense of freedom.

Using humor and real life anecdotes from the parenting trenches, they offer participants the skills and resources necessary to build a strong and influential relationship with teens. This forum is geared for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and others that deal with or are around teens.
Presented on August 26, 2007

SOS: Stressed Out Students

Dr. Mollie Galloway, Stanford University

Dr. Mollie Galloway was originally scheduled to present at St. Jude`s in January, but was unable to join us on that day. We had a great forum led by Barbara Simmons that introduced us to the topic of stressed out students. As a result, Dr. Galloway will go into greater depth on the issues and potential solutions to student stress.

Recent scholarship has found that adolescents are often compromising their mental and physical health, personal values, and commitment to learning as they try to cope with growing pressure to achieve in schools. In a survey released last year, local parents cited school-related stress among their top concerns for their children.

Dr. Mollie Galloway from the Stanford University School of Education (SUSE) discusses the work begun at SUSE by Denise Clark Pope, author of Doing School: How We Are Creating a Generation of Stressed Out, Materialistic, and Miseducated Students (2001), developed the SOS program. According to Pope, while much research on school achievement, motivation, and stress has been conducted, few studies examine the students’ perspectives on these issues, and even fewer address the school communities’ experiences as they attempt to enact change on issues of academic stress. SUSE researchers are particularly interested in these issues, especially school reform efforts, where students work closely with parents, teachers, counselors, and administrators to foster change. The researchers also hope to create some specific tools that schools can use to address the problem of academic stress and increase student engagement in school.
Presented on May 21, 2006

Healthier Churches, Healthier Families: Bowen Family Systems Theory

Rev. Charles Rassieur, Author, Pastor & Marriage Counselor

How can we encourage healthier congregations and healthier families? By understanding the interconnectedness and relationship of people within these systems. Author, Pastor and Marriage Counselor Rev. Dr. Chuck Rassieur returns to St. Jude`s to discuss Bowen theory, a natural systems theory of the family, that provides a conceptual framework for recognizing the impact of relationships between family members, within organizations such as the parish church, and in society on human biology and behavior. Bowen theory can help identify factors that impact health and reproduction and guide the application of knowledge in ways that are specific to the family and to the relationship of influence.

It is the nature of a family that its members are intensely connected emotionally. Often people feel distant or disconnected from their families, but this is more feeling than fact. Family members (this includes parishioners) so profoundly affect each other`s thoughts, feelings, and actions that it often seems as if people are living under the same `emotional skin.` People solicit each other`s attention, approval, and support and react to each other`s needs, expectations, and distress. The connectedness and reactivity make the functioning of family members interdependent. A change in one person`s functioning is predictably followed by reciprocal changes in the functioning of others. Families differ somewhat in the degree of interdependence, but it is always present to some degree.
Presented on February 05, 2006

SOS: Stressed Out Students

Mollie Galloway, Ph.D., John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities,
Stanford University

`In the past ten years we have seen an alarming increase in academic stress in students of all ages. The SOS-Stressed Out Students project examines the sources of this stress and works with students, parents, teachers and school communities to devise site-specific strategies to foster student health, integrity, and school engagement.`
Denise Clark Pope, Stressed Out Students Founder

Recent scholarship has found that adolescents are often compromising their mental and physical health, personal values, and commitment to learning as they try to cope with growing pressure to achieve in schools. In a survey released last year, local parents cited school-related stress among their top concerns for their children.

Dr. Mollie Galloway from the Stanford University School of Education (SUSE) discusses the work begun at SUSE by Denise Clark Pope, author of Doing School: How We Are Creating a Generation of Stressed Out, Materialistic, and Miseducated Students (2001), developed the SOS program. According to Pope, while much research on school achievement, motivation, and stress has been conducted, few studies examine the students’ perspectives on these issues, and even fewer address the school communities’ experiences as they attempt to enact change on issues of academic stress. SUSE researchers are particularly interested in these issues, especially school reform efforts, where students work closely with parents, teachers, counselors, and administrators to foster change. The researchers also hope to create some specific tools that schools can use to address the problem of academic stress and increase student engagement in school.
Presented on January 15, 2006

Handling Conflict in Loving Relationships

Rev. Dr. Charles Rassieur, Author, Pastor & Marriage Counselor

The always popular Rev. Dr. Chuck Rassieur returns to talk about conflict in loving relationships. Misunderstanding, anger, and conflict are part of most every marriage and loving relationship. We will look at some of the origins and dynamics of marital conflict, and then review the most promising ways to cope with and learn from marital and couple conflict. Always, when dealing with couple differences, the aim is to manage conflict so it is resolved in a manner that enhances the relationship instead of becoming destructive to the marriage. Resources that Christians bring to their marriage will also discussed.
Presented on February 27, 2005

13 Tips for Healthy Relationships

Rev. Dr. Charles Rassieur

The Rev. Dr. Charles Rassieur outlines 13 important dimensions of marriage and long-term relationships that serve as ‘talking points’ for enriching and deepening these relationships. Singles, couples, and partners are all encouraged to attend. This is a great forum to attend together with your spouse.
Dr. Rassieur is a retired Presbyterian minister with 10 years in parish ministry and 22 years as a licensed psychologist. The author of five books on Marriage Counseling and Clergy Stress, Dr. Rassieur`s credentials also include being a former Approved Supervisor in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and a Certified Instructor for Couple Communication. Dr. Rassieur has been married for 43 years.
Presented on April 25, 2004

Godly Play / Children`s Spirituality

Pastor Mary Blessing

Godly Play, the storytelling method for our Children`s Chapel, is coming to St. Jude`s in full form this October. All parents are encouraged to attend to learn more.

• Godly Play is a journey for discovery fundamentally based upon an individual`s relationship with God.
• One of the goals of Godly Play is to create a safe place for children -- a place where their ideas, opinions, and gifts are deeply respected.
• Godly Play is a way to experience and share the ongoing story of the People of God
• Everything in a Godly Play classroom is designed for children to use and enjoy.

Presented on October 12, 2003

Fatherhood: It Isn`t Just for Dads

Dr. Lu Munoz &  Panel of Fathers

We will discuss the critical role of mentors in the development of boys. Mentors can take many forms: dads, step-dads, teachers, coaches, Scout leaders, grandparents, uncles, etc. While all boys need mentors, mentoring is especially important for boys in need of appropriate role models due to divorce, overprotective parents, or even the natural need to test one`s limits. The requirements for being a mentor are few and the opportunities are great, and with more and more boys being raised by single mothers, nearly everyone has an interest in understanding this key to male development. Dr. Lou Munoz will lead the presentation and discussion that will include stories from several St. Jude`s fathers and a couple of short video segments from the excellent Boys Will Be Men.
Presented on April 28, 2002

Raising Teenage Girls - Challenges and Soloutions

Terri Hoornstra

This forum is for anyone who has a hand in raising a girl in today`s world - or gives support to someone doing so. Beginning with the book ``Reviving Ophelia``, we will examine some of the challenges faced by teenage girls today and how they and parents deal with them. A panel of parents of teenage daughters will offer their insights, followed by a discussion period.
Presented on November 18, 2001

Raising Cain -- Bringing the wonder of boys to becoming fine young men

Noreen Miller

Are we raising boys who are hurting, sad, afraid, angry and silent? Are boys being held to an impossible standard of emotional literacy? How do we raise happy, healthy, emotionally whole young men? Noreen Miller, MFT, for over 35 years has specialized in helping adolescents and teens, the majority of them male. She will be joined by a panel of St. Jude`s parents who will share their hands-on experiences within their own families.
Presented on November 11, 2001

Will Our Children have Faith?

Pastor Mary Blessing

Book written by John H Westerhoff III reviewed by Mary BlessingOriginally written in 1976, this classic critique of Christian education is back in a revised edition. Christian education, according to Westerhoff, has modeled itself on the schooling-instructional paradigm of our secular schools. Instead of expecting faith formation to happen within a variety of contexts-the family, the church family, the school, and the church school-religious education has been relegated entirely to Sunday morning classes. There, children learn the facts about religion, but will they learn or experience faith? How can we be communities that nourish and nurture the faith of children, instead of only teaching them facts?
Presented on October 14, 2001

Male Role Models: Who are they and why are they important?

 Panel

Parishioners from various generations will talk about the male role models in their lives as an introduction to this discussion. The format will be a round-table discussion, similar to last year`s forum on fathers. Please come and share your story with us. Although this is a ``guy`` subject, we encourage women to attend (those who are not away for the get-away weekend).
Presented on April 29, 2001

Full House, Empty Life - Techniques For Home Spirituality

Josetta Walsh & Kristin Goodrich, Child & Family Institute

JOSETTA WALSH and KRISTINE GOODRICH, co-founders and directors of the CHILD & FAMILY INSTITUTE in Menlo Park, present the concepts of the Faith-Full Family program. In keeping with our Faith Development Theme, these nationally recognized presenters share their ministry of teaching about creating love, spirituality and fun among families. This is a fantastic opportunity for all of us, and especially parents, to learn more. Faith-Full Families program is organized at St. Jude`s by Brock and Lisa Carpenter. Come build a stronger sense of family identity, values, pride and belonging through sharing our faith within the St. Judes Parish family.
Presented on March 04, 2001

Living as One in a Coupled Society

 Panel

In this session we will try to identify ways, either chosen or not chosen, and reasons for people who live a single life alone with the challenges and opportunities presented. Several members of the parish will be speaking about their experience. One of the resources for this session is Singling, a New Way to Live the Single Life by John Randgraft.
Presented on October 22, 2000

Intimacy in Relationships

Noreen Miller

Noreen Miller and Betsy Fox-Fisher. A panel of several couples who are at various stages of their marriages will be discussing questions on intimacy and other issues which have been part of their relationship. Noreen has been a licensed Marriage-Family Therapist since 1975. She has worked with adolescents, teens, parents, couples and families for 35 years for the Santa Clara Unified School District and in private practice. She is currently contracting four days a week with the SCUSD at Santa Clara High School providing therapeutic support for designated students, their families and the staff working with these students, as well as maintaining a home office. Betsy Fox-Fisher is likewise a licensed marriage-family therapist. She worked for nine years with Family Service Mid-Peninsula in Palo Alto.
Presented on October 15, 2000

Christian vs. Secular Views of Marriage

Pastor Karen Siegfriedt

Pastor Karen Siegfriedt will be the presenter. This session will include teachings and attitudes about marriage from an historical perspective as well as contemporary discussions in the Church.
Presented on October 01, 2000

Jesus

The First and Second Coming

Rev. John Buenz

A new look at Advent with attention to the first and second comings of Christ. Based on an article written by Rev. John Buenz for a theological publication.
Presented on December 16, 2007

Christ in Culture

Jerry Witherspoon

What does it mean to follow Christ? Does it mean that we close ourselves off from the world or do we meld together our religion and culture? Jerry Witherspoon discusses 5 possible Christian responses to the relationship between Christ and the situation is which the Christian must live. This forum is based on the famous 20th century theologian Richard Niebuhr`s outstanding work.
Presented on September 19, 2004

The Second Coming of Christ: What is it? Who believes it? And what are its political implications in the United States?

Howard Hill & Pastor Karen Siegfriedt

A discussion of the historical views of the `end times` and the second coming. Recent thoughts have been popularized by Hal Lindsey in The Late Great Planet Earth and by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins in the Left Behind series of books. The beliefs have a significant, if not always obvious, influence in American politics of today.
Presented on December 14, 2003

A Jewish Perspective of Jesus

Rabbi Janet Marder, Senior Rabbi, Congregation Beth Am & President, Central Conference of, American Rabbis

Rabbi Janet Marder discusses how the life and character of Jesus are viewed by Jews today. What was Jesus` relationship to the Jewish world of his time, and what meaning do his teachings have to contemporary Jews.
Rabbi Marder is Senior Rabbi at Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills and President of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. Rabbi Marder`s articles have appeared in Reform Judaism magazine, the Reconstructionist, Sh`ma and several anthologies. She has served as President of the Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis, the first woman and the first non-congregational rabbi to be elected to that office. In April 2003, Rabbi Marder was elected the first woman president of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.
Presented on November 23, 2003

3 Views of Jesus: The Christ of Faith

Pastor Karen Siegfriedt

Is the validity of the Christian faith dependent on the factual character of certain events recorded in the Gospel? If not, then what is the core message of Jesus that has salvific meaning for those who respond?
Presented on September 14, 2003

3 Views of Jesus: The Historical Jesus

Dr. Howard Hill

How do we know about the historical Jesus? Should we care? These questions were of great interest in the early years of Christianity. A renewal of interest began in the 18th century,after the Age of Enlightenment, and has continued ever since. One group which has recently renewed the investigation is the Jesus Seminar organized under the auspices of the Westar Institute. At its inception in 1985, thirty scholars took up the challenge. Eventually more than two hundred professionally trained specialists, called Fellows, joined the group. The Seminar meets twice a year to debate technical papers that have been prepared and circulated in advance. At the close of debate on each agenda item, Fellows of the Seminar vote, using colored beads to indicate the degree of authenticity of Jesus` words or deeds. Dropping colored beads into a box has become a trademark of the Seminar.
Presented on September 07, 2003

The Jewish Notion of Messiah

Cantor David Unterman

As we celebrate the season of Advent, many Christians continue to assume that Jews are still awaiting the Messiah in the same way they did 2000 years ago. Come hear about the Jewish view of Messiah, how it has evolved over time, and how it varies among the branches of Judiasm (e.g. Orthodox Messiah vs. Reform Messianic Age). Cantor David Unterman is Cantor Emeritus at Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos.
Presented on December 16, 2001

The Second Coming

Rev. Dr. Jay Johnson

Times of crisis often lead Christians to think more directly about the Second Coming and other apocalyptic themes in Christian traditions. The season of Advent actually begins, every year, with apocalyptic, end-of-the-world texts from the Bible. What do we make of all this? What are these issues really about? What can or should we believe about these things as twenty-first century Christians?
Presented on December 09, 2001

Does Jesus Save?

Rev. Dr. Jay Johnson

An Exploration of Salvation for the New Millennium, presented by the Rev. Dr. Jay Johnson, Co-founder and CEO of NetMarket Makers and a lecturer of theology at Church Divinity School of the Pacific. His dissertation for his Ph.D at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley was on `The Millennium in American Culture.`
Presented on September 24, 2000

Pre & Post Easter Jesus

Curt Beckmann & Pastor Karen Siegfriedt

An exploration of the pre-Easter vs. post-Easter Jesus, presented by the Rev. Karen Siegfriedt and Mr. Curt Beckman. Some of this program will be based on books by the Rev. Dr. Marcus Borg.
Presented on September 17, 2000

Is Jesus Really the Only Son of God?

Dr. Rebecca Lyman, CDSP

An Exploration of Christology in the Christian Tradition. The Rev. Dr. Rebecca Lyman is Professor of Christian History at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific, the Episcopal seminary at Berkeley and the author of Christology and Cosmology. While Christology may not be a term familiar to many of us, it is simply the study of the Church`s beliefs about the person of Jesus and the meaning of Christ, both historically and in our lives today.
Presented on September 10, 2000

Life Issues

The Meaning of Dreams: A Jungian Approach to Wholeness

Dr. Thomas Kirsch, C.J. Jung Institute

Some believe dreams to be mostly nonsense, while others blame indigestion, or worry. Dr. Thomas Kirsch discussses an approach to dream intrepretation based on the theories of Carl Jung. Dreams and dream interpretation identify our out of balance parts. Dreams bring wholeness and healing that might also change our direction or give us new insight into a situation.

Dr. Kirsch expands on the belief that dreams can be understood in a dualistic framework that includes ideas expanded from Jungian theories of the unconscious process and spirituality.

Dr. Kirsch is a graduate of Yale Medical School and completed Psychiatric residency at Stanford Medical Center. He is a graduate of the C. J. Jung Institute in San Francisco, and is a past President of both the Jung Institute and the International Association of Analytical Psychology.

Dr. Kirsch is also author of The Jungians: A Comparative and Historical Perspective, providing a historical overview of the development and spread of the Jungian movement from its beginnings early in the 20th-century.
Presented on April 06, 2008

Randy Pausch`s Last Lecture

Prof. Randy Pausch, via video

Prof. Randy Pausch has deeply touched a lot of people as a result of his now-famous `last lecture` at CMU. Come watch a video of a 10 minute version he did for Oprah and hear and discuss how it touches your fellow congregants.

If you would like to watch the video prior to the forum or learn more about Prof Pausch, you can do so by clicking here.
Presented on March 16, 2008

The Lucifer Effect

Rev. John Buenz, Retired Dean of the Cathedral, Diocese of Spokane

Rev. John Buenz discusses social psychologist Philip Zimbardo`s recent book, The Lucifer Effect about how good people turn bad. Zimbardo is best known for the Stanford Prison Experiment, which used a simulated prison populated with student volunteers to illustrate the extent to which identity is situated within a social setting; student volunteers randomly chosen to play guards became cruel and authoritarian, while those playing inmates became rebellious and depressed.
Presented on February 24, 2008

Forgiveness for Couples

Frederic Luskin, Ph.D

Author and always popular speaker Dr. Fred Luksin discusses his forthcoming book about Forgiveness for Couples. This is a great chance to invite friends, neighbors or co-workers to St. Jude`s as Dr. Luskin`s presentation is sure to be enlightening and memorable. Other churches charge to hear Dr. Luskin speak.
Presented on February 10, 2008

Communication and the Creation of Better Social Worlds

Professor Barnett Pearce, Fielding Graduate University & Kim Pearce, Speech Communications, De Anza College

Since the Enlightenment, communication has been viewed as an odorless, colorless, tasteless vehicle for exchanging ideas and information. Only recently has a new paradigm of communication emerged; this new perspective views our social worlds as made in patterns of communication. Barnett and Kim Pearce will discuss this new paradigm of communication and describe its implications in creating better social worlds.

It’s useful to differentiate different types of communication: debate, discussion, argument, deliberation, dialogue.

In the postmodern, globalized world in which we live, dialogue is a form of communication that our culture must develop and nurture.

Professor Barnett Pearce is a founding member of the Public Dialogue Consortium and Pearce Associates. He has written 9 books, the most recent being, Making Social Worlds: A Communication Perspective (2007). Kim Pearce teaches Speech Communication at De Anza College and is a founding member of the Public Dialogue Consortium, Pearce Associates and has worked with organizations and communities in several countries on three continents.
Presented on November 04, 2007

Gravity and Aging

Dr. Joan Vernikos

Did you know that astronauts returning from a mission in the near gravity of space show startling changes normally linked to being old? After only weeks in space, their coordination and balance are disturbed; muscles and bones weaken; like diabetics, they become resistant to insulin; they do not absorb nutrients as well; have less stamina; and have problems getting a good night’s Dr. Vernikos challenges the widely held belief that most changes associated with aging are unavoidable. She discusses how gravity is not the enemy that drags us down. Increased gravity awareness and making gravity our friend can lead to renewed health and vigor.

Joan Vernikos, a pioneer space researcher and Head of NASA’s Life Sciences from 1993-2000, is on a terrestrial mission to create awareness that gravity holds the secret to the “cure” for what ails modern society. She lectures regularly on ageing and leadership issues, is widely published in the academic and aviation/space media and has been interviewed on FOX News and NPR’s Marketplace.

Dr. Vernikos wrote her first book for the general public, “The G-Connection: Harness Gravity and Reverse Aging” with a foreword by John Glenn, to spell out how evidence from space research pointed to gravity as a positive force for health and well-being.

To learn more, visit her website at www.joanvernikos.com.
Presented on October 07, 2007

Breast Cancer Awareness

Daya Fisch

In 2007, about 40,910 people will die from breast cancer in the United States. While the vast majority of these will be women, about 1% will be men so they are are also at risk. The number of breast cancer cases relative to the population has been increasing in the last 20 years mainly due to increased use of mammography. With early detection and proper treatment, breast cancer is treatable and survival rates are high.

Daya Fisch has a Masters in Nutrition, teaches a class on how to maintain breast health and is a certified massage instructor specializing in lymphatic drainage massage. More information is available on the web at breasthealthproject.com.
Presented on June 24, 2007

Success, Stress & Forgiveness

Dr. Frederic Luskin, Stanford University, School of Medicine

Popular author and speaker Dr. Fred Luskin makes his annual visit to the Adult Forum. This year he will speak on Success, Stress and Foregiveness. Dr. Luskin brings clinically validated research and a great sense of humor that always makes him our biggest draw of the year. Other churches and groups often charge to hear Dr. Luskin, so this forum always draws well from the community. Come early to get parking!
Presented on April 22, 2007

End of Life Conversations

Dr. Dale Larson

Whether you are making decisions about your own care or need to know the wishes of a family member, straight talk is vital. Dale Larson is a professor in the department of counseling psychology at Santa Clara University and is the author of The Helper`s Journey: Working With People Facing Grief, Loss, and Life-Threatening Illness. If you, or someone you love, will someday die--that`s all of us--you need to think about questions such as:

• Why do we have such a hard time discussing the end of life - our own or our loved ones?
• What kinds of conversations should we have as we approach the end of life?

Finding Your Vocation

Elizabeth Thompson, Santa Clara University

In our society, vocational discernment is no longer just for students or young adults. If you are a kid, know a kid, or are a kid at heart, you`ll leave with some things to think about.

Elizabeth Thompson works at Santa Clara University under a grant funded program to assist students with exploring how their life experiences inform their vocation and ways to make a meaningful contribution through their work. Through the Career Center, she teaches courses titled Let Your Life Speak. She also lives with the students and serves as a Resident Minister in the residence halls.

Ms. Thompson is a graduate of Santa Clara University, and completed her M.Ed in College Administration from Oregon State University.
Presented on February 25, 2007

Our Bodies as Temples: Stewardship of the Body

Richard Gringeri, DC

Stewardship is more than pledges to St. Jude`s and taking care of the Earth. Stewardship also means taking care of the body God has given us. Richard Gringeri, DC is an advocate for multi-disciplinary, alternative health care and is a frequent speaker to businesses, schools and other groups to help make health education readily available locally.

Dr. Gringeri is the founder and director of Gringeri Chiropractic Clinic since 1987 and a graduate of Palmer Chiropractic College. Currently, he is enrolled in an advanced post-doctoral program at USF in San Francisco to become a neurological specialist.
Presented on February 18, 2007

Health Care Directives

Betsy Carpenter, Counselor for Advance Directives at the Health Resource Center, El Camino Hospital

What exactly is a living will, a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, an Advance Health Care Directive? What is the difference between all of these and why does it matter? Betsy Carpenter, Counselor for Advance Directives at the Health Resource Center, El Camino Hospital, will answer these questions and show how a well-crafted Advance Directive can translate our individual values into instructions for our health care when the time comes that we can no longer speak for ourselves.

A collection of important forms, including an Advance Healthcare Directive, can be found online on the St. Jude`s web site HERE.
Presented on June 25, 2006

Science & Religion: Conflicting World Views?

Jim Blessing, Dwight Goodwin & Ken Souza, Mickey Shanabarger

Can one have a genuinely scientific habit of mind and live a religiously committed life as a committed Christian? Much of our culture tells us that there is an inherent conflict between these two states of mind and that we must make a choice. If you were to get all your information from the media, you might assume that scientists are all committed to explaining everything in terms of rules and natural laws and Christians are all fundamentalist who have no use for science. While few people at St. Jude’s fall at either extreme, our culture pushes for a division. Even if you don’t struggle with this conflict on a daily basis, you will find the discussion engaging your mind.
Presented on March 12, 2006

Forgiveness in Relationships: Couples

Dr. Fred Luskin, Stanford University, School of Medicine

Dr. Fred Luskin, NY Times best-selling suthor, returns to talk about the subject of his next book: FORGIVENESS IN RELATIONSHIPS FOR COUPLES. Dr. Luskin offers practical tips, backed by years of scientific research at Stanford University that are delivered in an accessible and humorous manner that is hard not to identify with in our own lives.
Presented on January 22, 2006

The Evolution of Ideas: Diversity, Gender, and Sexuality in Nature and People

Prof. Joan Roughgarden, Stanford University

In the second of our series `The Evolution of Ideas,` Professor Joan Roughgarden, professor of Biological Sciences and Geophysics at Stanford and author of `Evolution’s Rainbow,` whose subtitle is the title of this forum. While thoroughly espousing Darwin’s idea of evolution through common descent, Professor Roughgarden disputes his theory of sexual selection and proposes alternatives based upon experimental observations of a number of animal species. She also brings new insights into the Biblical presentation of gender and sexuality.
Presented on October 09, 2005

The Evolution of Ideas: Thoughts on the Debate between Science & Theology

Howard Hill

This is the first of three talks exploring the evolution of ideas in science and religion. The first talk by Howard Hill will present the development of scientific ideas and how they relate to theology. In the second talk, Professor Joan Roughgarden (Stanford University) will discuss the diversity of sexuality and gender in nature, and in the third, the Rev. Dr. Jay Johnson (CDSP), will address the evolution of Christion theology.
Presented on September 25, 2005

What You Don`t Say Can Hurt You: On Secrets, Health, and Healing

Dr. Dale Larson, Professor of Counseling Psychology,
Santa Clara University

We all have uncomfortable feelings, thoughts, and information about ourselves that we avoid telling others, perhaps self-doubts, feeling unloved, an illness, an inheritance, an affair, a childhood trauma. Although telling these secrets to the wrong people can be disastrous, recent research confirms that what we don`t say can hurt us, and that confiding in others can indeed be good for our health.

Dr. Dale Larson, Prof. of Counseling Psychology at Santa Clara University, is a clinician, former Fulbright Scholar, international lecturer, and author of The Helper’s Journey. He is the creator of the widely used Self-Concealment Scale, and the author of numerous papers on self-concealment and health issues.
Presented on September 11, 2005

Will You Be Ready When the Lord Calls Your Number?

Pastor Karen Siegfriedt

What are the first steps you take when someone dies? Whom do you call? What options are available for the `final resting place`?

What are the costs involved? What kind of liturgical services are appropriate? What about timing? What can you expect from your relatives during this time of crises? How can you make plans ahead of time so that your love ones do not have an additional burden placed on them? Pastor Karen Siegfriedt leads us in a forum that deals with the practical details of funeral arrangements and end of life response.
Presented on March 06, 2005

What Is Your Language of Love?

Pastor Mary Blessing, -

In Dr. Gary Chapman`s book The Five Love Languages, he talks about how different people express love in different ways: quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. Some people are verbal, expressing their love in words. Others may never speak their affection, yet they show it by the things they do.

Sadly, many couples look to receive love the same way they give it, misunderstanding their partners. This can lead to quarrels, hurt feelings, and even separation. However, if you understand each other`s love languages, you can learn to give and receive love more effectively.

Gary Chapman`s books are available in the St. Jude`s Library. Also, check out www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Presented on February 13, 2005

Stress Free for Good

Dr. Frederic Luskin, Stanford University

The always popular and engaging Dr. Fred Luskin returns to St. Jude`s. Dr. Luskin`s, whose past Forums on Forgiveness have been hugely popular, has a new book out on Stress. This is a great Forum to invite a friend or neighbor. Dr. Luskin is a nationally prominent speaker who is as fun as he is informative.

Stress Free for Good presents 10 scientifically proven LifeSkills that really work. These exercises provide a lifelong foundation for living well. They offer the tools for attaining emotional competence and the means to make yourself happy and healthy. These deceptively simply LifeSkills are presented as exercises that are practical, straightforward and easy to master.
Presented on January 23, 2005

Do You Have Your House in Order? or Where Did I Put My Will?

Dianne Snow & Nancy Symons

The Planned Giving Committee is continuing its series of seminars on retirement and estate planning issues. Diane Snow and Nancy Symons will present an adult forum on organizing your important documents. This seminar will give you an itemized list of which documents you need to assemble for your heirs, what to do if any of these documents is lost or misplaced, the legal requirements on how long you have to retain documents such as tax returns, and how to protect your identity from theft. Organization of your important documents is a task that many of us think about but never get `around to.` You have a choice: pay good money to get this information from Suze Orman or hear it for free from Nancy and Diane.
Please contact the church office for copies of the handouts.
Presented on November 07, 2004

Advanced Healthcare Directives

Betsey Carpenter, Counselor for Advance Directives at the Health Resource Center, El Camino Hospital

What exactly is a living will, a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, an Advance Health Care Directive? What is the difference between all of these and why does it matter? Betsy Carpenter, Counselor for Advance Directives at the Health Resource Center, El Camino Hospital, will answer these questions and show how a well-crafted Advance Directive can translate our individual values into instructions for our health care when the time comes that we can no longer speak for ourselves.
Presented on July 25, 2004