Adult Forums

Adult Forums are held in the Parish Hall on Sunday mornings from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m.  Child care is available in Room 5 during the Adult Forum.

Topics range from spirituality to Church history to the application of Christian principles in our daily lives. Many of our speakers come from beyond the St. Jude's community and are experts in their fields.  

Sitting Kills, Moving Heals

February 26, 2012
Joan Vernikos, PhD
Author and former NASA scientist

Author and former NASA scientist Joan Vernikos ("The Gravity Lady") returns to St. Jude's to discuss her most recent book, Sitting Kills, Moving Heals.

Seeing how floating in outer space made astronauts lose muscle and bone, she argues that out-of-shape Americans need to start doing exercises that make their bodies resist the force of gravity. The good news: dancing, jumping on a trampoline, vacuuming, raking leaves, walking up stairs, and gardening all count. Good "g-habits" help astronauts bounce back quickly from the ravages of weightlessness, and they can help us too.

Joan Vernikos is an engaging speaker with a highly compelling call to action--even for the non-astronaut.

Intention

March 4, 2012
Frederic Luskin, PhD
Author & Director, Stanford Forgiveness Project

Author Fred Luskin, PhD makes his annual visit to St. Jude's. His topic this year is "Intention," but he hasn't told us any more. Dr. Fred is most engaging when talking about what is on his mind, so getting a lot of details in advance is a challenge. That said, he is an engaging speaker who is a giant in his field, yet speaks in terms that are easy to connect with. Always one of our most popular speakers, his books and previous forums cover the topics of Forgiveness, Stress and Relationships.  Other groups often charge to hear Dr. Luskin, so this is a great program for inviting friends and neighbors.

The Influence of Greek Thought on Early Christianity

March 11, 2012
William Prior
Author

Paul's speech to the Athenians on the Areopagus demonstrates Paul's strategy of explaining Christianity to the Greeks in terms of their own philosophical concepts. Author William Prior focuses on the concept of virtue, and how early Christians, especially Paul, adapted their teachings about moral conduct to fit the Greek conception of virtue.