We have been attending St. Paul’s for nearly a quarter of a century. One of the draws for us were the 9 AM Sunday forums, with topics ranging from hardcore theology, such as Jurgen Moltmann taught by long-time favorite Dr. David Moseley, to exploring frontline social activism, to journeys through arts and music. We appreciated this was no watered-down Christianity, but a vibrant and challenging faith. And it was not only us: the old guild room was often packed—even for the more esoteric topics—with upwards of thirty to fifty people attending. These forums met the goal of Adult Formation ministry: to provide a diversified educational experience that nourishes spiritual growth and ministry in Christ.
Times change. So do congregations and staffing. Families grow up, people leave, others arrive. Where once formation was a significant part of a staff member’s job, it is now run by us volunteers on the Formation Committee. Here we want to appreciate and applaud the efforts of some of the more recent chairs of the Formation Committee, especially Stacey Klaman and Sterling Winchester, both of whom were hard acts to follow.
As much as we were thrilled by the academic-style lectures of the old days, we realize that in this era of podcasts and Zoom we must adapt or fade away. The challenge for the Formation Committee is to divine what will speak to the needs of St. Paul’s, as well as to the larger community, and be sufficiently compelling to get people to arrive an hour and a half early (before the 10:30 AM service), or to stay an hour late (after the 8 AM) on a busy or restful Sunday.
We would love to hear from you—and would be even more thrilled if you wanted to join the Formation Committee. Tell us not only what you think will draw in other people, but what will give you the impetus to attend forums. Come and start a revolution from within! What will get you to regularly participate in Sunday morning forums?
– Calvin Johnson and Donna Perdue
As a semi-retired 40-year investment advisor, I’d be willing to give a lecture on investing in an ethical way. That is, one can make more money and benefit a charity at the same time. I did this with St. Paul’s with a gift annutiy. I have also taught at the university level (UCSD and U. of Illinois) over a 20- year period. If you are interested, please call or write me.
John Micetich
619 281 1954
kfsdui@gmail,com
Hi Calvin and Donna. Lori and I love coming to Forum, and try to make as many of them as we can. Your question is an excellent one. As someone who is also in the public speaking and public performance space, I can tell you that this is a question that haunts us all–how to reach more people. There doesn’t seem to be a formula. The “suggestion box” is often as helpful as it is distracting. One person’s thrilling topic is another person’s dud. I’ve found in my twice-weekly talks at San Diego Oasis that the best-attended talks are the ones that speak to the urgent needs of people. A talk on Thomas Merton, for example, (deeply fascinating to me), draws about half the people as a talk on “What is Christian Nationalism?” or “How Propaganda Works,” or “The Philosophy of Abortion,” or “What is Liberalism?” I know as spiritual people we try to stay out of the political fray, especially in our public messaging, but I’m afraid recent events have dragged us here against our will–so many people I interact with are deeply wounded, afraid, and nearly desperate for answers and strategies about surviving these tumultuous times. Maybe that longing for healing our woundedness is where the Forum could focus (as several recent sessions have).
Thank you for speaking out. I am an organist in my community, and have been a recitalist
at the cathedral a few times. This is an issue that many denominations and congregations have been facing. I have crazy idea of doing a choral flash mob in a public place.
Thoughts?
I love this choral flash mob idea! This would likely draw me out, for sure, as a singer unable to meet the cathedral’s standards for choral membership, and I suspect I’m not the only one. A choral flash mob would spark surprise and grab attention, to the message and to SPC as sponsoring messenger. Messages of love, acceptance and community are SO much needed everywhere these days, and song can do that.