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ADULT CONTEMPORARY ISSUES FORUM

Contemporary Issues Book Study:
This August the Contemporary Issues Forum will focus on the book Compassion, Justice and the Christian Life: Rethinking Ministry to the Poor (2007) by Robert Lupton. The author has over 34 years’ experience working in urban ministries and Christian community development in Atlanta and elsewhere. His book possible alternatives to the ways we have traditionally attempted to care for the poor? How might the church work with people, programs and neighborhoods to rebuild lives and create stronger, healthier communities? Norma Grench (mother of Paul Grench) will enrich our study on August 24 by describing the founding of The Opportunity Center, an innovative community-based organization that serves the multiple and complex needs of the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless in Palo Alto. The forum series will be facilitated by Mary Philip and Chris Fry. Copies of the book (139 pages) available for $10 each at church beginning July 13.

 Contemporary Issues Forum – August 2008

 August 31: "Final Thoughts" with Chris Fry.  We will resume our summer study of the book Compassion, Justice and the Christian Life: Rethinking Ministry to the Poor (2007) by Robert Lupton.  We’ll discuss pages 112-139 and the question, How might the church work with people, programs and neighborhoods to rebuild lives and create stronger, healthier communities?

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 Contemporary Issues Forum – September  2008

The Contemporary Issues Forum for the month of September will be focusing on political campaigns. Our guests in September will lead us in discussions of the November ballot propositions. We will have Natalie Wormeli of the Northern California ACLU joining us to talk about their endorsement of the Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act proposition at the beginning of the month. At the end of the month Elizabeth Sholes of the California Council of Churches IMPACT will lead us in discussion of various propositions on the November ballot and their implications. We will also be looking at parts of a film from the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, Ghosts of Abu Ghraib and discussing the social issues it brings up.

September 7: “California Ballot Initiatives: Proposition 5” with Natalie Wormeli, Chair of the Yolo County ACLU. Ms. Wormeli will give an in-depth presentation on Proposition 5, the Nonviolent Offender Rehabilitation Act (or NORA). She will explain its provisions and some of its implications, and will explain why the ACLU has endorsed the proposition.

September 14: Ghosts of Abu Ghraib film from the National Religious Campaign Against Torture: This film discusses the torture at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison and looks beyond the headlines to investigate the psychological and political context in which torture occurred. It comes from the National Religious Campaign Against Torture.

September 21: No Contemporary Issues Forum Today! Join us at the Ministries Fair!

 September 28: "Moral Discernment on Ballot Propositions: Not just politics at the polls!" Elizabeth Sholes, the Director of Public Policy for California Council of Churches/California Church IMPACT will discuss the propositions on the November ballot and explain IMPACT's work on those initiatives.

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