Adult Education Forums - January - May 2008

January 6: Vision for Mission: Transforming ZLC's Strategic Goals into Plans

Pastor Gary Benson, Mark Herman, and Mike Ransom

Interested in knowing what Zumbro's strategic goals are over the next several years and how we plan to meet them? Rescheduled from last fall, there are new and exciting things to report on ZLC's Vision for Mission 2011. Our leaders share the podium to present the rationale for commissioning the strategic planning process, an overview of the goal setting process, and where we are in transforming our goals into doable plans.

January 13: In God We Trust: The First Amendment and American Civil Religion , Part 1

Reverend Paul Baker

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution forbids Congress from making laws establishing religion. At the same time, laws prohibiting the free exercise of religion are proscribed. This makes America a secular nation--the first in history--at the same time that America is a nation with the soul of a church. What do these competing and contradictory realities mean for religious life in the United States? Retired Pastor and Military Chaplain Paul Baker is a student of American government and is excited to share his knowledge with the congregation.

January 20: In God We Trust, Part 2

Reverend Paul Baker

January 27: Read Your Bible……Seriously!

Pastor Carol A. Solovitz

Our own Pastor Solovitz received both her M.A. in Pastoral Theology and Ministry and her M.Div. from Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Besides serving as our Pastor of Education and Enrichment for 11 years, Pastor Carol has served two other parishes as well as serving as an Associate of the Youth and Family Institute. She has a strong interest in the Bible (not surprising for a pastor!) and loves to teach it, characteristics that are very appropriate for the topic of "Read Your Bible ….Seriously!"

February 3: Rochester History--A Tour of Rochester, Volume 2

Alan Calvano

This presentation includes another batch of lost Rochester landmarks as depicted on vintage Rochester postcards. While a number of Rochester landmarks have survived (Plummer Building, Mayowood, Foundation House, Chateau Theater, Odd Fellows Building), many others have not. How many of these lost Rochester landmarks do you remember? Alan Calavano is an active volunteer and Board Member of the History Center of Olmsted County. He is also a member of the Rochester Heritage Preservation Committee and was General Chairman of the Rochester Sesquicentennial Celebration (1854-2004) held throughout 2004. Alan has an extensive collection of vintage Rochester postcards and photographs and has helped organize and catalog the History Center's collection of postcards and historic Rochester photographs.

February 10: Weaving a Web of Support for Youth

Margo Herman

Margo Herman is a member of the Family Action Collaborative in Olmsted County. She is trained in Family Action Collaboration and Adolescent Resilience. She says, "Our youth rely on adults and the community for support as they journey toward adulthood. Integrative Youth Development includes a visual demonstration of weaving a web of support that helps reduce the likelihood of youth engaging in risky behavior. Each of us can have a place in this web of support."

February 17: Lutheranism and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Pastor Gary Benson

Some boys want to ride a big, bad motorcycle when they grow up. Some "nice boys" want to be a pastor. Few, however, want to ride a big, bad motorcyle and be a pastor! Pastor Benson graduated from Augsburg College (1970) and received his M. Div. from Luther Theological Seminary (1974). He has worked as a pastor since his graduation from seminary. He has been Zumbro's Directing Pastor since 1993. He has also served on the board at Augsburg College and served on a number of synod and community committees. Abandoned by his parents as a young child, Gary's life easily could have gone a different direction. Yet, even as a young boy, God's grace was at work: Gary wanted to be a pastor since he was very young. His talk will, without a doubt, include surprises for all of us.

February 24: The End of the World

Professor Darrell Jodock

Darrell Jodock teaches at Gustavus College as the Drell and Adeline Bernhardson Distinguished Professor of Religion. He received his M. Div. from Luther Seminary and his doctorate from Yale. Prior to his current position, he served as pastor of Grace Lutheran in Washington, DC, and on the faculty of Luther Seminary and Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA, where he chaired the Department of Religion. Among his many honors and awards is the Wallenberg Tribute Award for interfaith activity. His particular areas of focus include Lutheran Studies, Jewish-Christian relations, Christian Zionism and End Times Theology. He has authored and edited several books and contributed to many periodicals, including The Lutheran, Christian Century, and Currents in Theology. We asked Dr. Jodock to speak to us on eschatology, and he responded with a provocative title that gets right to the heart of the matter: "The End of the World."

March 2: Seeing the Gospel in TV and Movies

Professor Michael Rogness

Adults and children spend many hours a week in front of electronic screens---movies, TV, internet, computer games, etc. They have become by far our major source of news and entertainment. How can we make sure they enrich our lives, not dominate them? Michael Rogness recently retired from the Luther Seminary faculty, where he was Professor of Homiletics since 1985. A student of Christian life and society, he has pondered how a Christian views TV and movies, "Television and films have become the dominant media of information and entertainment. They also shape how we think and act, and they exercise enormous influence on our youth, who spend far more time watching the screen than talking with their parents." How do Christians deal with screen media?

March 9: Sudanese Dinka Ministry

Kaman Awad

For the past few years, Zumbro Lutheran has hosted the Sudanese Dinka worshiping community in our facility. They meet every Sunday at 2:00pm in the Fireside Room, with Kaman Awad as their worship leader, Magok Alim as the liaison with ZLC, and circuit-riding Pastor Mawien Ariik visiting to administer the sacraments. Kaman - an excellent preacher - will share some history, Gospel and ideas for how we can connect more with these fellow Christians.

March 16: A History of Assisi Heights

Sr. Mary Lonan Reilly, OSF

For 130 years the Sisters of Saint Francis of Our Lady of Lourdes have been in Rochester serving in a number of areas and ministries. As religious and as citizens of this city, they have made valuable contributions to its growth and prestige, especially in the areas of education and health care. However, for many reasons and with the exception of their cooperative efforts with Mayo, these efforts are not well known to today's residents. The presentation addresses some of the many ways in which they have enriched life in Rochester and the area.

March 23: NO Adult Forum

Easter Worship at 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

March 30: Talking with Seniors & the Aging Process, Part I

Janet Wollin

Janet Wollin has been a member of ZLC for many years and raised her 5 talented sons here. These days, through her work at Meadow Lakes Senior Living, her focus is on ministry to the aging population. On this Sunday, she will discuss the topic, "When that long-time family home becomes a house of cards for the older adult."

April 6: Talking with Seniors & the Aging Process, Part 2

Janet Wollin

"'Aging' traverses a lifetime and generations," says Janet Wollin. On this Sunday, she and a panel of local professionals will address the legal and financial preparations for growing older. This session will be riveting and meaningful for everyone.

April 13: A Columbarium for Zumbro?

Jane Callahan/David Dunn/Teresa McCormack/Pastor Benson

Zumbro Lutheran is considering building a columbarium, a wall-like structure which contains the cremated remains of the departed. Columbaria are becoming more common in our community; giving a church the equivalent of an adjacent cemetery for those who choose cremation. There is a committee researching how such a structure would work for Zumbro. Current plans include a memorial wall to hold the names of members who are buried elsewhere but wish to be remembered on the grounds of Zumbro. You are encouraged to participate in the discussion of this exciting new idea.

April 20: Legal Assistance in Olmsted County

Public Defender - Lucy Douglas

Legal Assistance of Olmsted County is a privately funded organization which has provided noncriminal legal services to the needy for over thirty years. An innovative program, LAOC continues to fill the gaps for those who cannot afford an attorney but find themselves facing family law and other civil law matters. Lucy Douglas, the current Executive Director of LAOC, will provide an overview of the work of this organization. LAOC tries to ensure that there is "justice for all" in our community.

April 27 : ZLC Endowment Fund

Tom Moon and Glenn Nycklemoe

Did you know that Zumbro Lutheran has had an endowment fund since 1995? Be sure to come to this program to learn how the earnings from this fund are used to support Zumbro's ministry and how you can contribute to this importance resource to help sustain ZLC's future."

May 4: For Not-So-Minor Prophets

Professor Daniel Simundson

Hosea, Amos, Jonah, and Micah are some of the so-called "minor prophets." Luther Seminary Prof. Emeritus Daniel Simundson will tell us why they are "not-so-minor". Dr. Simundson taught Old Testament studies and is a favorite of ZLC, and we are happy to welcome him back to the lectern.

May 11: A Musical Walk with Women in the Bible

Jeanette Fortier

On this Mother's Day, Jeanette Fortier takes us on a musical walk with women of the Bible. Ms. Fortier's love of Bible stories and of music makes the presentation one way to honor our foremothers in the faith.

May 18: The Gospels that Did and Didn't Make It: Christian Writings before There Was a New Testament

Professor Philip Quanbeck II

The Gospel of Thomas has achieved a lot of notoriety thanks to recent films. There are also gospels attributed to Philip, Peter, and Mary. Why were there other gospels? What does it means that they weren't in the final "cut" of the New Testament? On the other hand, why not have just one gospel to make things simpler? This presentation will look at the fluid and vital world of early Christian writing. ZLC member Phil Quanbeck, M. Div., Ph. D., is a professor and chair of the religion department of Augsburg College. He is one of our favorite forum presenters. This promises to be an excellent hour!