Kairos Adult Forum is a time each Sunday of enrichment for mind and spirit. A mix of timely topics, Bible study, and theological exploration are presented by scholars, theologians and other professionals. This year we will be offering both a Sunday morning in person Kairos experience and a bi-monthly Monday evening Zoom experience. Sunday mornings we will meet from 10:15-11:15 a.m. in the Fireside Room. On Monday nights we will meet from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Sundays 10:15-11:15 a.m. in Fireside
Mondays on Zoom 7:00-8:30 p.m.
To register, click here.
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88651433812?pwd=Y2dDK2xLV1pQQ3Q3QWlDeUVEdXdVQT09
Meeting ID: 886 5143 3812 Passcode: 4880
March 24 – 10:15 a.m.
ELCA Internship in Egypt and StARS (St. Andrew’s Refugee Services)
Jennie Norberg, Chaplaincy Resident
Gundersen Health Systems, LaCrosse
Norberg will share her seminary internship experiences in Cairo, Egypt, where much of the time she was working at St. Andrews Refugee Services (StARS).She calls this an amazing experience to see how God works in the world, especially in an area where Christianity is not in the majority, and especially considering the recent world events in the Middle East.
Before her time in Egypt, she taught English and Religion to high school students in Slovakia as part of the ELCA’s Central Europe Teachers Program. Her first cross-cultural experiences, Incarnation’s mission trips to Tanzania and Haiti, gave her a glimpse to the larger world and piqued her interest to continue to see how she could help.
Graduating from Luther Seminary in May 2023, she has been approved by the ELCA for ordination in the Ministry of Word and Service. She is currently doing a chaplain residency at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse, WI and will seek a call afterwards.
March 31 – No Kairos
April 7: From Incarnation to Easter: Salvation, Ecology, and Kin-dom Come
David Weiss, former college religion professor now public theology blogger
The story of Jesus is the good news of God’s work for our salvation. But that good news reaches even beyond us—through us—to all creation. It’s fair to say that the gospel is about salvation, ecology, and kin-dom come. Indeed, as we work to care for creation, the story of Jesus, from Incarnation to Easter, is good news in some surprising and challenging ways.
Weiss has graduate degrees in theology (Wartburg Seminary) and Christian ethics (Notre Dame). For 20 years he taught religion at Luther College in Iowa, Augsburg, St. Kate’s, and Hamline. He now devotes himself to community-supported public theology on his blog, “Full Frontal Faith: Erring on the Edge of Honest” at www.davidrweiss.com. His topics range across sexuality, politics, diversity, and more, but since 2015 his primary focus has been exploring how persons of faith can respond to climate change with conviction and integrity.
April 14: Pieces, Knots and Friendship: Stories from the Incarnation Quilters
Incarnation Quilting Group
Hear from women in the Incarnation quilting group about the history of the group, see the process they use in making the “comforters”, and learn about recipients of the quilts. Stories from the group will help you understand how quilt making builds not only beautiful and practical quilts but also brings the group together personally and spiritually. You may be inspired to join!
Incarnation Quilters is a longstanding group whose work not only graces the walls of the Fireside Room but supports ministries in our community and around the world. Many of the quilters have been a part of the group for years while others are new; some are not official members of Incarnation but come to share their gift and benefit from the friendships. Connections, devotions, and prayer are a part of each quilting session as are, of course, coffee, treats and plenty of conversation over the knots.
April 21: Glad, Sad, and Mad: Living With Climate Change
Luther Dale, former teaching pastor at Incarnation, long-time volunteer leader with state and national Sierra Club
Climate change has entered a new phase and urgent response is the order of the day. The glad response includes elements of hope and action that are in our control, knowing we (individually and together) have what we need to bend the curve of a warming planet. There are things to be sad about as many impacts are making life more chaotic and costly. And we can be made (energized?) at the barriers we are facing that make our response challenging, but necessary.
Dr. Luther Dale, a former teaching pastor at Incarnation, is a long-time volunteer leader with the state and national Sierra Club. He has studied, worked on and made presentations about sulfide mining and climate change issues for many years. He loves God’s gift of creation and spends as much time outdoors biking and walking with his wife Roberta as weather allows.
April 28: Friends of Hurama: Serving and Empowering the Most Vulnerable
Pastor Chris Smith, founder of Friends of Hurama and active collaborator with the Hurama Centre and Iringa Diocese
The Huruma Centre Children’s Home in Iringa, Tanzania is now home to 93 children. Most of these children come from very dire circumstances and, if not for the ministry of the Huruma Centre, would be trafficked and eventually die. Through the ministry of the Huruma Centre, their basic daily needs are met through the care of a loving and supportive staff. And through the gift of education, they grow up to be young adults, who have meaningful work, contribute to the improvement of their community, and raise families of their own.
Pastor Chris Smith, an ELCA pastor for more than 30 years and former interim pastor at Incarnation, founded Friends of Huruma, an affiliate of Bega Kwa Bega, in 2016. An affiliate of Bega Kwa Bega, it works to raise awareness and funding in the Saint Paul Area Synod and beyond to support the ministry of the Huruma Centre. Smith travels to Iringa, Tanzania each year to grow and strengthen partnership with the Huruma Centre and the Iringa Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania.
Videos from Previous Sessions:Seeing Eyes – Gary Anderson, Retired Incarnation Senior Pastor
Gun Violence Prevention for Home and Community
Questions about Kairos? Contact The Kairos Committee.