Parish Forums
Atonement organizes a number of parish forums to explore our common faith, expand our thinking, and examine our place in God's creation. Please join us for these forums held on Sundays at 10 a.m.
Jan. 22 | 10 a.m.
Chicago housing issues
Fair housing policy is a long-term concern in Chicago as elsewhere. So too is the city’s response to refugees and asylum seekers, as well as issues regarding climate and climate change. Parishioner Aaron Johnson works with the city’s Department of Housing and will bring members of his team to speak with us about these issues.
Feb. 5 | 10 a.m.
Poems for children (of all ages)
If people respond to our call, this forum should fill up the hall. For old and for young, whether spoken or sung, a poem has meaning for all. Join Aron Dunlap and Pauline Sachar as they explore our natural love of poetry.
Feb. 12 | 10 a.m.
African people in the Bible
What African people are mentioned in the Bible? The Queen of Sheba is among the most obvious, but there are many. There would have been good reason for connections between Israel and Africa: gold, gems, and spices were among the African commodities to be traded, and where there was trade there were also cultural links, which this forum hosted by Susanne Sklar will explore. (Black History Month)
Feb. 19 | 10 a.m.
Recent Anglo-Catholic writers
From the Tracts for the Times of the 1830s onward, Anglo-Catholicism has articulated its convictions in writings—sometimes polemical, sometimes poetic, often deeply theological, often deeply engaging. The tradition is very much ongoing. John Orens in America, Rowan Williams and Catherine Pickstock in England have been among many recent writers to articulate their vision of Anglo-Catholicism. Daniel Polley will introduce us to his own selection of these writers.
Feb. 26 | 10 a.m.
African-American spirituals
Robert Harris is a distinguished musician and scholar of spirituals, now emeritus from Northwestern’s School of Music. (Black History Month)
Mar. 5 | 10 a.m.
Conversion
One of the major themes of the Lenten season is conversion. But what kinds of experience lead people to convert? It can be anything from “hitting bottom” to intellectual conviction to near-death experiences. In this forum Barbara Newman explores some famous (and not-so-famous) converts and their motivations—from Augustine to John Wesley to C.S. Lewis, from St Mary of Egypt to Edith Stein to Sara Miles. (Lenten Series)