Join us for this winter’s Centered Life Series at Augsburg University where we will explore the theme of “Our Calling to Be Neighbor and Do Neighbor”. A primary purpose of a university is to be a safe place to learn how to have meaningful interaction, debate, and dialogue. But even more than a place of dialogue, should be a place of understanding, support, and healing.
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Description
The 2024 Centered Life Series will explore the theme of “Our Calling to Be Neighbor and Do Neighboring.” Through four online/ZOOM sessions, from 12:00 noon to 1:15pm on Wednesdays in January and February, Dr. Jack Fortin will convene distinguished presenters to help us uncover:
- Why is it important to be a neighbor?
- Who is my neighbor and how does neighbor differentiate from friend?
- What can we do at our juncture in life to demonstrate our commitment to getting along with others different than ourselves evidenced by concrete examples from our own neighborhoods?
- Because we live in a world of many cultures and religions, how can our differences serve to stimulate our faith rather than to threaten it?
As we address and wrestle with these questions, we will also look at some inspiring practical expressions of how individuals and institutions are expressing their call.
Accessibility:
If you need any disability-related accommodations to fully participate in this course, please e-mail Jack Fortin at fortin@augsburg.edu.
Sessions:
Wednesday, January 17th, 2024
Welcome and Introduction by Jack Fortin and Paul Pribbenow
Featured Presenters: Jim and Judy Grubs
Jim and Judy Grubs believe strongly that one must be involved in something beyond oneself. They draw on lives of deep service to community, in their church, and internationally. Judy is a retired social worker, and Jim served non-profit and higher education roles, retiring as vice president of co-worker services with the Reell Corporation. In March of 2021 Jim suffered a hemorrhagic stroke which affected mobility on his left side and hampered his executive functioning abilities.
Wednesday, January 24th, 2024
Featured Presenter: Rev. Dr. Tim Thompson
Rev. Dr. Tim Thompson serves as Associate Pastor of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in West Saint Paul. His ministry is focused on helping the church awaken to the immense changes taking place in our days, and embrace the practices and perspectives that are being called for in response. His most recent work has been in developing "Giveaways," where congregations host events that look like Rummage Sales but offer all the items for free to the community. Through these acts of generosity, churches serve - and meet - their neighbors and relational bridges are being built.
Wednesday, January 31st, 2024
Featured Presenters: Rev. Mike Carlson & Breanna Nichols
Rev. Mike Carlson serves as the Lead Pastor of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi, Minnesota, one of the largest ELCA churches in the U.S., and home to the St. Andrew’s Community Resource Center, one of the leading non-profits dedicated to programming for the unhoused and underserved in Washington County.
Breanna Nichols is Director of St. Andrew’s Community Resource Center, leading the team providing services and programs in the Great Hall Building and at two family shelters in Oakdale and Hugo, Minnesota.
Wednesday, February 7th, 2024
Featured Presenter: Dr. Katie Clark
Dr. Katie Clark is the Executive Director of the Augsburg Health Commons, where she oversees multiple locations and partnerships in the community to make these health-focused drop-in centers serving marginalized populations happen. Dr. Clark serves as Associate Professor of Nursing at Augsburg University, where she teaches courses primarily focused on social justice, health equity, and inclusiveness in health care in the graduate program. Before coming to Augsburg, Katie worked as a bedside nurse in-patient in oncology-hematology and the intensive care unit.
Ideal For
Anyone who is seeking to spend intentional, directed time, re-centering through reflection on their life journey, their present, and their calling for today’s world.
Key Features
- Synchronous Zoom sessions
- Facilitated by Augsburg faculty
- Guest presenters
- Reflective
- Experiential
- Free of charge
Access & Accessibility Instructions
The workshop sessions will be facilitated over Zoom. To access the live online meetings, you must have the Zoom application downloaded to your computer. You will also need a WiFi/Internet connection throughout the duration of your scheduled meetings and a computer with audio and video capability. The information to join your Zoom workshop meetings will be provided in your confirmation email upon registration. Please check spam folders if you do not see this email upon registration. For more information on how to use Zoom, please see our training guide.
If you need any disability-related accommodations to fully participate in this course, please e-mail Jack Fortin at fortin@augsburg.edu.
Cancellation Policy
If insufficient enrollment, or instructor illness, requires us to reschedule a workshop, all registrants will be notified of any changes in the published information.
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