Church is often the last place that uncomfortable subjects find a voice. Yet there is no part of life where our faith is not important; no private space where God is not allowed. What does our Christian faith have to do with our bodies in general and sexuality in particular? Similarly, where is God when it hurts – when suffering and depression combine to make death seem more desirable than life? Join us in the Lounge as we deal with the practical and theological issues surrounding Faith and Sex and Faith and Suicide. Each session will be held from 11:30am to 12:30pm. Childcare is provided.
A Two-Part Series on Faith and Sex
Sunday, November 8: Using the Bible to Find Good News About the Body. This session will be led by Rev. Beverly Hale, Cofounder of PA Religious Coalition for Reproductive Justice. She has spent most of her 30 years of ministry helping people think of their bodies and sexuality as good gifts from God.
Sunday, November 15: Talking to Teens and Children About Sex. This session will be led by Dr. Bob Dykstra, Professor of Pastoral Theology at Princeton Seminary. His interests include pastoral care and counseling, developmental psychology and contemporary issues impacting children and adolescents. Dr. Dykstra is co-author of Losers, Loners and Revels: The Spiritual Struggles of Boys and The Faith and Friendships of Teenage Boys.
A Two-Part Series on Faith and Suicide
Sunday, November 22: What Does Theology Have to Do with Suicide?. This session will be led by Melissa Pankake (Princeton University), who will speak on her Ph.D. thesis on medieval theologies of self-hatred, self-harm, and self-annihilation.
Sunday, November 29: Suicide Prevention – Practical Ways to Help. Our own Eleanor Letcher, Executive Director of CONTACT of Mercer County, NJ will speak on suicide and suicide prevention: warning signs, resources, military suicides, and how to help.
