Our Forums are open to everyone: occasional visitors, curious newcomers, or long-timers. Anyone who wants to connect with others, explore Christian thought and practice and their intersection with our lives in the world is welcome. We explore topics from Scripture and theology to faith’s intersection with issues of social justice, the faith-science dialogue, and religious expression in service to others.
Meet in the Conference Room from 9 to 10 AM, or attend via Zoom at this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81639569478?pwd=yEs41h1sx0PQbwtHjkzVfjhqzi6og1.1
Meeting ID: 816 3956 9478 and Passcode: 752135
LOVE, LONELINESS, & ISOLATION
A Special Valentine’s Day series
Think the Bible says marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman?
Think again.
Is loneliness the new American epidemic? Likely so!
What does the Bible’s raciest book—an erotic love poem—have to say for single people?
FEB 08: Biblical Models of Marriage
Dr. Beatrice Lawrence
It is not uncommon to hear public figures make reference to the "biblical model of marriage." This is usually in the context of arguments about who may or may not marry. But what do people know about the actual biblical texts on marriage? In this forum, we will explore what the Hebrew Bible describes under the heading of "marriage," what is left out, and what would be shocking for contemporary Americans.
Beatrice Lawrence is Associate Professor and Chair at Seattle University, where she teaches Hebrew Bible and Jewish studies in the department of Theology and Religious Studies. She has two awesome daughters and a high-maintenance German Shepherd. She loves William Shatner and thinks the greatest movie he ever made was “Kingdom of the Spiders.”
FEB 15: Loneliness and Isolation
Dr. Mark Cohan
In this forum, Dr. Cohan will discuss some of the current social, technological, and interpersonal factors that contribute to rising levels of isolation, which often results in loneliness.
By identifying the factors outside of our personal control, we can better appreciate what is
in our control and how we can use that knowledge to combat isolation in our lives and the lives of others.
Mark Cohan is an Associate Professor of Sociology at Seattle University. He specializes in social psychology, gender and sexuality, and the sociology of food. His work on food justice has included a study of nutrition education at food banks and support for Black farmers and farming education for Black youth.
FEB. 22: Song of Songs for Single People
Pastor Dan Peterson
The Song of Songs says some racy things about love within and outside of marriage.
Join Pastor Dan to discuss material the editors of our lectionary (the collection of Bible readings from which we read every Sunday) excluded from it.
Full Forum Calendar 2025-26
9/14: Forum Fellowship - Coffee in the Conference Room
9/21: Programming at Queen Anne Lutheran:
Building and Engaging Community
Lynn Hofstad
9/28: The Mysterious Identity of the Beloved Disciple
Dave Nienhaus
10/5: Forum Fellowship
Series: Lutheranism 101
10/12: Lutheranism 101: Music and Worship
Cantor Kyle
10/19: Lutheranism 101: 3 Lutheran Teachings
Pastor Dan
10/26: Lutheranism 101: 3 Lutheran Teachings
Pastor Dan
11/2: Forum Fellowship
11/9: Lutherans and Evangelical Christianity
Pastor Dan
11/16: Lutheranism and Buddhism
Michael Zbarschuk
11/23: Lutheran Summer Music Camp: My Take
Jenna Del Vento
12/07: Forum Fellowship - Coffee in the Conference Room
12/14: Update on My Book: Lost Gods of the Bible: Eight Encounters with the Sacred
Pastor Dan
No forums 12/21/2025 through 1/11/2026
1/18: The Queer History of Seattle
Magdalena Phillips
You may know Seattle as the land of rainbow sidewalks and giant Pride festivities. But how did Seattle become one of the most queer-accepting cities in the country? Who were some of our pioneering activists? And most importantly, what was the gay neighborhood before Capitol Hill? Come to Magdalena's forum to find out!
1/25: Q&A Before the Annual Congregational Meeting
(Finance Committee)
2/01: Forum Fellowship
Series: Love, Loneliness, & Isolation
2/08: Biblical Models of Marriage
Beatrice Lawrence
2/15: Loneliness and Isolation Mark Cohan
2/22: The Song of Songs for Single People
Pastor Dan
3/1: Forum Fellowship
Series: Life Is a Gift—But a Fleeting One
3/8: Planning Your Memorial
Pastor Dan and Cantor Kyle
3/15: Burial, Cremation or Composting?
Denise Andersen
3/22: Life after Death: What are my options?
Dr. Thomas Oord
3/29: Dying on Your Own Terms:
The Death with Dignity Act & Other End-of-Life Options
Michelle Molan
4/05: Easter Breakfast
4/12: Forum Fellowship
4/19: Lost Gods of the Bible: Eight Encounters with the Divine (Augsburg, Broadleaf Books; 2026)
Pastor Dan Peterson
Series: Serving the Marginalized
4/26 Faith in Action: Addressing Homelessness Together
Sam Townsend
5/10 Lutheran Community Services NW: Update on Immigrant Needs
Justin Estep
5/17 Immigration and the Church
Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee
5/31: Forum Ideas for the Coming Year
Attendees