Video & Resources from Past Cathedral Commons Events

Let Your Life Speak: Why Everyone Should Plan Their Own Funeral

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019, 6:45–8:15 p.m.

Facilitated by Dean Thomason and Cathedral Clergy

Why do we have funerals? Are they for the deceased or those left behind? Why should you plan your own funeral? Dean Thomason and the Cathedral Clergy will address such questions, and facilitate a hands-on look at the theological underpinnings of the burial liturgies and how you make decisions regarding your own funeral plans, offering that work as a gift to your loved ones. Clergy will also talk about documenting that plan and how regularly reviewing that plan can become an important spiritual practice. Here are resources to help you:
A Guide to Planning Your Funeral (docx)
The Saint Mark's funeral planning form (docx)
The Saint Mark's funeral planning form (pdf)
Suggested Burial Rite Readings (pdf)


The Invitation to Wisdom and Grace

WEDNESDAYS, MARCH 13, 20 & 27, 2019, 6:45–8:15 p.m., Facilitated by Dean Thomason
Drawing on the works of Richard Rohr, Ken Wilber, Kathryn Tanner, and the great mystics Teresa and Julian and others, the invitation to wisdom and grace involves work of self-awareness, disruption, and transformation. Using Rohr’s rhythm of spiritual journey described as “Order—Disorder—Reorder” as the paradigm, our understanding of God unfolds, from tribal and idolatrous features, into the true character of mercy, justice and love, experienced as grace.

PRESENTATIONS SLIDES:
Week 1: ORDER
Week 2: DISORDER
Week 3: REORDER

 

 


Spirituality and Leadership: Leading from Within

Week One // Week Two // Week Three // Week Four // Week Five // Week Six

WEDNESDAYS, FEBRUARY 15 – APRIL 5, 7-8:15 P.M.
We participate in paradigm shifts through a threefold process of recovery: 1) by confronting our pain; 2) waking to our true selves; and 3) reclaiming our innate creative powers. It is a move from “bondage into freedom” to be ourselves, and only then can we discover our truest identity, as beloved of God, good and generous of spirit. Facilitated by Dean Steve Thomason.


Making Spiritual Journey: The Poetry of TS Eliot

TS Eliot is considered one of the great 20th Century English poets whose verse is cited frequently as inspiration for spiritual journey and transformation. Mindful that the etymology of the word “poem” means “to make or give rise to,” we will explore ways that his words give rise to life-giving, creative forces that shape the experience we call life.
Video recordings of this series and related downloads from the series are available below.

Week One
Video of Making Spiritual Journey: Week One on Youtube


Authentic Happiness and Human Flourishing

In this four-week series, Dean Steve Thomason draws on resources from Martin Seligman, Brene Brown and Richard Rohr, using scientific work to explore elements of human experience that lead to authentic happiness, flourishing and deep meaning, and set all that against a backdrop of the gospel as good news, inviting all people into the fullness of life. All are welcome, and no advance preparation is necessary, although resource books are available for purchase in the Cathedral Shop.

Video recordings of this series will be made available on this page after each Wednesday forum. Related downloads from the series are available below.

DOWNLOADS

Week One
Video of the full Week One forum on Youtube
Presentation slides - Week One (PDF)
Gratitude Exercise Worksheet (PDF)
The Gratitude Survey (PDF)

Week Two
Video of the full Week Two forum on Youtube
Presentation slides - Week Two (PDF)

Week Three
Video of the full Week Three forum on Youtube
Presentation slides - Week Three (PDF)
The videos viewed in the presentation are part of a new course by Brené Brown, available for purchase here.

Week Four
Video of the full Week Four forum on Youtube
Presentation slides - Week Four (PDF)
The videos viewed in this presentation are part of a new course by Brené Brown, available for purchase here.


The Power of Vulnerability: A Lenten Journey with Brené Brown

Brené Brown says: “Today we live in a culture of scarcity; a culture of “never enough.” This scarcity culture of “never enough” teaches us that we can never have enough success, money, beauty, or power to be safe. The greatest casualties of a scarcity culture are our willingness to own our vulnerabilities and our ability to engage with the world from a place of worthiness.” The season of Lent seems an especially appropriate backdrop for such conversations. Drawing on video segments of Brené Brown, and building on Dean Thomason’s series last fall on Human Flourishing, we will reflect on the spiritual journey to authenticity that is our common work. This series will be facilitated by Dean Thomason.

Resource books are available for purchase in the Cathedral Shop.

Video recordings of this series and presentation slides will be made available on this page after each Wednesday forum.

DOWNLOADS

Week One
Video of the Week One forum on Youtube
Presentation Slides - Week One

Week Two
Video of Week Two forum on Youtube

Week Three
Video of Week Three Forum on Youtube
Presentation Slides - Week Three

Week Four
Video of Week Four Forum on Youtube
Presentation Slides - Week Four