Sunday Programs

Drew McCoy — Genetically Modified Skeptic

Genetically Modified Skeptic, Debating Ruined My Life

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM PDT

Over Zoom. After deconverting from being a fundamentalist Evangelical Christian to an agnostic/atheist, Drew McCoy has gained prominence as "Genetically Modified Skeptic", by providing well-documented but compassionate and secular counterpoint to religious and cultish proponents and perspectives, on national cable programs and his YouTube channel (with over 900K subscribers). In this program, we will show one of Drew's recent videos, showing his internal struggles over how to best divide his time between these high-visibility debates and his more direct involvement with his local secular group (Atheist Community of Austin). Afterwards, he will answer audience questions.

SEP

Organ Donation: A Legacy of Love, Healing, & Community

Cascade Life Alliance —

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM PDT

From FH. Cascade Life Alliance is one of 55 Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) in the United States, serving Oregon, Southwest Washington, and Southwest Idaho. This presentation will explain the organ, eye, and tissue donation process, the life-saving impact that one donor can make, common myths and misconceptions, and the many factors that influence people's decision-making process regarding donation registration. We aim to create a pressure-free, comfortable environment in which you can ask questions and share your concerns openly and without judgment.

SEP

Gretchen Brauer-Rieke — Advance Care Planning Facilitator

Values-based Decision-making for a Better End of Life Experience

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM PDT

From FH. Even if aware of Advance Directives, many of us really aren't aware of how to make end-of-life decisions based on our own values rather than the norm of the medical system, focused more on prolonging life than its quality. Advance Care Planning Facilitator (and retired nurse-practitioner) Gretchen Brauer-Rieke will help us to discern our own values and build a support team to help make sure that our decisions are clear and followed as we near the end of life. Gretchen has studied end-of-life and integrative thanatology to help people plan for a better experience of dying.

OCT

Todd Duncan — Professor of Physics, Pacific University

Space, Time, & Paradox: An Introduction to Relativity

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM PDT

From FH. An introduction to Einstein’s Theory of Relativity has implications for our understanding of space and time, but Todd Duncan will also guide us through the thought process that leads to these surprising insights–engaging mindfully with paradox as a way to revise our understanding. This process is useful even beyond physics, and provides a valuable template for gaining clarity about many puzzles and challenges we encounter in life. Professor Duncan (Pacific University) was recognized by the Oregon Academy of Sciences as an Outstanding Educator in Science & Mathematics, and his focus is on helping to make physics and astronomy accessible and relevant to everyone. (First Sundays start with 1/2 hour of music, offer childcare, and may run until noon.)