March 15: One Woman’s Crusade: The Historical Influence of Dorothea Dix

 
Join the St. Luke’s Pride & Diversity Team for a Women’s History Month conversation about faith, advocacy, and the ongoing work of building a more just and compassionate society.

Mostt of us know Dix Park as a beautiful place to walk, see the sunflowers, or enjoy art installations.. But many people don’t realize that from 1856 to 2012, a large mental health hospital stood on that hill overlooking Raleigh.
 
The park is named for Dorothea Dix, a remarkable reformer who dedicated her life to improving the treatment of people living with mental illness and advocating for humane conditions in prisons and hospitals. At a time when women held very little political power, Dix’s persistence helped shape legislation that transformed how vulnerable people were treated across North Carolina and the country.
 
This Sunday’s Adult Forum will explore the story of Dorothea Dix and the lasting impact of her work. As Episcopalians, we understand that faith calls us not only to prayer and worship, but also to advocate for human dignity and justice in the wider world.
 

Previous series:

Confirmation, Reception, & Reaffirmation of Faith Series

In January we offered an Adult Forum series designed especially for those preparing for Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation of Faith—and also as a great opportunity for anyone wanting to reconnect with the heart of our Episcopal tradition. These sessions were less about having all the “right answers” and more about grounding our faith in prayer, practice, and lived discipleship.

Richard Rohr’s “Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life”

Rector Greg led us in exploring Richard Rohr’s book Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life. Rohr invites us to consider how the first half of life is about building our “container”—identity, success, belonging—while the second half is about discovering the “contents”—wisdom, compassion, and the True Self God has always seen in us.

“Growing in Cultural Competency” with Rev. Franklin Morales

A foundational look at Latino cultures in the U.S. and their evolution, with a focus on ministry within the Episcopal Church. The first three sessions explore Latino Ministries at the national level, while the final two highlight communities and experiences in the Diocese of North Carolina. Traditions, faith practices, and histories that shape Latino communities, including the central role of immigration and the rich diversity of ages, and cultures, are covered. Ideal for those seeking to grow in cultural awareness and ministry readiness.

Rev. Morales is the Missioner for Hispanic Ministries of the Diocese of North Carolina.

For all YouTube recordings linked below, turning on captions is recommended when viewing.

Session 1 on YouTube (Some technical issues caused this recording to start late. PowerPoint slides are also available from Session 1.)

Session 2 on YouTube , Sessions 3 and 4 on YouTube , Session 5 on YouTube