Each week, guest speakers from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines join the Reverend Peter Thompson and other St. Bart's clergy for deep and insightful conversations about topics that matter to our lives as responsible citizens and people of faith. Speakers in recent years have included winners of the Tony Award, the Emmy Award, the MacArthur Fellowship, and the Pulitzer Prize, professors from prominent universities like Yale, Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia, and journalists from New York, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic.
Sunday, August 17, 2025 Seeing Clearly: Evidence, Intuition, and the Search for the Common Good
In an age of information overload and political polarization, how do we discern what truly serves the common good? CUNY Law professor and St. Bart’s parishioner Ally Coll explores the promises and pitfalls of both evidence-based and intuition-led decision making—in our public life and our personal faith. Please post your questions in the comments section on Facebook or YouTube, or email the Reverend Peter Thompson at
Upcoming Speakers at The Forum
August 24 Gendered Islamophobia: Deconstructing 30 Rights of Muslim Women
With Dr. Daisy Khan
Watch or listen to The Forum from previous weeks below.
Have you wondered why the lines for food have gotten so long? Patrick Bergquist, Interim Executive Director of Crossroads Community Services, discusses the increasing prevalence of food insecurity within our city.
The one and only Bruce Forbes will be Buddy’s guest. Bruce reflects on his 50+ years at St. Bart’s and may be coaxed to tell a few tales.Click the round “Play” button to listen to an online recording of the Forum. Or click...
Matthew Moretz finishes his visual presentation on the great (yet hidden) bronze doors of the Vanderbilt portal. Listen in to explore the beauty and meaning of these more than a century-old masterpiecesClick the round “Play” button to...
Buddy and Matthew hosted a lively discussion about nominees for Best Picture: “Birdman” (set in our neighborhood!) and “American Sniper.” Click the round “Play” button to listen to an online recording of the...
The Vanderbilt Doors: Matthew Moretz gives a visual presentation on the great (yet hidden) bronze doors of the Vanderbilt portal. Explore the beauty and meaning of these more than a century-old masterpieces.
Buddy’s guest was Stephanie Odegard, St. Bart’s parishioner and international leader in contemporary design, who has dedicated her career to assisting artisans in developing countries promote and preserve their traditional crafts...
Buddy’s guest was Todd Bouldin, active St. Bart’s parishioner, corporate trainer and organizational development consultant, who received his M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary. Todd has a special passion for the Advent texts...
How do people of faith engage the difficult questions of wealth and income inequality? What are the roles of charity, and policies regarding labor, welfare, and taxes? Building on a previous forum on inequality Economists Teresa Ghilarducci...
Buddy’s guest was the Rev. Clayton Crawley, who leads most of St. Bart’s Wednesday 6 pm services. Clayton is an ordained Episcopal priest and Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer for the Church Pension Group. Clayton...