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.
Computer scientist and St. Bart’s parishioner Clay Williams offers insights into how Artificial Intelligence (AI) works and the challenges it presents around consciousness, morality, and spirituality. Please post your questions in the comments section on Facebook or YouTube, or email the Reverend Peter Thompson at
February 2
Yale Divinity School and Institute of Sacred Music Professor Melanie Ross on the connection between liturgy and everyday life
February 9
Author and academic Isaac Sharp on the changing landscape of American evangelicalism
Watch or listen to The Forum from previous weeks below.
Karuna Mantena, Professor of Political Science at Columbia University, discusses Mahatma Gandhi's influence on the thinking of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the connection they both perceived between social change and...
The Vanderbilt Doors: Join Matthew Moretz as he finishes his 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.Click the round...
Catherine Hoke, Founder of Defy Ventures, will be Buddy’s guest. Through her Entrepreneurs in-Training program she has provided executive mentoring, financial investment and startup incubation for people with criminal pasts. Catherine was...
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...
