Priory lecture series opens 10th season Priory lecture series opens 10th season (September 20, 2000)

Edith Stein, a Jewish philosopher who became a Catholic nun and was later gassed at Auschwitz, is the subject of the first lecture in a spirituality series that begins Wednesday, October 4, in Founders' Hall at Woodside Priory school in Portola Valley.

Presented by Eloise Rosenblatt, the lecture will review Edith Stein's letters and lectures on women.

This is the 10th year Portola Valley resident Fran Dempsey has put on the lecture series, which delves into self-discovery and spirituality. The series continues until November 15, meeting weekly from 2 to 4 p.m.

Two speakers are returning by popular demand: Donne Davis of Menlo Park will speak on "Rituals for all Reasons: Comfort Food for the Soul" on October 11; and the Rev. Canon Charles Gibbs of Marin County will discuss the "United Religions Initiative" on October 25. The Rev. Gibbs, an Episcopal priest, is executive director of United Religions Initiative and has traveled to six continents to promote the movement.

Other talks in the series are: "Shamanism," the oldest form of human spiritual practice, October 18; "The Brendan Voyage: A Celtic Soul Map," November 1; "Do We Need Organized Religion?," November 8; and "The Soul's Language: a Talk on Sacred Poetry," November 15.

Most of those attending the twice-a-year series at the Priory are women. "We're not scholars, we're seekers," says Mrs. Dempsey. "If a speaker's topic is over my head, I don't ask him (to join the series)."

The fee is $15 a lecture or $100 for the complete series, with scholarships available. You can enroll or just show up for a particular lecture.

Fran Dempsey and husband, Tom, have been Portola Valley residents for nearly 40 years. She is a founding member of RISEN (Redwood Institute of Spirituality, Education and Nurture), headed by Dr. Mark Goodman-Morris of Portola Valley Presbyterian Church.

For more information about the lecture series, call Fran Dempsey at 851-0876.