Sunday Morning Brunch Conversations

We live in an anxious time. We are saturated in information and inundated with news. Daily, we are reminded that there is much to divide us. As followers of Jesus, we have a particular calling to be agents of God’s love and healing, even (or especially) in our difference. This means knowing how and when to speak the truth, when to listen, and how to live justice among our neighbors in ways that bring about the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.These are tough waters to navigate. Only through prayer, reflection and honest conversation can we find our way forward.We feel these conversations are urgent and important in our community’s life together. That is why we are dedicating our Sunday gatherings during the month of August to engage in deep thinking and conversation around these particular issues. Our hope is that we will leave challenged to be better neighbors and more grounded in practical ways to follow Jesus in the midst of division and debate.During these gatherings, you can expect to:

• Enjoy brunch and getting to know friends & neighbors. If you are able, please bring food to share.
• Have honest conversation about when, where & how we confront these issues in our community.
• Discuss how our faith informs our belief & response around each topic.
• Share personal & community guidelines for helpful vs. unhelpful engagement.
• Commit to responses that are rooted in love and practiced in real relationships.
• Be invited to pray & share communion with us.

During these gatherings, we will not be:

• Promoting any political party or politician.
• Trying to convince one another to share the same views.
• Engaging in disrespectful dialogue.
• Demonizing or alienating those with whom we disagree (this is not a gripe session!).

Under the gracious and skilled leadership of Nyah Vanterpool, community activist and Coordinator of OneVoice, here are the topics we will be discussing each Sunday.

August 7: Responding to Racial InequalityAugust 14: Supporting Equal Education**August 21: Navigating PoliticsAugust 28: Countering Violence

**On this day, we will also be celebrating the start of another school year, offering prayer for teachers & students, and collecting school supplies for first graders at Andrew Robinson Elementary.All are welcome to join us. We meet at 10:30 a.m. at the Third & Main Event Center (1303 N. Main St.). Feel free to arrive early for coffee & conversation.