Table Talk

In our Pathway to Unity that the Leadership Team introduced to the congregation last December at our congregational meeting, why did we start with Table Talks first, for practicing listening to each other share stories, rather than a forum or presentation on Biblical interpretation of Scripture? By building our skills through listening to, understanding, and identifying with the experiences of others, people begin to build bridges across differences and they learn about themselves in the process. 
 
Having opportunities to listen and be listened to can be transformative. We can decenter our own experience and step into others’ shoes, cultivating empathy and compassion. It’s rare that we get opportunities to intentionally grow in attunement. Simply receiving whatever other participants choose to share is a sacred act of trust and sets a foundation for gracious conversations to come.
 
It also breaks the ice and softens our hearts at the entrance to taking up the challenging LGBTQ+ conversation in the next step of the pathway. Our Table Talks will likely run through April and May, and we will come back this fall to a forum discussion of Biblical interpretation and practice generous listening and responses. Please don’t miss the opportunity to sign up for a Table Talk gathering—remember it is just a single session, two hours, with trusted facilitators in a home setting. We’d love everyone to have a chance to listen well this spring.  

Grace and peace, 

Anita Sorenson
Pastor for Spiritual Formation