• News & Events
• - News
• - Events
• - Newsletters
• - Take Action

Living Room Conversations: What is Essential?

March 24, 2021 4:00pm to 5:30pm

Living Room Conversations are a simple way to connect with our neighbors and get to the heart of what we share in common with one another.

These guided conversations, led by a host from the Franciscan Peace Center and conducted online using Zoom, have powerful, positive impacts across society - including a sense of respect, understanding, and even friendship in unexpected places.

The backbone of a Living Room Conversation is a conversational model developed by dialogue experts in order to facilitate connection between people despite their differences, and even identify areas of common ground and shared understanding. Each participant is asked to adhere to a set of Conversation Agreements and structure to help assure a good experience and allow participants to get to know each other. Each conversation will be limited to 6 people to allow each participant an opportunity to engage fully.

Sign up for the conversations that interest you. If the conversation is offered at a time which does not work for you, let us know and we will do our best to schedule another session at another time.

Free Speech, Fighting Words and Violence - Friday, March 5, 12noon - 1:30 PM  REGISTRATION CLOSED

Some Americans feel violated by flag burning; some by racist rallies. As extremist groups use violence to gain media attention, most Americans oppose the use of violence. "Fighting words" against individuals in public are not protected free speech (see 1942 SCOTUS decision), but the definition of "fighting words" is unclear and has led to inconsistent court decisions (Wikipedia). Should the government restrict the freedoms of speech and assembly of any groups or individuals, and if so, under what circumstances? Is too much tolerance dangerous, or is giving an authority the power to restrict freedom of speech and assembly even more dangerous?

Hunger and Health - Tuesday, March 9, 6:00 - 7:30 PM REGISTRATION CLOSED

We all want to ensure that everyone in our community has access to healthy, consistently available food options. The purpose of this Living Room Conversation about Hunger and Health is to share perspectives on food insecurity in our community, and to create new relationships between people who do not currently share the same viewpoints. We also want to encourage new ideas, opportunities, and sustained participation in solutions that will benefit this community.

Being White in the Anti-Racism Movement - Thursday, March 18, 10:00 - 11:30 AM REGISTRATION CLOSED

Terms like white fragility, white guilt, white privilege, and white ally have been inundating the media as the unrest in response to the death of George Floyd persists. What does it mean to be white in today's society? How has this impacted your life, your self-perception and your involvement with conversations around race?

What is Essential? - Wednesday, March 24, 4:00 - 5:30 PM

Essential workers, essential services, essential travel. The global pandemic has affected all areas of our lives and has invited a shift in what we believe to be essential. What is essential to our lives, to our community and for our planet? What adjustments are we making in the short term and for the long run for our personal safety or for the welfare of others? Perhaps this is a time to consider what is most important to us, to our community and for future generations.

Ready to dive in?

Click HERE TO REGISTER