Interfaith Conversation Cafe
Interfaith Conversation Cafe meets on the 3rd Mondays at 7:00 p.m. at the St. Paul Area Council of Churches, 1671 Summit Ave., Saint Paul.
Interfaith Conversation Café (www.conversationcafe.org) is an interfaith dialogue focused on questions of faith as they affect our world. These are open, facilitated conversations addressing topics of faith and society - listening and questioning with curiosity, discovery and sincerity. A topic is chosen by those who attend that evening. Conversation begins promptly at 7:00 p.m.; doors open at 6:30 p.m. Location: St. Paul Council of Churches,1671 Summit Avenue, Saint Paul 55105 (Corner of Summit and Pierce, North side of Summit, just west of Snelling) Parking is available on the street and the small parking lot behind SPACC.
Sessions occur regularly on the 3rd Monday of the month. You are welcome one-time or many. Coffee/tea and snack provided. Free will offering to cover expenses. Please bring your own mug. Spread the word and invite friends/colleagues. For more information contact Steve at: pugrule@prodigy.netpugrule@prodigy.net or Joan at: joan@pleromacoaching.com
Interfaith Conversation Café is an opportunity for a small group of people to gather to discuss topics of interfaith interest. These are open, facilitated conversations addressing topics of faith and society - listening and questioning with curiosity, discovery and sincerity.
These are a great way for participants in the SPIN Fall Dialogue series to continue dialogue, or for those who couldn't participate, to share the experience of interfaith dialogue. These "conversation café" dialogues focus on interfaith matters and questions of faith. A topic is chosen by those who attend, based on questions of faith that we bring to our world (bring one to suggest if you want)!
What is Conversation Café?
Conversation Cafés are lively hosted conversations among small groups of people with diverse views and a shared passion for engaging with others in meaningful conversation – "BIG talk".
The following are a few consistent elements of Conversation Café:
Hosts : One or two people are on hand to greet people, orient them to the process and launch the conversation.
Agreements : 6 principles common to most dialogue and circle groups guide the conversations:
- Suspend judgment as best you can
- Respect one another
- Seek to understand rather than persuade (No attempts at conversion!)
- Invite and honor diversity of opinion
- Speak what has personal heart and meaning
- Go for honesty and depth without going on and on
A simple process: The Conversation Cafés adapt two ancient traditions: the talking-stick circle and deep dialogue. Two rounds of speaking without interruption introduce a quality of listening and reflecting that opens people to themselves and one another. People can pass if they like. They can be silent as their way of speaking. Then a lively conversation happens, keeping in mind the agreements to inquire rather than assert and debate. At the end, a final 'talking stick' round anchors for each participant the gems they are taking away.
(Adapted from Café Basics)