Sanctuary for DialogueOur Mission: To facilitate civil and respectful dialogue in which people express their beliefs and ideas, and seek to understand better the beliefs and ideas of themselves and others, including why they believe as they do.
Our Vision: The Community Church’s Sanctuary for Dialogue program is seen as a highly valuable resource, both within the congregation and in the broader community, for effectively facilitating discussions regarding topics on which the participants have strong disagreements, leading to increased trust and respect between the groups that disagree. |
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Upcoming Sfd Events
COVID-19 Dialogues with SfD and SEA (Spiritual Exploration for Adults), August 12 and 19, 7:30-9:00 PM:
Join fellow church members for an online conversation about how the pandemic is impacting you. The dialogue, designed by Essential Partners in Boston, is intended to create a space for people to connect and find community during this difficult time. You will be placed in a group of six church members and a trained facilitator (most of our facilitators are church members) for a meaningful conversation about the challenges and gifts of this experience. You may attend one or both sessions, as each session stands on its own. You will need to reserve a ticket for each date you want to attend, and for each person in your household who will participate. Also, each person participating will need to join from a separate device. Register here.
Questions? Email Caroline Sherman.
If you are unfamiliar with Zoom, take heart! We can assist you in a one-on-one session beforehand if you let us know at dialogue@c3huu.org. We will also send out instructional information on using Zoom beforehand.
ONGOING: SfD members are also conducting online workshops and debates in the community to address political polarization. We are using Braver Angels workshops such as the Red/Blue Workshop, which brings together an equal number of conservative and liberal participants for structured discussion exercises, plus observers. Other workshops are Skills for Bridging the Divide Workshops for talking across the political divide, Depolarizing Within workshops for talking with your own side, and Braver Angels style Debates. All events are conducted online at this time. If you are interested in participating in or observing one of these workshops, please email us by clicking the "Contact SfD" button above.
Previous Sfd Events
Dialogue: What is Consent, Exactly?
SEA Course on Depolarizing Within
Let's Talk Turkey: A Skills Workshop for Talking across the Political Divide
Addressing Income Disparity
Let's Talk Turkey! Talking across the Political Divide, a Skills Workshop on Difficult Personal Conversations
Free Speech on College Campuses (Youth dialogue)
Palestinian - Israeli Conflict
Privacy and Security
Religious and Political Differences in our Congregation:
Personal Conviction and Public Duty
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Dialogues use questions to facilitate difficult conversations, often within an organization. Questions are developed in pre-interviews with the participants and those requesting a specific dialogue topic.
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Workshops and debates address communication on political topics. Participants learn more about their own beliefs, practice communication skills and learn by hearing participants with differing political views describe what they believe and why.
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