Some people live by the rule to never talk about politics or religion. When that happens important things go unsaid and unheard. We lose the opportunity to listen and understand others' experiences. We miss out on important learning that leads to deeper empathy and love for others. We also squander our responsibility to participate in the way decisions are made (the democratic process) that affect the lives of our communities and country. In this workshop we will explore how to have conversations about things that matter - often those "hot topics" that people avoid. You will gain some clarity about how your faith informs both what you believe and how you choose to express those beliefs. You will learn some strategies for how to approach and navigate tough conversations in ways that strengthen connections instead of pushing others away.
In her presentation, Rev. Libby Howe recommends watching this TED talk by Loretta Ross on "calling people in" (instead of "calling them out").
Bio:
Rev. Libby Howe was ordained in the ELCA in 2002. She serves as the Congregational Support Coordinator for Peace and Justice Ministries with the Wisconsin Council of Churches working with congregations and leaders to integrate community focused peace and justice initiatives into their regular, ongoing ministries. Before that she served on the bishop's staff in the La Crosse Area Synod for over 12 years. She enjoys reading, writing, and walking with her old dog, Marley. She lives in La Crosse and loves being a member of First Lutheran Church in Onalaska. More information about her work can be found at www.wichurches.org/leadership.
Lunch and childcare provided.
Confirmands: attendance at this event will count toward one of your yearly confirmation electives.
RSVP Here
Help us get a head count for lunch