October Mid-Week Connections – Embracing Authentic Civility in a Disconnected World

Wednesdays, October 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30
6:00-8:00 PM, Fellowship Hall

As we near the 2024 presidential election, the Education Ministry at Old Presbyterian Meeting House will be offering a five-week speaker series on authentic civility. Authentic civility is the ability to have empathy and a desire to understand one another even amid our differences – whatever those differences may be. Not mere politeness to cover over awkward situations or to get us what we want, but a real recognition that each of us is a part of the human community and that we all matter.

Authentic civility is not easy. It calls for enormous commitment and energy. It is so much easier to just ignore others, or avoid them altogether. Life seems easier when we just stick with what we think we know and with what keeps us comfortable. But that’s unrealistic. Because like it or not, we are all in this together.

Authentic and civil – something to be. It matters. For all of us. Join us.

October 2 – Dr. Rick Elgendy, Professor of Christian Ethics and Public Theology, Wesley Theological Seminary

October 9 – The Rev. Dr. Ross Kane, Associate Professor of Theology, Ethics and Culture, Virginia Theological Seminary

October 16 – The Rev. Dr. Margaret Kibben, Chaplain, US House of Representatives

October 23 – Dr. Miranda Cruz – Professor of Historic Theology, Indiana Wesleyan University

October 30 – Jessie Mannisto, Director of Debates, Braver Angels

Reading materials to consider as you prepare for this series: In Defense of Civility: How Religion Can Unite America on Seven Moral Issues that Divide Us by James Calvin Davis and How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks.