By attending a series of workshops, you'll learn more than subject matter. When you sit down and discuss deep and important issues, you just may realize that there's more work to be done than you first imagined. But hey - you have to start somewhere!

In fall 2006, I participated in an 8 hour conversation (2 hours per week) called Doing Justly: Integrating Our Deepest Spiritual Beliefs Into Our Professional and Public Lives. Designed as an inter-faith conversation among spiritual progressives, the Tennessee Alliance for Progress extended an open invitation to anyone who:

• wants to get beyond traditional right/left political dichotomies
• yearns for a major change in the direction in American society
  
• wants to create a new vision for our state and our country
  
• believes that spiritual commitment requires political action
  

During our time together, we heard from a Jewish rabbi, a United Methodist minister, and a Baptist minister, among others. We spent time in small groups with folks ranging from Baptist to Episcopal to Presbyterian to Unitarian universalist to atheist. It was an enriching experience to sit with people from so many different backgrounds and religious perspectives, coming together around a common goal of making our world a better place to live. Together, we looked at complex issues like the environment, the family, poverty, education, etc. We talked about deep, underlying principles of faith that we can agree on. We shared our individual histories and stories of how we've taken action. We heard from others, learning what they've done and continue to do. We discovered groups in our community that have been and are playing a large role in addressing these issues. And we came up with ideas of what we might do both on a personal and community level, forging a way forward.

What we found, ultimately, is that there is infinitely more work to do than we were capable of doing in our relatively short time together. Making the world a better place requires a long-term focus and commitment. And it requires more than just one person. It requires all of us! We discovered, too, that gathering together for this type of discussion promotes ideas and inspiration, which encourage action. To that end, the Doing Justly group will continue to meet on a monthly basis as a means of dialogue and an outlet to encourage and promote positive action.

Are there similar conversations taking place in your community? How might you get involved to make a difference? Check the calendar to find out.

Make a resolution to get out more in your neck of the woods.

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Ingredients:

• Ability to listen and learn
• Willingness to dialogue
• Desire to move in a positive direction

Caring Time:

• 480 Minutes (4 2-hour sessions)

Cost:

• Free!

Results:

• Education about various issues
• Creative ideas
• Inspiration to better communities
• A few new friends