What we’re about
Have you lost relationships over politics or religion? Tired of the constant division? Miss being able to have a simple, human-to-human conversation with people you disagree with?
Join BreadBreakers and be part of the solution.
In BreadBreakers, we gather around a common dinner table and, for just a couple hours, set aside the debates and have a real conversation. Instead of arguing, we try to understand what makes each other tick. Why we feel the way we feel. What life stories and experiences lay beneath those group affiliations and opinions. We work to dig beneath the simplistic labels and see each other as the complex, nuanced people that we are.
Especially right now, it’s more important than ever to build a bit of trust, to practice the art of engaging with those outside our “groups,” and to build relationships beyond our usual circles.
Here’s how it works: eight people and a "table host" facilitator gather around a table at a restaurant or community center. For two hours, we’ll tell our stories and try to understand each other, guided as needed by facilitator-posed questions. We won’t try to convince—just to empathize and learn. You can also volunteer to serve as a table host if you’re interested!
BreadBreakers is an initiative sponsored by Restoration United Methodist Church in Reston, VA, but our dinners are religiously neutral. All faiths and all stripes are welcomed!
Upcoming events
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BreadBreakers One-Meeting Book Club: Of Mice and Men
Reston Regional Library, 11925 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston, VA, USBreadBreakers is a community where people of all different belief systems and backgrounds can create community - and what better way to do that than reading together?
Join us as we combine the kind, curious, and welcoming atmosphere of a BreadBreakers dinner with the thought-provoking, fun format of a book club. Here's what to expect:
- We'll be reading Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck.
- This will be a one-meeting club, so if you've ever wanted to do a book club but couldn't commit to multiple meetings, here's your opportunity!
- Snacks :)
- BreadBreakers ground rules apply - we'll lead with curiosity, converse with kindness, and strive to dig beneath the surface level.
- We'll be gathering in Meeting Room 1 at the Reston Regional Library.
- Participants will be responsible for obtaining their own copies of the book. Here's the Amazon link, if helpful.
- Our BreadBreakers table hosts will come ready with questions and facilitation skills - you come ready to discuss!
I've never attended a BreadBreakers event before - what is BreadBreakers?
BreadBreakers is a community where neighbors from all different beliefs and backgrounds can hear, be heard, and know one another. Most frequently, we do this through the ancient practice of breaking bread around a common dining table.
But we're more than just a discussion group - we're a movement to heal our world's broken discourse and forge togetherness in a time of isolation and loneliness. Through the sacred act of just "being" together, we're working to rebuild the town square, one table (or book club) at a time.
BreadBreakers is a religiously inclusive by Restoration United Methodist Church in Reston, VA. All faiths, beliefs, and stripes are welcomed, and our leadership and community include people who attend Restoration and people who don't.4 attendeesBreadBreakers Community Dinner: Dialogue Across Divides
Reston Community Center Lake Anne, 1609A Washington Plaza, Reston, VA, USIn a time of division and isolation, come be part of the community that's rebuilding the town square, one table at a time.
In BreadBreakers, we use the common space of the dining table to have conversations where neighbors can hear, be heard, and know one another. If you're hungry for good discourse and deeper community, join us for a Community Dinner in Reston and help blaze the trail to a healthier, more connected society and democracy.
Here’s how it works: For just two hours, multiple tables of people set aside the need to "win" and instead focus on sharing, listening, and connecting. Guided by experienced table hosts, we'll tell our stories, try to understand each other, and practice being in community with those with different views or backgrounds.
At this dinner, participants will get to choose between three different topics, including some current events. Topics could range from the political, to the spiritual, to the philosophical, to the off-the-wall - but no matter which table you choose to sit at, you can be sure it'll be like no dinner conversation you've had before! You can also suggest a topic by emailing us at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com.
Food will be provided for free. For those who wish to provide a donation to help fund BreadBreakers, you can give here or at the event.
We'll have vegetarian and gluten-free options available. If you have any additional dietary restrictions (Celiac Disease, vegan, etc.) please let us know at BreadBreakersInfo@gmail.com so that we can implement the appropriate food handling procedures.
Join us, invite a friend, and be a part of the movement to mend our fractured society and normalize a better way of talking with one another.
BreadBreakers, an initiative by Restoration United Methodist Church in Reston, VA, is a religiously inclusive community. All faiths and all stripes are welcomed. Our leadership, volunteer team, and community include people who attend Restoration and people who don't.12 attendees
Past events
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