Community Building

**In 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 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](https://pushpay.com/g/restorationrestonumc?fnd=pO6G-N7oO7FH7Mp1u-x6mA&fndv=Lock&r=No&lang=en&src=pcgl) 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](https://restorationreston.org/breadbreakers) 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.

⚡ **Reset your mindset. Meet someone unexpected. Walk away with new clarity.** Join us for a free, small-group event held in our **Startup Garage** — a **spacious, bright, comfortable living-room style space** inside a single-family home. Think couches, coffee, and real conversation — **not an actual garage 😊** 🔁 You’ll be **paired** with different attendees throughout the event for short, energizing rounds — each sparked by a simple **opening line** designed to make you laugh, reflect, and think bigger about what comes next. You won’t just talk about what’s behind you — You’ll begin to **picture what’s ahead** in a way that actually excites you. *** **☕ Coffee and snacks are on me.** Just show up with a curious mind — and a willingness to laugh. We’ll guide you through questions that blend **wisdom and humor** — the kind that help you see your story through a new lens. *** **🔍 What You’ll Experience** • One-on-one rounds to explore purpose, identity, and new possibilities • Light, energizing activities designed to shift your mindset in under 10 minutes • Fresh insights from people you’ve never met — but may never forget • A laid-back, thoughtful space to connect without pressure *** **💼 Who It’s For** • Divorced/Separated or midlife professionals figuring out what’s next • Entrepreneurs, builders, and creatives in a season of reinvention • Men and women who prefer **meaningful conversation** over surface level talk Whether you’re starting over, scaling up, or just ready for something more aligned — this space is for you. *** 📊 *Most attendees are in their 30s, 40s, or 50s — navigating life and growth with curiosity, clarity, and a sense of humor.* 🛋️ **Hosted in a spacious living-room setting** inside a single-family home (Ashburn). Full address shared after RSVP. 🌐 Explore more: [https://midlifereinvention.co](https://midlifereinvention.co) 🎥 Curious about the 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 vs 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰 concept before attending? Here’s a short 10-minute explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtgoDgqppGI&feature=youtu.be

We will gather for our monthly fellowship, education, advocacy, sharing and community at the Gaithersburg Library, Medium Room #3, 1 - 3 pm. In this meeting, we will focus on the educational program with a talk about the serotonin hypothesis of psychedelic action titled, "Rehabilitating the the Gut-Brain Axis with Psychedelic Mushrooms: Healing from Depression." Please come! The MoCo Psychedelic Club is not a venue for sourcing or sales.

**What to Expect:** Join us for a relaxed, supportive gathering where we'll create together, share our process, and connect mindfully. No art experience necessary, all levels and all creative expressions welcome! **What to Bring:** Please bring your own art materials and supplies, whatever you enjoy working with! **Ideas for materials:** sketchbooks, journals, pastels, crayons, markers, colored pencils, collage materials, yarn, lego, diamond art, iPad or tablet for digital drawing, or anything else that calls to you. Bring paper or surfaces to work on as well. There's no right or wrong, just bring what feels good! 🙂 **What we'll do:** **6:00 pm:** Arrive, get settled, grab a drink/snack, and find a spot **6:10 pm:** Set out your supplies, take a breath, and ease in **6:15–7:30 pm:** Create, chat, unwind, and follow the good vibes **7:30 pm:** Gentle wrap-up with *Come/leave whenever, this is relaxed and flexible gathering!* **Location:** Wegmans cafe (one level above the store), 11620 Monument Dr, Fairfax, VA 22030. Look for the table with art supplies! This is a social, low-key meetup, not a formal class, and there will be no instruction.

**⚡ Bring a dish. Bring a story. Leave feeling more connected.** Join us for a relaxed, small-group potluck lunch held in our Startup Garage — **a spacious, bright, comfortable living-room style space** inside a single-family home. Think couches, real food, and meaningful conversation — ***not an actual garage*** 😊 🕐 **1:00–4:00 PM (arrive anytime between 1:00–1:30 PM).** We’ll begin our **story circle** once everyone is settled. Instead of structured rounds this time, we’ll share the stories behind what we brought. * Maybe it’s a childhood favorite. * Maybe it reminds you of a turning point. * Maybe it’s tied to a funny kitchen disaster 😄 * Humor is always welcome — but so is depth. * You won’t just share what you made — you’ll share what shaped you. *** 🥘 **What to Bring** • A dish to share (homemade or store-bought — no pressure) • A short story connected to it • An open mind and appetite *** 🔍 **What You’ll Experience** • Real stories that reveal more than surface-level introductions • A relaxed, unstructured afternoon of connection • Laughter, memory, and unexpected depth • A symbolic closing circle — because reinvention is a collective experience *** 💼 **Who It’s For** • Divorced/Separated or midlife professionals navigating what’s next • Entrepreneurs, builders, and creatives in a season of reinvention • Men and women who value depth over surface level talk This is a free community event designed to strengthen connection and belonging within the group. **Space is intentionally capped to keep it intimate.** *** 📊 Most attendees are in their 30s, 40s, or 50s — navigating life and growth with curiosity, clarity, and a sense of humor. 🛋️ Hosted in a spacious living-room setting inside a single-family home (Ashburn). Full address shared after RSVP. 🌐 Explore more: [https://midlifereinvention.co](https://midlifereinvention.co)

**Sunday Afternoon Dancing Planet Contra Dance** Intro lesson at 2:30pm, dance from 3-6pm in the Annex (Balroom Backroom) at Glen Echo Park, MD. Caller: **Melissa Chatham** Band: **Owen Morrison** on guitar, **TJ Crow** on mandolin, and **Ralph Gordon** on ass Admission: $15 Cash or $17 Venmo (to cover fees) at the door, no cards. Covid info: masks and vaccinations are suggested but not required. For more info: [https://dancingplanetproductions.com/contra/](https://dancingplanetproductions.com/contra/)