Historical Jesus

In ***Zhanguo: The First Empire***, you go along with the Emperor's plans to offer your family a place in the terracotta army. To help you in this challenging task, six cards will be at your disposal every round. They will give you permanent support during the rest of the game or will obtain the Emperor's approval for your actions. At the end of the game, the player who made the greatest contribution to the Emperor's cause by scoring the most points wins! More info: [https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/381819/zhanguo-the-first-empire](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/381819/zhanguo-the-first-empire)

IMPORTANT: This Wednesday's session will be held at the Brussels Beer Project - donwstairs. **Rue Antoine Dansaert 188, 1000 Bruxelles** Please take a moment to read the information and rules for the sessions. **Overview:** Improv sessions in English accepting all levels. We play short and long-form improv comedy, which includes theater-style scenes, guessing, and group games. **Topics:** * Timing * Location * Participation (Attendees list) * RSVP rules * Improv session format * Who is it for? (Participation requirement) *** * **Timing** Being on time will help you and everyone. **18h15** \- Doors open *Please take this time to order your drinks/food and settle in.* **18h30** \- Start of the session **Are you late?** Please inform the event host or comment on the event page. If you arrive late and the session is already in progress, please wait on the side till the game/scene is finished. Wait for the session moderator to indicate when you can start participating. * **Location** We have two locations: Monday Sessions: The session takes place on the first floor of The Sister Cafe. Stairs next to the bar. It's the room with a curtain at the door. Wednesday Sessions: At Brussels Beer Poject Rue Antoine Dansaert 188, 1000 Bruxelles * **Participation (Attendee list)** The session is limited to **12 attendees**. This ensures the session is manageable and everybody gets enough chances to participate. Therefore, only the people on the "attendee list" can participate in the session. **Waiting list**: People on the waiting list should keep an eye on the updates in case someone from the attendees' list drops and you get their spot. It's important for the people on the waiting list also to update their RSVP status if they already know they won't be joining the session. **Do you just want to observe?** In the regular session, we do not have an audience, only participants. Please do not join the session if you do not plan to participate in the games/scenes. If you are unsure about something, please contact the event host. *People on the attendee list are expected to take part.* * **RSVP Rules** * Please update your RSVP status in a timely manner if you can't make it to the session. This applies to people on the **attendee list AND waiting list.** * If you are on the waiting list and know you won't be able to join in case someone from the main list drops, please update your RSVP to "not going". This will give the next person on the waiting list a chance. * Emergencies aside, please update your RSVP status on time. Canceling at the last minute or just 1 hour before isn't helpful. * If we see a pattern from someone not showing up after confirming or last-minute cancellations, we reserve the right to prohibit session access. * Please write a comment if you cancel and your spot becomes available. With this, others will get an extra notification. **Improv Session Format** The session is held in English. The session has three sections: Warm-up, Scene games, and Cool down. **Warmup:** Quick group games are played to break the ice and get the creative juices flowing. **Scenes:** Then we move on to scene games. These are mostly from short-form improv, which can include different games with various gimmicks, like story building, character work, guessing, etc **Cool down:** One or two short group games to end the session. The rules are explained by the moderator before each game. There is no obligation to participate in games you are uncomfortable with. There can be feedback after a game is played. This is so we learn from each other and gain skills and insights. **Tip**: If you are new, pay attention to the regular players when they are performing and notice small details, like how a stage is cleared before a scene, how to enter a scene, and how to collaborate with each other. * **Who is it for?** Anyone interested in improv! We accept participants at all levels, beginners and advanced. This is a great place to start if you are new to improv. The basics will be explained. We only require the "Yes, and...!" spirit! If you are an advanced player and have ideas and games to share and work on, please do let us know. We look forward to welcoming you and doing improv!

🏃‍♂️ Sunday Vacations | Train Together, Finish Together --- Thinking about joining the **20km of Brussels on May 31st**… but don’t want to train alone? 👉 Join our **after-work training group** and prepare together in a fun, social, and motivating atmosphere. Whether you're a beginner or already running regularly — **you’re welcome.** --- ## 📆 Weekly Runs (April → May) We train **twice a week after work**: ### 🔵 Once per week – Easy Social Run 👉 Perfect to build consistency and meet the group --- ### 🟣 Once per week – Long Run (Main Session) * Distance increases every week * Structured pace groups 👉 This is the **key session** to prepare for the 20km --- ## 🏳️ Follow Your Flag (Pace Groups) To keep things simple, we use the official **20km Brussels pacemaker system**: * 🟠 **Beginner (≈ 2h15)** Run/walk friendly — just aim to finish * 🟣 **Steady (≈ 2h00)** Comfortable and regular pace * 🟢 **Intermediate (≈ 1h45)** Faster group for those who want a challenge 👉 Not sure? Start easy — you can switch anytime. --- ## 📊 Long Run Progression We gradually build up to the race: 6 km → 8 km → 10 km → 12 km → 14 km → 16 km → 18 km 🔥 * lighter week before the race --- ## 🏁 Goal 📅 Sunday 31 May 2026 🎯 Run the 20km of Brussels — together --- ## 💡 What to expect * Friendly, international group 🌍 * No one left behind * Natural pace groups * Motivating and social vibe 👉 We start together, run in groups, and finish together. --- ## ☕ After the run Optional drink or snack — because it’s also about **meeting people and having fun** --- ## ⚠️ Practical info * Bring water * Wear proper running shoes * Join at your own responsibility * Beginners welcome --- ## 🌍 About Sunday Vacations We are a **Brussels-based community** organizing social activities, hikes, and trips. 👉 This training is part of our mission: **bringing people together through shared experiences** --- ## 🔗 Participation To join, a **Sunday Vacations membership** is required: * Explorer (€5/year) → + €5 organizing fee * Voyager (€50/year) → no organizing fee * Ambassador (€150/year) → no organizing fee + perks 👉 Details: [www.sundayvacations.com/membership](http://www.sundayvacations.com/membership) --- 🔥 Don’t train alone — join us and enjoy the journey to the 20km!

In this format, the audience is informed of the motion ahead of time, allowing for a more strategic and engaging discussion. Eight participants, selected at the start of the evening, will engage in the debate while the remaining attendees act as the audience. Debaters will have the opportunity to state a preference for either side of the motion. The debate will still require 4 speakers on each team regardless of personal preference, however. Each debater will have approximately 45 minutes to prepare an 8-minute speech. At the conclusion of the debate, the organizer will evaluate each team's strategy and declare a winner. The motion we will debate: **This House believes that current investments in AI are a waste of resources.** Earlier this year, a study revealed that CEOs say the word "AI" more often than "earnings" during an earnings call, a regular event when top level executives discuss the financial results for the reporting period to shareholders and other stakeholders of a company. That talk about AI has surpassed talk about money in these types of meetings is an emblematic symbol of our day and age: AI is taking the world by storm, and if the hype is to be believed, we are entering into a revolutionary period that will see society fundamentally shift, probably in the next decade or so. Proponents of AI state that AI will be able to do much of the work that humans currently have to do, essentially replacing human labor at a level equivalent or perhaps even exceeding that of industrialization. The efficiency benefits, the potential for new breakthroughs, and the inherent advantages that computers have over humans (such as requiring much less downtime, for example by not needing to rest or eat), all of this means that the nature of how we work, and by extension, live, would be fundamentally changed. Investors have, for several years now, been putting their money where their mouth is, pouring huge amounts of money into the AI sector in the hope of achieving phenomenal profits. For all the hope that business has in AI, however, the future is far from certain. Voices have risen up that state that much of the potential of AI is overblown, and that AI is a bubble that will pop sometime in the next few years. They do not believe the hype around the technology reflects the reality of how it works, and that the money being poured in is therefore being misattributed. The AI sector is also very resource-intensive. The amount of energy, water, microchips, and other resources that AI data centers require is very high. If the AI breakthroughs that are promised come to fruition, then perhaps this might be worth it, but if AI is indeed a bubble, we are using up a lot of precious resources at a time of geopolitical and environmental precarity. Depending on your position, the societal debate around AI leaves a very different impression. While only time will tell where the chips actually land, in the meantime, come join us at Brussels Debaters for a lively discussion on where all of this may be heading.

🌙 Evening Hike – Hallerbos (Start: Parking at ’t Kriekske, 18:45) This evening hike begins at 18:45 from the parking area right next to restaurant ’t Kriekske, perfectly timed to enjoy the soft light as the forest transitions into dusk. The route covers a maximum of 8–10 km, making it an accessible and relaxed walk suitable for all levels. From the parking, wide forest paths lead you straight into the heart of the Hallerbos. As the sun lowers, the beech trees filter the last warm light, creating long shadows and a calm, almost cinematic atmosphere. In spring, the fading daylight highlights the purple-blue carpet of bluebells, giving the forest a magical glow. The trail is mostly flat and easy to follow, ideal for unwinding after a busy day. You’ll hear the forest slowly quiet down while birds settle for the night and the evening breeze moves through the tall trees. After completing the loop, we return directly to ’t Kriekske, where we end the evening together with a drink or meal — the perfect way to wrap up a peaceful walk in one of Belgium’s most enchanting forests. What to bring Hiking shoes 👞 for the muddy paths 😅 Some cash and cards for drink at the restaurant

🎉 **Celebrating 10 Years of IAF Belgium (April 2016-2026)** What began with a single conversation has grown into a vibrant and welcoming facilitation community. Over the past decade, together with initiators, board members, facilitators, and the facili-curious, we have co-created more than *100 events* dedicated to learning, collaboration, and meaningful dialogue. To celebrate this milestone, we invite you to join us for a **special anniversary dinner** and an evening of shared memories, conversations, and connection. ✨ **What to expect** The evening will unfold in *two phases*: **1️⃣ Interactive reflection & celebration** We will begin with a short interactive facilitation moment led by *Ralph and Marie,* inviting participants to reflect on and share memories from our journey together. Through a few reflective questions, we’ll revisit experiences from the past 10 years: • What was your **first IAF Belgium experience**? • Which **IAF Belgium event** has stayed with you the most? • Why is **IAF Belgium meaningful for you today**? **2️⃣ Anniversary dinner** After the facilitation, we will continue the celebration with a **shared dinner** and informal conversations. 🍽️ **Please note:** This is a **dinner gathering**, and participants will **order and pay for their own meal**. 🥂 **IAF Belgium will offer the first drink** to celebrate the occasion. 🎶 There may also be **music during the evening** to accompany the celebration & goodies *(to be confirmed)*. Whether you have been part of the journey from the beginning or recently discovered the community, you are warmly invited to join us in celebrating this milestone. 🙏 **With deep gratitude, we recognize the people whose dedication, energy, and generosity helped shape and grow this community over the past 10 years:** * **Identified speakers non-exhaustive list at our meetups until April 2026**: Nathaniel Cadwell, Tanya Van Rompuy, Christopher Malapitan, David Villalobos, Pieter Daelman, Sandrine Grenier, Simon Koolwijk, Jeffer London, Dirk Wouters, Johan Debeer, Ralf Otto, Ana Adzersen, Anita Sheehan, Ana Escarpenter, Bruno Selun, Meghan Kelly, Monica Dimitriu, Marie Dubost, Marc Sonnaert, Hilde Nicassi, Kasia Skuratowicz, April Bilbrey, Lara Donners, Andrew Spireti, Claudia Arena, Andy Whittle, Klaus Niederlander, Anuschka Ruge, Sue Bird, Graziana Lonero, Agnes Gorgemans, Luc de Schrijver, Joost Visser, Jord Rolland de Rengervé, Richard G. Kelly & Ralph Van Crombrugge. * **IAF Belgium Boards since 2016**: Nathaniel Cadwell, Miriam Elst, Dirk Wouters, Tanya Van Rompuy, Bruno Selun, Andrew Spiteri, Sue Bird, Marie Dubost, Sylvain Veyzolles & Ralph Van Crombrugge 😄 During the evening, ***you will discover the 6 supporters of the initiative on 11 March 2016 , the 2 creators of the Facilitator Studio, some special contributors to our events*** .…and many many many others who contributed their time, curiosity, and facilitation spirit along the way.

**Soirée débat — Cuba : l’échec du communisme ? Aux radical-chic européens ne reste-t-il que la Corée du Nord ?** Cette semaine, notre discussion porte sur Cuba. Depuis la révolution de 1959, l’île est gouvernée par une dictature communiste. Pendant des décennies, Cuba a survécu grâce au soutien économique de puissances alliées, d’abord l’Union soviétique, puis le Venezuela, l'Iran, la Chine. Aujourd’hui, l’économie cubaine traverse une crise profonde : pénuries alimentaires, coupures d’électricité, inflation, migration massive et dépendance énergétique. La fin du soutien pétrolier vénézuélien ont accentué une situation déjà dramatique. Dans le débat public occidental, Cuba est souvent présentée à travers des récits simplifiés : – soit comme un symbole romantique de résistance révolutionnaire – soit comme un exemple caricatural d’échec politique Notre objectif n’est pas de répéter ces récits. Notre objectif est de comprendre. *** ### **Topics We Cover** Nous analyserons la situation cubaine à travers plusieurs angles : **1\. Le système politique cubain** Comment un régime communiste à parti unique a-t-il maintenu le pouvoir pendant plus de six décennies ? **2\. L’économie cubaine et ses limites** Pourquoi l’économie planifiée cubaine produit-elle pénuries chroniques, dépendance énergétique et faible croissance ? **3\. Les sanctions américaines** Quel est l’impact réel de l’embargo américain ? Affaiblit-il le régime ou renforce-t-il sa légitimité politique ? **4\. La fin du soutien vénézuélien** Quel rôle le pétrole subventionné du Venezuela a-t-il joué dans la survie du modèle cubain — et que se passe-t-il lorsque ce soutien disparaît ? **5\. L’avenir de Cuba** Transition politique, réforme économique progressive ou stagnation durable ? *** ### **What Makes This Different** – Nous privilégions les témoignages de personnes originaires ou connaissant directement la région – Nous examinons ce que les médias simplifient ou ignorent – Nous encourageons les désaccords argumentés et les perspectives contradictoires – Nous analysons les intérêts, les rapports de force et les réalités économiques — pas les slogans Ce n’est pas un espace de propagande. C’est un espace de réflexion. *** ### **Why This Forum Exists** À Bruxelles, plusieurs initiatives proposent des débats structurés. Trop souvent, cependant, un petit cercle détermine les propositions et limite la diversité réelle des conclusions possibles. Il existe aussi des espaces où la géopolitique se réduit à des slogans anti-américains ou à des indignations partisanes. Ce forum n’est ni l’un ni l’autre. Nous accueillons une véritable diversité d’opinions et d’expériences. Personne ici ne sera exclu pour avoir remis en question un récit dominant. Les idées se confrontent librement. Les attaques personnelles ne sont pas tolérées. *** ### **Motions & Proposals Welcome** Nous encourageons les participants à proposer des motions de débat. Une motion doit être formulée avec sérieux : – une thèse claire – un minimum de contexte historique ou juridique – une compréhension des enjeux géopolitiques Les propositions destinées à stimuler la réflexion sont bienvenues. Les slogans et provocations faciles ne le sont pas. *** ### **Languages** La langue dépendra des participants présents. Les débats se déroulent généralement en anglais et en français, mais nous pouvons accueillir d’autres langues lorsque cela est possible. Langues actuellement possibles : – English – Français – Nederlands – Español – Italiano – Русский – Farsi L’objectif est la compréhension, pas la pureté linguistique. *** ### **What We Ask of Participants** – Venez pour comprendre, pas pour “gagner” un débat – Soyez ouverts à des perspectives qui contredisent les vôtres – Parlez avec des faits, du contexte et de l’histoire – Si vous proposez un sujet, venez préparé – Critiquez les idées, jamais les personnes – Pas de censure des opinions – Pas d’attaques personnelles – Pas de diffamation Le désaccord est normal. La paresse intellectuelle ne l’est pas. *** ### **This is not a dating meetup** Tous les espaces sociaux ne sont pas destinés à flirter ou à chercher des opportunités romantiques. Si vous considérez ce forum comme un terrain de drague ou que vous faites des avances non désirées, vous n’avez pas compris le but de ce groupe. La conversation vient d’abord. Les idées viennent d’abord. Le respect vient d’abord. *** ### **Location & RSVP** L’événement aura lieu à Ixelles, dans un bar public. Pour préserver la qualité et la sécurité de la discussion, le lieu exact est communiqué uniquement aux participants confirmés via notre groupe WhatsApp. 👉 Pour RSVP et recevoir le lieu : https://chat.whatsapp.com/LX7UkWGZ3UdLQWLBvNdezN L’objectif n’est pas l’exclusivité. L’objectif est une discussion sérieuse entre personnes capables de réfléchir librement. The goal is not exclusivity, but accountability and quality of discussion. If this format doesn’t suit you, this event may not be the right fit.

Welcome to our weekly event in the upstairs room of The Sister Café, rue Chair et Pain 3, one block from the Grand Place. Please get there early enough to order your drink at the bar first. Thank you! After introductions we will collect questions from the group participants, choose one by voting then discuss it for an hour. Then most of us stay for drinks and bizarre conversations. Past questions have been wide and not confined to academic philosophy: What is a genuine friend? Is social media turning us into emotional zombies? Do we lose some of the experience of things by defining them? Are we driven by sex? Is loneliness a personal failure? Is morality relative? **Crucially, be kind and respectful and generous** in your disagreements; remember how much you personally enjoy someone else proving you wrong before celebrating your cutting counterexamples.

Story Night is back with a new group of talented storytellers will share their stories to make you think, laugh and cry! **Story Night Brussels: an evening of connection and community through personal stories** Looking for a different kind of Saturday night? Join us for the one and only Story Night of Storytelling Brussels! Storytelling Brussels aims to create a space where we pause, connect, and experience our shared humanity through the power of stories. A space where everyday experiences become well-crafted narratives with meaning and impact. Stories that will make you laugh, cry, reflect, feel. Come with an open mind and leave with a full heart. **Event Details:** * Each storyteller has prepared a short (around 8 minutes) personal story. * **Venue**: the Bridge Theatre Studio; Chau. de Forest 83, St. Gilles * **Doors open 19:30.** Show starts at 20:00 (sharp!). More than just a show, we want to create a community around storytelling, so **we encourage you to come early**, socialize, and maybe meet new people! There will be music and drinks available at the bar. We are starting again at 8 pm to allow for more storytellers and not end too late! Please note that the **front door of the venue might be closed once the show starts**, as it’s a private space, so you might not be able to enter if you are too late! * Attention! We will be collecting **donations upon check-in at the door.** We recommend a donation of **10€/person**, but if you can't pay this at the moment, feel free to make a donation of your choice. All the earnings will go to compensate the performers (some of whom will be traveling long distances for this event) and organise more of these in the future. **Please bring cash**. * All stories will be told in **English** * We kindly ask you to be present and listen actively to the stories. But don't fear, we will also have time to have fun and chat in between, and some breaks to enjoy the bar! **Reservations**: it helps us a lot if you [RSVP through here](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/story-night-connecting-through-personal-stories-tickets-1986118609225?lid=mhwkwiitinr1&utm_source=braze&utm_medium=ebml&utm_campaign=clpo_ceex_lcm_fad_mec_mc_mum_0_0_eventpublished&utm_term=Main_EventPublishedSubFree_HeroSummary_other%20feature%20usage&utm_content=e412e73b-f3c5-463c-af88-9aa6b8e94267__69c7948f688bf81f67b04ace587e740e__2cc6065c-8d9a-424d-a326-56cd04fcd4b9). Space is limited, so secure your spot by booking today! If in the end you cannot make it, please cancel your reservation so someone else might take your spot. Please note that if you haven’t arrived by the time the show starts, your spot might be given to someone else. **What is storytelling?** Sharing stories in front of an audience may well be the oldest form of art. This ancient oral tradition is experiencing a modern revival through organizations like The Moth in New York, the Mezrab in Amsterdam, or The Bear in Berlin. Now, it is Brussels’ turn! Though deeply connected to many other disciplines, storytelling is an artform on its own. It might make you laugh, but it's not stand-up comedy. It might make you think, but it's not a TED talk. It make help you heal, but it's not therapy. Ultimately, it's about connecting with each other, sharing and celebrating life. **Want to tell a story?** We believe everyone has a story to tell, and we welcome everyone who wants to dare! Previous performance experience is a plus, but **not necessarily required.** We simply ask you to fill up the form below and commit to respect the format (you will have priority if you have come to our shows before). Depending on the volume of applications we will contact you only when we find a spot for you, thank you for your understanding! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdEI9BtS4uNOWhBtvV2nEtbjy8Y6POs2PWPbYvFX5cTGy7n8A/viewform?usp=dialog **Want to be updated about our events?** If you don't want to miss our next shows and keep up to date with our activities, **find us** **on Instagram @storytellingbrussels** Tired of social media? Sign up to our mailing list here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHgK8mRpp_3GiXO4l6bIugqGqe6l7bHGnjLJXEHyEEjYvOTw/viewform?usp=preview We kindly ask you to not take videos of the performers. Please note however that photos and videos may be taken by the organisation at the event to be used in promotion materials. If you do not wish to be included in photographs, please let us know on the day itself.

PLEASE NOTE: this session will exceptionally begin at 14h and end at 17h What comes to mind when we hear the word "dream"? 1) Experiences we undergo while sleeping? 2) Hopes, desires and goals we cherish for the future? 3) Daydreaming? 4) Imagining, thought-experimenting, inventing? 5) ...? How are all these various forms of dreaming connected to our waking, here-and-now lives? What life experiences have you had that noticeably influenced your dreams? What dreams have you had that especially affected, possibly changing or even transforming, your life? How can we maximize the value of our dreams? How can we maximize the value our waking/here-and-now experiences have on our dreams? What can dreams teach us about consciousness? [Jef, might you want to add Jung and Freud to the BINGO cards? 😉😅] How do dreaming and non-dreaming affect self-identity, and vice-versa? Should we categorically aim to avoid all nightmares (or not)? Does free will exist in dreams? Do all dreams carry messages? (What) can we learn (something) from the "logic" of dreams? Can dreams predict the future? (How) can we know whether we are dreaming or not dreaming? If our waking consciousness would turn out to be all a dream after all, how might "waking consciousness lucid dreaming" manifest itself to us? "Life, as I experience it, is an ongoing quest to search for, collect and process "dream material": scenes, sounds and events during waking life that will inevitably return later (sometimes much later) during dream sleep, (dis)guised in all various forms and permutations ... only to surface and materialize again in new configurations and new contexts during future waking life. Like the ongoing cycle of breathing, a continual exchange of "dream material" is constantly occurring, oscillating back and forth between waking and sleeping, between consciousness and the unconscious, between past and future." — Alnata Karuna This session will be an opportunity to share dreams we may have had (or are currently living and/or wrestling with) - in any form and any content, whether seemingly banal or strikingly remarkable - and to explore their roles, effects and significance on our lives. [https://www.sleepfoundation.org/dreams](https://www.sleepfoundation.org/dreams) [https://allaboutpsychology.substack.com/p/the-psychology-of-daydreaming](https://allaboutpsychology.substack.com/p/the-psychology-of-daydreaming) [https://youtu.be/oiAQlDBJ88U?is=XGS_yOiQ_quk9N4f](https://youtu.be/oiAQlDBJ88U?is=XGS_yOiQ_quk9N4f) [https://youtu.be/gemBa8L7jQo?is=DsTTxyu0vwddr76f](https://youtu.be/gemBa8L7jQo?is=DsTTxyu0vwddr76f) [https://youtu.be/5cCW2a8kT3Q?is=ERhHppMUhtwG0wdt](https://youtu.be/5cCW2a8kT3Q?is=ERhHppMUhtwG0wdt)

🏃‍♂️ Sunday Vacations | Train Together, Finish Together Thinking about joining the **20km of Brussels on May 31st**… but don’t want to train alone? 👉 Join our **after-work training group** and prepare together in a fun, social, and motivating atmosphere. Whether you're a beginner or already running regularly — **you’re welcome.** ## 📆 Weekly Runs (April → May) We train **twice a week after work**: ### 🔵 Wednesday – Easy Social Run 🕒 19:30 ### 🟣 Sunday – Long Run (Main Session) 🕒 16:00 - Distance increases every week *Structured pace groups 👉 This is the **key session** to prepare for the 20km ## 🏳️ Follow Your Flag (Pace Groups) To keep things simple, we use the official **20km Brussels pacemaker system**: - 🟠 **Beginner (≈ 2h15)** Run/walk friendly — just aim to finish *🟣 **Steady (≈ 2h00)** Comfortable and regular pace - 🟢 **Intermediate (≈ 1h45)** Faster group for those who want a challenge 👉 Not sure? Start easy — you can switch anytime. ## 📊 Long Run Progression (Thursdays) We gradually build up to the race: 6 km → 8 km → 10 km → 12 km → 14 km → 16 km → 18 km 🔥 *lighter week before the race ## 🏁 Goal 📅 Sunday 31 May 2026 🎯 Run the 20km of Brussels — together ## 💡 What to expect - Friendly, international group 🌍 *No one left behind - Natural pace groups *Motivating and social vibe 👉 We start together, run in groups, and finish together. ## ☕ After the run Optional drink or snack — because it’s also about **meeting people and having fun** ## ⚠️ Practical info - Bring water *Wear proper running shoes - Join at your own responsibility *Beginners welcome ## 🌍 About Sunday Vacations We are a **Brussels-based community** organizing social activities, hikes, and trips. 👉 This training is part of our mission: **bringing people together through shared experiences** 🔥 Don’t train alone — join us and enjoy the journey to the 20km!

This is a very special group walk! If you haven't visited the forest outside of the town Halle in the spring, then we highly recommend joining or going on your own time. During the spring, the Hallerbos is blooming with beautiful hyacinths covering the forest floor. You can get a sneak peak [here](https://www.hallerbos.be/). Over the years this has turned into quite the tourist attraction, which is why we decided to plan the walk during the week. Another special aspect of this group walk is that we will have a "guide" that not only grew up in this area, but is also in charge of expat services at the tourism department of Flemish Brabant. Nona will give some extra insight into the area and guide us through the first. **Meeting point**: Leuven train station \- We will take the train from Leuven to Halle\. Departure \(normally from platform B\) at 11:41 arrival 12:52\. We will meet outside of the Madmum on the station square at \(no later than\!\) 11:30 and walk to the platform together\. \- From the train station in Halle we will take a bus to the forest\. Please note that this walk is subject to the blooming of the flowers and the weather. If the flowers haven't bloomed yet, then we will cancel the walk. We did the best at estimating the time the flowers will bloom, since every year it is different. You are responsible to get your own train and bus ticket, and we will handle the guiding part :) Make sure to wear good walking shoes and bring water and maybe a snack! We will walk maximum 8km, on walking paths through the forest.

Spend time in the company of other writers putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard. Work on your current project or start something new. If you are fresh out of inspiration a member of the Wordcraft Collective will be ready with a prompt to get you going. You can use that to unlock your creative brain before moving back to your own project or run with it. Who knows where the story will take you? Arrive when you like, leave when you like, or join us for a drink in the bar downstairs afterwards. Location: Pianofabriek, Rue du Fort 35, 1060 Saint-Gilles.

Let's meet to write ! Schedule : 11:00 - 11:30 am : Presentation tour. Share briefly with the group about your project and your "goal of the day". 11:30 - 13:30 : Let's write ! 13:30 : Conclusion tour. Did you achieve your goal of the day ? See you soon !

Christians in Tech is a community at the intersection of faith and technology. Our meetups are designed to spark meaningful conversations, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage growth—both in your career and your spiritual walk with God. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your tech journey, CIT welcomes you. Our Website [https://linktr.ee/citcbus](https://linktr.ee/citcbus) Sponsors and Partners * Improving (Venue Sponsor) * Bethel World Prayer Center (Fiscal Sponsor) * Fruits & Roots (Coffee Partner)

Christians in Tech is a community at the intersection of faith and technology. Our meetups are designed to spark meaningful conversations, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage growth—both in your career and your spiritual walk with God. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your tech journey, CIT welcomes you. Our Website [https://linktr.ee/citcbus](https://linktr.ee/citcbus) Sponsors and Partners * Improving (Venue Sponsor) * Bethel World Prayer Center (Fiscal Sponsor) * Fruits & Roots (Coffee Partner)

The topic for April is "Water" Speak Easy: true stories, told live. The idea is simple: an audience, an open microphone, and great stories. Hilarious, gripping, poignant- it's up to you. Audiences are invited to come to listen or come to tell as folks from all corners of Columbus offer their stories live on stage! Held at Wild Goose Creative's warm, intimate space, this night of tales occurs on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Doors open at 6:30 pm, show starts at 7:00 pm. Please arrive early if you want to tell, as we generally only have room for a limited number of tellers, and the sign-up sheet has a tendency to fill up fast. Formed around the idea that people need stories--they're what hold and draw us together--SpeakEasy celebrates the strangeness and commonness of being human. And in a world of smartphones, Facebook, Twitter, and more . . . it gives people a real, breathing, in-person way to connect. The night is geared for true stories of all kinds, taking the best tales told around kitchen tables, in darkened pubs, on the street corner, and at late-night parties and giving them an audience. Speak Easy is also a great outlet for performers, writers, and artists looking to share their favorite stories and perfect their skills. We strongly encourage tellers to please tell the story rather than read it so we keep within the spirit of good storytelling and stay engaged with the audience. All are welcome. Hang around after the show for a drink and build community!

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!

This month's prompt concerns the idea of the “warrior philosopher” (seemed appropriate in these times)--that is someone whose understanding of violence, power, and justice is forged through direct experience of war. We are looking at Major General Smedley D. Butler, a highly decorated U.S. Marine raised in a Quaker (pacifist) tradition who later became a prominent critic of American militarism (there is a wonderful biography of Gen. Butler called "Gangsters of Capitalism") Butler's argument in *War Is a Racket* (1935): that many U.S. interventions were driven less by national defense than by corporate and financial interests, with Butler portraying himself as an enforcer for business and Wall Street. We can consider the moral ambiguity of his insider critique—whether complicity strengthens or undermines credibility and also consider some of the concrete reforms he proposed (e.g., “conscript” capital before soldiers, restrict the military to coastal defense, and have only those who fight decide on war). Butler’s life arc clearly changed from pacifist upbringing to warrior to antiwar crusader—and asks whether true understanding of peace requires firsthand knowledge of war, and what that implies about the cost of suffering. So do we need to suffer to understand suffering? Do we have to experience war to appreciate peace? As one more question: in the movie "A Few Good Men" Jack Nicholson's character says that "you have the luxury of not knowing what I know" so do most of us go through life oblivious to real violence and suffering? See you at Drunken Philosophy!

ASH is Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists of First Unitarian Universalists of Columbus Ohio TBD Snacks are usually available, and you are welcome to bringing something to share!