Human Rights

**What Kind of World Do We Want to Live In? (Free Event)** **In times like these, we can see more clearly the potential for humanity when it works together in unison – as well as the challenges if we don’t and continue to operate as we have been before. If you could design the world of the future, what spiritual values would you want to see in it to help realize those potentialities?** **All of us hope for a better future for ourselves and for our children, but how do we get there? What sort of ideas and behaviors will we need to leave behind – and what values will we need to build the foundation of the future on? And how can we work together to build a future that works for all of us, where each of our fullest potentials as human beings can be realized?** **Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on what a future society might look like and the role each of us can play in creating it. Join us for a lively discussion as we explore the role of spirituality in the unification, peace, and progress of all.** **“The betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and goodly deeds, through commendable and seemly conduct.” – Bahá’í Teachings** **\*\*\* This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.**

HSLC has many cats and kitties hoping to find their fur-ever families! Come meet them at the Petsmart in Leesburg from Noon to 2:00pm on Saturday, January 24th. For a sneak peek of our adoptable animals, please visit [Humane Society of Loudoun County](https://humaneloudoun.org/adopt/) If a particular fur-baby (or two) catches your eye, [complete an no-obligation application today](https://humaneloudoun.org/adopt/adoption-process/) to expedite the application process.

**Re-Finding the Roots of Unity (Free Event)** **Is there more that unites us than we realize? How can spirituality help us look past our differences as people and nations and instead focus on the inherent commonality we all share as spiritual beings part of one humankind?** **The world around us seems focused on amplifying the existing fractures in society, highlighting messages of division and conflict over those of peace and unity. So in this environment, how can we as individuals make a difference? Can spirituality help us foster that peace and unity? How can we stop talking over each other and start listening to those we disagree with? How can we create unified and inclusive communities that can work for the benefit of us all?** **Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on our essential common humanity. Join us for a lively discussion as we explore the role of spirituality in healing the divisions present in our society.** **“The tabernacle of unity hath been raised; regard ye not one another as strangers. Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch.” – Bahá’í Teachings** **\*\*\* This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.**

**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 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](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.

**The Beloved Community:** What does the concept of a "beloved community" mean to you, and how can we work towards creating it in our own neighborhoods? **Martin Luther King Jr's Beloved Community** is his vision for a global society built on justice, equity, peace, and unconditional love, where poverty, racism, and hatred are eliminated through nonviolent means and genuine human disconnectedness, fostering universal care and reconciliation. It's a realistic, achievable goal requiring individual transformation and collective action to resolve conflict peacefully and build a world where everyone belongs and thrives

**BreadBreakers 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.](https://www.amazon.com/Mice-Men-John-Steinbeck/dp/0140177396) * 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.

**Unity in Action:** How can we apply Dr. King's message of unity and nonviolence to address today's social justice issues? Join us for a meaningful gathering focused on turning shared values into shared action. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of the ***Beloved Community***, this meetup brings people of diverse backgrounds together to connect, listen, and collaborate across differences. Through guided conversation, reflection, and practical next steps, we’ll explore how unity, justice, and compassion can move from ideals into everyday practice—in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and relationships. This is a welcoming space for honest dialogue, mutual respect, and collective hope. Come as you are, bring your voice, and leave with renewed purpose and concrete ways to live out unity in action. **All are welcome.**