Recovering from Religion

Each week there is some recommended readings to be done before we meet. **Please see the attached schedule for this week's readings.** The Bible Timeline® study program takes you on a guided journey through salvation history. Presenter Jeff Cavins will show you how fourteen of the Bible’s narrative books tell the biblical story from beginning to end and will give you the keys to understanding the amazing story woven throughout Scripture. The Bible Timeline will teach you how to read and understand the entire Bible and introduce you to the wonderful narrative of Scripture in a way that will transform your life. The online material can be bought online through the link below (optional). However, each session we can share copies for you to have discussion questions in class and reading guideline for the next session. https://ascensionpress.com/products/the-bible-timeline-the-story-of-salvation-online-video-access

New Rules: Starting now, we are asking that each person contribute $2 towards maintaining this page. Without our space here on MeetUp, there is no group. So we ask that you bring a tooney when you come to keep us operational. Thank you very much! Thank you to everyone who has ordered something to eat or drink. It's very important that we each make a purchase, even just a tea or coffee, to maintain our welcome. Mil veces, gracias!

Bring any piece of music in any form. We'll deconstruct it's musical elements and share with each other what the music evokes and what insights arise. Then, consider how this musical work fits into the broader world of music and sound. After a break well do a musical exercise together and end with a short slent meditation. Advance registration with pay pal $20. Please call Gary to confirm your registration. 647 292 5415 Generosity policy: limited spots available for no or low charge fir those who need it.

**Drop-In Pickleball at the Miles Nadal JCC** Come play one of the fastest-growing sports in North America — right in the heart of the Annex! Join us for friendly, active Pickleball at the Miles Nadal JCC, just steps from Spadina Station. It’s a great way to stay active, meet new people, and have some fun! *** **🏓 Event Details:** **Location:** 750 Spadina Ave. (enter through the Spadina doors) **Check-In:** Stop by security and check in at the front desk when you arrive. *** **🏓 Registration & Payment (Required in Advance):** **RSVP on Meetup does *not* reserve your spot.** To participate in Drop-In Play, you must register and pay in advance via our registration system. 👉 [Register online](https://app.amilia.com/store/en/miles-nadal-jcc/api/Activity/Detail?activityId=bN72AZE) 📞 Or register by phone: 416-924-6211 Space is limited to **18 players** on a first-come, first-served basis. Once full, no additional participants can be accommodated. *** **🏓 Other Info:** * Paddles and balls are available for loan at the front desk with a **$20 cash deposit and valid ID** * This session is intended for **novice players and above** — participants should know basic rules and scoring * Courts are rotated regularly so everyone gets a chance to play * Welcoming, inclusive environment *** Come ready to rally, socialize, and have a great time on the court. We can’t wait to see you there!

This collaborative day retreat brings together somatic psychotherapy, mindful movement and meditation to work with different layers of experience (body, mind, spirit). Through experiential exercises, guided movement (Qi Gong practice), reflective activities and group sharing, you will be supported to slow down and listen inwardly to what is emerging while practicing being compassionately present with processes that are sometimes difficult to bring to conscious awareness. This is a chance to slow down, be present, and centre yourself in order to reconnect with your inner wisdom and clarity. Ultimately, it is this inner wisdom that can support you in navigating the stresses of life with more presence, ease, intuition, and alignment. **This day retreat is suitable for:** * Individuals interested in deepening somatic and movement-based practices * Those experiencing overwhelm, stress, or nervous system overload, and longing to slow down and settle * Anyone wishing to explore mindful Qigong and embodied practices that support overall health and wellness—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually * Anyone seeking greater support with emotional fluidity * Those wanting clarity around belief systems and habitual ways of thinking, and support in understanding and shifting them * People feeling stuck, uncertain, or unclear **Location:** 1369 Bloor St. W. (Near Lansdowne and Bloor), Toronto **Facilitators: Dr, Shira Taylor**: Physician Psychotherapist: Focused medical practice in psychotherapy since 2014 with a special interest in mind/body/spirit approaches to healing and wellness. Her practice focuses on group psychotherapy. Dr. Taylor provides clinical services for people struggling with a wide variety of life difficulties including depression, anxiety, PTSD, Complex Trauma, chronic pain, chronic illness, grief, sexuality, religious and spiritual challenges. She brings a unique trauma-informed approach to mindfulness and operates from an anti-oppressive framework. **Fraser/Rishi:** BIO Fraser Rishi has been practicing and teaching Qi Gong for over two decades, using these practices to support health, overall wellness, and healing. He has studied Tai Chi and Qi Gong in a number of traditions and has been authorized to teach Taijiwuxigong by Andy Henry. He has also completed a one-year mentorship in Five Elements Qi Gong with Mimi Kuo-Deemer. He also has completed two yoga teacher trainings, the most recent completed in India in 2016 with longtime teacher Pankaj Seth, whom he first practiced with over 20 years ago. Fraser received the name Rishi from his root teacher Moojibaba, whose love, presence, and clarity have contributed greatly to his life. He is a bio-dynamic cranial sacral therapist, as well as a certified mindfullness instructor through U of T Social Work Program. **Cost:** Dr. Shira Taylor's services are covered by OHIP with a valid OHIP card. Fraser Rishi’s services are available on a sliding scale of $200–$350 (tax included). This sliding scale is designed to support accessibility and choice. If financial support is needed, it is possible to contribute at the lower end of the scale. For those who are able to offer more, contributions at the higher end help support the availability of reduced-cost spaces for others who might not otherwise be able to attend. As much as possible, we do not want money to be a barrier to participation. **Scholarships:** A limited number of energy exchange scholarships are available upon request. Please email for details. **Registration:** 1\. Please email wholepeaceconnect@gmail\.com and or follow this link for further details and to start the registration process: https://www\.drshirataylor\.ca/upcoming\-groups/inhabiting\-ourselves 2\. Complete any electronic intake forms required which you will receive electronically if you have not done any previous workshops\, retreats\, or groups with Dr\. Shira 3\. Complete your registration by sending your $50 deposit or full payment via e\-transfer to [wholepeaceconnect@gmail.com](mailto:wholepeaceconnect@gmail.com)

**🏀 Drop-In Basketball at the Miles Nadal JCC** Come shoot hoops, stay active, and connect with other players — right in the heart of the Annex! Join us for **friendly, casual basketball** at the Miles Nadal JCC, just steps from Spadina Station. Whether you're looking for a good run, some solid practice, or just a fun way to break a sweat, this drop-in session is for you! *** **🏀 Event Details:** 📍 **Location:** 750 Spadina Ave. (enter through the Spadina doors) 🛑 **Check-In:** Stop by security and check in at the front desk when you arrive *** **🏀 Registration & Payment (Required in Advance):** RSVP on Meetup **does not reserve your spot**. To participate in Drop-In Play, you must register and pay in advance through our system. 👉 **[Register here](https://app.amilia.com/store/en/miles-nadal-jcc/api/Activity/Detail?activityId=xRJXn5p)** 📞 **Or register by phone:** 416-924-6211 🔢 **Space is limited** to ensure quality play — once full, no additional participants can be accommodated. *** **🏀 Other Info:** • Basketballs are available for loan at the front desk with a $20 cash deposit and valid ID • All skill levels welcome — come ready to play and have fun • Games are self-organized with regular rotation for equal court time • Friendly, inclusive environment *** Come shoot, pass, dribble, and dunk your way into a great afternoon of basketball. We can’t wait to see you on the court!

**Free Pranic Healing Clinic** Saturday, February 7th 2025 We will start with the Meditation on Twin Hearts and then proceed with the Pranic healing clinic, First come First served basis for the clinic We are open from 1pm to 4pm, The Pranic Healing sessions are free, **Location** Mei Ling Center for Pranic Healing and Spirituality 257 Eglinton Avenue West Suite 208 Toronto

Come to our church on Sunday! We’re a welcoming bunch. Our website is nlife.ca

Good day everyone, A great day planned for us including **Sunday Afternoon Games.** A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon in the heart of winter. Classic Board Games and all the modern Social Games we like too will be provided. Then stick around after for our annual **Super Bowl Party!** Going to be an absolute blast; so be sure to join us if you can :) **Location:** **SMOKESHOW BBQ and BREW** 744 Mt Pleasant Rd · Toronto, ON https://www.smokeshowbbqandbrew.com/ \*Joined by my other social groups too; so we can anticipate a fabulous turn out with lots of friendly peers to begin our Super Bowl Sunday! (Event Details Below) Sincerely, Steve Flemming (Organizer/Host ) Event Details: **\*SUNDAY AFTERNOON GAMES\*** **(with SUPER BOWL PARTY after too!) (Sunday Feb. 8th)** -A chance to play some interactive games we love like ***pictionary, scattergories, taboo, cards against humanity, jenga, tapple, loaded questions, risk, scrabble, clue, euchre and so many other super fun games to play*** **(New games to play every month!)** \*Feel free to bring your own games and friends too if you like! -You'll find it's a cozy, relaxed and enjoyable environment! **Event Fee:** 10 dollars (Cash only at the door) (HST included) or by e transfer: **steveflemming11@gmail.com** (This fee includes games and Super Bowl Party afterwards) **Friendly Reminders:** -Arrive any time after 4:00 pm (in the back area-beside the stage great for board games, card games and mingling) \-\-\-\-\- \*Very nice dinner menu also (one beverage or appetizer minimum to support this wonderful restaurant) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Parking Available:** \*Plenty of street parking on Mt. Pleasant **Close to Subway Station:** \*Also 15 minute walk east from Yonge/Eglinton subway station (Buses running continuously too) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-

**Drop-In Pickleball at the Miles Nadal JCC** Come play one of the fastest-growing sports in North America — right in the heart of the Annex! Join us for friendly, active Pickleball at the Miles Nadal JCC, just steps from Spadina Station. It’s a great way to stay active, meet new people, and have some fun! \*\*\* **🏓 Event Details:** **Location:** 750 Spadina Ave. (enter through the Spadina doors) **Check-In:** Stop by security and check in at the front desk when you arrive. \*\*\* **🏓 Registration & Payment (Required in Advance):** **RSVP on Meetup does *not* reserve your spot.** To participate in Drop-In Play, you must register and pay in advance via our registration system. 👉 [Register online](https://app.amilia.com/store/en/miles-nadal-jcc/api/Activity/Detail?activityId=x9wV9dB) 📞 Or register by phone: 416-924-6211 ext. 0 Space is limited to **18 players** on a first-come, first-served basis. Once full, no additional participants can be accommodated. \*\*\* **🏓 Other Info:** * Paddles and balls are available for loan at the front desk with a **$20 cash deposit and valid ID** * This session is intended for **novice players and above** — participants should know basic rules and scoring * Courts are rotated regularly so everyone gets a chance to play * Welcoming, inclusive environment \*\*\* Come ready to rally, socialize, and have a great time on the court. We can’t wait to see you there!

Attendee list will be updated.

Good day everyone, Please join us for our annual **Super Bowl Party!** Big Screen, food and drink specials all night, the games on big screens; and amazing people to enjoy the game with! This event could fill up and sell out fast, so please do your best to arrive between 5:00 pm and 5:45 pm (even come early for board games if you like) **Location:** **SMOKESHOW BBQ and BREW** 744 Mt Pleasant Rd · Toronto, ON [https://www.smokeshowbbqandbrew.com/](https://www.smokeshowbbqandbrew.com/) \*Joined by my other social groups too; so we can anticipate a fabulous turn out with **lots of laughs, new friends, great connections and the Super Bowl!** (Event Details Below) Sincerely, Steve Flemming (Organizer/Host ) Event Details: **SUPER BOWL PARTY with Food and Drink Specials too!** **(Sunday February 8th)** -A great day planned for us so be sure to come to simply the best Super Bowl Party in town! -Big Screens, Surround Sound, Fun Atmosphere, Food/Drink Specials, Prizes, Great People; all in one place! -Come early for Sunday Afternoon Games too if you like (no extra charge) \-\-\- **Event Fee:** 10 dollars (Cash only at the door) (HST included) or by e transfer: steveflemming11@gmail.com (This fee includes reserved seating with the group, Super Bowl Party, drink/food specials, prizes and more!) \-\-\- **Friendly Reminders:** -Please do your best to arrive between 5:00 pm and and 5:45 pm (the later you arrive the bigger the risk of not getting a seat) \-\-\-\-\- \*Very nice dinner menu also (one beverage or appetizer minimum to support this wonderful restaurant) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **Parking Available:** \*Plenty of street parking on Mt. Pleasant **Close to Subway Station:** \*Also 15 minute walk east from Yonge/Eglinton subway station (Buses running continuously too) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-

Hello everyone, Please join us for a fantastic February Fun Saturday Night Party where we will meet at our groups cozy location, **The Celtic Irish Pub**. This friendly pub is conveniently located at Yonge & Davisville- very close to the Davisville subway. Free Parking on Duplex (just a block west of Yonge) \-\-\-\-\- **Where and When to Meet us?** **Location: Celtic Irish Pub** (Just mention Steve from Meetup when you arrive- to find our reserved section) **Date:** Saturday February 7th, 2026 **Address:** 1954 Yonge St Toronto, ON M4S 3E5 **Arrive between:** 8:30 pm and 10:00 pm (if you can) (Dinner Menu Provided) **Free Parking** on Duplex just west of Yonge **Taking Subway:** 1 minute walk north of Yonge-Davisville Subway \-\-\-\-\- Event Details below: Steve Flemming (Organizer) meetup.com/soulcity/ \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Event Details: **The February Fun Karaoke Mix and Mingle Party! (Saturday February 7th)** -We will meet inside (reserved seating) and look forward to a great night to mix, mingle, share some laughs and then Karaoke after the mixer \*Plan to come for dinner too if you like (a fabulous dinner menu) \*Invite your friends too; or come on your own (either way, we're going to have a blast and make lots of new friends!) \*Choose to sing or merely enjoy a super enthused energy all night long! \*One beverage or appetizer minimum to support the venue :) \*Joined by my other groups too; so we can anticipate a fantastic turn out :) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **EVENT FEE and Arrival Times:** \*Please arrive between 8:30 pm and 10:00 pm (if you can) **Event Fee: (Cash only at the door)** 10 dollars cash or in advance by e transfer too: [steveflemming11@gmail.com](http://steveflemming11@gmail.com/) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \*Free Parking on Duplex (block west of Yonge) Residential area, with paid street parking and parking lot on Yonge street

Please join us for a traditional worship service every Sunday, with music from our wonderful choir and organist. Communion (the Lord’s Supper) is a part of every Sunday service. Join us for coffee hour after the service for conversation and a snack

Hey all! My name is Sarah, I'm a romance girlie in my twenties, and welcome to the Mostly Romance Book Club! I am a big mood reader so assigned books at book clubs don't really do it for me. I wanted to create a space where anyone can come with whatever book they want, meet new friends, and chat about what they've been reading. When: First and third Thursday of every month, starting in February. 7-8:30 pm. Schedule: First 30 minutes: Introductions and chat about all things books Next 45 minutes: Silently read your personal physical book, ebook, or audiobook (yes audiobooks count :)) Last 15 minutes: Chat some more and wrap up the meeting Check the home page for zoom links. Up to 100 attendees so still join the zoom even if you can't sign up for the event.

**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 lunch and a conversation on ***World’s Diversity on the Table: How Traveling Helps Us Understand Different Worldviews.*** Here’s how it works: For just two hours, a table of people set aside the need to "convince" or "win" and instead focus on sharing, listening, and connecting. Guided by an experienced table host, we'll tell our stories, try to understand each other, and practice being in community with those with different views or backgrounds. In a world of disconnection and surface-level interaction, we'll carve out some time just to be humans together and have a meaningful conversation. We'll be meeting at Wegmans, Upper Level Dining Area - look for your hosts, Albert and Todd. This will be a "bring your own lunch" gathering (or "buy your own", from Wegmans' great self-serve cafe!) BreadBreakers, an initiative by Restoration United Methodist Church in Reston, VA, is a religiously inclusive community where all beliefs, faiths, and stripes are welcomed. Our leadership and volunteer team includes people who attend Restoration and people who don't. **So - why talk about travel? Here's a word from this event's lead host, Albert:** *Travel is more than movement across geography, visiting cities, viewing landscapes and counting distances. Travel is also an inward movement: an encounter with difference that rearranges how we see the world and ourselves.* *When we travel, we are exposed to other ways of organizing life: different assumptions about time and values, family and belonging, work and dignity, authority and trust, hospitality and faith. Even brief encounters can unsettle what we once considered “normal” or self-evident, sometimes gently, sometimes harshly, not too much differently as we may encounter on the other side of our divided country.* *Some of us travel seeking beauty, rest, or novelty. Others travel to escape the noise, to understand, to remember, or simply to feel less confined by familiar routines. And when we return, we often carry more than we expected: stories, questions, discomforts, changed perceptions, or a renewed sense of home. The focus of our discussion is not destinations or expertise. It is about meaning. How encounters with different worldviews leave traces in us—and how those traces shape the way we interpret our own world once we return.* *Each experience is partial, each perspective incomplete, and yet, together, we can see more of the whole. Shared at the table, such diversity becomes something lived rather than abstract.* *This conversation shall prompt us to reflect on two simple questions:* 1. ***What do we look for when we travel to other places and cultures?*** 2. ***And what do we bring back—beyond souvenirs and photographs?*** We look forward to breaking bread and stories with you.

**Please note that pre-registration and payment are required to participate: [Register here.](https://paypal.me/akashicrecords612?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US)** **Awaken the sacred within. Reclaim your soul’s truth.** Beneath all the noise, the patterns, and the pain, your soul has never stopped whispering. It holds the memory of every choice, every wound, every triumph across time. This vibrational archive—your **Akashic Records**—awaits you. And within them: clarity, healing, and a return to the Divine spark of who you truly are. Let’s take a breath and reflect… · Have you been feeling like you're moving through life in a loop—taking one step forward, only to be pulled back again and again? · Does life feel like an ongoing storm of confusion, struggle, or emotional unrest? · Do you long for heartfelt, soul-level connection—but feel it remains just out of reach? · Are you living the life your heart calls you to…or the one others expect? If you’ve felt this, take comfort: you are not broken. You are awakening. You’ve been guided to this moment for a reason. Your soul knows it's time to return home to your truth. **\*\*Welcome to the Akashic Records—\*\* a timeless sanctuary of compassion, wisdom, and love.** In this deeply healing workshop, you're invited not just to explore your story—but to rewrite its energetic imprint. Guided by the compassionate presence of **Bill Sanda**, you'll step into a space where healing is not only possible, but inevitable—when met with an open heart. This isn’t just another offering. This is a soul-remembrance. During our time together, you will: ✨ **Uncover the hidden patterns of your past**, including the emotional echoes, ancestral threads, and past-life imprints that continue to influence your present reality ✨ **Liberate yourself from repetitive cycles** of fear, doubt, or stagnation, so you can move forward in alignment with your soul’s highest expression ✨ **Receive healing directly from your Akashic Records**, reconnecting to your innate wisdom and Divine blueprint ✨ **Remember who you are beyond this lifetime**, as insights from past incarnations help you navigate your current path with grace ✨ **Experience the sacred sound of Light Language**—a celestial, soul-coded vibration that speaks beyond the mind, clearing density, activating remembrance, and harmonizing your energy at the DNA level Bill’s sacred gift of channeling the Akashic Records—woven together with the high-frequency transmission of Light Language—creates a multidimensional space for profound transformation. You’ll also receive personal attention during the workshop through mini-healing sessions, and we'll culminate in a group integration, inviting a collective shift in vibration and consciousness. **Here’s what others have shared about their experience:** *“Bill is exceptionally gifted… It seemed that everyone had erased years... looking so much younger and so much more relaxed and at peace than before the session. The shift happening for each person was actually physically visible.”* — *Cindy W.* *“Finally, I understand what has been causing the sabotaging behaviors. Two days later, I’m clearer and more spiritually connected than I’ve ever been. Thank you, Bill, for your healing gifts.”* — *Wendy W.* ***About Bill Sanda*** *A lifelong seeker and heart-led healer, **Bill Sanda** walks with humility, clarity, and deep reverence for the sacred. His journey has led him to study with some of today’s most respected spiritual masters, but it was through divine revelation that his ability to work within the Akashic Records and transmit Light Language fully emerged. Bill now offers this work as a gift of service—to support others in awakening to their truth, releasing what no longer serves, and remembering the wholeness that has always been within. His mission is simple and powerful: to support your healing on all levels—**emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual**—so you can live more aligned, more free, and more fully alive.* *** If you feel the call, trust it. Your soul has already said yes. **Please note that pre-registration and payment are required to participate: [Register here.](https://paypal.me/akashicrecords612?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US)**

**Join the BreadBreakers community for an evening of connection and comradery over the timeless art of boardgaming!** BreadBreakers is a community where people of all different belief systems and backgrounds create community and have meaningful conversation. Usually we do that over the dinner table, but sometimes you've got to change it up a bit! Here's what to expect: * A kind, welcoming atmosphere and community * Several familiar, and several novel boardgames. * Snacks :) * We'll be gathering in Meeting Room 1 at the Reston Regional Library. * Feel free to bring a board game to share if you'd like! **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 game night) 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.

**\*\*\*\*GO TO EVENTBRITE FOR LINK TO MEETING:\*\*\*\*** [Men's Virtual Chapter, Recovering from Religion Support Group Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mens-virtual-chapter-recovering-from-religion-support-group-tickets-722315403817?aff=oddtdtcreator) This is an RfR-wide event, not tied to any particular local chapter. \*NOTE: This meeting is solely for individuals who identify as male. The Recovering from Religion MEN'S Chapter Online Support Group will meet the 1st Saturday of each month @ 10am Central Time (USA), unless the date falls on a holiday. Attendees are welcome to share, and may also decide to remain anonymous if they so choose. The primary focus of a Recovering From Religion support group is to provide ongoing peer support to individuals as they let go of their religious beliefs. This transitional period is an ongoing process that can result in a range of emotions, as well as a ripple effect of consequences throughout an individual’s life. As such the support meetings are safe and anonymous places to express these doubts, fears, and experiences without biased feedback or proselytizing. These groups are free, small group style meetings. No professional therapist is present, group leaders are volunteers trained in peer support. You are not required to give your real name or show your face on camera. You will be invited, but not required to talk about yourself and your experiences. Be aware that trolls sometimes appear. Your group leader will make every effort to eject anyone behaving badly as quickly as possible. Extra Support: RfR has an immense database of well-curated digital resources collected on all topics related to doubt, non-belief, and transition out of religion. [www.recoveringfromreligion.org/resources](http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/resources) If you find you need to talk with someone before the meeting date, RfR has a Helpline with phone and online chat for that express purpose. [www.Recoveringfromreligion.org](http://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/) . If you’re seeking professional help, we can offer the Secular Therapy Project to provide options to connect with a professional therapist. All therapists have been thoroughly vetted by our organization and offer only evidence-based and non-religious treatment. Connect with them at [www.seculartherapy.org.](http://www.seculartherapy.org./)

**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.

This is the first of several meetings on *Nature's God: The Heretical Origins of the American Republic*, by Matthew Stewart. For this meeting, please try to read the first three chapters (pages 1-129 in the paperback). **Where did the ideas come from that became the cornerstone of American democracy?** America’s founders intended to liberate us not just from one king but from the ghostly tyranny of supernatural religion. Drawing deeply on the study of European philosophy, Matthew Stewart brilliantly tracks the ancient, pagan, and continental ideas from which America’s revolutionaries drew their inspiration. In the writings of Spinoza, Lucretius, and other great philosophers, Stewart recovers the true meanings of “Nature’s God,” “the pursuit of happiness,” and the radical political theory with which the American experiment in self-government began. [LINK](https://a.co/d/bkTWJNb) I hope to see you there! Fred