Coming Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 6:30-8pm
Conversations in the Commons with David Weiss

NOTE: This announces a local (St. Paul) in-person event, so it won’t be accessible to many of my readers. But I want you to know that it’s happening. I’m hoping by the summer, to be able to offer a Zoom option … if you’d be excited for a Zoom option, please comment or message me.

I am pleased to announce my SEVENTH “Conversations in the Commons” around my work “Writing into the Whirlwind” coming up on Tuesday, March 12, 6:30-8pm

Swan Song: Christianity, Creation, and Collapse

On April 7 (the Sunday after Easter), I speak at a Lutheran congregation. My topic, which was settled on last July, is “From Incarnation to Easter: Salvation, Ecology, and Kin-dom Come.”

For those of you’ve been regularly following the evolution of my own thinking and vocation, you might imagine there’s an interesting story behind this. There is. The specific request was that I speak about the story of Jesus and how the resurrection can empower us as we care for creation. It seems someone on their adult education committee had read some of my earlier blogs from a couple years ago and brought my name to the committee. But the invitation, which came from one of the pastors, arrived just four months after I posted on my March 2023 blog about stepping away from the Christian tradition.

I replied to his email, explaining in some detail that I was certainly willing to come speak about those things, but there were a few things I needed to clarify. I was committed to being more than up front. I explained that I no longer identified as Christian myself; that even when I did, my view of resurrection was pretty unorthodox; and that I was now persuaded that any “creation care” we might offer, will be care for a collapsing planet. I included several blog posts demonstrating these things. As much as I enjoy offering adult ed forums, I really wanted to give them a chance to rescind the invitation, rather than wind up with a speaker that was not who they expected. And yet, after several email exchanges, the pastor confirmed that he and the committee appreciated my honesty and vulnerability, and hoped I would still accept their invitation. And so, here we are.

As much as I remain conversant in Christian theology, I expect this will be my “swan song” for Christian presentations. (I’m actually eager to explore how Unitarian Universalist principles can support our engagement with Collapse—and to find conversation partners in that work.) But I also intend for this “swan song” to be superb. Which is why I plan to present something like a “first draft” of it for my Second Tuesday talk on March 12. It won’t be in a polished format yet, but I hope to have the arc and themes mapped out.

As I said, they’ve asked me to speak about the story of Jesus and how the resurrection can empower us as we care for creation. So, as someone who no longer identifies as Christian and who is convinced that ecological collapse is irreversibly underway, how do I speak about that with integrity and insight? Well, as Jesus said in one of the apocryphal gospels, “Which is easier to say, ‘I have some ideas’ or ‘Hold my beer’?” I hope you can join me on March 12, and we’ll explore my “swan song” together.

Since this will very much be a work-in-progress, there isn’t a specific essay to read ahead of time. Just come ready to listen and respond! If you’d like to read something, my “Dark Hope” series of August 2021 offers the fullest “big picture” statement of my thinking on Collapse and the church’s role. I’ll be revisiting this series as I gather my thoughts for my larger project on “Collapsing with Care,” but it will also be on my mind as I prepare this church presentation. It’s eleven essays bundled into a 23-page pdf, but worth your time.

If you plan to come, please RSVP by email (drw59mn@gmail.com). This isn’t “required,” but it helps me make sure the room is set up appropriately.

Key details:

• Location: Zion Lutheran Church, 1697 LaFond Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104. No parking lot, but plenty of street parking right near the intersection. Zion’s building is not (yet) accessible; an elevator is coming in the next year!
• Entrance: You can now use the courtyard entrance at the right/east end of the building on Lafond. It’s the most direct way to the Conference Room. Or you can still use the door along Aldine Street near the alley (especially if you come early for the meal). Plenty of signs will guide you to the Conference Room.
• These evenings are no cost to you. I set out a donation basket if you feel moved to put a couple dollars to benefit some aspect of Zion’s ministry or a cause dear to me. But all that I truly ask is your presence and participation!
• The second Tuesday of each month Zion hosts a gluten-free, nut-free, vegan community meal. You’re welcome to come early for this pay-as-you-can meal served in the church basement. Find important details about the meal below.

Conversations in the Commons is a creative collaboration with Zion Lutheran Church and their commitment to serve as a “community commons” in their neighborhood. I host these Conversations around my “Writing into the Whirlwind” on Second Tuesdays—from 6:30-8pm as a chance for me to share some of my recent work (or some of my favorite writing) and then open things up for conversation. I’ll typically identify the blog post(s) we’ll be discussing at least a week in advance so you can read them ahead of time and come ready to engage! Each evening, I’ll offer a few opening reflections, and then invite you into conversation. My work has always been enriched by conversation, and that’s more important than ever today.

After March, we’re taking a 2-month break: so, no Second Tuesday talk in April or May. I have conflicts both dates; rather than reschedule, I’ll take a break—but I’ll keep writing and posting to my blog. Our next Second Tuesday conversation is on June 11, 2024. Topic to be announced.

ABOUT THE 2nd TUES. COMMUNITY MEAL AT ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH
These full meals (served from 11am to 7pm) are prepared by chef Colin Anderson of Eureka Compass Vegan Foods as part of his passion for food solidarity. Each Community Dinner at Zion benefits their Food Justice programs and Thursday food shelf program. More here: https://eurekacompassveganfood.com/community-dinner.

Preordering instructions:

1. You can make Colin’s life easier by pre-ordering your Community Dinner meals no later than 8am on Monday. (That’s his shopping day.) Just send an email to eurekacompassveganfood@gmail.com and indicate how many meals you need & when you’re coming. (If you’re coming for my 6:30p presentation, tell Colin you’ll arrive 5:45-6p and dine in. We don’t meet in the dining area, so you’ll want to finish your meal there and head upstairs to the Conference Room at 6:25p.)
2. NO PAYMENT IS NECESSARY, but cash contributions are accepted the day of the dinner. If you’d like to contribute with a credit card, indicate how much you wish to contribute when you email your pre-order. You’ll receive an invoice by email that you can pay electronically via a prompt on the invoice.
3. Show up on the day of the dinner at your designated time, and we’ll have your meals ready for you! If you have any questions, just send us an email! We’re happy to connect!

Each meal is gluten free, nut free, and vegan to make it accessible to as many in the community as possible. Other allergens such as corn and soy are rarely used. These meals are always offered “Pay what you want/can.” No one is turned away for lack of funds. Each Community Dinner has a philanthropic partner and half of all contributions at Tuesday dinners benefit Zion Lutheran’s Food Justice programs and Thursday food shelf program.

I hope you can join me for “Swan Song: Christianity, Creation, and Collapse” on March 12!