Coming Tuesday, July 9, 2024, 6:30-8pm
Second Tuesdays – on the Road … and on the Web
Conversations Around Writing into the Whirlwind with David Weiss

After nearly a year of Second Tuesday conversations, it’s time to pause and reflect before turning to Year Two. I’d like to do that in conversation with as many of you as possible for my next Second Tuesday conversation on July 9—in a new location:

Pilgrim House Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1212 Hwy 96 W, Arden Hills, 55112.
This will also be my first conversation accessible via Zoom (details below).

NOTE: We won’t gather on the Second Tuesday in August. That’s a Primary Election Day and I’ll be serving as an election judge from 6a-9p. So, our July 9 conversation will help shape the Second Tuesdays that kick off Year Two, which will begin on September 10.

Here are some of my thoughts about Year Two.

Zoom. I’d like to roll out Zoom as a regular option, making these events fully hybrid. I’m committed to maintaining in-person sessions—I appreciate the energy in the room and the free flow of conversation. But I want to add the option for people to listen and participate by Zoom. This will make it easier for some who find stairs, driving or seasonal darkness a challenge to attend, as well as making it possible for others to attend from a greater distance.

Location. After a year, the “center of gravity” for those who’ve been attending regularly is shifting toward Merging Waters UU members, almost all of whom live in the North Metro. Because I’m an active member at Merging Waters, I suspect the greatest opportunity for in-person growth is among its members. For this reason, I’m moving the location up to the North Metro. As announced above, our July 9 conversation will take place at Pilgrim House UU Fellowship. (Merging Waters uses the Pilgrim House building for some of its programming.) See key details below for directions.

I don’t want to lose anyone with this change in location, although I anticipate some will decide the new location doesn’t work well for them. I’ve enjoyed the synergy of Zion’s Tuesday evening activities and being right in my own neighborhood. But the reality is that my best chance to increase the reach of my work lies closer to Merging Waters and on the internet. I do hope some of my Saint Paul /Minneapolis friends will drive north or join by Zoom!

Rhythm. I want to establish a rhythm to Second Tuesdays. Perhaps once each quarter I’ll make a more formal 30-40-minute presentation, followed by Q & A and discussion. These polished presentations will be occasions to present my work to a wider audience, both in-person and on Zoom. On the Second Tuesdays in between the quarterly presentations, I’ll host more informal conversations around climate, collapse, and other topics discussed on my blog. These will also be accessible by Zoom, although I’ll “market” the formal presentations more aggressively to a wider audience.

The goal is to create a schedule that sustains the commitment to ongoing conversation among a smaller group, while providing me with the regular opportunity to present more complete portions of my work to a growing circle of people, both locally and across the country. (There is a Unitarian Universalist group of folks who are engaged with topics of social-ecological collapse. Without limiting my focus to the UU sphere, I’d really like to get my work in front of them and contribute to that conversation.)

So, those are my thoughts. On July 9, I’d like to hear yours. If you’ve attended any of my first eight sessions, what about the content or format during this first year has been important for you? What about the ideas laid out above excites (or concerns) you? These programs are an expression of MY work, but that work includes YOU. Your input is critical as I shape Year Two. Please come!

Key details:

• When: Tuesday, July 9, from 6:30-8pm.
• Location: Pilgrim House Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1212 Hwy 96 W, Arden Hills, 55112.From St. Paul, take Snelling north past 694 (at which point Snelling becomes Hamline), continue north on Hamline to County Hwy 96 (stoplight); turn right (east) on Hwy 96 and in just a quarter mile you’ll see a sign and a right turn into the Pilgrim House parking lot. The building is accessible by a ramp.
• Zoom! To attend by Zoom, go to Merging Waters home page (it still says “Michael Servetus Unitarian” while we complete the legal name change) and click on the “Our Zoom Room” box.
• These evenings are no cost to you. Each month I set out a donation basket if you feel moved to put in a couple dollars to support my work. But all that I truly ask is your presence and participation!
• RSVP is optional but much appreciated, whether coming in person or by Zoom (email me at drw59mn@gmail.com). This helps me make sure the room is set up appropriately.

I hope you can join me on July 9 when Second Tuesdays go on the Road … and on the Web!

~David