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Join us for the return of our annual SOS (Sense-Making at Old Swedes) Lenten Discussion Series, held in partnership with Root Quarterly. This year, we will be talking about how stories help us to make sense of the world, for good and ill. For example:

  • What are the stories that we tell about relationships? Do we expect to find fulfillment in a perfect romantic partner? And what are the benefits or harms of the rugged individualism prized in so many American stories?
  • What are the stories we tell about value? How are we affected by stories that treat capitalism as an inherent good, and communism as a constant threat? What value do we place on age or on youth? Is faster always better? 
  • What are the stories we tell about meaning and purpose? How do we think about the theoretical balance between life and work? Why are so many people captivated by conspiracy theories like Q'Anon? What stories motivate us to get out of bed? 
  • How do we distinguish between good stories and bad stories? What are common elements in stories that are used to manipulate or control people? What kinds of stories lead to hope or to despair? Do we more often define ourselves by what we are "for" or by what we are "against"? 

This discussion series will be held on Tuesday evenings, beginning on February 24 - at 7pm in Riverside Hall. All are welcome to join us beforehand for our weekly Musical Meditation series, and a light supper will be provided at the disucssion series. Participants are welcome to drop in and out as their schedules allow - you don't need to attend every session to be part of the discussion.