An update on The Telos Table

For those of you who have been on a Telos trip, two of the most enriching parts of the experience are gathering as a community over a meal (often with the ‘other’), and debriefing and processing over conversations back on the bus.  Our new program, the Telos Table, brings these elements back home to mobilize post-trip engagement and strengthen the network of active peacemakers in the pro/pro/pro movement.  Each Table is a community gathering over a meal and a discussion on a curated topic around active, nonviolent peacemaking, including suggestions on real-world, real-time actionable commitments for peace in both Israel/Palestine and here at home.  

We piloted the Table concept over the last six months to wonderful reception and feedback. As one participant put it:  “I love the idea of the Table as a really intentional way that Telos is working to keep the relationships and conversations going.” Another reflected that “the Table is a space to have and explore hard conversations on hard topics”. 

In light of recent policy events, such as Secretary Pompeo’s announcement on settlements, it is ever so important to have difficult conversations and continue the work of waging hope in the face of seemingly intractable problems.  At Telos, we know know that “impossible problems” – like Israel/Palestine – have been transformed many times before, and that each one of us is part of the constant making and remaking of this world.  The path of peacemaking is hard, very hard, and it will need us to continue coming together and forming new relationships to solve these problems.  

One thing you can do to continue this work is join us at one of these Tables.  We are ready to take what we have learned from the pilot round and launch into 2020 with new topics and new ideas, but we can’t do this without your support.  Sign up to attend a dinner, or even join our network of highly-trained Table hosts, trip alumni ready to step into a more active role of peacemaking.  Along the way, we hope you’ll find that seeking peace is always the right thing to do.  Especially when it seems impossible. 

To learn more about the Telos Table or to sign up to be a host, please contact David.