What is Estuary?
Paul Vander Klay and John Vandonk created the Estuary as a new way to have meaningful conversations with people in a small group setting. To learn more about Estuary check out the www.EstuaryHub.com.
Estuary Explanation from John Vandonk
Perhaps you wonder: What actually happens at an estuary event?
Glad you asked!
An estuary event is a two-hour conversation, but not just any conversation. We especially welcome people from different ideological backgrounds, different religions, different political persuasions, different perspectives on current events, in other words, we appreciate intellectual diversity, and we really like intellectual honesty and free expression.
Our goal is to listen and learn, and perhaps even learn to love.
We use a protocol that encourages mutual respect and openness to new ideas.
There is no pre-determined agenda. Nobody comes with a prepared lesson. In a rather unique democratic fashion, each participant puts a topic on the table, and then we decide together which topic(s) lend themselves best to having an interesting and productive conversation during that session.
Therefore, each session is different, because each session begins with new topics, as shared by whoever is present for that session.
So if you were to join us for any given event, you would be able to put your favorite topic on the table, alongside the topics of every other participant, and then we would decide together which topic seems most interesting to proceed with. It could be yours!
Of course, no-one should feel pressured to contribute. You can always pass, and just observe what happens.
We like to deal with what we call the big questions of life, like morality, justice, or any other difficult question in the news today, but, to be clear, no topic is off limits, whether it is about religion, or personal relationships, or how to make friends. In the past we have delved into topics like abortion, mental health, homelessness, and even psychedelic mushrooms! On rare occasions even God makes an appearance (as a topic)!
Anyway, hope this helps explain what we do in estuary. Perhaps you can join us one of these times.
You, too, would be welcome. No need to RSVP. Just show up if you feel like it.
Find an Estuary Meeting Near You
To find or start an Estuary visit: EstuaryHub.com
Estuary Playlist
Here is Paul’s playlist with any video that talks about Estuary in some way.
Estuary Playlist.
The Banner’s Estuary article
The book team was able to get permission to reprint The Banner’s Estuary article. Click the button below to read it online.
Books about Community
Here is a list of some books on how to build community or on community in general.