The Open Table KC

It’s no secret that COVID-19 has further exposed the underbelly of the beast in our nation— systemic racism. The ripple effects of this pandemic are layers deep, yet our nation’s response further perpetuates white supremacy culture. The Open Table Antiracism Trainings hosted a Facebook LIVE discussion on racial inequity amidst COVID-19 & the church’s role in addressing injustice during a humanitarian crisis.

April 22nd marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, a day meant to remind us of the many gifts earth brings as we advocate for conscious environmental justice and protection. We will explore the intersections of earth care, self care, spirituality and the interconnectedness of all creation. What does the Buddhist tradition have to teach us about the interconnectedness of self and earth? Listen in as Sergio Moreno invites us into deep spiritual practices of caring for the world around us.

Every quarter at The Open Table we like to slow down, take a deep breath and recenter ourselves. Join us as we finish up our series, Embracing our Whole Selves, with a refreshing, contemplative gathering in the spirit of the Taizé community.

In order to adapt to the new realities given the COVID-19 pandemic, this gathering is offered online. Check out this blog post for a self-guided, contemplative liturgy. Also, we are including a guided meditation by Sarah Pickrell for you to participate in.

Grief manifests in more ways than just as a response to death. Our lives are made up of many moments of ambiguous, unnamable loss. In a culture where emotions are expected to be contained to certain events or locations, how do we allow ourselves to feel and move through this grief? How does it live in our bodies and communities? Listen in as we discuss the varying forms of grief and spiritual practices for grounding within it.

Art can be used as a tool of empowerment and identity formation. Join us as we explore art as community, identity and empowerment through the lens of developmental disabilities. Imagine That!– a local art studio that serves creative individuals with developmental disabilities– shares how they provide artists with the space and tools to define themselves.

Advent is a season of awaiting change: awaiting the birth of Jesus into a world of oppressive power; awaiting the birth of a renewed spirit & hope. The queer story is not unlike the story of Advent. To be queer is to be something outside of the world’s norms— to await a changed world that reflects the peace and power found in the Divine, through us. Tune in for our Christmas gathering!

Hope is inauthentic when we fail to acknowledge the oppression and trauma that exists in the world. Listen as we discuss how to embody a more grounded and authentic hope this holiday season.

Visual storytelling has been utilized throughout social movements as a means of documenting reality and disrupting systems. Stories invite us towards empathy, which has the power to shift narratives and change communities. It reminds us of our shared humanity, and calls us into deeper work together.

Join us as we hear from KC Tenants the important role visual storytelling has played in their work of building a multiracial tenant-led movement.

Public art plays a significant role in our world. It is an invitation for community involvement— where one is encouraged to question and discover. In light of our current immigration crisis, we have seen art used as a form of protest in public parks, urban spaces, and even along the US/Mexico border. What may seem like a paradox of hope & despair, actually engages us in reimagining another narrative where human dignity can be restored.

Join us for a conversation with artists Israel Alejandro Garcia Garcia and Enrique Javier Chi as they share how their art reflects the immigrant experience and the fight for justice.

The world is rapidly changing and disappearing at the hands of humans. Our easy consumption driven lifestyle has resulted in communities, such as those in the Amazon, being destroyed and ravaged. In the face of fast production and convenience, how can humanity participate in healing mother earth and one another? Join us as we hear from local poet & activist, Mary Silwance. She will be sharing the power behind lament as a means of activism– the work of grieving & healing our planet.