Prince of Peace presents an opportunity to build compassion:

Join us for Table Talks: Get to Know Your Neighbor Events! 

Table Talks are presentations and discussions meant to foster connection, empathy, and understanding in the community. They are always free to attend. We welcome you to experience Table Talks at Prince of Peace.

We lean into our theme: "Rooted in Christ’s love, we will grow and cultivate a thriving mycorrhizal network, characterized by faithful awareness, bold hope, and empathetic action." Over the course of the year you will hear stories that stretch across our city, county, country, and globe.

Check back in the fall for new topics and speakers

RSVP HERE

---

"...build longer tables, not higher walls." 
-José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen

An Event Series to Foster Communication and Understanding in our Community

"Table Talks: Get to Know Your Neighbor Events" is the passion project of a small group of volunteers that want to grow positive relationships and interactions. There is no better way to foster relationships than by sharing a table. 

RSVPs Required

RSVPs are required for each event. 

Structure

Participants will gather in our Fellowship Hall at 6:30pm. Participants are invited to a meal, while listening to a speaker. Over dessert, and as long as they wish, engage in conversation about what you heard, and actions you hope to take.

Get Involved

This series is all about building relationships in our area. We welcome participation and suggestions!

Volunteer to help with a meal or event

Suggest a speaker or topic

---

Past Events

​​How Community Becomes a Force for Good: Pastor Jill Rode from St Paul, MN  has been and is on front lines of the ICE resistance. Her stories include being present at one of the initial ICE raids at a paper plant (well before the clear community cohesion against ICE occurred).  She shared her experience mobilizing her community while leaning in to Dr. Kings non-violence lessons and methods.

---

​Being in community and caring for each other is more important than ever.  Rev. Dr. James Brooks, Senior Pastor at Harmony Community Church in Chicago Illinois created the non-profit Harmony Community Cares to better grow their ability to serve the community around the church in ways most needed. 
**NEW - This presentation was recorded. View it Here

---

Turning Despair into Hope. Bob D, local Saratoga resident, shared how he was inspired to travel into Ukraine, assisting with humanitarian work. He talked about tapping into your passion, and your network, to do more good in a broken world.

---

Depolarization: Coming Together in Divisive Times focuses on understanding how human decision making affects actions and political identity and how humans can talk to each other about politics in a productive way. Mediator Janet Chance, led the presentation, before we practiced difficult conversations with our table mates. 

---

Sean Garcia, a licensed therapist who offers training, consultations, and speaking sessions on gender affirming care and being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community presented facts about what it means to be trans, dispelled myths, and helped us build empathy.

---

Linda Evans & Tracy Ortman of Bright Stars of Bethlehem, provided insight and tools to have hope and take meaningful actions in the holy land.

---

Dr. Farid Senzai, professor or political science and international relations at Santa Clara University, gave a brief introductory lection on the history and complexities of Middle-East conflict.

---

Amigos de Gualdalupe, Center for Justice, shared some of the stories and struggles related to immigration. 

---

Why is homelessness so pervasive and persistent in the Silicon Valley? 
This panel discussion of local community service non-profits share their observations and we discuss what can be done to improve the situation.

---

What would make you flee your homeland? 

This powerful panel discussion featured political refugees from Turkey that have resettled in our area. 

---

Terrance Howard was raised in a fatherless home and has personally suffered the effects of fatherlessness. He founded Empowering The Fatherless to embrace, support and empower the fatherless by equipping them with life skills, effective communication/speaking skills, and financial skills, so that they may real the benefits of living a well-rounded and fulfilling life. 

---

Photo courtesy of Japanese American Museum of San Jose jamsj.org

Yoshiko (Nakahiro) Kanazawa was in the first grade when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Her family lived in Pasadena where her father, a gardener, could not believe Japan would do such a thing. A few months later the whole family was relocated to a camp in Arizona for the duration of the war. Yoshi's parents  didn’t blame the American government. Hear how one family navigated this tragic period in American history.