Every fall the Lumunos staff gathers to begin talking about the upcoming year’s program theme. In the brainstorming we always ask some version of the following questions: What is going on in the world? What are the needs out there? Where is the intersection between what people need and our mission? 

In hindsight, I realize now that asking those questions was a version of what became our theme for 2023—listening. At our best, when we ask questions, we are saying that we want to listen. I realize that this is not always true, and that there is a kind of question-asking that represents anything but good listening. But it was our questions and subsequent listening that brought us to what I think is a relevant and important theme for the year. 

This is the thing about listening—it usually leads someplace good. Not 100% of the time—I have heard hurtful things at times I didn’t want to hear. But most of the time my listening has led to growth and understanding. I can’t say the same thing about my talking. The end result there has been, well, not great at times. But our theme this year is based on the belief that the world will be a better place if we all improved our listening.

So I hope you can join us for some of our programming around Courageous Listening. We plan to explore different kinds of listening: To other people of course; but also listening to our emotions and bodies; listening to nature; listening to the needs around us and listening for God in the midst of all of it.

Join us!

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