Robert V Taylor, Cornel West, Tavis Smiley, Carrie Newcomer, John Dominic Crossan, Kathleen Norris, and One Little Church

Queen Anne United Methodist Church has started a new ministry called "The Well, a gathering place for conversation." Born out of a belief that a more just and compassionate society is made when we engage in dialogue over time and in community, "The Well, a gathering place for conversation" aspires to facilitate such conversation.

The ministry began with a small, four-week Bible study led by Wes Howard-Brook and Sue Ferguson Johnson.

It continues on April 18 with a dialogue with Robert V Taylor about his new book "A New Way to Be Human." Please reserve your tickets now. 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM.

Tavis Smiley and Cornel West will join invited guests for a private lunch to discuss justice and community. They will be in town promoting their new book "The Rich and the Rest of Us: a poverty manifesto."

Record unemployment and rampant corporate avarice, empty houses but homeless families, dwindling opportunities in a paralyzed nation—these are the realities of America, land of the free and home of the new middle class poor. Award-winning broadcaster Tavis Smiley and Dr. Cornel West, one of the nation’s leading public intellectuals, take on the “p” word—poverty. They challenge all Americans to re-examine their assumptions about poverty in America—what it really is and how to eradicate it.

Pick up your tickets to see them during the evening of April 24 at the Neptune theater in Seattle.

Then, on May 12, Grammy winning recording artist Carrie Newcomer will join us to lead a workshop called "Our Lives as Sacred Story" and perform an evening concert. Described by Barbara Kingsolver as a "poet, storyteller, snake-charmer, good neighbor, friend and lover, minister of the wide-eyed gospel of hope and grace" as well as by Rolling Stone, "a voice as rich as Godiva chocolate," Carrie Newcomer may be a name you don't know, but it is one that you should know. She has toured with Alison Krauss Europe and she wrote the song Grammy winning song "I Should've Known Better," which was recorded by Nickel Creek. Her most recent album is "Everything is Everywhere," recorded with master of the Indian classical sarod Amjad Ali Khan and it benefits the Interfaith Hunger Initiative. She is currently collaborating with Parker Palmer in concert and retreats based on his book "Healing the Heart of Democracy."

Her workshop is limited to 30 people. Reserve your place now. Also, reserve a ticket for her concert at 7:30 PM on May 12.

Over Memorial Day weekend, John Dominic Crossan will be on site to lead conversations about parables and the kingdom. He will preach Pentecost Sunday as well.

We begin June with Kathleen Norris on June 6.

The whole year is lined up with recording artists, poets, scientists, dreamers, law makers, activists, Bible scholars, educators, and theologians.

But, in the end, the conversation is only as rich as the questions of the people who show up. The core of this ministry is that it is "intimate space, big conversation." Bring your whole selves and engage with your neighbor in struggling for a more just and compassionate world.

And, the conversation is just getting started.

For more information, please check out our website.