MICHIGAN ESTUARY
A place for meaningful conversations.
About Estuary
What is it for?
We are creating a space for real, deep, and meaningful conversation.
"...the model for civil association is not enterprise but conversation, which is not a means to an end, but an end in itself, an association that is purposeful without purpose and which confers the attachments without which no society can endure." - Roger Scruton Fools Frauds and Firebrands
What is it like?
For some their estuary is like:- A garden of relationships tended over time to bear good fruit
- A place for mind aerobics
- A place for stretching our beliefs and understanding, to find our hard and soft stops
- A gym of intellectual and philosophical exercise
- A gathering of old friends
- A gathering of new friends
- The place they learn to listen and hear
- The place they learn to ask better questions
What makes us different?
Principles
- Keep a radically open-mind
- Understand That People Are wired very differently
- Understand That People are always changing and learning
- Explicitly secular - we embrace and welcome both non-theists & theist
- Freedom of thought, belief, and expression
- Group facilitators are servants. We do not lead with mandate; we live as an example.
- Each group is self-supporting and self-governing.
- Principles before personalities.
Meeting Format
We share meeting format regardless of location or facilitator. Each meeting starts with a welcome and introduction by the facilitator.Then we go around the circle three times. During this first more formal part of the meeting, please keep your sharing intentionally focused and refrain from cross talk.1. Introduce yourself, share how long you have been connected to the group.
2. Share what is on your mind: propose subject(s) of conversation using the topics as a guide.
3. The final time around share which ideas presented you would like to see discussed.After the third time around the circle the meeting will be open for discussion.
What do we discuss?
We offer the following topics as a way to identify something you want to propose but you can bring anything you feel is worth sharing and having a conversation around.
intellectually - propositional
What have you been thinking about recently. This could be from a conversation you had, a book your reading, a video you saw, or a lecture you attended.
contextually - perspectival
What has happened in the world recently. This could be from your neighborhood, church, workplace, nationally.
personally - participatorial
What has happened to you since you last saw the group. This could be a significant life change, important milestone, or personal reflection.
estuarially - procedural
Any thoughts on your participation in the group or its impact on your life. You can also share your feedback or thoughts on the the estuary as a whole or the specific group you attend.
What are the rules?
- Do unto others as they would want done to them- Assume ignorance or lack of skill over malice or ill intentions- Respect each other's right to hold differing views- Set political correctness aside to ensure a free flowing dialog- Respect the agreed upon meeting format