Meeting As We Are
Spaces for real conversation in real community
In a time of division, we’re trying something simple but bold:
To meet across differences not by debating or persuading—but by listening, speaking honestly, and staying connected.
Embedded Files
Our Core Values
Every person has inherent worth, dignity and complexity.
Every voice holds lived experience, dreams, and pain. We make room for all of it.
Understanding is more valuable than agreement.
We’re here to listen deeply and speak honestly—not to win or convince.
Vulnerability is strength.
Real connection and growth come through risk-taking, emotional honesty, and not knowing. Mistakes are welcome.
Power matters, and so does how we use it.
Power dynamics exist in all groups and must be consciously addressed. We work to create a space where everyone feels welcome, especially those whose voices often go unheard.
Relationships are living systems.
We’re here to cultivate the spaces between and among us—with care, feedback, reflection, and even playfulness.
Truth is Shared.
No one has the whole truth, and everyone has a piece of the truth. That's the spirit of democracy.
What We're Doing
Phase One
Phase One
Fostering relationships with people from both left and right-leaning communities engaged in building bridges of understanding and collaboration
Experimenting with practices that enable people to effectively communicate their truth while remaining open to truly hearing one another
Engaging emotional intensity in ways that respect and strengthen our common humanity instead of causing separation and conflict
Phase Two
Phase Two
Bringing people across the political spectrum together for generative dialogue aimed at deepening understanding of self and others
Our Current Exploration
We're hosting small gatherings using a simple structure that invites powerful connection
In small groups of 6–8, we create spaces to speak hard truths, listen across divides, and stay grounded in shared humanity.
Here’s how it works:
One person volunteers to be the Speaker.
As the Speaker, you name something you wish you could say to someone you disagree with.
One of the MAWA facilitators steps into their role, so you can speak your truth directly to them.
You request the response you most want to hear—and receive it.
You (and all of us) have opportunities to reflect and digest as we go.
You can participate or witness. If you choose to step into the Speaker role, you don’t have to say the perfect thing. Just be real.
Our Next Gathering:
Our Next Gathering:
Our first public gathering, on Thursday, June 26th, was
a nourishing success for all of us. Thank you to all who participated
in creating such a wonderfully rich and heart-filled space.
Our first public gathering, on Thursday, June 26th, was
a nourishing success for all of us. Thank you to all who participated
in creating such a wonderfully rich and heart-filled space.
Our next gathering is on Sunday, July 27th, from 2-5 pm.
Our next gathering is on Sunday, July 27th, from 2-5 pm.
Meeting location is in the Fairhaven neighborhood of Bellingham.
Details will be shared with those who register below.
Meeting location is in the Fairhaven neighborhood of Bellingham.
Details will be shared with those who register below.
RSVP using the form below.
RSVP using the form below.
Our gatherings are confidential. Respectfully held. Open to anyone willing to show up with care.
We invite (but do not require) and are grateful for small donations to help us cover the cost of the space.
Our gatherings are confidential. Respectfully held. Open to anyone willing to show up with care.
We invite (but do not require) and are grateful for small donations to help us cover the cost of the space.
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👉 Would you like to attend?
OR: Can't come to this one, but you're interested in what we're up to?
👉 Would you like to attend?
OR: Can't come to this one, but you're interested in what we're up to?
RSVP and/or join the interest list below.
RSVP and/or join the interest list below.
We’ll reach out with more details soon. There’s no pressure to commit.
We’ll reach out with more details soon. There’s no pressure to commit.
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Want to know more about who we are?
Some background information about our first 6/26 event:
Some background information about our first 6/26 event:
In today’s political landscape, there’s no clear roadmap for bridging the divide. We’re finding our way through intuition, lived experience, and bold faith. We know this kind of work takes time, patience, and thoughtful, incremental steps. The June 26 gathering was a test run of one such step. Here are a couple of things people said after the gathering:
This session helped me to get clear about what I want to say, and say it in a way that the other side can hear it. ~ Dave K.
I was surprised by how having this novel and open experience opened me up to information that was "waiting at the door" to come into awareness. Like it fertilized a dormant seed unfolding towards life in its own unique way. ~ Jan W
This particular event emerged from our conversations with Indivisible Bellingham, a local progressive group, and was shaped by the concerns and culture of that context. We’re also working on a parallel approach that resonates with conservative-leaning communities.
If this speaks to you, please do sign up below. Let us know how you might want to participate and/or contribute.
Interested? Curious? Want to attend?
Let us know in the form below.
Interested? Curious? Want to attend?
Let us know in the form below.
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