Our Saviour’s ‘Courageous Conversations’ series seeks to spark discussion, action

Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Naperville is aiming to connect education with action in a new, open-to-the-public discussion series, “Courageous Conversations.”

The series, which kicks off Wednesday, April 17, will delve into topics that “are more gray than black-and-white,” says Our Saviour’s Associate Pastor Ben Sloss.

The first of these will be life today in Israel and Palestine, which will be the focus of a three-week discussion series in partnership with Bright Stars of Bethlehem, the church’s mission partner.

Bright Stars is a Chicago-based nonprofit that supports Dar Al-Kalima University, the first and only university of arts and culture in Palestine; Bright Stars leaders will share Palestinian students’ stories and films as part of the “Courageous Conversations” series.

It will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the church’s Celebration Campus, 919 S. Washington St.

Each evening will begin with a light communal dinner. All ages are welcome; activities and crafts will be available for young participants. The evening’s featured presentation and an opportunity for discussion will follow dinner, with each night wrapping up by 8 p.m.

“Our world is full of heartbreaking situations,” Sloss said. “And again and again, Jesus shows up among the hungry, the naked, the jailed, the poor and the outcasts. Our Saviour’s cannot keep silent when it comes to showing the world that God is at work even and especially in the midst of these challenging situations.”

Planned for later this year is a “Courageous Conversations” series on Christian nationalism and church and civic life.

Our Saviour’s has two campuses in central Naperville at 815 S. Washington St. (next to Edward Hospital) and 919 S. Washington St. (Celebration Campus). For more information on Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, visit oursaviours.com or call (630) 355-2522.