Friends,

Circles represent symbolic wholeness. At moments of great crisis and disequilibrium, Jung understood that circles may appear in our dreams, as ways of reflecting the greater order that underlies our experiences of chaos. 

In early November, a group of wary Houstonians gathered for a tough conversation around a set of round tables in a large hall at Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston. They came from across the political spectrum to discuss complex issues with people who disagreed with them. Depending on the table, participants discussed either freedom of speech or immigration, in a set of structured dialogues led -- but not controlled -- by moderators at each table. The founders of this dialogue were unlikely allies: Republican City Councilmember Julian Ramirez and his chief of staff, Democrat Leah Wolfthal, who met while they were both running for the same council seat. Councilmember Sallie Alcorn has joined them as a host. A third is planned for January 14. I’ll be there. The movement is growing. 

The round tables of the Bringing Houston Together initiative do not promise cheap or easy wholeness. They tell us that the work of coming together across deep rifts is risky and uncomfortable. And the bulk of the work is internal, as we open ourselves to honestly host the reality of those whose differences from us seem -- or may even be -- threatening to our most fundamentally-held values. Listening closely, not persuading or being persuaded, is the work our community has forgotten. It may be the hardest, most necessary work we have right now. 

Personal wholeness does not come cheap or easy, either. It's a life's work – or, rather, the way of a life lived with integrity. It involves walking toward what we fear, toward what disgusts us, toward those things we are sure that we are not -- except for that aching suspicion that, deep down, we are those things. It involves rejecting fantasies of purity to accept what is real. How do we accept what seems unacceptable about us? How do we live with it -- and not just live with it, but find what we've been missing, perhaps what we most need?

You may have noticed that circles have become a bigger part of our public offerings. These are not classes, but opportunities to sit across from each other and practice listening deeply to the mystery revealed through each of us. When our staff collects for in-person meetings, we gather in a circle. 

Our circle is growing. This fall, we hosted 20% more students in our public programs than we did last fall. That growth has come from the skill of our instructors, from the tightening of the weave among our committed, deeply caring staff. And from you, and your willingness to be transformed by holding our great, difficult questions together in community. Thank you for being a part of this circle. 

Please consider helping us expand the circle in 2026 with a meaningful gift to our annual fund. You can do that right now, by clicking here. And if you have already given, we are grateful.

Warmly,

Sean Fitzpatrick

Executive Director