One day a week during specific times of the year, a group of us get together to discuss books, educational videos or an interesting experience that will broaden our scope of wisdom and understanding. This group is made up of people from many walks of life. We have doctors, lawyers, retired government appointees, people from cultures outside of the United States, speech writers, pastors and people from various other paths.

We get together with the excuse of discussing various "tools" (books, videos and more) that bring us closer. This group started around twenty years ago. Some folks have moved away and others have joined in. When we are honest, we will admit that we come together because of the nourishment we receive from our discussions. We keep coming back because we are being fed by the relationship and communion that occurs when we join and listen. We share and respect each other and the ideas that are expressed. We are being fed and quenching our thirst through fellowship. We encourage and lift one another in wonderful ways.

There is a reason this group gets up, often before sunrise, to come together. There is a shift and churning that can occur when people open up to one another. The discussion can get incredibly lively and invites us to look deeply into our own lives when it comes to the question "Why"?

We laugh and joke about hoping to find out "the answer" to life. We are learning that being content with living "in the question" can be very satisfying.

We gather at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church Parish Hall in Middleburg, Virginia. The Parish Hall sits next to the chapel. There are many offerings in this location. This has been a repeated pattern for those who are familiar with Emmanuel. The church has had a mission to reach out to the community. This is a place of gathering for anyone who may be interested in bringing a group together, coming for church service, 12 step programs, yogalates classes, a private time of prayer, the annual Christmas shop, EFM (education for ministry) classes and other outreach programs are offered throughout the year.