“Turning towards community is hard because it’s not just about caring for others, it’s about divorcing yourself from the story about yourself you’ve worked so hard to craft.” - Garrett Bucks

Pollsters and professors alike still struggle how to describe the messy religious middle—those people who are neither firm atheists, nor committed congregation-goers.

Are they nones? seekers? spiritual but not religious?

It is difficult to describe people like me—maybe you, too—because we don’t really claim a specific identity based on our religious or spiritual life. For many of us, that institutional affiliation is precisely what we’ve been wary of in the first place! We’ve chosen a fluid, spacious exploration; a life of discovery.

And that works okay, until you have kids.

Suddenly, the questioning and exploring isn’t quite enough. Friends of mine have shared, sheepishly, how they feel like they’re failing as parents because they aren’t passing on the kind of community structure, moral clarity, and ritual life that they’d like to. Doing it alone is overwhelming, but no institution feels like the right fit either.

If that sounds like you—or a friend or family member—I hope you will check out Rooted in Values, a new eight-week course to support parents of kids aged 4-12:

• connect more deeply with their children,
• take stock of their values and spirituality,
• and practice mindfulness in their families.

My team at Nearness has just launched this offering, funded by the good people at the John Templeton Foundation—so the program is totally free.‍

How does it work?‍

Participants are matched into a small group with other parents to meet one hour every week on Zoom and work through expert-crafted conversations. We've also curated optional videos, podcast episodes, and readings to go deeper where you want to.

Small-group sessions will cover topics like incorporating meaningful rituals into family life, exploring how your own upbringing has shaped your values and parenting, and leaning into mindfulness techniques, especially during moments of conflict as a family. But, above all else, the experience is about connecting deeply with other parents, in a safe, vulnerable space.‍

How do I learn more?‍

My co-founder Alec Gewirtz is hosting a series of info sessions throughout January. The next one will be held on January 12th from 2-3pm Eastern Time, and you can find future dates for info sessions here.‍

How do I sign up?‍

You can register for Rooted in Values here. The intake form will help the team tailor the program to your schedule and experiences. This online program kicks off in the week of February 10th and finishes in the first week of April.

Thanks for checking it out. Happy new year :)