ELYSBURG - Everything from politics to prayer will be featured at a new weekly event called Lifetree Cafe starting Sunday at Elysburg Presbyterian Church, 320 W. Valley Ave.
The group's inaugural discussion, set for 7 p.m. is entitled "Inside the Gun Debate: To hunt? To defend? To assault?"
Lifetree Cafe, or "conversation cafe," is part of a national network of locations that offer participatory events related to life and faith. It is intended as an hour of "stories and conversations to feed the soul," said local director Kathy Vetovich. The hour typically includes a short original film and guided conversation.
"It's sort of like a live, local talk show, with an inspirational twist," Vetovich said.
Topics may include such things as loneliness, immigration, health, angels, guilt, prayer and life after death. The exclusive documentary-style films feature everyday people with unusual stories, as well as nationally known figures.
National Lifetree Cafe founder Thom Schultz said in a press release provided by Elysburg Presbyterian, "We engage people of all ages in a national conversation through local Lifetree Cafes as well as a robust online presence."
The organization's website, LifetreeCafe.com, invites visitors to participate online in the same topical conversations that occur each week at the live venues.
"We've found that people today want to participate in the conversation. It's not enough to simply hear someone lecture on an important topic. People want to share their thoughts, ask questions and tell their own stories," Schultz said. "Lifetree offers a safe place and time to do that."
The discussion will feature filmed interviews with Tom Mauser, whose son died at Columbine High School, and Michael Lang, a concealed weapon firearms instructor.
Admission to the 60-minute event is free, and questions about Lifetree may be directed to 672-2873 on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LifetreeCafeAtEPC, through Vetovich at 672-9346 or by e-mail at kvetovich@gmail.com.