Skip to Main Content

Braver Angels Discussion

Location: Friendly Tap, 6733 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn,

Braver Angels

Braver Angels: Building Community & Talking Across Divides 

Neighbors exploring ways to depolarize communities and the nation.

This event is co-sponsored by the NIC Advocacy Partners (Part of the ARTF) and Braver Angels of Illinois.

Two Options

  • Western Suburbs

    • Thursday, August 1
      6:30 - 8 p.m. 
      Friendly Tap, 6733 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn
      Thank you to those who participated. See the recap below.

  • Rockford Area

    • Thursday, August 29
      6:30 - 8 p.m. 
      Garrett’s Restaurant & Bar, 1631 N Bell School Rd., Rockford
      Online Registration

Join us to socialize and share your concerns and hopes for your community and the nation with neighbors from the community.

*Tickets are Free
Donations Help. Use promo code BRAVER during registration to get a free ticket. Donations beyond the free ticket support Braver Angels, a 501(c)3.

The Program:

  • 6:30-7:00: Socialize with neighbors and discuss why you are attending the gathering and your hopes and concerns for the nation and your community.
  • 7:00-7:45: Learn about Braver Angels methods of bringing people together, our American Hope Campaign, and Illinois planning around the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee and Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Q&A throughout.
  • 7:45-8:00: Meet neighbors, find common ground, discuss the problem of toxic politics and what we can do about it as individuals and a community!

Invite an Elected Official or a friend who differs from you politically – let’s bring people together for a chance to experience the broader community.

We can turn our locations into a bipartisan café for one night, listening to each other respectfully and expressing ourselves without trying to convert others to any viewpoint. You will leave knowing new neighbors and actionable ideas for changing our toxic politics – you will leave with hope for your community and nation.

Braver Angels is a volunteer organization active in all 50 states with a mission to depolarize our bitter political culture.


August 1st event in Berwin

On Thursday, August 1st, the Advocacy Partners, a sub-group of the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church Anti-racsim Task Force, partnered with Braver Angels of Illinois to host a gathering at Friendly's in Berwyn. We turned Friendly's into a bipartisan space for one night, listening to each other respectfully and expressing ourselves without trying to convert others to any viewpoint. We left knowing new neighbors and having actionable ideas for changing our toxic politics – as well as hope for our community and nation. 

News & Announcements

Administratorsm

Fall 2026 Webinars on Church Finance and Administration

Just as last year, the conference finance and administration office is offering a host of webinars to help churches with finance and administration. Topics include 2027 b…

Rockford Christ Vbs Foam Smaller

Rethinking Vacation Bible School: Faith Formation Beyond the Traditional Model

Vacation Bible school has long been a summer tradition in United Methodist churches, bringing children together for Bible stories, music, crafts, g…

Terciojunker

The Joy, Justice, and Community of Worship

At the World Methodist Council conference, Aug. 13-17 in San Salvador, El Salvador, Rev. Tercio B. Junker had the privilege of serving as director of liturgy and music, helping to sha…

Mattsmithcropped

The Value of Pastoral Renewal Leave

Rev. Matthew Smith recently returned from a renewal leave. He explains that it is more than a vacation; it is a time to deepen one's relationship with God.

Print