Submitted by Huddle Lopez Island

Ever find it hard to have a conversation about a controversial subject? As part of Compassion Lopez Month, Huddle Lopez Island (www.huddlelopez.us) invites you to a true community conversation “Share, Listen, and Learn: A Conversation About Guns.” Join fellow Lopezians from 6–8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 29, at Grace Church Hall for a roundtable and potluck dinner and, for students, an art project at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 30, at the Lopez Island Family Resource Center.

The Friday evening conversation will ask participants to explore how their personal experiences have helped shape their attitudes about guns, gun ownership and gun safety. The group will seek to understand different points of view about guns and to identify the common denominators regarding gun ownership and safety. We will also look at the advantages and disadvantages of gun legislation being considered in the current Washington state Legislature.

Facilitating this community conversation will be Donna Stringer, a social psychologist with over 40 years of experience working with teams to find common ground on difficult subjects, who is associated with the Seattle-based group, Grandmothers Against Gun Violence.

Bring your stories, a potluck dish to share, and your own plate, utensils and beverage. Free child care will be provided.

The second event, for island youth, is offered at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 30, at the LIFRC Family Area (upstairs) at 23 Pear Tree Ln. Students will be invited to design and create a banner expressing their feelings about guns and gun safety. GAGV member Barbara Bishop-Sand, a clinical and educational psychologist with more than 35 years of experience working with families and children, will be facilitating. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information about Grandmothers Against Gun Violence, check out its website at https://www.grandmothersagainstgunviolence.org/.