Village Square launches 14th season of God Squad with music
The Village Square’s God Squad will be back beginning at noon Friday, Oct. 27, to kick off its 14th year of high-minded conversations on current controversial topics at the intersection of faith and politics — as they continue to (respectfully) ignore our moms’ advice to never discuss politics and religion in polite company.
For people of faith or no faith at all — because talking politics wasn’t hard enough —the God Squad is proof of the great things that happen when people of goodwill engage respectfully across their differences.
During the 2023-24 season, the politically diverse faith leaders will wade into challenging topics and use their trademark “go high” approach, with both daytime and evening offerings:
Oct. 27, 2023 from noon to 1 p.m.: Shut Up and (Don’t) Sing? The first program takes a look at the recent furor over Jason Aldean’s “Try That in a Small Town” and Oliver Anthony’s “Rich Men North of Richmond,” just two examples of the ongoing difficulty in communication across our cultural divide. Tickler: Like the rest of us, God Squad doesn’t agree.
Nov. 30, 2023 “God Squad at Night” from 5:30 to 7 p.m.: Ending the Cycle of Mean. In America these days, we’re not just increasingly sad and lonely, with rising “deaths of despair,” we’re becoming more mean to each other. So what’s that all about?
Feb. 23, 2024 from noon to 1: Everyone is Canceled. Our ugly political divisions have blinded us to the deepest underpinnings of living in a pluralistic society, where legitimately held beliefs are respected, even when they clash with our own. So how’s a person to live free in a culture that's struggling with an identity crisis?
April 18, 2024 “God Squad at Night” from 5:30 to 7 PM: Seeking High Ground in the School Wars. Here's a vast understatement of the situation: The culture wars have Officially Hit Our Schools. When you clear away the noise, at the core of the struggle is this: what should our schools teach our children, and who decides?
God Squad regulars, who maintain respectful and durable friendships despite their differences of opinion, include: Father Tim Holeda of the Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More, Pastor Latricia Scriven of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Dr. Gary Shultz of First Baptist Church, Pastor Joseph Davis, Jr. of Truth Gatherers Community Church, and Reverend Betsy Ouellette-Zierden formerly of Good Samaritan United Methodist Church. Joining God Squad this year is Rabbi Paul Sidlofsky of Temple Israel.
In association with these large God Squad events, The Village Square is supporting smaller gatherings across the Tallahassee community as a part of a New Pluralists “Healing Starts Here” project to build hometowns where all citizens belong and thrive.
Some small groups will meet to more deeply discuss this year’s God Squad topics, while others will discuss podcasts, take trail walks and even “Stitch ‘n Bitch.” Interested in joining a group or even forming your own? Check out the options at villagesquare.us.
God Squad programs are $10 (free registration option available) and a reservation is required. To get more information about God Squad or to reserve your seat visit tlh.villagesquare.us.
If you go
What: Village Square's 14th year of “The God Squad” series
When: noon-1 p.m. first event is Friday, Oct. 27
Where: Various locations across the community, see individual event listings for details
Website: tlh.villagesquare.us/events/god-squad/
Tickets: Donation of $10, free ticket option available
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Village Square launches 14th season of God Squad
