Dialogue Institute

09/01/2026

Among the many things for which Thomas Jefferson was renowned are his “Feast of Reason” dinners, where people gathered at Monticello to respectfully discuss the civic issues of the day. Inspired by this precedent–and given the current polarized and inflammatory state of civic dialogue in our country–Carpenters’ Hall, in partnership with the Dialogue Institute at Temple University, will host a “Feast of Reason” dinner series reimagined for our time.

Over a family-style meal, participants will be guided through a brief history of our evening’s topic, followed by a respectful and thoughtful discussion, guided by experts. Each meal will include 24 participants and will be held at Carpenters’ Hall from 6-8 pm.

Learn more and register here: https://www.carpentershall.org/events/view/feast-of-reason-september

08/27/2026

Open to all PA educators: PA Story Project - a state-wide classroom exchange! Join us for a Zoom orientation session on September 2nd at 5:00 PM. Participation in this project is free and scalable to fit your classroom. Learn more and register here: https://dialogueinstitute.org/pastoryhome

PA Story encourages students to engage with differences and take in new perspectives while learning from their peers. Through virtual and in-person exchanges, students will see how their personal narratives contribute to Pennsylvania’s legacy of religious freedom, , and civic life.

Each participating classroom will be paired with a reciprocal classroom in another part of Pennsylvania, so students can learn from and connect with peers in the same grade in a different geographic area. This exchange is intended to broaden students' perspectives and to give them a sense of how students connect to PA culture and history in other parts of the state.

08/26/2026

Space is limited, sign up soon! 📣 Carpenters’ Hall, in partnership with the Dialogue Institute at Temple University, is hosting a “Feast of Reason” dinner series.

Our first meal on September 10th will address public monuments and statues. Participants will discuss the question “How should communities decide what monuments should stand and what should be taken down?” Yannick Trapman-O'Brien from Monument Lab will be present to help provide context to and guide the conversation.

When: September 10th from 6 - 8:00 PM
Where: Carpenters' Hall
How to Register: https://www.carpentershall.org/events/view/feast-of-reason-september

08/24/2026

📣 SECOND SATURDAY TOURS: Join us on Saturday, September 12th, for a fun in-person tour exploring Germantown’s rich history!

This two-hour walking tour will begin at Market Square at the corner of Church Lane and Germantown Avenue (across from Uncle Bobbie's Coffee and Books) and follow Germantown Avenue along the northern edge of the Germantown Colonial Historic District, highlighting the various religious and intellectual groups who were present in early Germantown, including Quakers, Mennonites, Moravians, Reformed Lutherans, and natural scientists.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1997149092698?aff=oddtdtcreator

Join us for a fun in-person tour exploring Germantown’s rich history!

08/23/2026

Join us at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church on Monday, September 21, from 6:00–8:30 PM for a special screening from In Pursuit: Philadelphia and the Making of America, the landmark documentary series exploring the people, movements, and defining moments that shaped both Philadelphia and the nation.

Following the screening, guests are invited to stay for a powerful conversation with Katie Oxx, PhD, Father Chris of St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church, and Pastor Bill of St. George's United Methodist Church. The conversation will be moderated by Dave Krueger.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-pursuit-philadelphia-and-the-making-of-america-tickets-1995497062431?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

08/18/2026

REGISTRATION OPEN: September 10th from 6 - 8PM! 📣 Carpenters’ Hall, in partnership with the Dialogue Institute at Temple University, will host a “Feast of Reason” dinner series reimagined for our time. Over a family-style meal, participants will be guided through a brief history of our evening’s topic, followed by a respectful and thoughtful discussion, guided by experts.

Learn more and register here: https://www.carpentershall.org/events/view/feast-of-reason-september

Among the many things for which Thomas Jefferson was renowned are his “Feast of Reason” dinners, where people gathered at Monticello to respectfully discuss the civic issues of the day. Inspired by this precedent–and given the current polarized and inflammatory state of civic dialogue in our c...

08/07/2026

Calling all PA K-12 educators! The Dialogue Institute is supporting the Pennsylvania Department of Education in a story exchange and dialogue program for students.

The program aims to build bridges of connection and understanding among students across geographic and cultural lines. For example, a high school in rural Cumberland County will be paired with an urban school in Northeast Philly. The Dialogue Institute is providing resources to help teachers guide students in exploring how their diverse family backgrounds, cultures, and journeys have shaped the Commonwealth.

Many thanks to Rep. Jared Solomon and Rep. Barbara Gleim for initiating this important bipartisan project!

Our first teacher/school orientation session is on Monday, August 10th. Join us! Register Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/-MMvCbJ7R6ekWCq4x_6rBg #/registration

07/29/2026

On July 29, 1794, the Mother Bethel congregation, initially called Bethel AME, held its first official service. The Church sits on the oldest parcel of land continuously owned by African Americans. It is also one of the nation’s first formal African American Christian congregations, as well as the mother church of the broader African Methodist Episcopal Church denomination.

The story of Mother Bethel begins with Richard Allen, a formerly enslaved minister who converted to Methodism at the age of 17. Allen was recognized as a gifted preacher and was invited to preach at St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church in 1786. Allen grew the Black congregation at St. George’s until white leaders imposed segregated seating, confining Black members to the balcony. Allen and Absalom Jones eventually led most of the Black members out of the church in protest of this discriminatory practice.

Allen purchased a plot of land in 1791 at the corner of 6th and Lombard, anticipating the founding of a new church. However, Absalom Jones and many other participants in the fledgling community preferred to affiliate with the newly formed Episcopal denomination, which had broken away from the Anglican Church. Allen remained supportive of Jones.

Richard Allen later purchased a blacksmith shop, which he arranged to be moved to the plot of land at 6th and Lombard. Allen asked Bishop Francis Asbury to support the new church, and Asbury preached the dedication sermon in the blacksmith shop on July 29, 1794. Allen was ordained as a deacon in 1795, making him the first Black minister to be ordained in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

To learn more about Mother Bethel, download the Religious Freedom Trails app! Visit www.religiousfreedomtrails.org/app to learn more.

07/24/2026

Opportunity Alert for PA K-12 Teachers! 📢

The PA story project is a PA Department of Education initiative that encourages students to celebrate their lived experiences situated within PA’s historical context. It highlights the diverse stories that make up our PA classrooms.

Join us Monday, August 10th at 5:00 PM on Zoom to learn more. Hear from PA teachers already engaged with the PA Story Project to find out how to participate in this state-wide classroom exchange.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/-MMvCbJ7R6ekWCq4x_6rBg