By: Edir Coronado
The Summit community once again welcomes the Chalkboard Conversations, presented by the United Methodist Church in Summit. Each year the volunteers at UMC place a large chalkboard in front of the church, with a question posted and allows all who wish to answer.
The first question is posted by Senior Pastor Shawn Callender Hogan, the chalkboard is meant to be interactive and for residents to become heavily involved, so after the first question is posted, citizens are asked to create their own questions. The questions are open ended and promotes thought provoking responses. Like the response to the question, “What would you ask god”. A unanimous participant wrote on the chalkboard; “Why did you have to take my son away?”
The chalkboard only goes up during the summer season, when people are more likely to be out and about, but has become so popular that residents often ask why not keep it up the entire year? Pastor Hogan feels that although the board serves the community well it has its time and should be taken down, to allow people to dwell on the writings on the board. This year, the first question posted for the community was “Where is your favorite place to find peace?” already people have responded with comments like; on the dance floor, on my yoga mat, and nature walk with my dog. The board has a calming vibe, in that it allows you to express yourself freely, without judgement.
