Unlikely Friends: Telling Stories over Lunch

October 6 from 1-2 pm

@ Common Grounds, 480 Rugby Road

JOEY KATONA grew up in a liberal Jewish home in Los Angeles.  During high school, Joey spent two summers at the Seeds of Peace International Camp in Maine, where he met Omar Dreidi, a Palestinian camper his age. 

As an undergrad at the University of Virginia, Joey raised nearly $100,000 to finance the cost of Omar's tuition at Earlham College.  The two friends graduated in 2010. Read the story of Omar and Joey's friendship in UVa Today here .

On October 6, Joey Katona returns to Charlottesville in the company of another unlikely friend, Cary Umhau, a Southern Christian grandmother with whom he founded Spacious, a Washington, DC-based movement of people taking chances on others outside their usual circles. 

Joey holds an MS in conflict resolution and has served on the board of Offender Aid and Restoration.  He currently leads Corporate Social Responsibility for Eagle Hill Consulting. Cary is a community builder and the author of Burning Down the Fireproof Hotel,  which includes stories of Cary's and Joey’s adventures and the genesis of SPACIOUS.

YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN JOEY & CARY for a community lunch on Friday, October 6 from 1:00-2:00 pm at Common Grounds (480 Rugby Rd/the corner of Rugby & Gordon at the UVa IL Beta Bridge bus stop).  

Joey and Cary will tell of their own unlikely friendships--and talk about the power and the joy of friendships formed across lines and beyond expectations.  

The lunch is intentionally welcoming and open to one and all--so please come and bring friends.  We want to know you!  

Following lunch, a group of us will be hosting from 3-4pm public Flash Table down on the Corner by University Baptist.

We'll be setting up a beautiful revolving table of hospitality for 12 at a time - with linens, china and homemade pies. Invitations will be given for passersby to sit down, have some pie and talk with one another.  

Friday, October 6 comes at the beginning of the weekend celebrating the Bicentennial. After enjoying Pie, consider walking over to east of Brooks Hall across from the Corner between 4 and 6pm to see the future site of the Memorial for Enslaved Laborers at UVa.

RSVP karen@theologicalhorizons.org.  Need more info?  Email Karen Marshkaren@theologicalhorizons.org or text her at 434-466-1342.