Hays Christian Church is offering a new connection opportunity for area residents called Lifetree Café.

Lifetree Café is designed to be a place outside of the church where people can come together to have real, judgment-free conversations with their friends and neighbors.

The small group dialogue centers on a nationally produced video production that covers a different topic each week. The free program lasts just one hour and is meeting at Breathe Coffee House, 703B Main Street, in Hays, at 7pm every Thursday night.

The first meeting will be on February 11. The topic is “Conquering Conflict: Healthy Ways to Tackle Disagreements.” The episode features interviews with Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott, whose relationship-building work has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, Oprah, and the New York Times bestseller list.

“The average married couple argues about small, nagging things as much as 312 times per year,” said Les Parrott. “What matters is how we fight, not whether we fight.” He also said fighting fair helps all relationships, but marriages suffer most when couples employ dirty tactics. “Ninety-three percent of couples who fight dirty will be divorced within 10 years.”

Participants in this Lifetree Café program will gain practical insights and skills for fighting fair, as well as connect with others in the community. Lifetree Café is not a church – there’s no singing, preaching, or public speaking. It’s really just designed to be a place for people in our community to connect to have genuine, relaxed conversation. If that sounds like something you’d like to do, join us Thursday!

Later this month, on February 18, the topic will be “Loving Those with Cancer.” On February 25, the topic is “The Things We Love.” For more information, visit hayschristianchurch.org, call 785-625-0094, or email [email protected].