We believe in-person gatherings are a countercultural act – a way to maintain our humanity in a world that can feel far from humane. We gather to reflect, connect, and build community.
Spring 2026 COS Gatherings
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Three months and going strong! This weekly meet-up has become a ritual participants rely on to make it through the week. Twenty minutes to quiet the mind, body, and spirit. NEW: Virtual option now available! With Jenny Magic
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Is it hard for you to set aside time for the personal projects you know would nourish your spirit? A photo album or slideshow? Letters or notes to let someone know you're thinking of them? Maybe even planning a trip or an experience? Let's make time, together, to combine the personal + community. We'll check in, then set a timer for an hour of quiet time, then wrap up together before heading back into our regularly scheduled lives, hopefully having enjoyed some "me" time, connection, and community support. With Emily Erickson
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It is a unique kind of challenge that brings up feelings of duty, love, confusion, frustration, exhaustion, and gratitude - sometimes all in one day! Caring for aging or ill parents is throwing some of us for a loop. Let's gather to support one another, build our collective strength, and simply acknowledge how hard this is – together. With Susie Nienhuis
Susie Nienhuis is a mom of two (11 and 15) and a former graphic designer — and like many of you, a daughter doing her best. Three years ago her mom had a stroke and her dad is currently facing a major surgery to remove a pancreatic cyst. Right now, she's in the middle of helping her parents transition out of their home and into a retirement community. She's joining us not as an expert, but as someone walking this road in real time.
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What if we fully embraced the intersection of our passions, skills, gifts, and values? How would that shape our careers, creative pursuits, and engagement with our community? Or inform how we hold space for joy and presence in our day-to-day lives? This interactive workshop will give us a chance to gain clarity into where we’ve been, are now, and where we would like to grow, with renewed appreciation for the gifts and experiences that make each of us singularly unique. With Anne Bannister & Christina Dunigan
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Collage is an accessible way to respond to your creative impulses, relax, reflect, and play. In this workshop, we’ll cover a few fundamentals of composition, color, and adhesives, then set you free to create a few small-scale paper gems–think postcards or bookmarks. Plus, we'll end with collaborative collage. A variety of vintage and handmade papers will be available, or you can bring papers that are meaningful to you. Fee: $10 for materials; pay host upon arrival. With Paige Booth
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Maybe you've heard a family member, someone at your church, or perhaps Amy Phoehler reference it? Come see what all the buzz is about regarding this ancient tool for self-discovery and spiritual transformation. You'll take a quiz prior so you can be ready to go deeper on your type and how to interact with other types. With Emily Buchanan
Emily Buchanan is a church professional who has studied the Enneagram for more than six years. She is a self-proclaimed personality-type junkie and is fascinated by learning more about herself and those around her, but what makes the Enneagram special is the opportunity for growth and transformation beyond type. She holds a BA in Communication & Sociology and an MA in Communication Studies.
Join our COS Gatherings Email List
We send out invitations for in-person Austin offerings every few months. Be the first to receive the announcement! We know one of our topics will speak to you.
We hope to see you soon.
Gather (verb): Bring together from scattered places. Draw in.
We offer the following gathering services:
You Come to Us
Connecting Our Stories develops and hosts gatherings in our space throughout the year. We meet about topics that are on our hearts to reflect, ideate, learn, and grow together.
We add new offerings all the time. See above for our latest offerings and to join our invitation list.
We Come to You
COS can bring our inspiring gathering content and create a spirit of belonging and community for your group or team.
Sample topics:
“Living Into Our Purpose Workshop”
“Courage From the Heart”
“Embodying Our Values”
“Untangling Our Work and Worth”
“Human-Centered Storytelling”
We Help Build Your Gathering
Does your organization seek to bring people together around an idea, campaign, cause, or simply to listen?
We can help dream up, design, and develop gatherings that center humanity and build community.
COS Gatherings Feedback
“I valued the structure with a focus and the balance of authentic sharing, connecting, and learning. I really enjoyed the diverse group of participants.”
— KA
“I so appreciated the care and detail that went into both the invitation and to the welcome at the gathering. It was such an inviting space to enter into and I knew exactly what to expect.”
— KN
“. . . just loved the intentionality and the thought-providing experience. I reflected and shared about this experience with some of my friends..”
— EE
“The way this program unfolded was like reading a good novel. The author of this community event had planned in advance how the topics would unfold, and the order in which they did, the gravity with which they flowed, was an unveiling of wisdom and heart for all that were in the room.”
— MK