Sunday Series Event #2: June 7, 2026

This past Sunday, Sunday Series took the potluck to a whole new level! Attendance nearly doubled, with 34 people coming to the latest event. Most people came already knowing someone else. One neighbor, Mary, did a great job in spreading the word. She managed to get two sets of couples, which were her next door neighbors on either side of her house, to come with her and her husband! There were many new faces, but also a good number of returners. 

The event seemed especially fun for the returners. Having familiar faces around the potluck led to the furthering of connections between some. One Chemist, Dick, who works for UC Berkeley, even prepared a chemistry crash course to give to another attendee who just wrapped up her chemistry course in college.

One set of parents and their kids returned. But this time, there were other kids and new parents there too! The back corner of the room turned into a kids-zone! This was where the four children were able to hangout with one another and eat their meals.

Throughout the event, I was able to talk to a variety of people. I made the intentional effort to speak to nearly everyone who came to the event. The event started with mingling, as everyone said hi to one another. Then, during mealtime, I sat at a table with complete strangers. I did not know any of them. I was able to learn plenty about the people I shared the table with: Frida, Mike, Christine, Rosie, Katie, and Taryn. Eventually, as people finished dinner, they began to mingle once again. Thai gave me a chance to mostly hangout with the kids that were there and their parents.

One thing that made this event so successful was the lack of technology involved. As a group, very few people were on their phones. If they were, it was only for an instant before they returned to the potluck. The lack of cell phones made it easier to approach new people and strike up conversation; no one was distracted by their phones. Otherwise, people could hide behind the comfort of their screens. Like a sign saying “Do not approach me.” The lack of cell phones could be based on age. Many of the attendees were older, at least 50. These are people who had lived a while without a cell phone, and thus they may be less addicted to a phone than younger people. It would be interesting to see how the event changed if mixed in the group were many millennials.

The event was a success, and the growing number of attendees is a promising sign! I hope that, through continued word of mouth and good retention, the next event is even bigger than the last! The warm feeling I get when I see the room filled with stories and laughter cannot be unique to me. Each person has an important part to contribute to the success of these events. Whether they brought food or just their curious, interesting self. The more people that come, there will be a greater number of connections, and a space of inclusion and community forms. I look forward to seeing what comes from the next event.