
walking in wisdom together, one meal at a time
Way Collective is a conversational contemplative community valuing both love and liberation. We are rooted in the Jesus wisdom tradition, and our community consists of people from many spiritual paths.
Born in Santa Barbara in 2017, Way Collective emerged from a longing shared by many people: the sense that there has to be a more compassionate, connected, contemplative, and meaningful way to live together in the 21st century. A way beyond rigid religion, polarization, loneliness, and culture wars. A way grounded not in fear or certainty, but in love, curiosity, presence, and shared humanity.

Today, Way Collective is part of Kin Commons — a growing contemplative and justice-centered spiritual commons rooted in the belief that all are kin.
At Way Collective, we are less interested in policing beliefs and more interested in cultivating shared practices and values that help us become more awake, compassionate, connected, and courageous human beings together. We believe spirituality is not primarily about having all the right answers, but about learning how to live deeply, honestly, lovingly, and responsibly in relationship with ourselves, one another, and the world.
Our community includes people from many backgrounds: progressive Christians, contemplatives, doubters, seekers, mystics, interfaith practitioners, spiritual-but-not-religious folks, recovering evangelicals, lifelong churchgoers, artists, activists, skeptics, and people who are simply longing for belonging and meaningful connection. Whoever you are, you are welcome here!
WHAT IS A WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIKE?
The heartbeat of Way Collective is our weekly Dinner & Dialogue gathering every Wednesday evening. It's easy. Grab a meal, pause for contemplation, and join the conversation. There is a suggested (not required) $7 donation for food, and you can roll in any time between 5:15 - 6:15 to get something to eat.
We begin around tables — sharing a meal, slowing down, reconnecting, and practicing the lost art of presence in community. From there, gatherings often include contemplative practice, poetry, music, teaching, reflective dialogue, storytelling, silence, and shared wisdom. The emphasis is not on debate or performance, but on authentic conversation, listening, and transformation together.
These weekly gatherings are the primary place we ground our lives in Love together for the work of Love in the world. Here, we'll also share community announcements and keep you up to date with all the goodness that's happening in the Way Collective community.
Gathering Times
When
Every Wednesday Evening
Where
2101 State St (and on zoom at 6:15)
What to Expect
Dinner from 5:15-6:15
Dialogue from 6:15-7:30
Children's care & program are provided.
Sign up for our newsletter for the weekly Zoom link and community news.
WAY COLLECTIVE is a
CONVERSATIONAL contemplative community
FOR LOVE AND LIBERATION
At Way Collective, we:
• Ground our lives in Love in a community centered on loving and liberating contemplative Christian practices.
• Grow in Love through dialogue with people from diverse traditions who share core values.
• Work for Love by cultivating the common good in Santa Barbara and beyond.
Way Co Scholarship
In 2025, Way Collective established an endowed scholarship with the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, entitled the “Way Collective Equity & Empowerment Scholarship.” This scholarship helps fund the education of students with the greatest financial need in Santa Barbara County, with special preference given to students of color, and is awarded in perpetuity on an annual basis.
a Place to BE, Belong, and Become

Privacy Policy
All Content © Kin Commons 2026
(805) 979-5089
2101 State Street




