"Perhaps being together doesn't need a plan to justify it. Perhaps I'm still learning what it means to stay."

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Neighborhood notes, presence, and shorter reflections from San Francisco.

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Close-up of an older man with long gray hair and weathered features, gazing with quiet intensity — a face that holds a long story.

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Anas Journey of Presence

Ana came to Proxima during a season when life felt rushed and disconnected. Work, family, and city life left little room for stillness or deep relationships. ...

May 28, 2026Values
A young woman with a red braid smiles warmly across a café counter, relaxed and present in conversation with someone across from her.

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From Third Person to First Name

God transformed how I see people turning distant categories into beloved names and teaching me that real love begins face to face.

May 28, 2026Growth
Two people seated across from each other at a café table in San Francisco, mid-conversation, one listening without rush.

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When Being Together Stopped Needing a Reason

A question around a kitchen table that wouldn't leave me alone. On presence, productivity, and what it actually means to be with someone in a city that never slows down.

May 28, 2026Presence
Articles

Recent Articles

Long-form essays and deeper reflections on faith, presence, and life in the city.

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Two young adults sitting cross-legged outdoors sharing a meal — the kind of encounter that closes the distance between strangers.

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The People I Used to Walk Past

In his early years in San Francisco, Mike Edwards saw unhoused neighbors as a public problem. A Labor Day spent grilling with them in Golden Gate Park began a reorientation. This article traces the two relationships every San Franciscan is already building and argues that in a post-Christian city, spiritual formation often runs horizontally before it runs vertically.

May 28, 2026Personal Essay
Individuals banded together to protest hoping that power is in numbers

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Nobody Knows Where the Power Is

San Francisco runs on the conviction that power is real, locatable, and worth chasing. This article traces that conviction from a British politician who spent his career looking for it, to the ancient city of Ephesus — another power center — where a first-century follower of Jesus named Paul discovered something unsettling: that the power he carried worked differently from the power everyone else was after. Drawing on the work of C.S. Lewis and the historical record of early Christianity, the article argues that the desire for control and the desire for genuine transformation are not the same thing — and that the latter tends to arrive through an open hand rather than a closed fist.

May 28, 2026Insight
Two people sitting on a bench, listening to one another, intent on hearing each other

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The City That Fills Every Silence With Something To Do

In a city as fast and optimized as San Francisco, activity has quietly become the assumed purpose of spending time with another person. This article examines how urban pace reshapes how people relate to one another — turning presence into a byproduct of productivity and leaving many people lonely despite full calendars. Drawing on observations from daily life in the city, it argues that genuine attention to the person in front of you is not a passive act but a deliberate, countercultural one — and perhaps the place where connection actually begins.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Find everything you need to know about Proxima Cafe and membership.

Why do you have a membership?

Proxima Cafe is designed for a particular audience with specific interests. Membership keeps the platform focused and allows us to offer gated content that supports a positive, intentional experience.

Is there a free trial available?

Not at this time. Proxima Cafe offers a free membership that provides access to all public content and all items labeled Member-only.

What is the difference between the Free Membership and the Premium Membership?

The Free Membership provides access to all items labeled Member-only. Premium Membership unlocks Premium items and the commenting section for each item. Premium also requires payment authorization so we can verify members and better protect the platform from misuse.

Does the membership expire?

Free membership does not expire. Premium Membership stays active through the end of the billing period unless it is canceled or billing is interrupted.

What is your cancellation policy?

Premium memberships can be canceled at any time. Access continues through the end of the current billing period. If a refund is requested mid-period, we issue a prorated amount minus a $5 processing fee.

How does billing work?

Premium billing is handled securely through Memberstack and Stripe. You will be charged monthly by default, with an annual option available where offered. If you enter a valid promo code, the code may discount your checkout or cover the full Premium cost.

What do you offer Proxima Partner donors?

Current recurring donors to Proxima Partners receive free access to Premium Membership. Email host@proxima.cafe to receive the promo code.

How can I help support the Cafe?

Proxima Cafe is an online resource platform for Proxima Partners, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Tax-exempt donations help sustain the Cafe and its member resources.

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How do I change my email address and/or password?

Open your account dashboard, then use the Memberstack account options to update your email or password. If you need help, email host@proxima.cafe.

Still have questions?

Reach out anytime at host@proxima.cafe.