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I'm actually quite interested but it isn't a real option in regards to this specific way of talking to each other. There are other methods to facilitate that part of the conversation, the blog, forums, facebook group, twitter, etc. I have, regrettably, very little control over the issue of time zones.
Most of the people involved in this have jobs, families, etc.. they don't have universal availability. Not unless, as you say, they want to get any sleep or work, etc. I'd love to involve as many people and as many perspectives as possible, but the ideal of that cannot get in the way of what will actually work. I'm not going to try to make it at a time that allows for our few European friends to be involved that is at the expense of 20 people here. If it was the other way around, it'd be the same way - I'd make the meeting at 1 pm and the Americans would have to just deal with it.
There might be things in the future where we can pull off an international chat, but right now I'm essentially working with a 7pm EST - 11pm EST window because that is what the people who wanted to be involved could do.
And through some of the more international channels of the Emergent church movement as well as my own connections to other religious people in Europe and New Zealand, I've made it clear that our setup is available to all who might want to create such groups on a local level as well.
I'm not sure what about my answer makes you think that my attitude is so U.S. centric.. it's a pragmatic and honest answer. You're the first European (and we do know quite a few, but this wasn't their cup of tea or something they could do right now) who has been interested but at the moment it isn't something I can accommodate as much as I'd like to, unless I alienate everyone else.
If you have some better ideas, I'd be happy to hear them and if they work, happier still to implement them.
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