This issue brings you extended coverage of our first annual Transformative Visions
art, jazz and spoken word event, celebrating the power of the arts as
ministry and activism. We wanted to respond to the anniversary of the
U.S. invasion of Iraq in the prophetic tradition of offering both
rebuke and hope, providing a forum for the outrage, grief, healing,
insights, and joys of the community. In these times of escalating
violence, consumerism and division, it’s important to affirm that each
of us carries a creative vision. Within each of us is the power to
transform ourselves and our world.
Twelve Bay
Area visual artists displayed works affirming values such as dignity,
freedom, compassion, interdependence, peacemaking, justice,
transformation, and healing. Performers of poetry and conscious hip hop
served up original expressions addressing a variety of activist
concerns and carrying an empowering message of positive social change.
The jazz concert featured Sis. Destiny Muhammad, our beloved Harpist from the Hood, leading A Band of Angels
comprised of musical all-stars: Bobby Young (guitar), Tarika Lewis
(electric violin), Tacuma King (percussion), Troy Lampkins (bass), Bill
Norwood (drums), and Cliff Gamble (keyboards).
In
the weeks ahead we will be developing a multi-media installation on our
website to document the event and the many magnificent participants who
helped bring it to life. The "first round" is available on-line now. We
hope you will continue to visit as we add to this resource and that it
may provide inspiration for your own creative visioning. In lieu of our
usual feature articles, please click to visit the pages for ART, WORD, and MUSIC.
Heartfelt thanks to all who contributed to the success of the event – performers, artists, production team, and our many wonderful volunteers. A very special thank you goes to our business sponsors for their in-kind donations: Darrell Robinson and Sabrina Williams of Linen Life Park Avenue for gallery hosting; Mwamba Blakwomyn and Valerie Brown of Blak and Brown productions for event management; John Ellis of EIV Media for publicity; Selena Green of Sacred Birth Angels Childbirth Services for reception refreshments. And thank you to all who blessed us with their attendance!
Please note: If you or someone you know took pictures at the event, please contact us. We would appreciate copies (digital is fine) both for our documentation and to further develop the website. Thank you.
UPCOMING CLASSES
Part
of the mission of OneLife Institute is to offer classes and workshops
in community, seminary, and university settings. Currently I am
teaching a new course on mysticism and social change at the Graduate
Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. (See below.) This summer I’ll
facilitate a week-long intensive at Memphis Theological Seminary
entitled, "Deepening the Well: Resources for Ministry (and Life)." Also
offered this summer will be a new workshop on Jesus as a revolutionary,
at Inner Light Ministries in Santa Cruz. Finally, this fall in Oakland,
we will be bringing back our popular ten week community course "Howard
Thurman: The Growing Edge." For information on any of these, please
contact us or look for updates on the classes and events page of the website.
MYSTICISM & SOCIAL CHANGE
We
are now half way through the semester and a very rich multi-faith
exploration of the mystic ethos and its implications for social action.
Through readings, class discussions and student assignments, we are
seeking to discern what value and significance this worldview might
hold for how we face contemporary issues and concerns - both in theory
(how we look at, think about, articulate) and praxis (how we embody our
ethics and beliefs through every detail of the living of our lives). I
am particularly grateful for the momentum of the class pushing me to
continue work on my book addressing this subject.
SPIRIT, SOUND & SILENCE
Our next Spirit, Sound & Silence
retreat will be held on Saturday, April 28th. All are welcome for this
day of renewal and inspiration. Please see our classes and events page
for details.
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