The Vibrant Health & Intimacy Manifesto

I penned this in early August 2014.  It seems right to share at this solstice turning point near the beginning of another calendar year where the soil of our hearts are ready for new dreams and creations to germinate and flower.

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I want more perfect days like this.  Not perfect carbon copies of warm sun, light breeze, and ideal weather for the season.  Perfection in the balance of care, goodness, giving-receiving.  Each unique in its own way.

I wish for more strength to persevere in my goals for personal care.  May the time I spend singing, playing, praying, writing, and creating be fruitful a thousand fold.

I want to be more vigilant, proactive about the bedtime I keep.  More rest is an important part of self-care and I include it in the same list as above.

I look forward to a sense of closeness with someone I trust and adore.

I will be content with the friendship and family connections I treasure now and strive to practice authentic presence and support with each.

I will care for this physical body I've been given with more meals thoughtfully prepared and served, exercise that invigorates the body and clears the mind.

I want to practice more forgiveness of myself and others in the work I do and create while being unflinching in my commitment to good visions, missions, and values guiding the way.

I wish to create environments that are safe for play and experimentation for others to go a little bit farther than they thought they wanted or could.  For others to be comforted they are not alone, that whatever they are working through there is a group of caring folks surrounding them with support through listening, sharing stories, and plain being present.

 

I wish to be a guide for others to go deeper in a variety of spiritual practices for mindfulness.  I wish to be open and accepting of others wherever their path leads them to in this moment.

My wish for vibrant health and intimacy is my manifesto.  I will give 100% of my best energy this body and today's circumstances has to offer.  I will judge this moment on its own merit. 

I will love myself as I love others. 

Free Art Friday Twin Cities!

What do you get when you graft arts & crafts with a scavenger hunt in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area on the near weekend? 

Free Art Friday Twin Cities! 

This Friday, Dec 12, I plan to hide this recent creation. Clues will be posted at http://Facebook.com/groups/FAFTC and using #FAFTC on Twitter. If you find it, please let me know! 

I hope you consider hiding one of your creations. It's a lot of fun! 

Cheers!  C-

Open Choral Masterwork Sings

From John Hoffacker

 

Join us for Open Sings on Wednesday evenings in July at the Church of the Epiphany in Plymouth. Each week it's a different choral/orchestral masterwork, raising funds for a different charity.  

We welcome all singers and instrumentalists! Orchestra and chorus rehearse at 7pm for an hour. After a very brief talk from the charity's representative and some delicious refreshments, we come back and take it from the top, no stopping. 

 

Wonderful soloists and a full orchestra, all volunteer!

Bring your own score or borrow one at the door. 

The church is air-conditioned, and the dress is casual.

 

Here's our schedule for this summer:

• July 2: Vivaldi Gloria - charity: CARE, the international relief organization
• July 9: Handel Messiah (excerpts)  Mozart edition - charity: Can-Do Canines, training & providing service dogs
• July 16: Mozart Requiem - charity: Natl. Alliance on Mental Illness
• July 23: Haydn  Lord Nelson Mass - charity: Nets for Life, providing mosquito nets to fight malaria
• July 30: Brahms Ein deutsches Requiem - charity: City House, connecting with people on the margins of society

Church of the Epiphany  4900 Nathan Lane N, Plymouth  [map]

just west of 169 at the 49th Ave N exit

Summer 2014 Music that Makes Community Leader Practice Sessions

Open to those who 1) want to practice their paperless song leader skills or 2) want to sing and create beauty in the aural tradition. 

Dates: Saturdays, 11 a.m.-12 noon 

 - June 7 (beware there may be a garage sale also going on during this time!)

 - July 19

 - Aug 9

Location: Saint Mary's Episcopal Church, in the sanctuary nave

1895 Laurel Avenue (at Howell)

Saint Paul, MN 55104

If you're interested in practicing or participating but these times and locations don't work for you, don't fret!  These times are only for the summer!   Drop an email to Conie(at)SaintMarysEpiscopal(dot)org.  Those interested in this work in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro will create a fall-winter-spring schedule together. 

Keep singing! 

For more details: http://www.musicthatmakescommunity.org/

Paperless Community Sing: Wed, 5/14 & 5/15

The Music that Makes Community project by All Saints Company kicks off its 2.5 day workshop on doing paperless music in worship today at Christ Church Lutheran in South Minneapolis. If you haven't signed up for the workshop, but are intrigued by this "paperless" adjective, stop by the church Wednesday & Thursday evening to get a taste.  

Date & Time: 7:30-9pm, May 14 & 15

Location: Christ Church Lutheran, 3244-34th Ave S, Minneapolis 

http://www.allsaintscompany.org/

http://www.musicthatmakescommunity.org/

* Disclaimer: I am one of the seven co-leaders for the workshop this year. 

Grace Notes rehearsal, Mon, Jan 6, 2014: Canceled.

Grace Notes' rehearsal for Monday, January 6, 2014 is cancelled due to the extreme cold.  

Please join us in two weeks on the third Monday of the month, Jan 20, from 7-9 p.m. to learn more about singing at the bedsides.  More details at http://pointsoflightmusic.blogspot.com/p/grace-notes-hospice-choir.html

May your 2014 be filled with songs of comfort & peace.