Oct 26: DUP and more in West Central MN

Details are still in the works, but it's sounding like I'll be leading Dances of Universal Peace in Morris, Minnesota on Thursday evening, October 26, 2017.  Yay!

I'll be in Willmar, MN the night before, leading songs during worship at Vinje Lutheran Church and I'm looking to fill my time in West Central MN with offerings of Full Voice group workshops or lessons, Dances of Universal Peace, spiritual direction/companionship, or installing a temporary labyrinth or facilitating a Doodling workshop. Would you like to see these in your community?  Know someone in the area who would like to this?  I appreciate any referrals you can pass along. 



Stay tuned for more details!

Oct 9-13: Labyrinth at UST

The Project for Mindfulness & Contemplation at the University of St. Thomas asked me to install a temporary labyrinth for their Mindfulness Week.  Here's the flier they created for the event.  Please come and walk it!  It is open to the community.  When it gets closer, I'll give more directions on how to find the labyrinth.

Oct 17: DUP at Cross Roads, NJ

I'll be in New Jersey October 16-18 assisting in Music that Makes Community's 3-day workshop at Cross Roads Retreat Camp and Center. 


The logos of Music that Makes Community
and Dances of Universal Peace
overlapping, cross-pollinating!

I'm especially excited for Tuesday evening, October 17 when I'll be leading an hour of Dances of Universal Peace for the MMC participants.  I love it when I get to cross-pollinate my work areas (thus, the overlapping logos here:)

If you're in the area and want to check it the 3-day retreat, or know someone on the East Coast who is looking for musical enrichment or professional development, send them!  Registration ends Sunday, October 8. 

And if you want to check out the Dances for the evening, reach out and let me know. 

Oct 25: Willmar residency, part 2

Last night I got to lead paperless songs, a la Music that Makes Community, at a Wednesday evening Eucharist service at Vinje Lutheran Church, in Willmar, MN at the invitation of their music director, John Jahr. 

I was invited to lead #paperless @musicthatmakescommunity songs here tonight. #thanksJohn! Their sanctuary in the round is quite amazing. Built in 1963 on the plains of central MN. #beforeitstime #youshouldseethestainedglassinthesunlight This is the quote that rings the sanctuary with names of the saints to the present written above in yellow with two empty spaces for the recently departed and you/me. #incredible "Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith."

A post shared by Conie Borchardt (@pointsoflight_mu) on Sep 27, 2017 at 5:41pm PDT

Music that Makes Community logo

Highlighting Liesl Spitz





Our Sing Harmony, Hungry Hearts (SHHH) in the Library guest song leader for October is Liesl Spitz.  We have a common background in Music that Makes Community, the organization that is enriching and revitalizing the songs of the church with paperless, aural tradition techniques.  I had the fortunate blessing of collaborating with her for a half day workshop at Concordia College, Moorhead earlier this month and am just thrilled that she is able to join us in October.

We're grateful to Peggy Johnson and Church Music at Concordia Moorhead for inviting Music That Makes Community to be part of Sing a New Song 2017! Conie Borchardt and Liesl Spitz shared a half-day workshop with musicians from around the area and had a great time modeling paperless music and leadership practices. #concordiauniversity #moorhead #minnesota #paperlessmusic #mmc #musicthatmakescommunity #leadership #churchmusic

A post shared by Music that Makes Community (@musicthatmakescommunity) on Sep 12, 2017 at 10:17pm PDT

---------------------------------

 

Points Of Light Music (PLM):  Tell us about yourself. 

 

Liesl Spitz (LS):  Hello! I am a recent transplant to the Twin Cities. I’m on the path to ordination in the Lutheran Church, and for the next two years I’ll be working at Trinity Lutheran Congregation in Cedar-Riverside and Nonviolent Peaceforce in St. Paul. I’m originally from San Francisco and come to Minnesota by way of the east coast.



Oct 5: SHHH with MMC's Liesl Spitz

The October edition of Sing Harmony, Hungry Hearts!
(SHHH!) in the Library is

Thursday, Oct 5, 2017, 7-8:30 p.m.

with guest song leader Liesl Spitz!

Stopping at the Tennessee Roadhouse while on a roadtrip (#asyoudo) and you know you're in the right place when you're name is on the board inside the door. #yourewelcomehere

A post shared by Conie Borchardt (@pointsoflight_mu) on Sep 8, 2017 at 5:36pm PDT

East Side Freedom Library
1105 Greenbrier St., St. Paul

Thank you, East Side Freedom Library!

A free-will offering will be collected for the guest song leader and the space.
Suggested amount is $5-10 ~ though don't let that amount keep you away.
  

Singing in the Light, Fall 2017 with Doug von Koss on 9/18

Points of Light Music recommends Singing in the Light, the community song circle Barbara McAfee hosts, because they has been so influential to us. So yump (that's a Barbara word) on in and find yourself joining in...

 

Barbara McAfee and Doug von Koss

What: Singing in the Light - Community singing for everyone in the oral tradition....just for the joy of it!

Where: Hennepin Ave United Methodist Church,

the 2nd floor Art Gallery,

511 Groveland Ave, Minneapolis

When: 4-6 p.m. (unless otherwise noted)

• Monday, September 18, 7-9 p.m. - with the irresistible song wizard - Doug von Koss
• Sunday, October 22
• Sunday, November 12
• Sunday, December 3
• Sunday, January 21

Suggested donation: $10-$20 (but don't let money keep you away....)

An ongoing fundraiser for community programs at Mar de Jade Holistic Lifestyle Center, Chacala, Mexico (And the Minnesota Men's Conference Scholarship Fund on 9/18/17).

 

Sept 9: 1/2 Day MMC Workshop in Moorhead

Want to experience the paperless Music that Makes Community for worship settings?  And live in the Fargo-Moorhead corner of Minnesota-North Dakota? 


You're in luck! 

I will be co-leading a half-day workshop with Liesl Spitz as part of Concordia College's

Sing A New Song: A Day of Discovery, Renewal, and Refreshment for the Church Musician.

When:  Saturday, September 9, 1-5p (with morning breakout sessions on organ improvisation, choral techniques, audio recording basics, and software for the church musicians)
Where:  Concordia College, 901-8th St. S, Moorhead, MN

Registration and more information on Facebook. 



Highlighting Lia Falls

Lia Falls, Sept 2017 SHHH Guest Leader

Prolific sound and songweaver Lia Falls will be our guest song leader at Sing Harmony, Hungry Hearts on Thursday, September 7 at the East Side Freedom Library.  We asked her a few questions to get to know her better...   

--

Points Of Light Music (PLM):  Tell us about yourself:

Lia Falls (LF): I am an artist, a mother, a hospice Devoted Companion, end-of-life harpist and singer,  a lover of in-between places.  BFA, MFA, Yoga of the Voice certificate, Full Voice coach, Contemplative Musicianship certificate....I love to study and explore.    I am fascinated by emptiness and how actions push into it, shape it.  I love questions.  How does sound shape the silence?   How do we, as humans, dwell in sound and silence together?  

I am in love with oral tradition.