Thru Jan 5/6: Wailing Hedge, Flagging Hope, and Prayer Flag Trees

Got laments?  We invite you to visit a couple of outdoor socially distant communal grief & hope spaces we created recently.  

In Morningside (Edina/Linden Hills, So. Mpls)

Wailing Hedge & Flagging Hope 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Conie Borchardt (@pointsoflight_mu)

Where:  4201 Morningside Road, Edina (map)

• Wailing Hedge is on the patio on the southeast corner of the building
• Flagging Hope is on the corner of Grimes and Morningside

More here... 

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In St. Paul (Highland Park)

Prayer Flag Tree

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Conie Borchardt (@pointsoflight_mu)

Where:  1807 Field Avenue, St. Paul (map)

• Prayer Flag Tree is next to the Field Ave driveway into the parking lot

When:  Both installations will be up until the 11th or 12th day of Christmas (January 5/6, 2021).  

Stop by to add your lament or your hopes anytime between now and then.  Invite others & share on social media if you feel so moved.  

Winter 2021 dates for Heart Songs

What: Heart Songs: Lament, Longing, & Love (a community space for you to bring your heart and your voice)

When: alternating Mondays, 6:30-8p CDT (05-UTC)

• January 4 & 18
• February 1 & 15
• March 1 & 15 & 29

Where: Online: https://zoom.us/j/431161455 (see call-in options below)

Gather for an informal singing time to re-center our hearts in community. Simple songs will be led paperlessly/taught by ear by Conie Borchardt, other song leaders, and you, if you have a song to share.

Join us. Bring friends.  (Signup for the email reminder here; select Heart Songs)

Songs will be about the human experience and in that way, spiritual in nature, but not specifically religious.

This is a space intended for self-care, however that shifts for you in every moment. Bring water. Come and go. Sit in a chair, lie on the floor, or stand as you need to.


--
Other Zoom options:
Meeting ID: 431 161 455

pw: 55416

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+13126266799,,431161455# US (Chicago)

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Meeting ID: 431 161 455

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acAqU9jgfc

Nov 19: Give to the Max Day for "Biracial & Rural"

Even though Biracial & Rural was shelved in 2020 doesn't mean the work is over. Far from it! Fundraising is still needed to make it happen. Would you join us for the ...

Great MN Give Together!

Offering Spiritual Listening

We make space for others to hear their life speak

It is a role I like to think of as "Assistant Spiritual Director," i.e., someone who assists another in listening deeply to what their life is calling them to become.  Others call it Spiritual Direction or Companioning.

As of Nov 2020, I have a couple of openings for new directees. Reach out if you're curious about the process, if we'd be a good fit, etc.

What is my training?  In 2016 I completed a two-year program called Transforming Soul & Society where I practiced being a good listener and did a lot of reading about east/west cosmology, active hope, and much more. 

Sessions could be in-person at the Carondolet Center in St. Paul (see picture) or online via zoom. Fee is $30 an hour and negotiable.

Officiating Weddings

If you and your beloved are thinking about getting married, are not interested in doing the typically church ceremony, and looking for someone to make it official, I might be your person. I am ordained through American Marriage Ministries* and my ordination is registered in Minnesota (i.e., I can marry you in MN).

My first wedding was my brother's in 2017. My last one was for a good friend on the North Shore. Maybe yours is next?

* Their belief is that everyone has the right to marry, the couple has the right to chose anyone to officiate, and all people have the right to solemnize marriage (my paraphrase).

Nov 6: A Space & Time for Holding Unknowns

Join us for an evening gathering to reflect on the election, regardless of the outcome (or, as is likely, lack of definitive outcome). 

What can we do to heal from the trauma that this election (and other events in this difficult time for our nation and world) have elicited in us? 

How can we move toward personal and collective healing—and the work that must be done, whatever that looks like for each one of us? 

We will gather to be with one another in a (virtual) space that is both safe and brave. 

Please bring a willingness to listen deeply and, if you wish, an offering—a song, poem, story, or other gift to share—that sustains or challenges you in these times. 

Nov 2: Leading Morning Grounding for MMC

  

We are leading the Monday morning gathering for Music that Makes Community this week.  

Join us for a weekly touchstone that includes singing, silence, sacred text, and community.  

What:  Morning Grounding:  Awakening & Centering in Community
When:  Mondays at 10a EDT (UTC-05) - 9a Central 
Where:  Online via Zoom.  Register here.

More details on facebook.

Read My Grandmother's Hands: Winter 2020-2021

 

We're hosting a book read of Resmaa Menakem's My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies*, with Edina Morningside Community Church (UCC) this winter.  

If you've read our Reflection for the UCC Musician's Association, then you know how transformative this book is.  

There's a few open spots and we're opening up it to the wider community!  Would you like join us?

Here's the details:  

Oct 11: BONUS In-Person Socially Distanced DUP at Como Labyrinth

 

Posted by Conie Borchardt on Thursday, October 8, 2020

Adam and I recently pondered the possibility of holding some Dances of Universal Peace outside, masked and socially distanced.  In Minnesota, the time for warm weather gatherings is dwindling, so we're hosting an impromptu gathering this weekend!  Join us if you're available.  

When:  Sunday, October 11, 2020, 2:30-4:30 p.m.
Where:  Como Park Labyrinth

Oct 2020: Dances of Universal Peace opportunities

Here's some opportunities to connect and build culture via the Dances of Universal Peace.  

As this time of social distancing forces events to reimagine themselves online, please take special note of time zones.  Here is a website to help you find your time zone:  www.thetimezoneconverter.com

Vocal Public Service Announcement: Mask Speaking Tips

Understanding someone speaking while masked is challenging!  

It doesn't have to be this way.  

In this video, we talk with our colleague Eoghan Carrick, about frustrating mask experiences and offer some tips to be heard and understood more easily.  

What ways have you found to make masked communication easier?  We welcome your experiences in the comments.

If this video was helpful, please pass it on!  Thank you for helping alleviate some of the frustrations during this challenging time.  

Reflections on George Floyd, My Grandmother's Hands, and me

Word cloud created from Prayers submitted at May 28 Online Vigil for George Floyd

We were asked by the Journal editor of the Musicians' Association for the United Church of Christ to write about our experience after George Floyd's murder on Memorial Day 2020. This is what we wrote. Reprinted with permission. 

 

Sept 21: Leading "Morning Grounding: Awakening and Centering in Community" (MMC)

 

We'll be leading a few of these Monday morning gatherings for Music that Makes Community.  Join us for a weekly touchstone that includes singing, silence, sacred text, and community.  

What:  Morning Grounding:  Awakening & Centering in Community
When:  Mondays at 10a EDT (UTC-04) - 9a Central 
Where:  Online via Zoom.  Register here.

More details on facebook.

Here's the dates we'll be leading this space:  Sept 21 & Nov 2.  

Sept 2: Guest Leading the Community Video Live Hymn Sing

 

Hi folks, 

We have some friends, Paul and Elizabeth Damico-Carper, who have been hosting a nightly live hymnsing and prayer time since the beginning of the pandemic to foster virtual community and support.  The response and following has been so supportive and delightful.  Folks from all over the country watch and singalong.  They also speak of how they look forward to it and it being the highlight of their day.  

We in the midwest have be in pandemic precautions for almost 6 months.  Which is a long time to be producing and sustaining a daily mini-service.  We're glad they are taking time off and inviting other folks to take the reins from time to time.  Music that Makes Community is happy to be hosting Wednesday evenings from now on.  And we're delighted that MMC has invited us to host the Hymn Sing this Wednesday.  Here's the deets...

What:  Community Video Live Hymn Sing 
When:  Wednesday, September 2, 2020, 7 p.m. CDT (UTC-05)
Where:  Live stream from the Community Video Live Hymn Sing Facebook Page 

It's about 15-20 minutes long.  If you miss it, you can watch it in the page's video archive.

We'll be leading one of my songs as it fits the Daily Lectionary text from Luke.  Can you guess which one it might be? 

Here's a little sample of Paul and Elizabeth form last week for you to taste: 

 

We're excited to share in this time and hope you'll join us!   

Fall 2020 Dates for Heart Songs

What: Heart Songs: Lament, Longing, & Love (a community space for you to bring your heart and your voice)

When: alternating Mondays, 6:30-8p CDT (05-UTC) 

• September 14 & 28
• October 12 & 26
• November 9 & 23
• December 7 & 21

Where: Online: https://zoom.us/j/431161455 (see call-in options below)

Gather for an informal singing time to re-center our hearts in community. Simple songs will be led paperlessly/taught by ear by Conie Borchardt, other song leaders, and you, if you have a song to share.

Join us. Bring friends.

Songs will be about the human experience and in that way, spiritual in nature, but not specifically religious.

This is a space intended for self-care, however that shifts for you in every moment. Bring water. Come and go. Sit in a chair, lie on the floor, or stand as you need to.


--
Other Zoom options:
Meeting ID: 431 161 455

pw:  55416

One tap mobile
+19294362866,,431161455# US (New York)
+13126266799,,431161455# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location
+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 301 715 8592 US
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US
Meeting ID: 431 161 455

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acAqU9jgfc

Full Voice Coaching Testimony from Jenny

"I want to acknowledge the powerful the work you are doing with me! During our session yesterday, I noticed a rare depth of exhaustion arising from my tears, and recognized that this is touching a very, very deep place, pre-verbal, a place not accessed by all of the verbal trauma healing work I’ve done. It feels radical, integrative, and catalytic. I’m excited to do more, and deeply grateful. Thank you!"

~ Jenny, a Zoom client in Montana:

Doing vocal work during a respiratory pandemic can be done!  Reach out to shine@pointsoflightmusic.net to chat about what you want to accomplish and schedule a session.  

Songs from this week: Heart Songs * Earth Honoring * Fear Not: Creative Malcontent

This week has been FULL of singing events and we wanted to share what we're singing.  Hopefully these will be a boon to you during these strange, difficult, and weird times.  Be creative!  Keep singing!

1. Heart Songs
2. Earth Honoring
3. Fear Not: Creative Malcontent

Aug 7: Kaleidoscope Summer Institute - Artist of the Day

What: Artist of the Day for Kaleidoscope's Summer Institute
When: Aug 7, 9-11:30 a.m. Pacific / 11a-1:30 p.m. Central
Where: Online

The whole institute will be an exhilerating thought-provoking time!  Check out the lineup for any of the days and register for all or just a few.  
--

Aug 6: MMC at BTS: SING! For a Better Future

What:  Sing For a Better Future

BTS Center's Summer Arts Series - Session 2
In partnership with Music That Makes Community

When:  Thursday, August 6, 2020
7:00-8:30 pm (Eastern) • via Zoom

4p PDT * 6p CDT

Lift your voices in an earth-honoring worship gathering and online community singing experience, led by Paul Vasile and Conie Borchardt of Music That Makes Community. Music That Makes Community is an international non-profit which teaches a practice of paperless song leading to enliven worship and community life and has pioneered new practices for meaningful group music-making in digital spaces.

Heart Songs dates for July and August 2020

What: Heart Songs: Lament, Longing, & Love (a community space for you to bring your heart and your voice)
When: alternating Mondays, 6:30-8p CDT (05-UTC) - July 20, Aug 3, 17, 
Where: Online: https://zoom.us/j/431161455 (see call-in options below)

Gather for an informal singing time to re-center our hearts in community. Simple songs will be led paperlessly/taught by ear by Conie Borchardt, other song leaders, and you, if you have a song to share.

Join us. Bring friends.

Songs will be about the human experience and in that way, spiritual in nature, but not specifically religious.

This is a space intended for self-care, however that shifts for you in every moment. Bring water. Come and go. Sit in a chair, lie on the floor, or stand as you need to.


--
Other Zoom options:
Meeting ID: 431 161 455

pw:  55416

One tap mobile
+19294362866,,431161455# US (New York)
+13126266799,,431161455# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location
+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 301 715 8592 US
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US
Meeting ID: 431 161 455

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acAqU9jgfc

Jul 28-30: MMC Virtual Retreat

What: Music that Makes Community Virtual Summer Retreat
When: Tue, Jul 28-Thu, Jul 30
Where: Online

This 3-day experience explores how we sing together, virtually and in-person, noticing the way our bodies and voices are present when we learn through thoughtful modeling and generous invitation. We'll experience participatory learning and singing, sharing music from a wide variety of traditions and reflecting on leadership practices useful in a range of contexts, virtually and in-person, from devotional spaces to choir rehearsal to protest and movement spaces.

Registration for the retreat is on a sliding scale and includes mailed materials.

Register here and find more information here.

Webinar: Virtual Song and Movement (May 27)

Points of Light Music's very own Conie will be sharing some of her zoom experiences of song and movement during a Music that Makes Community webinar this week.  Sign up at their website to learn more about it. 

When:  Wednesday, May 27, 2020, 3p EDT (2p Central)
Where:  Zoom coordinates sent to those who register
Fee:  Suggested donation of $30.  
Register here  

Virtual Dances of Universal Peace: May 2020

Here's a few opportunities for connection to others and yourself through the Dances of Universal Peace.

Dates:  Saturday, May 9 & 23, 2020
Times: 7:30-8:30 p.m. CDT (GMT-05)
Where:  Zoom Meeting ID:  829-6880-8872 (password 1971)

Spirit of Peace Meditation (COVID19 version)

You're invited to join us for the Virtual Spirit of Peace Meditation.  

When:  First Tuesday of the month, 2p.  The ritual takes approximately 30 minutes.  

Where:  Wherever you can be connected to Zoom Meeting ID:  941-277-002.  Password:  DUP

What:  An evolving practice of inviting peace into one's self and extending it beyond to one's family, community, and beyond.  Incorporating the Dances of Universal Peace, "Spirit of Peace" and "Thy Light is in All Forms," and concluding with the sung Buddhist blessing "May All Beings Be Well".  

History:  See these posts tagged with "SpiritOfPeaceWalk"

Heart Songs Continue...

What: Heart Songs: Lament, Longing, & Love (a community space for you to bring your heart and your voice)
When: alternating Mondays, 6:30-8p from April 27-Jun 22, 2020
Where: Online: https://zoom.us/j/431161455 (see call-in options below)

Gather for an informal singing time to re-center our hearts in community. Simple songs will be led paperlessly/taught by ear by Conie Borchardt, other song leaders, and you, if you have a song to share.

Join us. Bring friends.

Songs will be about the human experience and in that way, spiritual in nature, but not specifically religious.

This is a space intended for self-care, however that shifts for you in every moment. Bring water. Come and go. Sit in a chair, lie on the floor, or stand as you need to.


--
Other Zoom options:
Meeting ID: 431 161 455

pw:  55416

One tap mobile
+19294362866,,431161455# US (New York)
+13126266799,,431161455# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location
+1 929 436 2866 US (New York)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 301 715 8592 US
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US
Meeting ID: 431 161 455

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acAqU9jgfc

Schedule for Elemental Joy Virtual Retreat

All times are Central Daylight Time (CDT).

• Retreat sessions will open 30 minutes before the start of the session for Zoom tech assistance.  
• We invite folks to join the social conversation about 15 minutes before the session starts. 

For example, Friday night's Welcome session starts at 7 p.m. so the call would open at 6:30 p.m. for Zoom technical assistance and we welcome pre-session socializing at 6:45 p.m.

• Zoom links to sessions are provided in retreat confirmation emails.  

Still need to register?  

• To choose sessions a la carte ($20-30), please register at Eventbrite.
• To register for the whole retreat, please register at here.   

Learn more about the retreat here.  

Friday, April 24, 2020

* 7-8:30 p.m. - Welcome Session and all the Elements
Arrive simply as you are to the circle of hearts and receive this first nights’ taste of the magic that is available to us when we focus our intention. This will be a welcome and a warm up as we enter into virtual connection. We’ll begin building a sense of unity and cohesiveness, invoking and attuning to the Four Elements in pursuit of our vision for the retreat:  

“How do we sustain ourselves with what is ours to do unless we continue to connect with our innate sense of JOY and Creativity? If we don’t take time to do this, life can become a burden and we may lose sight of why we are here to live. You are invited to a weekend retreat with the Dances of Universal Peace and the Four Elements to reignite your Inner Joy.”  

Over the course of the weekend, we’ll be invited into the potential of Elemental Alchemy in our lives. We begin with an experience of generous grounding Earth flowing into adaptable and purifying Water. We continue our journey of transformation upwards and through the portal of cleansing and creative Fire and finally arrive at the freedom and expansion catalyzed by the Air element ~ with a new vision of where we have been, where we are and where we will be.

* 9-11 p.m. - Song & Sharing Circle

Update: Elemental Joy Dances Retreat, now Virtual

We, Morgan, Jennifer, Saleem, and Conie are sad and disappointed that the public health precautions around the coronavirus will keep us from dancing, singing, and praying together in person in late April. We understand these serious measures are necessary to protect the vulnerable and support the healthcare systems from being overloaded. We pray and hope that we can circle together again soon with more joy and gratitude after being apart.

Within this constriction, we also see possibility of virtual connectivity and communal practice with technology available today.  

We are curious and excited to explore what joy we can invite and invoke during this time of virtual connection. 

We believe there is benefit to be found in gathering to sing (all muted except the leader, of course) our prayers, to listen, remember, and experience the wisdom of the elements in song, movement, ritual, breath, walks, and creativity. 

Who knows what surprise gifts and blessings may come forth through this offering? 

Would you join us in the ether for this adventure? 

We hope so. Read on for more details...

To Elemental Joy Registered Participants: Exploring in the Ether

Greetings, registered Elemental Joy Dancers, Leaders, and Musicians,

Cancelled: Apr 20-22: Presenting at Institute of Liturgical Studies

Art Show: Celebration of Community

You're invited to ...

What:  "Celebration of Community" Juried Art Show
Where:  St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 2136 Carter Ave, St. Paul, MN 55108 (map)
When:  now through April 26, 2020, open for viewing Sunday mornings and 9:30a-3p on Tuesday-Fridays.  

These two pieces are including in the show.  

Heart Songs: Thu's from March 5-April 2

What:  Heart Songs:  Lament, Longing, & Love (a community space for you to bring your heart and your voice)
When:  Thursdays, 6-7p from March 5-April 2, 2020
Where:  Now Online:  https://zoom.us/j/431161455 (see call-in options below)
(Was Edina Morningside UCC, 4201 Morningside Road, Edina)

Gather for an informal singing time to re-center our hearts in community.  Simple songs will be led paperlessly/taught by ear by Conie Borchardt and other song leaders from the Twin Cities.  

Join us.  Bring friends.

DSM Retreat Lodging Options: Offsite

OFFSITE

If you prefer more personal space and solitude, these options are available about 3-4 miles away: 

• Boulders Inn and Suites, 4222 South 22nd Avenue East, Newton, IA 50208 * 641-275-9495
• AmericInn, 4401 S 22nd Avenue East, Newton, IA 50208 * 641-791-1160

Homestay/Roommate List
If you're interested in a local homestay or matched with a roommate, please reach out to Mary Ann, kochmaryann2014@gmail.com.

Meet Jen

JF at Tribal Visions

Points of Light Music (PLM) invited each curator to answer some questions about the Dances and this retreat and we'll be doing a deeper introduction weekly.

Here's Jen, the fourth of four. 

Feb 27-29: MMC at Luther College

Points of Light Music will be working with Music that Makes Community at Luther College next month!  



Details
When
On Friday, February 28:

Meet Conie

Points of Light Music (PLM) invited each curator to answer some questions about the Dances and this retreat and we'll be doing a deeper introduction weekly.

Here's Conie, the third of four. 

Meet Morgan

Points of Light Music (PLM) invited each curator to answer some questions about the Dances and this retreat and we'll be doing a deeper introduction weekly. 

Here's Morgan, the second of four.  

Meet Saleem

Points of Light Music (PLM) invited each curator to answer some questions about the Dances and this retreat and we'll be doing a deeper introduction weekly.

Here's Saleem, the first of four.  

Tell us about your relationship to the Dances. How and when did it begin? Is there a highlight experience you could share?

After years of spiritual seeking without finding a spiritual community that I felt at home in, I was surprised by finding just that with my first curious and reserved visit to the Dances in Arcata California, where I met a vibrant Sufi community that included, accepted, and honored all of me.

Now Open! Registration for the 2020 DSM retreat, Elemental Joy!