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The Visitor |
Past Messages |
Dear Life-Creating Ones!
Our signboard in front of the church invites passers by to “Be the Art in Artown! Create the Beauty You Are!” I believe (help my unbelief!) the well-being of nation and world depend less on “political powerfuls” and more on “cultural creatives.” (www.culturalcreatives.org)
I am so grateful for what FUMC’s Artown offerings add to the mix! We think we are the only non-arts-based not-for-profit putting up our own programs – thanks to Mike Cleveland, Cheryl Shingler, Julie Machado, Linda Walker, George Smith, and the whole planning committee, greeters and “hospitaliters!” We mix a wide range of music with contrasts of art, with theater, and with connecting creativity and spirituality – last July with Bishop Shamana, this July with Dorsey Blake and Pat Esters. (Bishop Shamana mentioned us at Annual Conference – introducing artist-in-residence for a day of dancing Martina Young whom she met here! And Richard Drath read to conference Chesley Spring’s poem to our VIM Team!!)
We have our issues with how “open” we can be in embracing divergent points of view and expression – but that goes with the territory of being where and with whom God has put us – and the “glutton & drunkard” of a Lord we follow – who eats even with “sinners & tax collectors!” During “Brassakwards” I was asked if dancing is “permitted” – I responded it is imperative! We cannot help it! In fact, we are looking for dancers to incite and insight us – from ballroom to chancel! Unless and until the world’s peoples dance one another’s dances, sing one another’s songs -- we are doomed, we are sunk!
I invite us during the slower days of August to “take fearless inventory” of the art and imagination, creativity and self-expression that are in us and wanting out! Let us be the “art” in Artown all year round! A veritable center for cultural celebration and community change! Most of us thought we were more “artistic” in some way once – then it got lost or quashed or trivialized – Bring it back! Believe in the resurrection! For me it once was theater -- seeing and speaking through eyes and ears of others -- making scenes and acts and dramas together. Then I married the costumer! And singing -- not well but anywhere, anytime!
The great thing about art and worship is they only begin with the artist or priest. They come to life in the beholder! They are not “spectator sports” or “consumer ops.” They are passionately/compassionately participatory! They belong to every person and every people – as the gifts and the graces of one connect with those of another. Every art, every worship is one of creative connecting, communing, and changing! Paul would say, Who we are has not yet been fully revealed! Dr. King would say, We are not where we want to be. We are not where we’re going to be. But, thank God, we are not where we used to be!
Amen! Grace and Peace, John
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209 West First Street
Reno, Nevada 89501 |
