Blog

The last dinner for a little while.

Mon, 21 May 2012 16:34:36 -0700

“And I strive to discover how to signal my companions… to say in time a simple word, a password, like conspirators, let us unite, let us hold each other tightly, let us merge our hearts, let us create for earth a brain and heart, let us give a human meaning to the superhuman struggle." Nikos Kazantzakis

I’m going to keep this brief. This note is a reminder that it’s time to RSVP for our dinner on Sunday, May 27th.

When Spirited Social Change kicked off, the plan was to host five dinners, and just see who showed up and what they had to say. We’ve been blown away by the number of people who have come and said, “we’re interested in more of this” in some way or another. I'm sure we aren't doing it perfectly yet. But we are certainly experimenting. And we are practicing. We're practicing what it means to come together again and again, with our hearts and our hopes and our whole selves, to create the world we long for. So cogs are turning, thinking about where to go next.

This Sunday, the 27th, is our fifth dinner. And our last until the Fall. It would be lovely to see you there. And, of course, it’s a great time to invite your grandmother/neighbour/co-worker/etc. It would be lovely to meet them too.

I hope this finds you well.
Chris

“I believe that we learn by practice. Whether it means to learn to dance by practicing dancing or to learn to live by practicing living, the principles are the same. In each, it is the performance of a dedicated precise set of acts, physical or intellectual, from which comes the shape of achievement, a sense of one’s being, a satisfaction of spirit. Practice means to perform, over and over again in the face of all obstacles, acts of vision, of faith, of desire.” Martha Graham

Faith Based Activism
The Interfaith Institute for Justice, Peace and Social Movements is hosting a series of conversations on faith and social action. The next is Wednesday, May 30th, 6:30-8:30 at the Rhizome Cafe on Broadway near Main Street. You can find out more here.

Share Your Ideas
Are you a young person or an elder? Are you passionate about connecting young people with nature? The David Suzuki Foundation is hosting an intergenerational dialogue, May 26th, and they want your input! Find out more and register here.

People who are Connected

Wed, 9 May 2012 16:03:31 -0700

“Our work is developing people, not just ideas—people who are strong, knowledgeable, and courageous enough to take on the work for economic and social justice.” ~Suzanne Pharr

When we kicked off Spirited Social Change, the plan was to host 5 exploratory dinners, to see if anyone showed up, and what those folks have to say. May 27th is our fifth dinner, and it’s been fun to share them with you. It’s also been a delight to hear thoughts and ideas on where to go next. If you have more feedback you’d like to share, we’d be happy to hear it. And we will have more to announce on where we go next in the upcoming month(s).

For now I want to share a book recommended by my new friend (and Spirited Social Changer) Chelsea Masterman. The book is called In the Time of the Right, written by feminist activist Suzanne Pharr (available for download here). The whole book sounds interesting, but my attention has been on the last section, called Reflections on Liberation (starting on p 87), in which she talks about ‘Transformational Organizing’. I think really resonates with what we are creating here.

Pharr says that, “The work of liberation politics is to change hearts and minds, develop empathy with and sympathy for other people, and help each other discover how we are inextricably linked together for our common good and our survival on this planet.” (p 88)

She also speaks to the importance of cultural and heart-centered work, saying that, “in building a movement, eating and singing together may be as important as handing out leaflets. Being able to involve our families with us in our work may be as important as recruiting new members. The basis for successful organizing work is people who are connected, not separated, people who feel whole, not fragmented. To insist upon our wholeness is to insist upon our humanity.” (p 91)

It’s a tricky thing to hold this space between the urgency of the issues at hand, and the longing to simply enjoy one another’s company. I’m sure we aren’t doing it perfectly yet. Which is what makes this an exploratory process. But it’s been fun.

And it’s an honour to be figuring it out with you all, and to be sharing leadership with such a fantastic group of people. I hear that Bruce stirred the pot a little the other weekend, and sparked valuable conversations. And that Steph, Deanna, Julian, Liz, Trevor, Wade, Kimiko and others did a marvelous job of holding space for this transformational work to happen.

Until we see each other again - below are some upcoming events that I thought might interest you. And, now's a great time to RSVP for dinner on May 27th.

With love, Chris.

Grandview-Woodland Community Storytelling
This Friday (May 11th), from 7-10pm at the WISE Hall. Join your neighbours in listening to stories about what it means to live in this community. Hosted by local storyteller Naomi Steinberg, and featuring the musical talent of Jess Hill. Register at: vancouver.ca/grandviewplan.

Living Room for the Movement
This Saturday evening, May 12th. The Rhizome Movement-Building Centre offers an evening of celebration, dancing, food, and conversation to informally build relationships and community. Including music by DJ Su Comandante. It sounds like a fantastic and valuable event! More info here.

Islamophobia and Interfaith Dialogue
Tuesday, May 15th at 7pm, at SFU Woodwards. This event will begin with a public talk with Daniel Tutt, and then an interfaith dialogue with local participants, focused on the challenges and opportunities of interfaith work in challenging Islamophobia. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Register here.

Women, Spirituality and Transformative Leadership
Monday, May 14th. Potluck dinner at 6pm, Conversation at 7pm, at the Unitarian Church of Vancouver (49th & Oak). Working to build a collaborative vision for a women’s spiritual network in Vancouver and across Canada. More info can be found here, and a facebook RSVP here.

Growing like bean sprouts, and pipeline opposition, and people with open hearts.

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 16:01:57 -0700

This is how I would live if I could choose. This is what is possible. ~ Adrienne Rich

Well, now Spring is really here. And the little pea shoots on our windowsill have me thinking about interdependence. Well, the pea shoots, and also the inspiring movement building happening across the province, as people continue to speak up and stand together to protect fragile ecosystems from the inevitable damage that would be caused by pipelines and by tarsands expansion.

Bruce Alexander is our guest speaker this month (April 29th - RSVP here). Bruce and I got to talking this afternoon, about atheism and religion and liberation theology and such. We were talking about a longing for something bigger and more meaningful, and wondering if that is exclusive to belief in a god, or whether there is in fact some equally compelling way of speaking to that longing amongst 'non believers'. I got onto a humanism kick, and suggested that it's all about relationship and our love for one another. And Bruce spoke about Gaia, a much larger and perhaps more inspiring interdependence.

Both of these, I think, hint at why increasing numbers of people are expressing concern about the pipelines. At a people-level, we know there continues to be a human toll for climate change, and we know that we need to change course. Relationally, I think we also ache for the devastating history of colonization in this country, and are eager (or in some cases at least willing) to stand in solidarity and support with Aboriginal leadership on the issue. And on a larger scale, we British Columbians have a love for the beauty of our coastline that we aren't willing to risk. Is all of it as compelling as fire and brimstone theology? Maybe not. But maybe one of our tasks is to figure out the language to make it so.

I'll tell you what's compelling me in this moment: the pea shoots on the windowsill. And the feeling that we're all in this together.

Until we see each other again - below are some exciting upcoming events that I thought might interest you. And, again, now's a great time to RSVP for dinner on April 29th.

With love and gratitude, Chris.

Protecting Our Sacred Waters
April 21st: This two-part event, organized by the InterSpiritual Centre of Vancouver, will examining how political decisions and global economic activities have affected the condition of our rivers and oceans. The daytime portion (10-5) is for young adults (16-22) and the evening event (7-9:30) is open to the general public. You can find out more and RSVP here.

Your Voice, Your Power, Your Gifts
May 1-16th at Naramata Centre. This powerful program invites those age 18‐25 you are invited to bring your stories, storms, questions, fire, wisdom, and laughter, to build a powerful and soulful community of exploration, authenticity, and possibility. Led by an incredible team of David Hatfield, Nan Maxon, Kevin Millsip and Ruth Whyte. More info here. (Note the registration dealine is SOON).

Community Garden Building
There's been lots of talk and excitement about building a community garden at Lakeview Multicultural United, where Spirited Social Change is housed. A Rocha and the Christian Food Security Network are hosting a workshop on garden building at Lakeview on May 5th (there will be some faith discussion, but you don't need to be Christian to attend). Interested in the workshop? RSVP here. Interested in helping build a garden at Lakeview? Email Christine.

Thomas Merton: Spirituality and Religion
Thomas Merton was a Trappist Monk, author and outspoken social activist. On Wednesday, April 18th, the Thomas Merton Society and the Vancouver Public Library are hosting a public talk on Thomas Merton's Spiritual and Religious Vision for the 21st Century. Admission is free and seating is limited. More information here.

Yes, Yes, Yes!

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:55:19 -0700

If you missed it - we had a great dinner last Sunday. With all sorts of lovely people and lively conversation. As per usual, lots of fantastic folks helped out. An especially enthusiastic thank-you is due to Patti Powell, who led beautiful songs, including a harmonic repetition of yes, Yes, YES. As well as Trevor Malkinson and Sarah Olson for their delicious chili and cornbread.

But I want to go back to the lively conversations part, because it turns out that this sort of spirited dialogue is vital to developing the type of community that I hear people yearning for. What Dr Martin Luther King Jr, in An Experiment in Love, refers to as Beloved Community.

Feminist Sharon Welch describes beloved community as "the matrix within life which is celebrated, love is worshipped, and partial victories over injustice lay the groundwork for further acts of criticism and courageous defiance". This is what is possible as we gather over food and feelings. And it is what happens when we show up time and again, building relationships capable of sustaining each other through struggle and celebration. In our conversations this month, on self-care, politics & policy, the arts, family, religion, belonging, and reconnecting to nature, people repeatedly spoke of a need for this.

In her book, A Theology for the Bearers of Dangerous Memory, Welch agrees. She emphasizes the power of saying "Your pain is real, your cries are heard, your anger is just, and along with you are many others who mourn and rage". She calls this power of compassion and anger HOLY. Holy and vital, as we continue working together for a better future for one another.

Which leads to next month's dinner. April 29th. When Bruce Alexander is going to come and tell some stories about his studies on the importance of communities and social structures of belonging and care. I think it's nice when academics can support the things that in our hearts we sort of intuitively know, and provide evidence that reinforces it. You should join us.

In fact, you can RSVP now. Bring someone you love. Or someone you don't know that well, but think might appreciate the invite. Let's draw the circle wide. See you soon.

Love, Chris.

"Reconnecting to Life"
Beloved leaders and activists Jackie Larkin and Maggie Ziegler are facilitating a weekend long group retreat focused on enlivening and deepening our motivations for creating a just and sustainable world. May 25th - 28th at Stowel Lake Farm on Salt Spring Island. It comes highly, highly recommended. You can find more information here.

The Vancouver Dialogues Project
... aims to build greater understanding and strengthened relations between indigenous and immigrant communities. The Dialogues Youth team is developing a series of youth-led engagement initiatives culminating in a larger collaboration with youth community organizations and partners in Vancouver. Browse their incredible website to learn more!

Announcements for the next few months!

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 15:52:27 -0700

It's true. We're learning to plan ahead, and are incredibly grateful for the support and volunteer time of some really incredible indviduals. Here are some highlights of what's to come at our dinners:

MARCH 25TH - Patti Powell will be leading music. Patti leads Acapellaboratory: East Van's Acapella Community Choir. And rumor has it, she's got some fantastic tunes!
By popular opinion, we won't have a guest speaker this month. Hoards of people have been saying, "we want more time to talk to one another". So instead we will have some discussion topics, and some facilitated mingling, and more time for you all to do your thing! RSVP now.

APRIL 29TH - Our guest speaker will be Bruce Alexander. Bruce is a well known public intellectual and professor emeritus at SFU. His latest book, called "The Globalisation of Addition: A Study in Poverty of the Spirit", focuses on the importance of creating communities and social structures of belonging and care.

MAY 27TH - At our last dinner before the summmer, Rueben George will be joining us to share stories of his life and his work protecting the coastal waters from tankers and oil. Rueben is Coast Salish, from the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, and is a long time activist and leader. He worked previously for the United Religions Initiative.
If all goes well, that same evening we will be joined by Sara Kendall and some members of the Cultural Medicine Cabinet Choir.

Lots of good stuff coming up! And amid all of it, we will keep imagining what the fall will look like, and moving toward making it happen.

For now, RSVP for March. Send this email along to friends, family, collegues, and neighbours. And I will hope to see you soon.

Love, Chris.

Get Involved!
I know some of you are WAY too busy as it is. For those folks, don't read this. But last month many people said, "I'm looking for more ways to get involved!" If that's you, there are no shortage of worthwhile initiatives to connect with, who would be thrilled to have you share your time and talent. This project is only one of them. But we'd love to have a few volunteers help set-up, speak, and clean-up for dinners. If you've got a bit of time and energy for this, let Chris know.

Stand up for the Coast
The Heiltsuk First Nation, Forest Ethics, the Dogwood Initiative and others are coordinating a No Tankers rally for Monday, March 26th at lunchtime at the Art Gallery. Bill McKibben (from 350.org) and Art Sterritt, both incredible speakers, will be there to share stories. Find out more about the rally here.

And read more about the Save the Fraser declaration, signed by more than 100 First Nations opposed to the pipelines and increased tanker traffic.