homeward

Tropical storm Noel is heading for the Bahamas tonight and tomorrow, so it looks like I got out just in time. I finally did get out after being delayed 2 hours at the airport in Nassau and then having to run through the Fort Lauderdale airport. Here I sit in Denver getting ready to board the final flight home to SF. The sun in warming me through the large window looking out onto the tarmac and I can't wait to be back in Cali.

On the flight from Fort Lauderdale to here I began writing some reflections from the Soularize experience and if I can be discplined enough they will eek there way onto this blog, and continue my documentation of the event.

It ended yeterday with a round table discussion between Bishop Tom, Rita Brock and Father Richard Rohr. A great discussion on our orientation toward the cross, and the necessity to move into non-dualistic thinking. The degree to which these scholars know their material is inspiring to become more disciplined about life. Father Rohr brings with him a sense of presence to the moment and to the people that I admire and would strive for. No doubt his contemplative practices nurture that trait. Every other year he goes into hermitage for 40 days just to keep himself centered and in 5 years hopes to go into permanent hermitage spending all time with his maker.

Boarding has begun and I must go......

Soularize Day 2

The facilitated workshops began today and there was no shortage of interesting topics being covered. NT Wright was covering material from his new book, Acts for Everyone, Rita was talking on recovering paradise, Michael on God and Evolution, and Frank Viola on a chronological look of the Pauline letters and how to they tie into the book of Acts. Unfortunately you can only be in one place at a time. Luckily all the material from the conference will be available in both video and audio download in a few weeks.

The main session had Rita talking about the shift of the primary image of Jesus from risen to dead. She pointed out that around the 10th century the art in the Christian world began changing and prominent image became that of Jesus on a cross rather than the risen Christ. She went on to elaborate about the cultural context in which this took, mainly a time when power and control were being sought in new ways and fear needed to be used as a tool. I was running some of recording equipment so I couldn't pay as close attention as I would have liked and will need to get a copy of the talk.

In the afternoon there was a great list of options, an art tour around the island with world renown artist John Cox, a long list of workshops, and many impromptu conversations. Mark and I led a workshop on our community in SF and quickly ran out of time as the dialogue was full of energy.

I could feel an invigorated energy in the air throughout the day and as I looked around I saw smiling faces engrossed in laughter and conversation. Soularize definitely pulls together a unique grouping of people from around country and world who are trying to navigate faith in ways that seem true and loving.

The day ended with 6 of us sitting down to dinner with Bishop Tom and his wife. One of the other unique qualities of this "conference" is the access to the speakers and their willingness to participate in not only their plenary sessions but to engage in the conversation as a whole.

soularize day 1

The final setup and preparations were completed yesterday and today was the first day of the conference. We rose early to run down and pick up NT Wright and his wife and then headed down to the Wyndam Hotel where we boarded buses. Then we hopped on a ferry which took us to a private island where we engaged in conversation, met new friends, and swam in the crystal blue warmth. I encouraged my Danish friend Stefan to come out and try snorkeling and after a little coercing he did come out, and swallowed more than his share of salt water. I hoped he enjoyed the swim.

Afterward we headed down to New Providence Community Center and the evening session began. Local musician joined by conference facilitators led some music intersparsed with poetry by Mark and myself. NT Wright got up and shared an overview on the books of Acts setting up for his workshop tomorrow.

A more in depth reflection is inhibited at this moment by lack of sleep and going all day long. Perhaps I can revisit this in the morning.

Till then.

Nassau

After 13 hours of flying and sitting in airports I'm now in the Bahamas to help facilitate Soularize. I met a few new people (jim palmer, michael dowd, lance ford, max daves) tonight, reconnected with old friends (spencer burke, todd littleton, jordon cooper, mike devries) and I can already feel the energy, and I like it. Soularize is always a unique event where you never know what's going to happen and what might come of a conversation.