Apr 16: Midwest Mixed Special Edition Dialogue: Freeing Refrains

It's here!  Freeing Refrains is here!

What:  the premiere of Freeing Refrains, as a Special Edition Dialogue of Midwest Mixed!
When:  Friday, April 16, 5-7p
Where: on zoom!  Register here.  
For WHO:  any folks who identify or have experiences as mixed, biracial, multi-ethnic, and/or trans-racially or trans-nationally adoptee*. 

Conie B and Sheryl Raygor are co-facilitating this Special Edition Dialogue space in partnership with Midwest Mixed.  During this event you will be hearing about Conie's rural mixed Asian story, learn songs that have bouyed her (if you'd like), and then dialogue with others about the challenge of speaking our truth.  Open to all mixed folks.  

Come and listen, sing, and dialogue with others with similar and different mixed stories.

(*don't fret if you don't fit the Mixed audience!  We'll be scheduling more of these participatory performances soon.  Watch the calendar and subscribe to "Freeing Refrains" Updates in the Newsletter.  

Socially Distant Easter Dance: In the Bulb There Is a Flower

A angular sketch of
Tom Vetter's Flower in the Seed labyrinth
in prep for a large outdoor installation.

Early last week, I was starting to settle some ideas for the outdoor Easter Sunrise service the current congregation I serve has every year.  (Except last year, my first year with them.  Last year, we suspended it because it was the first month of pandemic life and we didn't know what we didn't know...)

One of the traditions I heard was the use of Natalie Sleeth's 1986 strophic text "In the Bulb There Is a Flower."  (New Century Hymnal #433)

Singing with other people during this respiratory pandemic honestly gives me the willies.  It's not quite rational and I'm sure some of it has to do with the ways that some of my ancestors have been tricked and hurt by oppressors.  Beside that, I'm interested in reducing paper waste and embodying our songs.  It didn't take long for the germ of an idea to bloom into something fully formed (ahem) that could be used for all verses ... and guide our social distancing.  :)

Here's the write-up: 

Spring 2021 BnR Update: Freeing Refrains

It's been a long time in coming, but it's here!  

After a long hibernation and germination process, Points of Light Music is excited to share the current stage of the Biracial & Rural project called Freeing Refrains!  

Freeing Refrains is a song circle and storytelling gathering, sharing one person’s mixed Asian story of growing up on the predominantly white rural plains of Minnesota before the internet.

This story launches Biracial & Rural (BnR), a community of care and storytelling space connecting rural-urban and BIPOC-white communities. Through Freeing Refrains, Points of Light Music is calling in other BIPOC folks to come together for support, encouragement, skill sharing, and connection.

In Summer 2021, we're planning to bring Freeing Refrains to Greater Minnesota in outdoor socially distant performances around the state. We would love your assistance in lots of ways!  Please visit the Freeing Refrains page for more details and then go to our Contact Us page and connect.  

Guide to Spirit of Peace Meditation Online

ORIGINS

The Spirit of Peace Meditation originated in Jan 2017 as a way to show up in divisive political space. A fellow dancer and I met at the MN State Capitol and adapted the dance into a walking meditation across the long mall, inviting the spirit of peace within us to lend our strength to the work at hand. When we arrived at the capital building steps, we moved our attention to recognizing the love and light in all as we turned to the four directions. Then we concluded with Joe Miller’s blessing, wrapping up the meditation with a joyous turn to spread the intention far and wide.


ONLINE ADAPTATIONS

For virtual space, we have made these adaptations. Please listen to what your space and body allow and make further adaptations for yourself.

Our zoom practice is seated.