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Sum-Fall 2026: Dances of Universal Peace in Twin Cities (1st Fridays!)

What: Dances of Universal Peace (also known as Sufi Dancing) When:  1st Sundays, 6:30-8:45 p.m. July 5 August 2 September 6 October 4 Novem...

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Heart Songs Setlist from Dec 20, 2021

Here's the list of songs we sang virtually on Dec 20, 2021. 

  1. Come, come whoever you are* (Rumi/Dale Zola)
  2. Welcome to the table/zoom call (clb)
  3. You are in the right place (Martha Burford)
  4. What we need is here* (from The Wild Geese by Wendell Berry/Music: Amy McCreath) - led by Nancy (Also some thoughts from Ana Hernandez.)
  5. Sweet Surrender (text: Saint Symeon/music: Sophia)
  6. Honor the Dark (Lea Morris) - Previous link is YouTube; here's a link to Bandcamp.
  7. Now the Day is Over (Kerri Meyer) - led by Nancy (scroll halfway down)
  8. We were made for these times (Clarissa Pinkola Estes/Linda Noonan)

* Click on "Attached Resources" button

Want to know when we are gathering next?  Click here for the latest post OR here to sign up for the reminder email (Select Heart Songs from the list).  

Want to know what we sang at other gatherings?  Click here for a list of posts on the blog and here for a list sent to the email list.  


We're holding the possibility of other local in-person song circles that are BIPOC/mixed-centered, street justice-centered, or queer-centered. If you'd like to hear about those when scheduled, drop us a line on the Contact Us page.

Monday, December 13, 2021

Jan-Mar 2022 Heart Songs Dates

 


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

When: every other Mondays, 6:30-8p CDT (05-UTC)
  • Jan 3, 17, & 31
  • Feb 14 & 28
  • Mar 14 & 28
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.

--

Sunday, November 21, 2021

Fundraising for Biracial & Rural 2022!

Please check out the [Give to the Max Day / Giving Tuesday / Year End] fundraising campaign we have going for Biracial & Rural at https://www.givemn.org/story/Biracialandrural21-22.  


As of 11p CT on Sunday, November 21, 2021, we've raised $1,300 of a $6,000 goal.  We are thrilled at this most excellent start.  

Follow us at Instagram for more updates. <3

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Setlist from Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, Nov 9, 2021


Hi there!

If you're reading this you probably attended the Tuesday night plenary of the Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Network Gathering with Conie and Ross Murray from The Naming Project.  Here's the setlist of what we sang (with links to online recordings!) and a few other resources we thought you might want to take with you... 

Song setlist!

Conie's projects


Biracial & Rural - arts-centered community of care and storytelling space by, for, with folks who identify or connect with the experiences of living in multi-cultural rural spaces.  Dreams of community building retreats and ongoing support and visibility.







Freeing Refrains - extended solo version of the Biracial & Rural storytelling space.  Where the stories of a mixed Asian person with the songs that buoyed them, and you are invited to consider the forces that bind and liberate us, individually and communally.  An opportunity to meet other black, indigenous, people of color with similar and different experiences.  Next gatherings:  Sat, Dec 4, 10a CT



Other Resources

Music That Makes Community
- organization supporting individuals and ecumenical communities in the practices of paperless community singing to enliven spiritual lives.  Contact Paul Vasile, Executive Director, to host a 3-day retreat at your camp  with your counseling staff (or a collective of camps!) or find out where you can send your staff to a workshop.

Midwest Mixed - an organization that hosts monthly Dialogue events and biennial conferences for, by, and with folks who identity or connect with the experience of being biracial, multi-ethnic, mixed, or a trans-racially or -nationally adoptee.
  • Priya Parker's The Art of Gathering: How We Meet & Why It Matters - an interesting, provocative book full of stories.  You'll see yourself doing well in some areas and realizing their opportunities for growth too.  
  • Resmaa Menakem's My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma & the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts & Bodies - the settling exercise is grounded and inspired by the body-breath exercises from the book.  
I welcome follow up conversations about songs, the art, the stories.  I've been embracing an attitude of offering over an expectation of perfection.  May our time together have seeds of possibility, creativity, and curiosity for the future.  

p.s. if you have stills or videos from the plenary, we would love to see them!  Tag us on social media:  IG: @pointsoflight_mu | fb: PointsOfLightMusic

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* "unknown" designations: Means this useful song has had an adventurous life where its source credits information has gotten disconnected or lost along the way.  We would love to know if song and creator info can be reconnected.  Drop us a line at listening@pointsoflightmusic.net.