TIME: 8:00 PM (New York time) Click here to check your time zone.
LOCATION: Online.
COST: Free.
CONVERSATION: Everyone eats. But what precisely are you eating? And why are you eating it? And what is the spiritual practice of eating? Lucas Land will lead an informative and stirring conversation on the relationship of faith and food. It is called "What Would Jesus Eat?" Be sure to bring your food stories, insights, and comments. You can get to know Lucas at his website when you click here.
REGISTER: Registration is free, but you must reserve your place. You can RSVP by emailing Kevin atKevin@presence.tv
When you do, you will receive log-in instructions.
I'm looking forward to seeing you in the Zone on November 5. If you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you. --Kevin
TIME: 8:00 PM (New York time) Click here to check your time zone.
LOCATION: Online.
COST: Free.
CONVERSATION: Everyone eats. But what precisely are you eating? And why are you eating it? And what is the spiritual practice of eating? Lucas Land will lead an informative and stirring conversation on the relationship of faith and food. It is called "What Would Jesus Eat?" Be sure to bring your food stories, insights, and comments. You can get to know Lucas at his website when you click here.
REGISTER: Registration is free, but you must reserve your place. You can RSVP by replying to this email. When you do, you will receive log-in instructions.
I'm looking forward to seeing you in the Zone on November 5. If you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you. --Kevin
A Workshop Presented by the Commission for Evangelism and the Commission for Emerging Mission for the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, Washington State
November 14, 2009, 10 am – 4 pm
Where: The Fremont Abbey 4272 Fremont Ave N Seattle, WA 98103 Contact: Tim Mathis, timothy_mathis@yahoo.com
Highlights & Conversations with:
Church futurist, Tom Sine
Episcopal scholar Barry Taylor
Karen Ward, co-author of “Seizing the Episcopal Moment”
and a panel of emerging local leaders
Cost will be $35 (includes lunch). To register, send check with name and contact information for each attendee to “Seizing the Episcopal Moment Workshop”, Diocese of Olympia, PO Box 12126, Seattle, WA 98102 or to pay online click here.
There are many opportunities to connect with MSA these days, from jobs to prayer to financial support. We would love to hear from you about how you would like to be involved.
First, An MSA Update
Over the last twelve months, there has been an explosion of creativity within the MSA team. We have assisted each other to identify and develop the seeds of creativity God has placed within us enabling us to expand both our learning opportunities and resources. Many of you have also contributed to these new developments, fertilizing, watering, and growing the seeds as you interact through our blogs and social networks like Facebook, Ning, and Twitter. This is enabling us to develop a unique form of living curricula that we hope will continue to grow and develop over the coming years.
Much of this creativity has been stirred by one of the distinctive MSA pillars: our desire to identify future trends that impact our lives and communities. We are concerned that the economic downturn we are experiencing will continue to have a major impact for several years into the future. We are convinced that we will need to continue to stir our creativity to develop sustainability and simplicity in these tough economic times so that can reach out to those at the margins.
In September, 2008, and March, 2009, Tom Sine led two brainstorming sessions on Recession Preparedness. A number of creative responses were suggested that Tom has added to a list of ideas contributed by Mustard Seed colleagues around the world. These responses and ideas have resulted in the development of a manual entitledTurbulent Times-Ready or Not!, a resource to enable congregations and faith communities to think about how to be God's compassionate response in our rapidly changing world. This resource will be available through the MSA website shortly.
In February, 2009, Ricci Kilmer conducted a workshop entitled Justice at the Table. She encouraged participants to think about how we could bring about changes in our food culture by reimagining the dining room table as the communion table. How would our attitudes to food production, marketing, and distribution change if we thought in this way? She challenged us to think about what we would eat and whom we would include or exclude from the table. This was one of the most impacting and challenging events that I have attended in the last few years. We are looking forward to her conducting this workshop again either later this year or early in 2010.
Eliacín Rosario Cruz initiated several conversations on Cultivating Intentional Communities in 2009 and continues to challenge all of us with what it means to be part of a community-based organization. The first community conversation was held at the Mustard Seed House with Mark Van Steenwyk from Minneapolis. Eliacín and Ricci held a second conversation in Portland in May on intentional communities. Eliacín was also part of the planning team for Pentecost Seattle in May, a gathering that encouraged people to come together across denominations and theological differences to converse about the urgent and changing needs of Seattle's neighborhoods. His attendance at other community-oriented events like the National Co-housing Conference and the Northwest Gathering of Intentional Communities have enriched all of our perspectives.
Eliacín also continues to nurture and expand the MSA community networks, companioning with others who are interested in community living and in developing a rhythm of life. At the Mustard Seed House, he initiated the observance of morning and evening prayers, which have become an important part of the rhythm of our shared life. In the next few weeks, we will publish Light for the Journey: Morning and Evening Prayers for Living Into God's Resurrection World, a prayer book compiled from the liturgies we have been using over the last year.
The Mustard Seeds Calendar that Eliacín initiated at the end of 2008 has also received a lot of attention. Many have participated in events and celebrations suggested on this calendar and are looking forward to more involvement in the future. We intend to revise and update this for the coming year.
The Seed Sampler continues to grow and flourish. Many of the topics are provocative as well as informative, encouraging all of us to grow our understanding of what it means to be a follower of Christ in today's world. The issues on Suburban Missional Church and Rural Intentional Community and Encountering the "Other" have particularly stimulated thoughtful and varied discussion, which enables all of us to stretch and grow.
The Celtic Project is also moving ahead. Our architect David Vandervort hopes to have plans for the development of the Camano property to submit to Island County before the end of the year. The design of this community will preserve much of the 40 acres in natural forestry and will model high degree of sustainability and self-sufficiency.
One of my delights this last year has been the encouragement of the Mustard Seed team to hold seminars on the spirituality of gardening. We conducted the first seminar in April and, because of its popularity, held a second in May. Both of these were held at the Mustard Seed House in Seattle, but we anticipate that next year these will be conducted in other localities. In conjunction with these seminars, I have written a series of reflections called To Garden with God, a resource that I hope to expand and develop over the next year.
Another place where the MSA team has encouraged my creativity is through my blog. During Lent this last year I hosted a synchroblog series to encourage people to interact with the Lenten guide we published. Over the summer I hosted a series on What Is a Spiritual Practice? which has not only stirred my creativity, but that of many others as well. I am delighted at the ways this series has encouraged those who read my blog to reflect on how we relate to God and deepen our intimacy with God.
Involvement Opportunities
Mustard Seed Associates is on an exciting journey in which we hope you will participate. There are many ways in which you can be involved:
Explore the Mustard Seed Rhythm of Life and join us in shared practices and spiritual disciplines that will enable you to both live differently and make a difference in God's world.
Join the discussions stimulated by the Seed Sampler, blog posts, and conversations on Facebook and Ning and participate with us in developing a living curriculum that will enable all of us to move into deeper places of intimacy with God.
Become part of a future's watch group that will be established over the next few months to enable us to both research trends that will impact our lives and communities and develop creative responses to these trends.Email Tom at tom@msainfo.org
Become a Mustard Seed volunteer. We are in need of help, but not just at the MSA office. Perhaps you would like to host a Mustard Seed conversation in your area or help manage our growing needs on the internet. If you would like to have more involvement with the Mustard Seed community, please contact us at mail@msainfo.org.
Become a part of the Mustard Seed Support team and help us expand the influence of the Seed Sampler and other MSA resources. Tom and I do not receive a salary through Mustard Seed Associates, but we do need to raise support for our MSA team members Judy Naegeli, Eliacín Rosario Cruz and Ricci Kilmer and for the ongoing work of MSA as well. A yearly gift of $25-$50 from each person on the Seed Sampler mailing list would more than cover its costs, including the coordinator's salary. Your monthly donation of $25-$50 would make possible the development of new resources to enable you to make a difference in your communities and our needy world. Donate here or send a check to PO Box 45867, Seattle, WA 98145.
Help us to expand the Mustard Seed network. Forward the Seed Sampler to your friends and suggest they sign up. Connect them with creative ways God is changing the world through the mustard seed.
Join our writers bureau. Send us information on trends and new areas of need and connect us to stories from all over the world that describe where people are finding new ways to be a difference and make a difference. Click the "Update Profile/Email Addess" link at the bottom and check the box to receive Writer's Bureau updates.
Join our Mustard Seed Prayer network and sign up for the monthly prayer letter and MSA update. Sign up using the "Update Profile/Email Address" link at the bottom of this email.
MSA is hiring a Communications Manager and an Administrative Assistant to join the team. You can read more about these positions here. Both positions will raise much of their own support.
We are grateful for your support and enthusiasm for our ministry and we hope the coming holiday season is full of joy and blessing.
It’s a movement that will bring refreshing vitality to the Church and new hope to the world through the reintegration of inspired art (music, painting, dance, drama, sculpture, design, film, media, and more) into the church and an infusion of spiritually powerful art into the culture.
What | A Renewal Arts Celebration When | November 21, 2009 Where | Indianapolis, Indiana More info | at thenewr.org
The worldwide Church stands at a unique time in history, in a position that no other institution can fill. Her decision to embrace, encourage and disciple artists and the arts will benefit individuals, communities and the Body of Christ in profound ways, and enable her to truly fulfill her mission of offering God’s love to the world.
Coming Challenges in the Global Economy with Phil Bontrager
The first of MSA’s new Turbulent Times—Ready or Not! Conversation Series
a discussion of the challenges coming in the global economy and ideas for re-imagining ways to live and serve in changing times
DATE: November 11, 2009 TIME: 7:00 pm LOCATION: the Mustard Seed House DONATION: suggested $5 REGISTERONLINE
Phil Bontrager, the CEO of Sauder Manufacturing that produces furniture for hospitals, universities, and churches, has worked with churches and church agencies in the US, Europe, and Central America. As a consequence Phil stays abreast of both the changing global economy and the changing character of the global church. Phil also serves on the board of mission organizations like MEDA, which provides micro-loans to entrepreneurs in poor countries, and has been a missionary in Latin America. Phil and Lori are active members at Zion Mennonite Church in Archbold, Ohio, and friends of MSA.
By Tom Sine, Mustard Seed Associates
The rest of the Manual is available FOR PURCHASE for only $10.00.
“Once the great recession ends, don’t break out the party hats. What follows it could be a period so weak that the average American’s standard of living may not reach its...
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Nov. 11: Turbulent Times Ready or Not! Conversation
Coming Challenges in the Global Economy with Phil Bontrager
The first of MSA’s new Turbulent Times—Ready or Not! Conversation Series
a discussion of the challenges coming in the global economy and ideas...
More »
Nov. 14: Seizing the Episcopal Moment
Emerging Culture and Anglican FuturesA Workshop Presented by the Commission for Evangelism and the Commission for Emerging Mission for the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, Washington StateNovember 14, 2009, 10 am...
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Available now - Turbulent Times Ready or Not! Manual
It’s here! The recession response manual, Turbulent Times—Ready or Not! A Creative Response Manual for Missional Congregations 2010 to 2020 is available FOR PURCHASE – only $10.00.
This resource has been...
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To Garden With God Manual
by Christine Sine
Fifteen years of gardening experience has finally been compiled in one place—in To Garden With God, Christine’s new garden manual. Practical advice for backyard gardening is interspersed with...
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Mustard Seeds Calendar
With this Mustard Seeds Calendar we hope to inspire you and your community to join other creative and passionate people in living and celebrating our year in a new way.
The...
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Launching The New Conspirators
Friends of MSA…
To celebrate the launch of The New Conspirators: Creating the Future One Mustard Seed at a Time we are offering Tom’s new book for $15 {US} plus postage.
If...
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In September, 2008, and March, 2009, Tom Sine led two brainstorming sessions on Recession Preparedness. A number of creative responses were suggested that Tom has added to a list of ideas contributed by Mustard Seed colleagues around the world. These responses and ideas have resulted in the development of a manual entitled
