Our every other week check-in meeting is open to anyone interested in supporting compassionate community response to our most vulnerable neighbors. Meetings are held online every other Thursday from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Email LeDayne Polaski for Zoom access code. In addition, if you would like to receive notification when these minutes are posted, please email LeDayne and ask to be added to the Thursday meetings email list.
Want to learn more about we do on our calls? Watch this short video clip!
Click HERE to Access Zoom Recording:
In this Issue:
Opening Reflection
Ring the bells that still can ring, forget your perfect offering, there is a crack, a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in. ~ from Leonard Cohen's song, Anthem
1. MeckMIN Updates
A NOTE ABOUT THESE MEETINGS
These meetings are open to anyone or any group interested in promoting the common good in our shared Charlotte-Mecklenburg community.
We do not allow announcements from for-profit groups promoting their businesses or campaigning from political candidates. Beyond that, we don’t have rules for who can speak or what they can share as long as they support our commitments to respectful conversation and the dignity of all people.
Because we have a very wide array of beliefs and understandings within our membership and because we want to keep these meetings open as an open forum, we’re going to add this disclaimer to the minutes: "The views and opinions expressed here are those of the speakers/presenters and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the MeckMIN board or our member organizations."
SAVE The DATE: COMMUNITY-WIDE INTERFAITH THANKSGIVING SERVICE Tuesday, November 21 | 7 - 9 PM | Trinity Presbyterian Church
Please start sharing the flyer with your communities. It is a really lovely service
Join us for one of the highlights of the year -- the annual Community-wide Interfaith Thanksgiving service which will be hosted this year by Trinity Presbyterian Church.
Thursday, September 21 | 6:30 PM | Baha'í Center of Charlotte
At an Open Tables gathering, diverse congregations come together for fellowship and dining; with the goal of building relationships based on our shared humanity that go beyond the divides of tribalism. Register HERE
*We will be assembling school supply pouches for CMS International Center -- please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes earlier if you'd like to volunteer.
Our theme of discussion will be EMPATHY and these are the questions we will be
How do you feel when someone else truly understands what you are going through?
How have you been able to tell that someone understands what you have experienced or felt?
What helps you understand what someone else is experiencing or feeling? What gets in your way?
How do you stay fully present and attentive when deeply listening to someone?
In what ways has empathy for another person prompted you to take action? Explain.
HOPE TANK TRUNK
Saturday, October 21 | 9:30 - 1:30 PM
Mark your calendars for MeckMIN/JustServe next service project on October 21st from 9:30 AM to 1:30 with the Hope Tank Truck (parking lot of the Southern Comfort Motel at 4419 Tuckaseegee Rd.).
The 3 areas of service include:
· Cleaning the shower area after each use
· Cleaning the laundry center
· Cleaning the supply table
The Hope Vibes Team will guide you through the process.
YOUTH EVENT - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18
Middle and High School Youth (+ their incredible adults) are invited to join the MeckMIN Youth at the Yap Ye Iswa Festival held at the Catawba Cultural Center near Rock Hill, SC on Saturday, November 18. The festival is an annual celebration of Catawba culture and features food, art demonstrations, dancing, craft vendors, and much more.
We'll meet at Myers Park United Methodist Church (1501 Queens Rd.) at 10 a.m. and ride together to the festival. We'll return to the church at 3 p.m.
Bring money for lunch and extra if you'd like to buy something from the vendors.
Register HERE
UNITY INTERFAITH PRAYER SERVICE
Thursday, September 14, 7 PM
This is tonight. You can hear about prayer from many different perspectives.
INSIGHT MEDITATIION CENTER HOSTS TIBETAN BUDDHIST MONKS Wednesday, September 20 | 7 PM
Park Road Baptist Church, Milford Chapel
A group of exiled Tibetan monks will be there. Space if often at a premium because this is a highly anticipated event so get there early. But please come.
NEWSLETTER
If you are not yet receiving our regular email newsletter be sure and sign up here: https://www.meckmin.org/contact-us
2. Non-Profit Updates
The views and opinions expressed below are those of the speakers/presenters and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the MeckMIN board or our member organizations.
FREE MECKLENBURG COUNTY TRANSORTATION FOR THOSE 60+ AND WITH DISABILITIES
Greg Tanner | Gregory.Tanner@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov Office: 980-314-6468 | Mobile: 704-533-3518
Mecklenburg County is providing free transportation for individuals 60 and older Mecklenburg County is providing free transportation for individuals 60 and older, or 18-59 who are disabled. These trips are to local grocery food chains, pharmacy’s, farmers markets, barber shops & beauty salons, places of worship, and some medical appointments. The service is offered 364 days a year/7 days a week. If you know someone that could benefit from this service please feel free to share the telephone number below with them to schedule the trip. All trips must be reserved 3 days in advance of the service.
Mecklenburg Transportation System Scheduling Line: 704-336-4547, If you need additional information please feel free to contact me directly.
BIG BROTHERS, BIG SISTERS
Donna Y. Dunlap | donna.dunlap@bbbscentralcarolinas.org | (C) 585.278.8778
They are an affiliate of the national organization serving people 5-21. You can refer a young person or act as a mentor. The foundation is that a caring adult can help children achieve success and avoid trouble. The mentoring is one to one. Focused on Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI).
· Two programs: Mentor meet 2-4 times per month to do fun stuff as well as personal growth activities.
· Site-based programs in a school or club or corporate location and spend time together there. It is a bit more structured.
Post-pandemic, there are many youth living in crisis. In 2022 Suicide was the 2nd leading cause of death for youths 10-17. Juvenile violent crime complaints for 7-17 year olds increased 21% with 2/3 of those involving a handgun. And in the 2023 school year CMS performance plummeted.
They have an equal number of boys and girls, mostly but not exclusively in Mecklenburg County. They measure outcomes via improved grads, participant feedback, graduation rates and success in avoiding juvenile justice.
You can help by providing volunteers OR financial success. There are so many kids to include.
We need Spanish speaking brothers and sisters, African American males, you can join an event committee or more. See the slide deck for more (but don’t share the video please until after October 5th). There are sponsorship programs and more.
Feel free to reach out to Donna for more information or if you have any questions.
EMPOWER YOUR LIFE, LLC
Tameka Walker | empoweryl21@gmail.com | 980-236-1919
Empower Your life, LLC is a human services agency that provides parenting education, mental health assessments, peer support
October the 14th they will be putting on a program from 12-2 pm. They accept healthy choice, Medicaid and more.
MECK PRE-K
Chenita Freeman | Chenita.Freeman@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Oscar Menjivar | OMenjivar@smartstartofmeck.org
Focus on early care, literacy and more.
Five main Programs:
· Guiding parents to services,
· The basics Mecklenburg,
· Dolly Parton Imagination Library,
· Ready 4K,
· MeckPre-K
No requirements to join, no testing, no income requirements. Free for everyone in the county. 47 locations in 5-star programs and still have some open slots. If they turned 4 before 831, they can still enroll. You can check on their program through their app.
MEDICATION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY EVENT
Patrice Brown | patriceb@carolinascare.org | 704-891-2624 Carolinas CARE Partnership
As part of the Latin American Festival, September 23rd
POTATO DROP @ MATTHEWS UNITED METHODIST
Amy DeVore | AmyD@matthewsumc.org
We are hosting a Potato Drop on Saturday, October 21. This event is a way to put food into the hands of the community and I want to make sure everyone attending your calls is aware of this. We will have @ 42,000 lbs. of potatoes to give away. We need help distributing. Reach out if you want 1000 pounds or something like that. Bags are in 10 pound increments. All have to go THAT DAY. If you can’t take them on Saturday, let them know and they will try to work with you. You cannot sell them but you can use them to distribute to newcomers, underserved and more.
They are building a spreadsheet of all of those in Mecklenburg and Union counties that can come and get loads of potatoes and that work begins on Tuesday. So it’s not too early to begin these announcements.
TAI CHI @ GALILEE
The Reverend Deacon Emily Parker | EDGalileeEast@gmail.com | 704-900-5210 x323
Executive Director, Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte
3601 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205
Interested in tai chi for your health and wellbeing? Galilee is hosting two interest sessions for any and all human beings. Wednesday, September 20 from 2-3 pm and Friday, September 22 from 10 to 11 am. 3601 Central Avenue. Galilee Center of East Charlotte. We do hard work and deserve to take care of our bodies. Thank you.
RSVP to Emily Parker at EDGalileeEast@gmail.com or call 704-900-5210 x 323
A FAITHFUL RESPONSE TO THOSE JAILED & RELEASED: A CONVERSATION WITH ALL INTERESTED CONGREGATIONS & ORGANIZATIONS Friday, September 29, 12:30, Myers Park Baptist Church, Room 250
Cindy Adcock | cadcock@msn.com
This lunch is an opportunity to brainstorm how to help those who are detained in jail and then released. The affinity group has been educating itself about the system in Mecklenburg County. They have done anti-racism training and are now putting it into action. They are exploring a jail support program to help those released after detention. Please come if you want to be a part of this effort. Sign up HERE
GANAS
Nancy Apolinar | napolinar@mylac.org | 704-531-3849
Youth Education and Opportunity Manager, Latin American Coalition
In collaboration with the CMS EL Department and LAC, we operate a culturally relevant mentorship program designed to foster authentic connections and help students ignite their inner motivation, or "GANAS" to stay on a path of academic and lifelong success. This coming fall semester, we will be partnering with South Mecklenburg High School's EL Department for a 10-week mentoring program called GANAS.
At the moment, I am actively seeking passionate volunteers to serve as mentors for the upcoming fall semester. Mentors will act as "life navigators" rather than tutors, providing guidance and support to high school students who are English Learners (EL). This presents a wonderful opportunity to inspire and connect with high school students, gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges and barriers they encounter.
LA FESTIVAL- Saturday, September 23th 2023
Diego Torres | Integration@mylac.org
Festival Latino Americano, Charlotte’s signature cultural event, returns for its 33rd year to a new location in the heart of the Ballantyne community, The Amp. As usual, the event welcomes internationally renowned musical acts, savory cuisine, a community-organized interactive village showcasing the culture of over 19 countries in Latin America, an authentic marketplace, dance presentations and more. We are seeking volunteers to help us set up.
INTERNATIONAL HOUSE
PEOPLE OF THE WORLD MONTHLY EVENT
Lauren Rogers | lrogers@ihclt.org
International House is excited to host our People of the World monthly event focusing this month on Mexico.
Join us at The People's Market (1609 Elizabeth Ave) on Wednesday, September 20 from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM to explore, celebrate, and honor our foreign-born and immigrant community together.
Get more details:
THE JOURNEY and INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR
We have partnered with Blumenthal Performing Arts this year for several CIAF events including The Journey and the International Bazaar. Learn more here about all that is included in this city-wide celebration.
Gallery Event: The Journey: Art Exhibit by International House
Tuesday, September 19 | 6 pm - 9 pm, Booth Theater Lobby
International House was established in 1981 to be a symbol of tolerance, understanding, and compassion to the international community. The organization was opened to be a cultural center that provided people with the opportunities to learn, share, experience, and understand our neighbors, and to make lasting connections and friendships.
With Blumenthal Performing Arts and International House partnering together for the Charlotte International Arts Festival, we're excited to present for the third year: The Journey.
This project focuses on the use of visual arts to illustrate the harrowing, complicated, and hope-filled journeys our immigrant and refugee neighbors take to come to the United States.
Thirteen immigrant artists have been invited to submit a piece of art that represents their journey to the United States, allowing the community to experience their story and take a walk in their shoes.
Vote for your favorite piece!
Please join this free gallery event to vote on your favorite piece, enjoy hors d'oeuvres from Aria, stop by the cash bar, and meet the artists to learn more about their journeys.
At this event, you will be able to cast one vote, and the winning artist will have their artwork featured in International House’s Annual Report for 2023 as well as win a $500 prize provided by International House.
Our past winners are Angela Lubinecky and Aguinaldo Santos.
"BE SET FREE" with Nicole Virgil
Saturday, Sept 23, at 10 AM
Kathleen Chicoine | rkathleenchicoine@hotmail.com
This is a great opportunity to learn about Christian Science.
JOIN THE ROOM IN THE INN TEAM
It’s been oppressively hot outside and December 1 seems a long way away but our Room in the Inn (RITI) season will be here before we know it.
Our RITI Innkeepers, Cher Lindblom and Jayne Barto, are looking for Nightly Coordinators (paid position) and Intake Team Members (volunteer) for our upcoming RITI season, December 1 – March 31. Both positions are 4 – 6:30pm, one night a week, at our Day Services Center, 945 N. College Street.
Before vans arrive at our Day Services Center to pick up their guests for the night, important work has already been done by these Nightly Coordinators and Intake Team Members. I volunteered as an Intake Team Member on Saturdays last season and have greater appreciation now for the folks who fill these important roles.
Can you help us spread the word about this need? You can contact Cher and Jayne at Innkeeper@roofabove.org
STIRRING THE ASHES
Thursday, September 28, 6:30 PM | St. Peter's Episcopal
On September 28, 6:30–8:00 p.m., the Racial Justice and Reconciliation pillar of the St. Peter’s Social Justice ministry will present Stirring the Ashes, a presentation by Jimmie Lee Kirkpatrick and De Kirkpatrick, classmates in the Myers Park High School Class of 1966—one Black, one white—about their reckoning with the enslavement of an ancestor of one of them by an ancestor of the other. A short video will be shown followed by comments by De and Jimmie, with time for audience participation. The ticket price is $15, with scholarships available.
Register HERE: https://bit.ly/3Ylr0Np
UNITY FALL FESTIVAL Saturday, September 30 | 11:30 AM - 1 PM
Nimish Bhatt | 704-491-1186
This 30th of September we UISAC/CAHA/MCOE and YMCA partners are celebrating wellness and unity fall festival 2023 at the Gandhi Statue uptown on trade street 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Mahatma Gandhi birthday celebration. Please join us for the celebration of good things.
LAPTOPS FOR SALE
EARTH WITNESS WEDNESDAY
As so many people around the world continue to feel the impacts of devastating floods and earthquakes, we continue to stand in solidarity and call for better practices to save our Earth for the well-being and future for all.
This action includes prayer/singing/silence and lasts approximately 45 minutes. All who are able go to lunch together afterwards.
SURVEY OPPORTUNITY
Jay Gulick is a sociology MA student at UNC Charlotte working on research exploring religion in the LGBTQ+ community. They want to focus on how being religious or non-religious may affect relations, social interactions, and feelings of belonging within the LGBTQ+ community. Jay hopes to potentially conduct semi-structured interviews with members of Mecklenburg's Metropolitan Interfaith Network. The interviews will last about 30 minutes to an hour over zoom and participants will receive a $25 Amazon gift card for their time. More details are in the attached consent form. If you are interested in participating or have questions, reach out to Jay by email at jgulick3@uncc.edu
CONSENT FORM
3. General Information
ANOTHER CHANCE: HOUSE OF REFUGE, INC. Community Soiree
FREE OTC MEDS
NC MedAssist will host a mobile free pharmacy on Friday, September 22nd.This event will occur between 9:00am - 2:00pm at Camino Health Center (201 Stetson Drive). To register in advance and receive your free Over The Counter (OTC) medications, click here. This event will occur between 9:00am - 2:00pm at Camino Health Center (201 Stetson Drive).
TOBACCO & NICOTINE EDUCATION WEBINAR
NEW GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Tuesday, September 26, 7 p.m., Zoom
Please join us along with special guest Ray Riordan from the NCDHHS Tobacco Control & Prevention Branch for a time of learning and discussion about the latest data, product information, and insights about tobacco and nicotine use in our communities. This knowledge can help your faith community to reduce disease caused by tobacco and nicotine usage--come and find out how!
PHW is pleased to be offering mini-grants for faith communities wishing to work in this area. Applications are being accepted now, but you can come to this webinar to learn more about how to use grant funds for this purpose and how to apply.
Visit healthandwholeness.org for more information on joining The PHW Collaborative and applying for a grant.
THE CORRIDORS CONNECT COMMUNITY ACTIVATION GRANTS OF $500
Aisha Sabur | aisha.abdussabur@charlottenc.gov | charlottenc.gov | 704-770-7457
The Corridors Connect Community Activation grant offers neighborhood groups and local nonprofit organizations within the Corridors of Opportunity funding to program / activate the Corridors Connect routes. Route details can be found in the following link: Open Streets Corridors Connects - Google My Maps $500 will be funded for eligible expenses associated with programming activities. Applications are open through September 15th, 2023, or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
Eligible Expenses
· Eligible expenses include:
· Youth programming
· Wellness and fitness classes
· Pop ups / interactive stalls
· Neighborhood history projects
· Interactive displays
And more! Please contact aisha.abdussabur@charlottenc.gov to confirm eligibility for projects not listed above.
Corridors Connect is an innovative collaboration of the City’s Corridors of Opportunity Initiative and the City and Mecklenburg County’s Open Streets Program that encourages community-wide opportunities for connectivity, health and wellness, celebration of community and equitable investment through multiple events located in all six Corridors. The 2023 Corridors Connect initiative will take place on back-to-back Sunday afternoons (1PM - 5PM) across six corridors. Event details are listed below. Visit the website for more details. https://openstreets704.com/
· Sugar Creek Rd. & I-85 – October 8th - 1:00 - 5:00pm
· Albemarle Rd. & Central Ave. – October 8th 1:00pm - 5:00pm
· Beatties Ford & Rozzelles Ferry – October 15th 1:00pm - 5:00pm
· Graham St. & North Tryon – October 15th 1:00pm - 5:00pm
· West Blvd. – October 22nd 1:00pm - 5:00pm
· Freedom Dr. & Wilkinson Blvd. – October 22nd 1:00 - 5:00pm
Considerations The City will provide a one time $500 grant to neighborhood organizations, merchant associations or coalition for eligible items paid September - November 2023. Grant applications must be approved prior to any expenses being made by the organization.
Funds must be used for neighborhood/nonprofit purposes.
· Grants will be awarded on a first come first considered basis, with priority given to achieving geographic distribution until funds are exhausted.
· Grants are limited to one application per organization and can be concurrent with other grants.
· Multiple activities may be funded within one application.
· Applicants are encouraged to be creative and inclusive to inspire participation from a diverse audience.
· Organizations must be located or operating in the City of Charlotte's Corridors of Opportunity Area of Influence geography.
· This is a reimbursement grant. Funds will be dispersed after the day your programming occurs.
Apply now (Once you login, search corridors connect community activation grant) or contact aisha.abdussabur@charlottenc.gov with questions.
CANOPY HOUSING FOUNDATION 2023 HUMANITARIAN AWARD NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED
Kim Oliver, MPA | canopyhousingfoundation.org | 704-940-3142 | canopyrealtors.com
The Canopy Housing Foundation (the charitable arm of the Canopy REALTOR® Association) is pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the 2023 Humanitarian Award. This is a perfect opportunity to recognize a deserving person, organization or project. The ideal nominee demonstrates what it means to be a great humanitarian, benefitting our community through their efforts.
This initiative is open to the entire community, and self-nominations will be accepted. Please note that your nominee does not have to be a Realtor®, and nominations are not limited to housing initiatives. For your reference, attached are nomination information and an editable PDF of the nomination form--also available on the Foundation’s website. The chosen recipient will be recognized with a crystal award at the Canopy Realtor® Association Holiday Luncheon on Friday, December 8. In addition, the Foundation will donate $5,000 to a non-profit organization of the recipient’s choice.
DEADLINE TO SUBMIT A NOMINATION IS OCTOBER 31 at 5 pm. Late applications will not be accepted.
Thank you, in advance, for your interest in submitting a nomination. Please do share with others who might know someone, a project or an organization deserving of consideration. You are welcome to contact me for additional questions or concerns.
2023 BLACK YOUTH WELLNESS SUMMIT
Saturday, September 23 | 10 AM - 2 PM
OVERCOMING RACISM DISCUSSION SERIES: A Spiritual Counter-Narrative to the Social Construction of Race & Whiteness Two-Part with Chuck Egerton
We are pleased to share our next two discussion sessions on Overcoming Racism will be facilitated by Chuck Egerton. The topic is titled A Spiritual Counter-Narrative to the Social Construction of Race & Whiteness. It will include an art component which will lead into the October meeting.
The next session in our series is Sunday, September 24 and the following is scheduled for Sunday, October 22.
Chuck Egerton Bio: Chuck is an educator, photographer, artist, writer and Peace and Conflict Studies practitioner. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) a Master of Arts in Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) from UNC Greensboro and a Ph.D. in PACS from the University of Manitoba. He completed 25 years of service as department head of Photography at Randolph Community College and has been a Lecturer in the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies at UNC Greensboro since 2016, teaching courses in Conflict Transformation, Violence in the Modern World, & Intro to Peace and Conflict Studies.
FDA TAKES ACTION ON UPDATED mRNA COVID-19 VACCINES TO BETTER PROTECT AGAINST CURRENTLY CIRCULATING VARIANTS
On September 11, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration took action approving and authorizing for emergency use updated COVID-19 vaccines formulated to more closely target currently circulating variants and to provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. Today’s actions relate to updated mRNA vaccines for 2023-2024 manufactured by ModernaTX Inc. and Pfizer Inc. Consistent with the totality of the evidence and input from the FDA’s expert advisors, these vaccines have been updated to include a monovalent (single) component that corresponds to the Omicron variant XBB.1.5. The FDA's press release can be found here.
Related Information
Updated COVID-19 Vaccines for Use in the United States Beginning in Fall 2023
Comirnaty (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) (2023-2024 Formula)
Spikevax (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) (2023-2024 Formula)
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula)
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula)
June 15, 2023, Meeting of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee
HOPE after SUICIDE LOSS
A very special support group designed especially for anyone who has ever lost a loved one, family or friend, to suicide is being offered all individuals within Mecklenburg County and outside NC counties. The group is called HOPE after SUICIDE LOSS. The group is facilitated by an American Foundation for Suicide Prevention trained peer facilitator.
In-person groups are held the 2nd Thursday of each month and a
Virtual meeting groups are held the 4th Tuesday of each month.
All interested individuals will need to send an email to hopeafterws@gmail.com or call (980) 689-0136. Please indicate that you are interested in learning more about how to register for a group. You will be contacted by the organizer.
POVERTY, BY AMERICA - MATTHEW DESMOND Christ Episcopal Church | Wednesdays. Sept 20 - Oct 11 | 7-8 PM
Joan Kilian | revjmk12@gmail.com Christ Episcopal Church
Christ Episcopal Church is hosting a zoom book discussion of Matthew Desmond's "Poverty, By America" on Wednesdays, Sept. 20 - Oct. 11, 7 - 8 pm.
Register HERE
FREE PARENT ADVOCACY SERIES ON ANTISEMITISM
Douglas Greene | Douglas.Greene@jewishcharlotte.org Jewish Federation to Everyone 11:47 AM
Douglas Greene - Jewish Federation - We are hosting a free parent advocacy series on antisemitism in the K-12 schools. Information and registration linked below: All are welcome! https://www.jewishcharlotte.org/jcrc-parent-advocacy-series
12 PASSENGER VAN NEEDED FOR AFTERSCHOOL PICKUP M-TH
Shonya Anderson | 704-802-9450
Center 360 is in need of a 12-passenger van for after school pickup and transport M-Th to our program site at Amay James Rec Center.
BLACK CHILD DEVELOPMENT - NEEDS VOLUNTEERS FOR IT'S 52 ANNUAL CONFERENCE October 13 - 15 | Charlotte, NC
Albert Horne | BCDI Charlotte
The Blqck Child Development is hosting our 52 annual conference here in Charlotte from Oct 13- Oct 15. We are still looking for volunteers to help support. If you have an interest please contact Karita at 980.920.2488 or email her at karita@bcdi-charlotte.org www.bcdicharlotte.org
PRAYER FOR NONPROFIT LEADERS
Beauty in Imperfection
A group of thirteen women came together at Well of Mercy recently for a workshop to create, doodle, listen to Anthem, lovingly paint and then tentatively smash their creations. Applying the wisdom of Wabi-Sabi, they were able to mend and celebrate the process of transformation summarized in this poem.
Wabi-Sabi
The Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection
and profundity in nature, of accepting the natural cycle
of growth, decay and death.
It’s simple, slow, and uncluttered –
and it reveres authenticity above all.
It celebrates cracks and crevices and
all the other marks that time, weather,
and loving use leave behind.
It reminds us that we are all
but transient beings on this planet –
that our bodies as well as
the material world around us
are in the process of returning
to the dust from which we came.
Found on Pinterest by Temple & Webster
The workshop culminated by taking the vases we painted, smashing them with a hammer, and eagerly gluing them, almost perfectly, back together. When dry, we added gold paint along the cracks thus creating our versions of a Wabi-Sabi, "kintsugi-style" vase. Kintsugi translates to "golden joinery" and treats breakage and then repair as part of the history of an object rather than something to hide or discard. The group's resulting vases were stunning examples of Wabi-Sabi.
Claudia Fulshaw
Next meeting:
Sept 28th - Thursday at 11 a.m.
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