Winter Music Concert? What a Way to Be Kind!

A Year of Being Kind blog – Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Winter Music Concert? What a Way to Be Kind!

I went to a winter music concert tonight, along with my oldest daughter.

The winter music concert was at my youngest daughter’s college. I enjoyed going! Both choruses and instrumental ensembles were very good, musically and in terms of performance. All of the performances had youthful vigor—yet that was just what I expected from musical groups from a college. Excitement and enthusiasm, bubbling over.

First, each separate group performed on their own. And then, intermission. Afterwards, a large, combined musical ensemble performed several selections from Handel’s Messiah. Again, a youthful exuberance was evident, and made up for some small problems in executions. All in all, everyone certainly seemed to be putting their hearts into it.

I was reminded of a number of student concerts from the past. Not only my children’s concerts, also concerts I’ve participated in. Both secular and religious concerts, too. I love to make music, and I have tried to pass that love to all of my children. I know performing is often a real upper, a real kick for groups—choruses, bands, orchestras. When people are truly trying their best, the audience can tell.

What a wonderful night.

What a way for the students and faculty conductors to be kind.

@chaplaineliza

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How to Be Helpful by “Sacred Cow Tipping” (and Other Matters)

A Year of Being Kind blog – Saturday, July 19, 2014

How to Be Helpful by “Sacred Cow Tipping” (and Other Matters)

In case any of my regular readers isn’t aware, I am at a conference: the 2014 National Assembly of the Federation of Christian Ministries. Wonderful presentations! (Really and truly. That isn’t me just saying that to earn brownie points with the association.)

Even though every presentation has been worthwhile, two sessions this afternoon were especially fantastic! Both sessions were infused by the same off-beat, dead-pan sense of humor. Both featured the same presenter: Rabbi Laura Baum (you might know her either from her online congregation, www.ourjewishcommunity.org, or from her Twitter handle, @Rabbi). I’ll talk about the second first. (If you know what I mean.)

Her second presentation was on the use of social media in building community. Since the conference I’m attending features a large group of Christian ministers in many alternative ministries, I suspect the conference organizers wished to give 21^st century communication options and opportunities to the attendees. Rabbi Baum certainly delivered! She gave a genial tour of several types of commonly-used social media, and pointed out handy tips for using this media effectively. Since I am currently working with my church’s office manager to get our church’s Facebook page up and running, this is precisely what I need at this point in time! (Thank you, thank you, Rabbi Laura!) Oh, our Facebook page—in its infancy still—is St. Luke’s Evangelical Covenant Church—in Morton Grove, Illinois, a suburb north and west of Chicago.

Another totally awesome presentation (also featuring Rabbi Laura) was “Sacred Cow Tipping.” As she explained, she had formerly called this type of session “Smashing Idols,” but she found the idea of tipping over ‘sacred cows’ to be more evocative. (And humorous.) This was not your typical large-group session at a conference, where we passively sit and listen. No, each table was asked to interact with each other on a number of questions. Here, the presenter suggested that we in the audience think of something serious—a ‘sacred cow’ each individual might really want to smash—and communicate that to others in the group. This process not only was freeing for me, personally, but I could sense the same freedom and excitement coming from many other attendees in the audience, at tables close to me!

Rabbi Laura spoke at length about the whole concept of destroying a ‘sacred cow.’ Admittedly, a valued-by-many, precious-to-some, tenaciously-held white elephant of an idol. (How about that for a mixed metaphor! Mine, I must admit.) Although, as some gardeners know very well, certain types of bushes and plants need to be drastically pruned and cut back in order for them to remain healthy, and to flower and grow back in a glorious manner. Just so, certain practices or specific institutions in the church need to be prayerfully considered, cut back, or pruned—even cut down to the roots.

I still don’t know quite what I am going to do with this idea of ‘sacred cow tipping.’ But, it resonated deeply within. I’m going to pray about it. Meditate on it. And then, see how God leads! Whatever and wherever it is, it will be exciting! Thanks again, Rabbi Laura.

@chaplaineliza

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