Wednesday December 18 we'll hold our Winter Solstice Wonderground from 7-9 PM. Lots of singing as we explore and celebrate the darkest time of the year.

Every Wednesday at 9:00 am, GC|RH offers a time of contemplation at Good Shepherd Church, 960 Monacan Trail Road. Those who are new to contemplation and those who have a seasoned practice are welcome. For more information, contact Neal (neal@gracechurchredhill.org).

Songtuary, led by Cleo Keller and Craig Green, is a welcoming weekly gathering of contemplayful singers. We meet at Good Shepherd Church on Sundays from 4:00-5:30 pm. Our musical repertoire draws on diverse forms and cultures. We sing deep and simple rounds, chants, and seasonal songs.  All songs are taught by ear, without sheet music or printed lyrics. All voices are welcome. It's fine to just show up for Songtuary, but please arrive in a timely fashion. We ask folks who can't make it by 4:15 to come another week. If you've questions about Songtuary contact Craig or Cleo by email: seedsofharmony@gmail.com.

Also, visit our website!

On Sunday, December 15 GC|RH will stage the Christmas Pageant!

Ministry of Imagination (MOI) will meet on Wednesday evenings for the rest of the 2024 gatherings. 

This week, on Wednesday, December 11, from 6:45 and 8:15 pm, come and join a  conversation on touchstone words. A touchstone word is a North Star to navigate by in the coming year. In moments of doubt or discernment, one can use the word as a lens to clarify priorities and the spirit in which one chooses to conduct one's life. A touchtone word represents a quality or a priority one aims to manifest or cultivate in the coming year. 

Every Wednesday at 9:00 am, GC|RH offers a time of contemplation at Good Shepherd Church, 960 Monacan Trail Road. Those who are new to contemplation and those who have a seasoned practice are welcome. For more information, contact Neal (neal@gracechurchredhill.org).

The Red Hill Book Club will meet again on Sunday, December 8, 5:30 - 7:30, at the home of Bekah Menning (and Willis Jenkins). We'll be wrapping up a section on anti-racism with two personal essays and two poems from Jesmyn Ward's book, "The First This Time", from 2017. Please RSVP to Bekah for directions to her home and a PDF of the excerpts:  rimenning@gmail.com

Songtuary, led by Cleo Keller and Craig Green, is a welcoming weekly gathering of contemplayful singers. We meet at Good Shepherd Church on Sundays from 4:00-5:30 pm. Our musical repertoire draws on diverse forms and cultures. We sing deep and simple rounds, chants, and seasonal songs.  All songs are taught by ear, without sheet music or printed lyrics. All voices are welcome. It's fine to just show up for Songtuary, but please arrive in a timely fashion. We ask folks who can't make it by 4:15 to come another week. If you've questions about Songtuary contact Craig or Cleo by email: seedsofharmony@gmail.com.

Also, visit our website!

Join us after worship for our second annual Grace Church Red Hill Wreathmaking extravaganza! As last year, we will have frames, wire, and some greenery to get us started, but we welcome contributions from your yards! Scavenging for wreath-able treasures can be such a fun way to get to know the plants in your yard or your neighborhood, and you end up with a one-of-a-kind wreath that reflects our church community's local ecology. We'd welcome pruned bits of boxwood, holly, and other evergreens, cones, native plants, dried flowers, grasses, feathers...creativity encouraged! Please bring hand pruners and gloves if you have them; we'll have some to share as well. Dr. Ho's pizza provided to fuel your creative energy. 

On Saturday, December 7, Joanna Currey will lead an Advent poetry workshop centered on this year's Advent theme: kindling. Joanna will lead the group through a series of prompts and exercises, and by the end of the workshop each participant will have a new draft of a poem. Please bring a notebook and something to write with.

This event is geared toward adults with any level of writing experience, from the seasoned writer to the poetry-curious--no prior experience required. It's also free and open to the public, so invite your friends!

Joanna Currey is from Virginia. She studied English, Poetry Writing, and Religious Studies at the University of Virginia, and received her MFA in Poetry Writing from Vanderbilt University in Nashville. In addition to her work at GC|RH, she works in ecological restoration with a focus on the native grasslands of the Piedmont region of Virginia. She lives at the Charis community where she enjoys composting, cooking, and lots of experimental plant and land projects.

MOI will meet on Wednesday evenings for the rest of our 2024 gatherings. 

On Wednesday December 4th, we'll start at 6:45 and run to 8:15! Join us in a conversation reflecting on the opening chapter of Michael Battle's book: "Ubuntu." A PDF of the chapter is available, along with an introductory note from Jason Obergfell, who brought this book to our attention! Email seedsofharmony@gmail.com for a copy.

Every Wednesday at 9:00 am, GC|RH offers a time of contemplation at Good Shepherd Church, 960 Monacan Trail Road. Those who are new to contemplation and those who have a seasoned practice are welcome. For more information, contact Neal (neal@gracechurchredhill.org).

Songtuary, led by Cleo Keller and Craig Green, is a welcoming weekly gathering of contemplayful singers. We meet at Good Shepherd Church on Sundays from 4:00-5:30 pm. Our musical repertoire draws on diverse forms and cultures. We sing deep and simple rounds, chants, and seasonal songs.  All songs are taught by ear, without sheet music or printed lyrics. All voices are welcome. It's fine to just show up for Songtuary, but please arrive in a timely fashion. We ask folks who can't make it by 4:15 to come another week. If you've questions about Songtuary contact Craig or Cleo by email: seedsofharmony@gmail.com.

Also, visit our website!

Every Wednesday at 9:00 am, GC|RH offers a time of contemplation at Good Shepherd Church, 960 Monacan Trail Road. Those who are new to contemplation and those who have a seasoned practice are welcome. For more information, contact Neal (neal@gracechurchredhill.org).

Ministry of Imagination will meet at Good Shepherd Church on Monday, November 25 from 7:00 to 8:30 pm to discuss the recently held Eco-spirituality Service at the UVa Chapel. We'll discuss possibilities to offer additional gatherings there in the new year. 

We'll also spend some time looking ahead to December adventures including our Winter Solstice Wonderground on Weds 12/18. 

Also our Touchstone Soup ritual in which individuals share their touchstone word for the coming year!

hope to see you soon!

Songtuary, led by Cleo Keller and Craig Green, is a welcoming weekly gathering of contemplayful singers. We meet at Good Shepherd Church on Sundays from 4:00-5:30 pm. Our musical repertoire draws on diverse forms and cultures. We sing deep and simple rounds, chants, and seasonal songs.  All songs are taught by ear, without sheet music or printed lyrics. All voices are welcome. It's fine to just show up for Songtuary, but please arrive in a timely fashion. We ask folks who can't make it by 4:15 to come another week. If you've questions about Songtuary contact Craig or Cleo by email: seedsofharmony@gmail.com.

Also, visit our website!

Every Wednesday at 9:00 am, GC|RH offers a time of contemplation at Good Shepherd Church, 960 Monacan Trail Road. Those who are new to contemplation and those who have a seasoned practice are welcome. For more information, contact Neal (neal@gracechurchredhill.org).

On Monday, November 18 at 8:00 pm, the Ministry of Imagination will celebrate an Eco-Spirituality Service at the UVa Chapel. All are invited.

On Monday, November 18 at 8:00 pm, GC|RH will celebrate an Eco-Spirituality Service at the UVa Chapel. All are invited.

Songtuary, led by Cleo Keller and Craig Green, is a welcoming weekly gathering of contemplayful singers. We meet at Good Shepherd Church on Sundays from 4:00-5:30 pm. Our musical repertoire draws on diverse forms and cultures. We sing deep and simple rounds, chants, and seasonal songs.  All songs are taught by ear, without sheet music or printed lyrics. All voices are welcome. It's fine to just show up for Songtuary, but please arrive in a timely fashion. We ask folks who can't make it by 4:15 to come another week. If you've questions about Songtuary contact Craig or Cleo by email: seedsofharmony@gmail.com.

Also, visit our website!

Every Wednesday at 9:00 am, GC|RH offers a time of contemplation at Good Shepherd Church, 960 Monacan Trail Road. Those who are new to contemplation and those who have a seasoned practice are welcome. For more information, contact Neal (neal@gracechurchredhill.org).

Greetings Imaginauts

MOI will gather anew at Good Shepherd Church (960 Monacan Trail Rd.)on Monday Nov 11. A month ago we set a topic for this meeting: "What's Next?" We knew that would be a relevant inquiry regardless of the election outcome. Now, with some knowledge of that, we will join hearts and minds to begin imagining a path forward. Pizza will be served at 6:15 pm. Or just come at 7 for conversation and some singing! Let us know if you plan to join us for the meal. That'll help us know how many pizzas to get! 

Also, mark your calendar: on Monday November 18th 8 pm, we will help convene an eco-spirituality service at UVA Chapel. More details soon. 

Singcerely,
Craig

“Your imagination is the conduit across which the world’s soul is conveyed." - Toko-pa Turner

Songtuary, led by Cleo Keller and Craig Green, is a welcoming weekly gathering of contemplayful singers. We meet at Good Shepherd Church on Sundays from 4:00-5:30 pm. Our musical repertoire draws on diverse forms and cultures. We sing deep and simple rounds, chants, and seasonal songs.  All songs are taught by ear, without sheet music or printed lyrics. All voices are welcome. It's fine to just show up for Songtuary, but please arrive in a timely fashion. We ask folks who can't make it by 4:15 to come another week. If you've questions about Songtuary contact Craig or Cleo by email: seedsofharmony@gmail.com.

Also, visit our website!

Every Wednesday at 9:00 am, GC|RH offers a time of contemplation at Good Shepherd Church, 960 Monacan Trail Road. Those who are new to contemplation and those who have a seasoned practice are welcome. For more information, contact Neal (neal@gracechurchredhill.org).

Election Night Song Circle
Tuesday, November 5th, 7:00-9:00 pm 
Good Shepherd Church, (960 Monacan Trail Rd.) Charlottesville VA.

Join MOI on Election Night to weave a web of resilient camaraderie. We're passing together through the threshold into a new world, soon to be born in this year's election results. Let's fortify our spirits for this turbulent passage! This gathering will provide a contemplayful oasis of media-free conviviality. We'll generate soulful solidarity in song and movement, voting with our voices to evoke a more free and harmonious world. 

We invite all participants to come prepared to cast a personal vote for the coming 4 years. What vote/devotion/leap of faith do you elect to enact day after day in the coming 4 years? We'll share a ritual of each of us writing our vote/devotion down concisely on a 3x5 and placing it in a ballot box. Results from this election will be shared at the end of the evening!

Set your phone aside as you enter our wonderground. Partake of the cascading returns if you wish once you've departed our wonderground. Cleo and I plan to practice mental/emotional hygiene by abstaining from election returns until 8 AM Weds Nov 6th. Light refreshments will be provided. Bring a comforting snack to share if you can. After our 9 pm closing we welcome folks to stay on for informal song and conversation.

While it's fine to just show up for this gathering, please RSVP if you plan to join us, seedsofharmony@gmail.com. This helps with planning.

Here is a video of our Wonderground theme song for the night: "One By One." Join us in healing the world one vote at a time.

Songtuary, led by Cleo Keller and Craig Green, is a welcoming weekly gathering of contemplayful singers. We meet at Good Shepherd Church on Sundays from 4:00-5:30 pm. Our musical repertoire draws on diverse forms and cultures. We sing deep and simple rounds, chants, and seasonal songs.  All songs are taught by ear, without sheet music or printed lyrics. All voices are welcome. It's fine to just show up for Songtuary, but please arrive in a timely fashion. We ask folks who can't make it by 4:15 to come another week. If you've questions about Songtuary contact Craig or Cleo by email: seedsofharmony@gmail.com.

Also, visit our website!

On Sunday, November 3 we will observe the Feast of All Saints by naming and remembering those who have died. Please send me the names of those who you would like to remember, neal@gracechurchredhill.org. We will also be lighting candles in their memory. We will also create an ofrenda at GC|RH as another way to honor our ancestors. In Mexican tradition an ofrenda is an altar to honor the deceased during the Day of the Dead, Oct 31st/Nov 1st. The altar will be set up on the side of the sanctuary draped in cloth with candles, images of calaveras (skulls), and marigolds, on which everyone can place personal photos and items. Women at the Women's Retreat on Saturday, Nov 2nd will add items to the ofrenda. Then on Sunday, Nov 3rd, folks can add photographs and other items to the ofrenda before the service begins. Following the service those who wish can gather from 11:30-12:30, to share stories, songs, and memories of those beloveds who have passed on.

Saturday, November 2nd, Sanctuary of Women, Grace Church | Red Hill's women's group, will host a short retreat from 10-3 at church. More details forthcoming, but this will be a time of rest and reflection through conversation, song and movement. This group organizes gatherings intermittently throughout the year, including a weekend retreat January 17-19, 2025 (mark your calendars!). Questions and rsvps can go to Kate Lichti (kjlichti@gmail.com).  *This gathering is offered to women, women-identifying individuals, non-binary and gender non-conforming people who are comfortable in a space that centers the experiences of women in fellowship and prayer. 

Every Wednesday at 9:00 am, GC|RH offers a time of contemplation at Good Shepherd Church, 960 Monacan Trail Road. Those who are new to contemplation and those who have a seasoned practice are welcome. For more information, contact Neal (neal@gracechurchredhill.org).

Hey folks,

The Ministry of Imagination is taking a week off to attend the IMPACT meeting on Monday, October 28th. See you there!

Singcerely,

Craig