Foundation

Hey Hey folks!

Just in case you were not able to make it Wednesday night here is pretty much what we talked about. :)

1-We are actually going to call our "MC" the "RVA Arts Collective" I think this better describes and encompasses what we are trying to do. We will still use the Facebook group for events and prayer requests but this blog will be the primary mode of communication.


2- While away at the leadership retreat one of the main objectives was to work on some strategic planning for the collective and a tentative schedule for the next 6 months. I feel as though there are 4 objectives that we will be working towards this year.

They are:

A- Increasing our "fringe" (our network or neighborhood ... if you are part of Eikon this would be your Person of Peace)

-How this will be done is by events we have already discussed. Things like SuckFest, First Fridays, Dinner and a Movie, Thursday hang out's at my place, Orphan's Thanksgiving etc. When we do these events, please invite those people that you have a friendship with who are not already disciples. These events are pretty low key and just fun so invite away! :)


B- Discipling the Core Team (If you are reading this.. that'd be you ;) )

- This will mainly be done with our Wednesday night meetings and a once a month scripture and art exercise. These monthly exercises will happen like so, we will get together on a Saturday afternoon and do a mediation of a verse(s) and what speaks to you about that verse(s). After our Saturday meeting you will have 24 hours to create a piece that represents what resonated with you and we will get together Sunday afternoon for dinner and discussion where we will present these pieces to the group. We'll do our first exercise in September and I will set up an event page once I decide on a date.

- The other thing we will be doing is an Artist's Retreat here in town sometime in January or March (weather dependent). I am looking at using Roslyn Retreat Center off River road and I think you'll really dig the scenery. Once I get all the particulars ironed out I will let everyone know pricing and dates well in advance :).


C-Themed Art Exhibit.

-We will be working on getting our pieces into one of the galleries in the area during one of the Friday art walks throughout the city. More than likely these pieces will come from our monthly meditations and it will be a chance to share with people the intersection of art and faith.



D-Philanthropic Exhibit or Event

- This year we will be helping out with Arts in the Alley doing some of the behind the scenes work and making murals etc. The tentative dates for this event will be in late March, early April and as I get more information I will pass it along.
We will also be helping Jake and Kristin with their MC in Hillside Court. They will be doing recitals with the students and will need help documenting the day etc. Once Jake and Kristin get things off the ground I will have a better handle on when those recitals will be.
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Those are the main objectives for our collective over the next year. What that will look like outside of our regular Wednesday meetings and Thursday hang outs, and weekend outings (First Friday's etc) will be this:

-Mediation exercises: Once a month- these will be on the Saturday and Sunday when we are not having Eikon.

-Suckfest: Halloween weekend. We have a facebook group for Suckfest so if you are not already part join up and start thinking about the awesomely terrible films you'd like to see. We will pick 3 or 4 and do what we do so well ;)

-Artist's Retreat: January or March

-Arts in the Alley: Late March or early April.

-Dinner and a Movie: Once a month or two months depending on what else we have going on.
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What I will need from you

Basically what I will need from you guys is most importantly prayers and your own personal devotional time. We are all in this together and our individual spiritual health is going to be clutch when it comes to what it is we are trying to do within the community. So however you get that time in to pray and commune with God.. do it! ;)

I also need you guys to be here and present when we do these events. Please make it to the Wednesday night meetings,weekend activities and the monthly gatherings. As far as the Thursday night informal hangouts try and make those once a month at least. These times are just really social space so you don't have to stay all night but show your face when you can. I understand this sounds like we have a lot going on and I understand that this is not our only obligation or commitment so I will try and make sure we are not overwhelmed with events and the like. That being said please communicate with me if things seem to be a bit much or you cannot make it. I really do wanna make sure that this is just as much fun and exciting as possible.

Finally what I need from you guys is your support. I want your input as much as possible with the events we do and the overall direction of the group but I also wanna make sure that we are doing what is going to be right. So if you have questions or concerns please come to me first, the absolute worse thing we can do within this collective is to start any sort of discord during this foundational time. I promise to be as available and open as I can with everyone and exercise as much discretion and wisdom in my leadership.

I <3 you guys soo much and cannot thank you enough for coming along and buying into this vision.

Jaimes!