Open Spirit’s Annual Day of Spirit: Threads of Connection – Honoring the Gifts We Weave Together
Saturday, November 2, 12 – 4:30 pm on the Edwards Church Campus
Join us for this year’s annual special event day – Day of Spirit. Our theme this year is Threads of Connection: Honoring the Gifts We Weave Together. Our textile exhibition titled “Threads of Connection” will be open for viewing beginning at noon. We will celebrate the connections that bind us through this powerful medium.
Our keynote address “When Thoughts and Threads Collide,” will be presented by artist Valarie Poitier. Valarie is an independent curator, artist, and lecturer known for her art quilts that document personal and historic events. Her work has been exhibited in museums and galleries across the U.S. and internationally, and she is a sought-after speaker and teacher.
After our keynote, we there will be a choice of workshops and our day will conclude with an open mic gathering.
Schedule:
12-1 pm Art exhibition open for viewing
1-2 pm Keynote Address
“When Thoughts and Threads Collide” presented by guest speaker and artist Valarie Poitier
2:15-3:15 pm
Workshops:
- From Text to Textile: Creating a Community Poetry Flag led by Lisa Breger
- Melodies of Connection: Everyone is a Jazz Artist led by Kaoruko Pilkington
- Meditation: The Golden Thread led by Katherine McClean
3:30-4:30 pm Open Mic!
Call for Performers!
Our Day of Spirit will conclude with an Open Mic from 3:30-4:30 pm. We invite you to come and share your talent with us all, whether it be song, music, poetry, storytelling, or something else you wish to share. All ages and abilities are welcome as we celebrate all of our unique gifts and how together they create a tapestry of hope and community.
To sign up to be part of our Open Mic please email dara@openspiritcenter.org.
Community Meditation with Joti Royster
Saturday, November 9, 10:30 am-12 pm in Edwards Hall
Joti will join us again for community meditation, followed by reflections and sharing (for those who’d like to stay). There will be guided meditation interspersed with silence for the first forty minutes followed by reflections, questions and insights, sharing, readings, friendship.
This event is a sharing of truth, freely offered. Donations to support Open Spirit programming are welcomed. Joti Royster, formerly from Sacred Spaces in Southborough, is currently at Temple Forest Monastery in Temple, New Hampshire. She can be reached at jotimetta@gmail.com.
Buddhist Wisdom for Anxious Times – Part II
Tuesday, November 12, 7 pm in Edwards Hall
Are you struggling to find a healthy way to engage in the midst of a contentious time in our nation and a distressing time in our world? Do you find yourself feeling paralyzed or frantic? Are you looking for inspiration and grounding?
We invite you to join Bhante Pannasiri and Jennifer Linde from New England Buddhist Vihara for a time of teaching and conversation, as they share wisdom from the Buddhist tradition, to guide us in these times. The conversation will conclude with mindfulness and lovingkindness meditation.
NEW CLASS: Gentle Yoga for Body, Mind & Spirit
Thursday evenings, 5:30-6:30 pm at Open Spirit in Edwards Hall and via Zoom – November 7, 14, and 21
End your day with a gentle, inspiring yoga class for all levels of ability and experience. Come experience gentle stretch, deep relaxation and restoration of body and spirit. Each week, we will begin our time with an intention to focus on a poem or reading to ground our practice.
This class is for all ages and abilities; postures can be adapted for chair yoga. This class is “hybrid” – with in-person and Zoom options. We encourage in-person for the experience of practicing in community, if you are able. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87354895436?pwd=kdgGJSsRN3hczUxkpbeuT4QskSKifE.1
Password: open.
Suggested donation: $18-22. We invite you to contribute as you are able to help make this class possible.
Led by Debbie Clark.