Finally A Dream Verbalized...at least the first draft

I am longing to create a place where a community can gather, and with heightened awareness realize the prevailing metanarrative of God, humanity and the world, and be inspired interact with this narrative and become part of the restoration/reconciliation process. While this is an ominous task, it begins with personal awareness that unites in a community to make a difference for the benefit that may not be fully realized by the individual. With this in mind lets begin with a vision of the place that invites people to gather...

• First, there must be food...good, healthy food. We believe that people eating together have a greater possibility of growing closer together. The menu does not have to be overly complex, but include food and portions that encourage people to eat with a conscience for health, but also invites people to be fully present in the taste.
  
• There also must be beverages...coffee, tea, perhaps beer and wine if we can serve it in a way that promotes sobriety.
  
• The gathering place should be a place that cultivates creativity through artistic expression (live music, film, visual arts, creative writing, etc.) We believe that people exposed to the arts will invigorate their creativity to be actively involved in helping recreate the world as God's good creation.
• We must inspire a social consciousness that prompts people towards proactivity. The gathering place should be a place that informs people of personal, local and world perspectives, and provide platforms and resources to send people to become active in their world.
  
• We must actively create opportunities for elevated conversations and thinking. A mind that seeks greater understanding will be better equiped to discern truth, believe in hope, and act in love.
• The gathering place should be socially and environmentally responsible in all areas
  
• The gathering place should be a non-profit organization seeking opportunities to invest back into its community and alocate its resources accordingly.
  

Is it Angst or Fear? Either way it sucks!

This week the turmoil of possiblity and reality has taken its toll. Dreams of alternative forms of community, and communal spaces, heighten my intrests and creative juices. However, time, resources, and ability raise questions as to probable possibility. But, does authentic faith confront fear? I am stuck with the notion that the vision of Jesus needs further exploration in alternative environments, and wonder if I can be a pioneer in this movement. My angst longs for paradigmatic change more than a familiarity in a different locale. So I am stuck...I suffer from angst that might not be relieved in the familiar, but I fear that radical change is so divergent that the unchartered territory might destroy my faith. Either way I know I will have to choose a path and pray it is the leading of God and not reationary to my fear and angst.