Body Orthodoxy: a Sensual Education :: Thursday, Oct 27th, 8pm :: Heather Marie Stringer

 © The Vinyl Idol

“There is nothing in all the world more beautiful or significant of the laws of the universe than the nude human body. In fact it is not only among the artists but among all people that a greater appreciation and respect for the human body should develop. When we respect the nude we will no longer have any shame about it.”   -Robert Henri, The Art Spirit .

Historically, ecclesial communities have struggled, if not ignored, engaging the physical body as it pertains to sexuality and gender; eros and violence; body image and sensuality with honesty, reverence, kindness and courage. Many times an ascetic approach is employed in which power and control are exerted as the means to the end—serving as one of the primary gages of an obedient, godly life. On the contrary, American culture provides a very underdeveloped sexuality and body-ing that possesses its own brand of asceticism as well as misuse and exploitation—whether it be, for example, encouraging eating disorders, loss of gender identity or mindless sexual activity. Moreover, we need open and safe dialogues about our bodies and what they have suffered as well as generating reverence to them as intelligent, languaged, and complex beings.

 Join us this coming Thursday, October 27th at In The Red, 8pm. Heather Marie Stringer, performance artist and therapist, will lead us into this fascinating conversation, which is made is in light of an upcoming art exhibit in December. Heather Marie Stringer is one of the most fresh and powerful emergent voices in our local theology. You can read her blog here: http://dearheathermarie.wordpress.com

See you Thursday!

God & Women: Genesis and Gender Theology with Susan Hall | Thursday Sept 22nd at In the Red

Much of women's discrimination in the Church has been based on a patriarchal read of the story of creation portrayed in Genesis. Susan Hall, Doctor in Ministry in Feminist Theology and psychotherapist, will lead us in a conversation exploring the book of Genesis from an egalitarian perspective. Join us for this exciting conversation this coming Thursday September 22nd at 8pm at In the Red, in Phinney.

As usual, please bring some cash to buy some goodies to share... yes, you are still on your own with the wine :). See you soon!

Reconciliation in the context of Domination | August 25th | Rose Madrid-Swetman

The Gospel of Jesus talks about Reconciliation and Forgiveness. We are all called to love our enemies and bring about peace. However, we have inherited much of these principles within a tradition that assumes a plain field and denies oppression.

What happens when we name and face the contexts of domination? How does the gospel empower the disempowered to forgive and reconcile when justice must be made?

Seattle Pastor Rose Madrid-Swetman will lead us in a conversation titled "Living the gospel of peace in within systems of domination. Whether we are up against theological or systemic injustice, how do we step into the Story that God has invited us to live out?

Join us this Thursday August 25th, 8pm at In The Red in Phinney--->back room.

p.s. In the Red's manager has been amazingly gracious to host us for free every month. Please plan on bringing a suggested donation of $5 to buy appetizers to share. You are on your own with the wine :)

"You shall bake goods and teach Sunday school..." right?: Gender Roles and Reversed Cultural Engagement, with Dr. Jennifer McKinney

Join our next Venus Hill conversation on July 28th, 8p.m., at “In the Red” on Phinney. Dr. Jennifer McKinney, Professor of Sociology at Seattle Pacific University will be leading us in discussion around gender roles in the American family and how Christian culture absorbs larger cultural ideals and “baptizes” them as Christian principles. See you there!

June 23rd | Mystics and Christofascism: a primer on liberation theology with Kimberly George

We are excited to have Kimberly George, creative and academic writer and feminist theologian, joining us for our next gathering on June 23rd at 8pm. We will be meeting at "In the Red," in Phinney Ridge.

Kimberly will be sharing about the role of mystics in today's world. She will introduce us to Dorothee Soelle, a feminist and post-colonial theologian who addresses consumerism, war and violence, and why the way of mystics is needed amidst our activist work.

"Our Story, Too" | April 28th | 7pm

Our first Venus Hill gathering is scheduled for April 28th of 2011 at 7pm at Chocolati in Wallingford.

Renee Notkin, pastor of Union Church in Seattle, will be leading us in a conversation about how we perceive scripture and what has influenced us to see them in this way. When scripture is viewed as a piece of work that limits the role of women, stops their voices and even supports oppression, what interpretations have led to these views? Is it possible that we can reclaim the lasting truth of Genesis 1 which affirms that female and male reflect the image of God?

Renee will lead us through passages in the Bible that remarkably and powerfully affirm that the female voice is necessary and loved by our Creator. And, when the female voice is authentically freed to speak, we have a voice that is meant to speak words of hope and freedom and reconciliation for all.

How do we help one another find our God created voices, especially when they have been stifled?

Join us at the loft in Chocolati in Wallingford.