'New Tack' for Salt [Factory]

FRom Facebook....

Hey all... this doesn't reach our entire Salt [Factory] crew but it's a start at a ridiculously busy time of year.... I am working on a contact list... BUT....

I want to invite all those who've taken an interest in SF to know I am inviting you to take a slightly new 'Tack' and help sort out all those different things the group could be and could do... if only you had time!!

I've pitched to you... a vision of what could be but we've struggled to have space to work together to start and grow that... or you've told me if I do it all it can happen!!

Here's the new 'tack' in sailing terms there may be more... I'm asking those who've been interested to come onboard and give this thing [4 months or so] as we iron out the different ideas that have come...

See we've talked about events, relationships, locations, meetings, what else people connect with, possible futures etc and I fear we are gripped by not having a coordinated sense of which way to jump... note the 'beta' addition to the logo above... permission to be 'in development'...

We've been clear about the idea of SF being a community/group/space which holds each of us accountable for how we are engaged in God's activity/mission in the world... but then we've jumped to random events which could do that but feed nobody's passions in particular...

So the 'new tack' is I'm offering to sharpen my leadership as a mentor, encourager, teacher as we gather a few times to talk about how each of us might be being challenged to be engaged in God's mission and we'll reflect, talk, be encouraged to think of what in that is personal action ,what is group action and where you could act that out.... if you think an event or happening does that for you the SF can help you put it together... if not then SF is about encouraging that personal journey...

It means a couple of gatherings where we hear stories, reflect and discuss who or what God is calling each of us to be... and as ideas for ways to do the emerge, then we can seek each others help to do that...

In the meantime, other events. programs and experiences may be the way... and we as a group can work at how to help each other engage in those...

OK, questions, comments, reflections.....
I will seek a date for a Chrissy experience before 2010 disappears, may explore 'Tropfest' trip again and another cafe conversation or meeting at the Joy Cummings Centre on the edge of Pacific Park in Newie... we bring our own supper....

OK... YOU are invited... stay tuned for details....
Check out red bubble post below for your t-shirt or await details of the cheaper option thru Luke O.....

OK, questions, comments, reflections.....

A New 'Tack'

Salt [Factory] folks will soon receive and invitation to 'take a new tack' and to gather to talk about the shape of the next few times together...

I've been doing lots of thinking and want to share some of my story and invite you to consider more focus on [1] idea about Salt [Factory] than the many we've tossed around... it involves being able to help each of you to 'live out God's mission in the world' according to your gifts and energy...

In the meantime our logo has made it's way onto a t-shirt... which is in one way is a bit pre-emptive but will also help us spread the word about our existence AND ultimately to reflect our hopes and energy as a group!!

There are three ways to access these shirts...

[1] is up and running now at redbubble.com

Follow the links from http://www.redbubble.com/shop/salt+factory+t-shirts to order designs that work on either lighter or darker colours at the bargain 'no sweat shop' price of $25!! with a 2-3 week delivery!! and no postage for [4] shirts...

OR

[2] In the future 'oliverthedesigner' should be able to hook you up with a homegrown but cheaper version

[3] There will be some opportunities to win one as a give-away... stay tuned!!

We know it's exams and wind down for the year BUT what happens next will reflect just that...

Two Things

ONE: Salt [Factory] will be hitting/making a cafe space just before students and others disappear into the study/exams vortex!! You need a night off anyhow!!

TWO: Then something before Christmas reflecting on Advent would be a great way to use a city space like the rail sheds!!

ReGenerate in Adelaide

I've been in Adelaide tonight at a network dinner called ReGenerate and have shared with some leaders of new missional and experimental groups or initiatives from a 'singles' ministry through to art in public space as part of Adelaide Fringe and a few other stories in between!! A great opportunity to bring questions, ideas and thinking aloud... out... to be followed by conversation with friends/colleagues here in SA tomorrow!!

Salt [Factory] will have couple more activities/spaces before the end of the year and I am very keen to talk with people about what it is about Salt [Factory] they would like to see grow and how they'd be happy to contribute...

I am also hoping to find a time where anyone who wants to could come together for day to do some 'Retreating' and 'visioning' about SF for 2011 when we can be clearer about a shared purpose and the values of SF people have found attractive and want to hold up for focus so we begin to figure out some of the yet to be explored questions about what SF is.... stay tuned!!

"Tomorrow When the War Began"

Twelve of us ventured out to see the film tonight at Newcastle's historic Tower Cinemas!! It seemed a fitting venue for such an aussie film based on book 1 of 7 written by John Marsden. Scott Beattie's screenplay and the production values did the story justice as Wirrawee was shot in and around Dungog, Raymond Terrace [oh yeah and the Blue Mountains I guess]!!

I should have recognised the Luskintyre Bridge up past Lochinvar as I've spent many a lazy Sunday afternoon playing in the sand dunes under it as a youngster!!

Theme/s:

From the young people's point of view it's about making their way and becoming who they are

The violence and futility of war

How God engages in the world and our lives

Christian and other values and choices

And it's about 'an even share' for neighbouring peoples, given Australia's vastness, wealth and resources

While the film finished with a set up for the following stories [rumoured for TV miniseries] it stood alone as a good yarn as well!!

Small Missional Community

The hope for Salt [Factory] is that it might become a small missional community exploring life and faith in ways that help participants make sense of both!!

At the moment it's an experiment in search of clear purpose and identity and so is it any wonder any number of young adults wait to see which way things fall so they can decide whether or not to invest!!

Meanwhile, it needs that involvement to further take shape... "it's not rocket science!" but it is a bit complex!!

Salt [Factory] is:

- focused on young adults

- seeking to be a community of people

- about exploring life, spirituality & christian faith

- hoping to create an initial community of identifiable young adults moving out of other organised UCA programs, places and events BUT remaining outward focused so together we might create events and spaces where those not part of the group can find space to explore...

- the goal is to draw young adults in the city of Newcastle who might also appreciate this journey of discovery and accountability!!

Do you want to help create such a space and some events... ?

I'd love to hear from you at rjh43@live.com!!

Salt Factory hits the Movies "Tomorrow When the War Began"

7pm at Newcastle Tower Cinemas we're catching "Tomorrow When the War Began" with supper at Darby St for those who can stay to chat about the film!!

GET YOUR OWN TIX TO SAVE CONFUSION!!

As a non reader of John Marsden's work I look fwd to being educated and by all reports the film is GREAT!! Join us if you can... stay tuned for future 'Salt [Factory]' activity of not!!

Or Then Again

Salt [Factory] Wordle

Hey All,

Unfortunately due to illness around the Easter [and annual Synod meeting] time... not all the plans for Salt [Factory] Live Music Cafe have been able to be finalised!! Which in hindsight we should have stuck with in our decision to back off and do some reflection/discussion about who/what/where/how and why we'd like to continue to shape and gather and be this group!!

So, once more [and hopefully for the last time] WE'VE HAD TO POSTPONE OUR EVENT FOR 19TH APRIL!!! UNTIL A FUTURE DATE...

STAY TUNED FOR DETAILS OF VENUE FOR A REFLECTION/DISCUSSION where I would love to also pilot 'WE BELIEVE' creed writing with the group... Jono bring your camera!! Over food of course...

LIve Music 19th April

Hey all, you can download this jpeg, print it off and distribute to your friends and networks ahead of the event... posters and cards will be done after Easter!! For distribution to friends, groups, churches, cafe's in Newcastle.... guerilla marketing!!

Mybe even a flash mob is in order!!

Salt [Factory] 22nd March at BWP 6:30pm

OK, so our Live Music Cafe is now locked in as an OxFam fundraiser for April 19th because nobody was able to help put it together in time for March!! Instead we need to have a fun meal and a quiet chat about other stuff that needs to be arranged and maybe about how we're going at living out our life and faith where we are...

6:30pm to 9:00pm BWP at Newcastle Harbour on Monday 22nd March

See you there...

I hope to have a simple 'what is Salt [Factory]?' handout for people to reflect on!!

"Shocked" wins 2010 Tropfest

Tropfest 2010

We made our way to Sydney's Domain on Sunday for the finals celebration of the world's biggest short film Festival TROPFEST!! Because of other commitments we'd had to leave via the minibus at about 4pm [well 4.30] and my midweek enquires to RTA and Sydney City Council had me unsure about parking!! However we had a good run and there were multiple parking spaces along the point at Mrs Macquarie's Chair!!

It was another reminder of how brilliant the Domain is when a road on it's one edge can remain open despite 60,000 punters being in the Park.

After part of our crew went MIA to find food [putting the Chinese New Year Parade between themselves and Jono!! in hidsight if I'd known the parking would have been so quickly resolved I would have paused at the drop off to give directions to Subway, Pizza/Pida, McDs, Hungry Jacks and Star Bucks across Hyde Park plus 2 blocks... I was a bit busy sorting the driving, so the rest of us suffered the $12 rip offs onsite!!

Anyhow, the films were played in two batches of eight, with 'Whiteley' the derivative and underwhelming break entertainment!!

Our group liked: "Last Roll of the Dice","My City has Been Overrun by Baboons", "Shocked", "How God Works" amongst others... with "Shocked" announced as winner in the muffled background as we shuffled off the 5 min walk to the bus with prizes being awarded for seemingly endless categories ...

It was a bit early in the life of our activities to generate a lot of conversation/listening about the film themes and what a phenomenon the event itself is AND next time we do something similar the shared picnic is a go!! BUT as we all grab our copy of the DVD with next Saturday's Sydney Morning Herald, no doubt some conversation will follow!

See pictures here later...

NEXT SALT [FACTORY] is March 22nd

A 'Live Music' Cafe in the city as a fundraiser for Haiti... details soon!!

Salt [Factory] Latest

Hey there are about six seats left for the trip to TROPFEST on Sunday!!

Let me know as per the flyer in the previous post if you'd like to come!!

Also the date for March has been advertised as 15th March and it's changed to 22nd March and is subject to some arrangements coming together!!

WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA?

Live Music Cafe

Raising money for hurricane stricken Haiti [through a partnership with OxFam]

At either a local Newcastle city Cafe OR the Honeysuckle Rail sheds... tbc this week!!

I am keen to hear from any musicians/singers who'd love to provide short bracket of songs on the night...

STAY TUNED AS BOOKINGS AND PLANS ARE MADE... PLANNING MEETING DATE SOON!!

TROPFEST Trip 21st February

Click on the picture and save because it's the flyer you need with all the info about how to join us on a minibus to TROPFEST on the 21st February in Sydney... free screening, $10 for the bus plus spending money!!

See flyer for how and by when to register!!

DON'T DELAY, SEATS ARE LIMITED!!

"Little Lion Man" Mumford and Sons

PARENTAL ADVISORY STRONG LANGUAGE

More on Initiating Small Missional Communities

Ian Adams previously featured list of features/characteristics/steps into creating small missional communities has been added to and is again referred to by Jonny Baker here

These are all significant things for us to embrace in seeking to slowly but surely establish identity and cred for 'Salt Factory'...

MORE on TROPFEST trip to Sydney soon... and March LIVE MUSIC CAFE suggested as a fundraiser for HAITI following the devastating earthquake!!

"Australia/Survival/Invasion" Day Picnic

After some hasty planning and notice a few of us made it to King Edward Park on Aussie Day [along with several thousand teenagers and young adults with one very impressive construction plastic water slide]!!
Thanks to all who made space to be there... not really a space for Kanga Cricket but a fun time of catching up nonetheless!!
We also chatted about upcoming plans and made some decisions which will be advertised 'very soon' with much more notice now the year is underway!!
Some snaps will be added here soon!!

The Hottest 100 was a feature of the day despite the ABC Shop website having blown news of number 1 a week earlier by advertising the next edition of J mag on its site including pics and interview with the winners!!

Ways Into a Small Missional Community

Jonny Baker made reference to a collection of blogger Ian Adams thoughts on entering into and growing a small and new missional community... it holds a lot of simple truths which have or will influence/d 'Salt Factory.'

Check it out at Emerging Church Info site from the UK here

'The Spirit and the Imagination'

While 'we' are still inviting, encouraging and connecting with people who may or may not be keen to be part of 'Salt Factory' there is an opportunity I want to invite 1,2,3 or 4 of us who've gotten onboard so far!!

There will be brilliant 'experience' in Adelaide this coming March and we will be able to find some funding to 'help' people get there... I'd love to go but don't think it's gonna work out... it's too good an opportunity not to have some of us learn, share and grow through being part of this...

Check out the pdf rego form here

http://craigmitchell.typepad.com/files/the-spirit-and-the-imagination-www-1.pdf