BBQ for Earth Hour/Election/Paver Removal

The concept behind Earth Hour which started in Oz and has gone global [no wonder friends in the UK are suspicious] is to turn off your optional electricity for 60mins and save on energy and greenhouse gases.... BUT here's an idea... switch yours off at 4.30pm and come join in a BBQ at our place so we collectively save heaps more...

It's a 2011 kick off for 'Salt [Factory]' for young adults looking to engage in God's mission in the world and hoping to find encouragement and like minded souls... I've done a lot of thinking about our 2010 and some ways forward, inviting you to shape what Salt [Factory] is in 2011 while offering mentoring and leadership for your endeavours... it just might be what you're looking for...

FRom 5pm to 9.30pm [ish] FREE BBQ please RSVP for catering numbers... robhanks@bigpond.net.au

Bring swimmers if you're game!!

All you have to do for your BBQ is to pick up and move a few backyard pavers [helping us fix some drainage and water leak hassles in my downstairs study!!

Thos interested can check the early Election numbers after dinner and we'll chat about SF 2011 as well!!

Vegetarian hippies catered for as well!!

SEE YOU THERE!!!

'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.....

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!!

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!!

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!!

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!!

"Plan Be" focus on 22nd September

Peacemaker

Mercy

Meek

Lament

Justice

Salt Factory will meet for dinner this week 22nd Septmber 7pm-9pm at 'The Dockyard' at Honeysuckle on Newcsatle Harbour for a meal, a discussion about future but also to reflect on and discuss the brilliant focus on the Beatitudes in Dave Andrews "Plan Be" BUT by using single words and a piece of art or a photo on A2 and easels around our table space... they're happy for us to do that...

22nd September 2009 'Plan Be'

Hi all, you should soon be receiving a personal invitation email BUT here are the details in case we miss that OR you lose them!!