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Showing posts from November, 2010

Lost Generation

An interesting video my uncle sent me. Quite powerful actually. Lost Generation

Sermon by AJ Colianni, Sunday, Nov 7th, 2010

When I was asked to stand up and speak about the Shelf of Hope today, and my students’ involvement in it, I joked to the Shelf team that I didn’t feel that I was qualified, and that public speaking made me feel a bit itchy. In truth, I speak publicly quite often at Breck, and I actually just returned from a conference in which I gave my first presentation to a group of complete strangers. I guess what caused me anxiety was the feeling that something like “ending hunger” seems like something that I just can’t do. How can I stand up here and make the case that we are making a difference at our little food shelf? It’s too big! There are too many variables, too many problems, too many things outside of our control, and besides, I have a job. You have a job! We have things to do! Whew! I settled my mind a bit. I slept on it. I thought about my students, and the people that we serve. I knew what I wanted to say. But, first, a little background. At Breck, all upper school students participate

What is a vision?

What is a vision? What is the purpose of having a vision? Every time new leadership enters a situation or a context, that new leader offers up a new vision. I did it when I first arrived at Gethsemane and again when we realized things were getting tough. Thought it is not defined perfectly, or finally for that matter, Food is our mission is a big part of the vision for Gethsemane. Attending the Diocesan Convention this past weekend the idea of vision was bandied about like a birdie on a badminton court. I heard a vision about a school of formation, about connecting congregational resources, about flat screen TV's. I heard a vision about the Diocesan offices getting out of the way and letting congregations connect and something or other. I left with a cold feeling in my gut, I left with deep worry about what the future holds. I left un-compelled, uninspired. I left spirit less. I had one spirit filled moment during convention, when Stephanie Spellers listed all the things t