Sacred and Creative

The Sacred and Creative function within ELC, exists to promote a greater awareness and appreciation of the spiritual dimensions of life. The emphasis on creativity corresponds, in that such an awareness is only deepened by participation.

Hence we host a quarterly Poets Corner, hold meditation workshops, run an Artist in Residence program each year and regularly have forums where a guest speaker will share from both a knowledgeable and experiential back ground.

There is no expected nor imposed belief system associated with Sacred and Creative events. We seek to honour where people are at and to jointly learn from that perspective.

Poets’ Corner
Poets’ Corner is a vibrant, creative and fulfilling program of ELC.
The group was formed in 2003, following the visit of Professor Mark Burrows. He inspired us by skilfully enabling us to experience the power, beauty and life-enriching qualities of poetry. He introduced many poets, including the American Mary Oliver, whose poetry many of us now treasure.

At first, we looked at the work of a particular poet, e.g. Les Murray, or poetry with a particular theme. At other meetings, we invited someone to share poetry which was special to them. There has always been time for participants to read their own poetry.

The next phase was to invite local poets to share their poetry with us. This has been a very enriching experience for both the group and the poets. Although poets have opportunities to read their poetry, they have relished the chance to talk about their life experiences, sources of inspiration and creative process. Inspired by their stories and their work, many of our group, who have never written poetry before, are now writing wonderful poems. Guest poets have included Jude Aquilina, Louise Nicholas, David Ades, Mike Ladd and Jules Koch. One poet has described Poets’ Corner as “the best gig in town”!

Poets’ Corner continues to be a very innovative ELC program, and we are now meeting 6 times a year, on the fourth Monday of alternate months, that is, January, March, May, July, September and November. The next meeting will be on Monday 22 March. Please mark the dates in your diary.

A poetry anthology will be published in 2010. Our editors are eagerly awaiting contributions. If you wish to submit a poem for this anthology, please forward to John Pfitzner. His email is  johnpfitzner@bigpond.com Submissions are not restricted to members of Poets’ Corner.

In 2010 we hope to put a poem by a Poets’ Corner participant in each newsletter. Russ Talbot is the first contributor. His poem follows.

When did the Tide turn?
Inspired by reflecting on the sculpture “Woman with a Laundry Basket” by Duane Hanson

An unguarded moment.
‘Oh, you’ve caught me with my slip showing’.

Who would’ve thought?

You were once so lithe and leggy
Dancing down the street
men turned their heads
and fantasised
about what they couldn’t have.

Hopes and dreams
and definite plans
You knew what you wanted.
Determined to be happy
even if it made you unhappy.

When did the Tide turn?

When did life become
‘now’ instead of ‘one day’?

When did your wants change
from what you haven’t
to what you have?

And when did you become
what you already were? (Beautiful)

‘Away with you!
I’ve got this washing to do
And after that, the irony.
Tsk! A woman’s work is never done.’

Russ Talbot

Where Words Take Us
As a companion event to the much loved Poets’ Corner, ELC is hosting an evening with the acclaimed Melbourne poet Peter Bakowski (see photo) and the Adelaide-based story teller, Dennis Wild.
 
On the night, the two contemporary wordsmiths will unfold and illuminate stories and images – taking their audience to places where words, memory and imagination reign.  Come to be taken somewhere new and enchanting.
Where Words Take Us will be on 28 April at 7.30pm ($12 or $10 conc.) at ELC. Bookings  essential.

A Very Welcome Return

ELC, in partnership with Christ Church Uniting and the Mission Resourcing Network of the SA Synod, is proud to announce the return of our great friend and mentor, Professor Mark Burrows. 

The week of July 4-11 Mark will explore the rich theme of Spirit and Mind. Pressing issues of life and faith are often presented using simplistic ideas and solutions. Mark invites us to broaden our perspective and think more deeply, leading to a more considered, thus redemptive, expressions of personal being and community. 

More detailed information will be given in the next edition of the newsletter.