Between: sustainability

Showing posts with label sustainability. Show all posts

Friday, 13 August 2021

Artlyst - Tino Sehgal: Location, Nature And Pandemic – Blenheim Palace

My latest review for Artlyst is of Tino Sehgal at Blenheim Park and Gardens:

'There are three strands to Sehgal’s work here: responses to location, nature, and the pandemic. These can be witty juxtapositions, as with the location of ‘Kiss’ in front of Massimiliano Soldani Benzi’s ‘The Medici Venus’ and ‘The Clapping Faun’. The contrast bringing to the fore the joy and challenge of sensual expression in the live encounter as opposed to its taming in the aristocratic acceptance of classical form. Then, in the first scene I encountered involving the swarm – a chanted work in the East Courtyard – came the most explicit reference to Sehgal’s wish to address the global sustainability challenge of the coming decades.

However, the strongest strand to emerge is a celebration, after a long year distanced one from another, of the fleeting, immaterial magic of human connection through bodies together in spaces and the everyday poetics of people’s lives and stories. After our experience of pandemic, that felt more than enough.’

My other pieces for Artlyst are:

Interviews -

Articles -

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Sly & The Family Stone - Everyday People.

Sunday, 28 June 2020

Central London churches and the Congestion Charge extension

As Chair of Churches Together in Westminster I have written to the Mayor of London regarding the extension to the Congestion Charge and its possible effect on churches. Other religious leaders in central London have also written along similar lines.

My letter began as follows:

'The churches of Westminster, on whose behalf I write, have shown full support for the lockdown in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, in some cases going beyond the Government guidance for places of worship in order to ensure the aim of flattening the curve has been achieved.

Additionally, we support the need to reduce vehicle use in central London, to improve air quality and maximise health benefits, including the expanded promotion of alternative transport, especially cycling. Many of our churches and congregation members are actively working in practical ways for the achievement of these goals and have changed their own practices as a result.

Nevertheless, the Extension to the Congestion Charge Scheme will have a significant and deleterious effect on the sustainability of our churches. Many of these churches maintain buildings which are a key element of central London’s architectural heritage drawing tourists to the capital city, deliver a substantial proportion of its cultural programming, and provide a very significant amount of its community and support services to those who are most vulnerable in society.'

The issues we have raised have been covered by the BBC at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000kkpz/bbc-london-evening-news-28062020 and

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-53136450#.

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Westminster Cathedral Choir - O Magnum Mysterium.

Thursday, 18 June 2020

Living God's Future Now - W/c 21 June 2020

Living God’s Future Now is a series of online seminars, discussions and presentations hosted by HeartEdge. They are designed to equip, encourage and energise church leaders, laypeople and enquirers alike.

'Thank you for all you are supporting and enabling - I absolutely love everything that comes out of HeartEdge.' The Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester

Living God’s Future Now: Week commencing 21 June 2020

Sunday 21 June

‘Inspired to Follow: Art and the Bible Story’: 2.00 pm (BST), Zoom meeting - Mark 1:1-12 / The Baptism of Christ, predella panel, Giovanni di Paolo. To receive a zoom invite email jonathan.evens@smitf.org.

Monday 22 June

Biblical Studies class: 7.30-9.00 pm (BST), Zoom meeting - Register at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rc-msqD8sEtE7n_X9u17Jl6R5CvzjjI5e?fbclid=IwAR2_ls4p5ou_7PBBg0Xz31fcSVVYx9JvoQ93hvWbuTjbYVIa9FpfIPChmg8.

Tuesday 23 June

Sermon Preparation Workshop: 4.30pm (BST) - livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/theHeartEdge/.

Wednesday 24 June

How to Pilgrimage in a time of Pandemic: 3.00pm (BST), Zoom meeting - Hear from some serial pilgrims about their discoveries, insights and encounters on ancient Christian paths. Richard Frazer, Beth Jusino and Ian Smith share how they have adapted to the unusual circumstances of lockdown and share ideas for how to awaken seekers through a passion for walking. To receive a zoom invite register at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-pilgrimage-in-a-time-of-pandemic-tickets-109203239830.
Community of Practitioners workshop: 4.30pm (BST), Zoom meeting - Email jonathan.evens@smitf.org for an invitation.

Thursday 25 June

Wellbeing Group: 2.00 – 3.00 pm (BST), zoom meeting - Join the group at https://bit.ly/2XyhFTe.

Friday 26 June

Seeing Salvation: 2.30pm (BST), zoom meeting - Jonathan Evens shares practical approaches to using art in church settings. Session 4: Art meditations. Register for a zoom invitation at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seeing-salvation-art-in-churches-tickets-108959314242.
Sustainable church, sustainable planet: 4.30 pm (BST), zoom meeting. Ruth Valerio, Deborah Colvin and Stephen Norrish explore local church responses to the climate emergency - reducing carbon footprints, setting up environmental initiatives, becoming an Eco-church and contributing to global campaigns. To receive a zoom invite register at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sustainable-church-sustainable-planet-tickets-108606653424.

See www.heartedge.org to join HeartEdge and for more information.

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Bruce Cockburn - If A Tree Falls.

Saturday, 12 March 2016

Enterprising Redbridge

Enterprising Redbridge will be launched on Wednesday 6th April at the Redbridge CVS networking event. This is a significant opportunity for the voluntary and community sector in Redbridge to get support to become more entrepreneurial. The first seminar open to all community groups that sign up, is on Thursday 21st April 6-8pm. For more info click on this blog and to sign up click here.

Ross Diamond of RCVS writes:

Are you a voluntary sector leader in Redbridge?
Wanting to make your organisation more sustainable?
Want to explore new ideas and new ways of working?
Want to find a positive critical friend to support you in making changes?
Why not get involved in a project that aims to help organisations to become sustainable through being entrepreneurial?

In the current climate a significant reduction in the availability of grants, particularly from public sector sources, has resulted in some voluntary sector groups closing – leaving a void in local service provision. We believe some of this can be avoided. In order to help local groups move to a more sustainable future, we are offering a programme of seminars, networking opportunities and one-to-one advice on becoming more independently sustainable. We believe this package of support can provide the positive encouragement such groups need.

We know that solutions are not always obvious, as you tend to be (rightly) totally focused on your day-to-day operations. So this programme gives you the opportunity to think beyond the day to day, the space to consider difficult questions in a safe place, and the chance to say the unsayable. We want this programme to inspire you, challenge you, support you and affirm the work you are doing.

Our goal is to inform and inspire 450+ local voluntary organisations to become more entrepreneurial through the provision of information and online tools. That’s a big ask. But it will depend on you. Your willingness to engage. Your desire to continue change.

For those most committed to trying new ideas or introducing change to their organisation, we will provide intensive tailored support to 10 groups not only to survive into the future but go on to thrive with greater independence.

Interested? Fill out the simple registration form.

This is a project that Sophia Hubs is partnering with RCVS. To read our blog about it click here.

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Deacon Blue - Win.

Sunday, 29 May 2011

The Finance Innovation Lab

The Finance Innovation Lab is an open environment in which people can come together to explore, innovate and evolve the financial system so that it sustains people and planet. You can find a short 5 minute video which explains what the Lab is, why its important and how it works at www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtsliNNH2J8.

There is also a YouTube Channel which includes short interviews with members of the Lab community as well as videos of some of their recent events. These include interviews with Tony Greenham of nef, Ben Dyson from Positive Money, Alice Chapple from Forum for the Future and Lawrence Bloom and a presentation by David Braid of Central St Martins showcasing his maps of the financial system. You can watch these here to find out more: www.youtube.com/user/TheFinanceLab?feature=mhee.

I've joined the Faith and Philosophy Influencing Finance group which is helping to raise awareness and knowledge about 'what is meaningful' in a universal context. This includes how we can reframe the finance system in its relationship to the wider whole.

This group seeks dialogue with individuals and groups about the model or mantra each holds in mind, and through which we filter our proposals, our actions and our evaluations in financial matters as they affect 'people and the planet' - a basic concern of the whole Finance Innovation Lab.

The fundamental mantra behind all great faith traditions is 'love God and love your Neighbour', a sound bite which readily resonates with seeking to understand the sustainable rhythms of natural law and the appropriate relationships of all the amazing constituents of this planet.

The group explores whether the exploitative use of money in human trading and economic activity hinders the pursuit of a just financial system, which arguably must lie at the focal point of the Finance Lab's collaborative activities.

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Writz - Luxury.

Thursday, 25 March 2010

Faith-based models of leadership (7)

Faiths in London's Economy (FiLE - see http://www.mile.org.uk/file.htm) aims to work with faith communities in order to create coordinated faith-community responses to the issues facing London's economy. We are currently planning a seminar series for the autumn on faith-based models of leadership and entitled 'Renegotiating 'value': what faiths offer 21st century business leadership':

Title: Renegotiating ‘value’: what faiths offer 21st century business leadership.

Purpose: To explore the benefit and challenge of faith traditions in leading sustainable businesses.

Audience: junior/middle managers; HR professionals; interfaith practitioners; leadership practitioners and people of faith in (or with an interest in) employment.

Sessions: Three half-day sessions:
1. Profit vs prophet (Values). Purpose: To explore whether making money or making a difference are opposed. Workshops: (i) 'The importance of ethics for sustainable businesses' and (ii) ‘Alternative Economies’;
2. Bonus vs Pro Bono – the value of inspirational leadership (Leadership). Purpose: To explore the place of inspirational leadership in renegotiating 'value'. Workshops: (i) 'The value of Spiritual Intelligence' and (ii) ‘The value of faith-based models of leadership'; and
3. Stakeholder vs shareholder value (Finance). Purpose: To explore the question of who it is that businesses are/should be accountable to and the difference this makes to their structure and operation. Workshops: (i) 'Making stakeholder value reality' and (ii) 'Viewing Canary Wharf: company and community perspectives'.

Marketplace: Information and publicity displays from participating organisations.

Outcomes: Better understanding of colleagues who have a faith; Principles for and models of faith-based leadership for application; Motivation of participants to use ideas/models explored in the series; Improved understanding of a vocabulary for speaking about faith in the world of business; Integration of faith-based models into business leadership.

Outputs: Report of presentations/discussions (published online); Blog to continue conversations between and post sessions; Development of a shared document emerging from the series and involving series participants;

Timing: Autumn 2010.

To express interest in this seminar series, please email to: jonathan.evens@btinternet.com.

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Lavine Hudson - A Little Sensitivity.