Calibrating Compassion and Contentment in a World of Discontent" Sermon Preview

 This is a preview of a Sermonette I wrote  entitled "Calibrating Compassion and Contentment in a World of Discontent". One of the things I mention in my sermonette is the importance of "kindness". I also mentioned the most recent situation in Gary, Indiana. Though most of the utilities have been restored, there remains a need for prayer and more responsiveness concerning the loss of power for Gary and other cities that may face outtages in vital services as well over such an extended length of time.

By the way, displays of kindness should not be reduced to role playing  and idiotic electronic video games that make fun of the situation and its importance or that target purely intentioned others. (If you have something you want to say to me, come correct.)

There were many amazing tributes that came in the past few days in the wake of the passing of Country music legend Dolly Parton. From iconic Beyonce, John Mayer, Queen Latifah on BET and many others. There is a quote she made that really resonated with me about kindness. It is "Talent is universal kindness should be too.Talent is universal kindness should be too."

My full sermon will be available for download in the near future on the website.

Blog Edit & Update to Cynthia Wilson's Profile:Special Podcast Episode

 

After serving as Administrator and Author of this and related blogs for nearly 20 years (Heavier Octaves, Creativesselministries, HO High Notes and more recently Cheering Obama On (circa 2012-2015) I am "slowing my roll" to the more passive role of Founder, Editor, Writer, fundraiser and artist. 

  I will remain in the background as a 'mentor-administrator' though. This will allow me to keep my hand in things, focus more on educating our youth about the intersection of theology, music,art and politics while  maintaining some say about the publications' funding administratively. It will also give me the opportunity to focus on the recapture and capitalization of related enterprises that have blossomed or sprouted from my blogs going forward. 

 I will remain active via newsletter, podcasts, online classes, email and phone calls. Please direct any questions or concerns to me at creativessel@gmail.com.

 You may also make donations to my Cash app, Buy Me a Coffee(above), Zelle,etc., so I can pay my bills  on time while also traveling the world(😉).

Hopefully, I will get the donations THIS TIME!

Use the QR Codes above for Buymeacoffee and Cash App

 My corresponding fundraising links are set forth below:

https://buymeacoffee.com/cynthiawilsonspeakswrites

https://cash.app/$cyndwilso

For donations via Zelle just dial my phone number 313-495-2888 and enter the amount in the blank provided if you have a Zelle account with your bank.

It's been some long hot summers. But I'm making it by the grace of god! Also listen to my podcast "God's Riches in Glory" here or at the link provided in the lower righthand column of the web version of this blog. Find the web version link near the bottom of this page located just above my profile.

Keep me in your prayers 🙏🏿 

Thank you,

Cynthia Wilson-Founder

Before

After

Swords into Plowshares Peace Center and Gallery Celebrates Children’s Art

 Detroit public, charter and private school students’ art was recognized and celebrated at an opening reception and exhibit held at Central United Methodist Church’s Swords into Plowshares Peace Center and Gallery on Sunday, March 17. The well attended opening reception and exhibit was a glorious display of the exuberant imaginations and extraordinary creativity of Detroit’s youth, embodied in their art. The show demonstrates how our youth’s artistry can benefit significantly when nurtured at an early stage. 

Kudos to Dr.Terrie Hylton who spearheaded the event and Christa Perdue, the exhibit’s curator. The opening reception and art exhibition came together with the help of  fellow organizers and the gallery board who all did an outstanding job identifying, gathering and hanging the art work. The show brought student artists, parents and community together. Special thanks to Ian Matchett, Nawili, Robyn Markoe, Linda Forte, Simone Clayton and Rev. Cynthia Wilson.

The exhibit is now on display and open for viewing by the general public during the hours below and by appointment.

Peace Center and Gallery hours are as follows:

Swords Into Plowshares Peace Center and Gallery

33 East Adams Street    

Detroit Michigan 48226

open Friday and Saturdays 1-6pm 

313-963-7575

swordsintoplowshares313@gmail.com  

Stop by and check it out.

Peace and blessings,

Rev. Cynthia Wilson 

Black History Month Celebration Day 9- Mother Rosa Parks

 

Today’s blog update includes a video podcast episode below.

Today’s Black History Month Celebration honors memories of Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks whose birthday was recently celebrated. Detroit Pistons honored her by partnering with the Rosa Parks Estate to provide free bus transportation to Detroiters on February 4 and February 7. They also provided free jackets to Detroit’s transportation department.

I am sharing with you both a collage of selected photos as well as single photographs from my archive database that I snapped or that were taken with my camera at several community events, including Living Stones/Imani Day programs held at Calvary Baptist church and Ms. Park’s 100th birthday celebration and postage stamp unveiling held at the Charles Wright Museum of African American History. 

 Many of us in the community have had the opportunity to participate in events and activities involving Mother Parks over the years because of her commitment to reaching out to churches, schools and neighborhood organizations through the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self- Development’s Pathways to Freedom Program, Imani Day Interfaith celebrations and the Parks Legacy Program. I am blessed and consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to not only interact with Mrs. Parks, but also to have Co-Chaired both the Imani Day and Living Stone events held at Calvary Baptist church in her honor when I served as an Assistant Minister there.

Thanks to all who contributed in their own way to the historic significance of all programs. A special thanks to Michael Joseph (not pictured)who served as videographer of all of Calvary’s Imani Day and Living Stones programs circa 1995-2000.

All photos are captioned.

Blessings,

Cynthia Wilson

Argo!

Affleck's direction and combined acting was exquisite. He pulled it off well.  

His character came across as understated yet skillful and confident, as it should have been. Affleck nailed it as an unassuming intelligence officer who threw his weight around with subltety and engaging sensitivity. It could be likened to an airliner having reached cruising altitude after terribly rocky turbulence. You feel the heaviness and bulk of the plane only when it's negotiating a crisis in flight. 

The build up throughout the film was well paced and the scene contiguity in harmony with the exceptional ensemble acting deserves recognition by peers and public. The details were notable,and, because of it, were paid attention from the brief history lesson at the movies intro to enraged Iranians putting the pieces of shredded documents and photographs back together during the height of the tension of the hostage rescue from the Canadian Ambassadors home. 

President Jimmy Carter's brief explanatory monologue as well as the updates on all the hostages during the running of the credits at the film's conclusion was paced well.  All, examples of painstakingly good editing. That segue into his monologue from the frightening stall and questioning at the airport just before boarding up to the  climactic airplane take off seemed well placed, wholistic and a significant part of the movie--not just credit fringe typical of credit runs at the end of a film.

 It provided a solid review on the power and enduring nature of international cooperation and what can be accomplished when nations work together. Pure Zen--the manner in which it is made reference to in the cultural breakthrough novel of 1974, "Pure Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance"* by Robert Pirsig. As in you just know quality when you see it. 

The movie gets a four out of four star rating from me.


Hope you enjoyed it!

Cynthia



  See trailer at Imdb
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Footnote

*Robert Pirsig made a number of quotes regarding quality which was a topic running through philosophical discussions throughout the book,which really had nothing much to do with Zen Buddhism from a religious context. One such quote "What I mean (and everybody else means) by the word ‘quality’ cannot be broken down into subjects and predicates. This is not because quality is so mysterious but because quality is so simple, immediate and direct.