NSP Alameda Chapter

Programs

Network of Spiritual Progressive (NSP)

Is an interfaith organization open to progressive people who are religious, or “spiritual but not religious,” or secular people who understand the need for a politics of meaning and a Spiritual/Religious Left and wish to support efforts to build it. NSP believes that central among our spiritual needs is the need for a life connected to a higher purpose than the accumulation of goods or money or power, and that through this life we can transcend the individualism and materialism of the competitive marketplace.

Film Forum

This project is a ministry of Rising Hope in partnership with the Network of Spiritual Progressive (NSP), with occasional co-sponsorship with community groups. Through public showings of films and documentaries we invite and facilitate conversation regarding the film and related issues. We create sacred space for community dialogue and collaborate with community groups to inspire individuals to link up with spiritual/social activism.

JazzTalk

On the first Sunday of each month, Rising Hope meet in a local café to hold JazzTalk. This is an hour and half of live jazz music, spoken word and conversation. The Rising Hope Trio provides jazz music, which is interspersed with readings and poetry of a spiritual or socio-political nature, and then invites listeners to engage in conversation related to the readings. This began in September of 2006.

Creative WellBeing Salon (CWS)

Rising Hope's Health and Wellness Ministry sponsors the Creative WellBeing Salon. The Salon is staffed with licensed practitioners that offer healing modalities in message, reflexology, reiki, hypnotherapy, acupressure, herbology and educational workshops. Featured workshops in I-Ching, Health food preparation, Hand Analysis, Health & Wellness benefits, A Course in Miracles, AIDS/HIV, and others are being scheduled for Spring 2007. Healing body work is scheduled on appointment only at this time.

Biodanza

Is a heart felt expressive art system of personal development based on music, movement and authentic relationships among participants. Using selected music from all over the world, Biodanza brings about the vivid experience of being fully present in the here-and-now, and stimulates the natural desire to celebrate life. This method invites playfulness, pleasure and creativity while encouraging you to intuitively express your feelings and embrace your authentic self. The sessions are mostly non-verbal and include dances of joyful body-awareness, rhythmic movements, harmonizing exercises and rituals of deep connection with self, others, and the world. A trained instructor will lead these sessions.

A Course In Miracles

An orientation was held this October for Course classes beginning January 2007. This is an educational workshop sponsored by the Creative WellBeing Salon.

SonicBridges “ If I can't dance I don't want to be in your revolution”—Emma Goldman

How can a power based on relaxation, play, and celebration contribute to activism?  That is the experiment. Sonic Bridges addresses social issues within a space of dance and music invites people to experience relaxation-as-power. There is  power in the combination of rhythm, music, and movement that grounds the body in the present. Raising awareness about social justice issues within a space of celebration calls us to combine play and relaxation with our activism. When the body plays with different movements, the mind simultaneously plays with different thinking patterns. New insights and connections may emerge that can influence the way we think about and do "activism".

Because partying and activism are not mutually exclusive! The idea is to bridge the gap between activist communities/organizations that often can use more hope and celebration in their lives to fuel their work with party folks that know how to celebrate, but who may also be socially aware and want to learn ways to get connected to making the world a better place.

So come dance to positive conscious music in a creatively and spiritually inviting atmosphere with the intention of dancing as warriors to empower the mind-heart-body connections for positive social and environmental change for our communities and the world. First Friday of each month 8 p.m. - Midnight

MoveOn Coordinating Council

MoveOn is starting up local coordinating councils in each congressional district. Conversations have begun to host monthly meetings at Rising Hope.

Black Coalition on AIDS (BCA)

The Black Coalition on AIDS was founded in 1986 by a group of community activists—gay, straight, men and women—responding to the rise of HIV in San Francisco's Black community. In the Spring of 2007, they are planning to expand their SAFE project to the East Bay by initiating a program at Rising Hope. This is a spiritual/educational program held weekly or in a weekend retreat format.