So Totally Lost Watching Lost Ok, so I’m watching yet another complicated episode of Lost, and I just keep wondering if I’ll ever feel as though I understand this show I’ve grown to both love and hate. Every week, new characters are being introduced when I can’t really seem to keep up with all the ones I already know. But even more stretching is the jumping from the present to the future to the past, trying to connect the dots, always feeling off-center and more than a little confused.... Read More Posted By noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Beach)  5/9/2008 11:31 AM    Post/View Comments Party Prep Have you ever noticed that having a party is a great catalyst for getting those house projects finally complete, doing a little extra cleaning and preparing those special recipes that you don’t normally take the time to make? That’s a little how it feels this month, as our team gets ready for Arise – Arts Conference ’08. We’ve spent months praying, planning and doing our best to create an awesome event. Did you hear that the Robbie Seay Band is joining us! We’ve been working for months on ... Read More Posted By noreply@blogger.com (Lori Finnegan)  5/6/2008 11:38 PM    Post/View Comments Arts Conference Planning Meetings Every Friday a group of creative folks meet for a couple hours to design and craft this year’s Arts Conference. We carefully look at each session and try to imagine how we can best harness the arts to inspire, lift, stretch, and impact all those who attend. This past Friday, we selected some video pieces, worship music, and drama scenes that I can’t wait for those who are coming to experience!... Read More Posted By noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Beach)  5/6/2008 11:34 AM    Post/View Comments FREE DOWNLOAD - Dangerous Women Creed A few weeks back I asked you to do some virtual brainstorming for mother’s day. Someone from the Willow team reminded me of a service element that was used a few years ago, the Dangerous Women Creed. The creed, written by author Lynne Hybels, was used as the closing prayer for the service. ... Read More Posted By noreply@blogger.com (Pam Howell)  5/5/2008 1:47 PM    Post/View Comments Les Miserables in the Round I saw a version of Les Mis last night that I’d never thought I’d be able to appreciate – “in the round” at Marriott’s Lincolnshire Theatre here in suburban Chicago. It was breathtaking. We sat in the third row (there isn’t a bad seat in the theatre), wondering how the barricade scene and the sense of spectacle we had appreciated in the Broadway versions could possibly be pulled off.... Read More Posted By noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Beach)  5/2/2008 2:58 PM    Post/View Comments Brown Bag Lunch in Naperville There’s nothing I enjoy more (except being with my family) than gathering with other arts leaders and pastors to encourage, sharpen, and inspire one another. This Thursday, all arts leaders from the wider Chicago area (worship pastors, creative arts directors, programming directors, or whatever your title may be!) are invited to join me and our host Eric Bramlett for lunch in Naperville at Community Christian Church at 1635 Emerson Lane. We’re all going to bring a lunch and just enjoy some time connecting with one another, I will share some latest thinking on what we are all called to do, and we will have time for dialogue and interaction. I’d love to see you join us for just a 90 minute lunch if you can make it on Thursday. To let us know you’re coming, just register by e-mailing Ann Keefer akeefer@willowcreek.org . Posted By noreply@blogger.com (Nancy Beach)  4/29/2008 11:23 AM    Post/View Comments