Alchemy Fest 2015 [Photos and Video]

photo by Tanya Sharkey

Thank you so much for making our 10th Annual Alchemy Fest event an amazing celebration of transformation and community. We’re already looking forward to next year.

Thank you to our leadership team and to the rest of the planning committee and all the volunteers. This event would literally NOT be possible without you. Thank you to all of our vendors and sponsors. This event could not happen year after year without your contributions and financial support, and we appreciate you so much.

We saw over 400 attendees over the course of the day, over 90 pre-sold tickets (the most we’ve ever had), 36 completed Green Cards, 3 big raffle winners and 38 satisfied vendors (again, a new record).

I can’t say how happy it makes me to see that this community and family-friendly event continues to grow and stay true to its mission of connecting and showcasing amazing and talented LOCAL people while honoring Earth Day, the arrival of Spring, the spirit of transformation, and so much more.

Thank you, again. I know that next year will be even bigger and better and I know that we will cross paths in the meantime to create more meaningful and transformative events and experiences (though not quite as labor-intensive as this one) for the members of our community.

You have my sincere gratitude.

Looking forward,
Joran

photo by Cassidy Brooks

Obscure Belly Dance by Caroline Hekate.

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Building the New World Conference Comes to Radford University

UPDATE: One-day passes to BTNW are now available for as low as $75.

Educators, scientists, economists, peace activists, and futurists from around the world will join Barbara Marx Hubbard, former Vice Presidential nominee and matriarch of the New Age movement, to present lectures and workshops at the “Building the New World” conference. BTNW will focus on the reality that humanity – and all life on Earth – is threatened in multiple interconnected ways and that we must quickly implement rational and novel solutions to meet these unprecedented challenges.

Hubbard’s “Wheel of Co-Creation” is the focus of the conference. The Wheel contains eleven interdependent sectors of society: (1) Education; (2) Communications; (3) Art; (4) Economics; (5) Peacebuilding; (6) Governance; (7) Health; (8) Environment; (9) Infrastructure; (10) Technology; and (11) Spirituality. BTNW organizers and over one hundred global co-sponsors contend that all these cultural categories need to be updated/upgraded in order for humanity to avoid a dystopian future.

Organizer Rev. Laura George, J.D., Executive Director of The Oracle Institute and builder of the Peace Pentagon, explains, “Futurists have been theorizing and opining for decades about the myriad challenges of the 21st Century. Now, BTNW is asking global thought-leaders to provide concrete and pragmatic solutions with the power to lead humanity into a more utopian future.”

Organizer Glen Martin, Ph.D., recipient of the Gusi International Peace Prize and Head of the Radford Peace Studies Department, adds, “BTNW will encourage attendees to reach beyond their particular area of interest or expertise and begin the process of synthesizing data across multiple disciplines. This emphasis on networking will underscore the need for real action via transformative and cross-platform solutions.”

The conference features a diverse and accomplished line-up of speakers, including: The Millennium Project Director Jerome C. Glenn, Huffington Post columnist Valerie Tarico, Ph.D., economist and futurist Robin Hanson Ph.D., “Peace Musician” Yuval Ron, best-selling author Charles Eisenstein, Shift Network Director of Peace Philip Hellmich, Indigenous Grandmother Mona Polacca, Federation of Damanhur Ambassador Shama Viola, Integral Church founder Joran Oppelt and PROUT Yogi Dada Maheshvarananda. Dozens of intentional communities also are participating in the conference.

BTNW will take place at Radford University in Virginia from May 28 to May 31, 2015. Cost is $375.00 (students $250), which includes a 4-day conference badge, all meals, and dorm room on the Radford campus. For more information and registration: www.BTNW.org.

First Thursday Services Beginning February 5

For two years, the small but growing Integral Church community has met outdoors, in the beautiful and spacious parks of St. Petersburg, FL and for two years, the weather on the third Sunday of the month has been gorgeous. We have had the honor and pleasure of gathering to discuss religion, philosophy, science and spirituality accompanied by music and meditation. We have deeply listened to one another and formed lasting and meaningful relationships.

Starting in February, we are starting up a new monthly service. On the first Thursday of the month, beginning February 5, we will be meeting in the chapel at Trinity Multicultural Center from 6:30-8 p.m. This indoor service will differ from the Third Sunday services (currently held at Crisp Park) in that there will be chairs, a roof and four walls. For now, the order of service will remain the same at both services but the guests (speaker, musician, meditation) will change at each, so we encourage you to attend both if possible. First Thursdays will allow for our community to include those who just can’t be present on a Sunday morning, and we know there are more than a few of you!

I also want to extend my deepest gratitude to all those who have made the time to gather with us (however briefly) this year and have shared in this experience. I realize that in a circle there is no “back pew” allowing someone to discreetly hang behind and observe while other people read things aloud and participate in group activities. To those of you who continue to show up, there are no words to convey my appreciation. As our services continue to evolve, I rely on you for input on what is working and what is not.

If you believe that ALL of the world’s religions have meaning and that no perspective is completely irrelevant, I encourage you to come and check out what we’re doing. If you are interested in meeting with other people in the spirit of interfaith (religious and non-religious) conversation and integral (radically inclusive) spirituality, I encourage you to come and check out what we’re doing. If you are seeking people committed to personal transformative practice, community service and religious literacy, I encourage you to come and check out what we’re doing.

We look forward to meeting you, learning from you and experiencing Spirit-in-Action together.

For a list of all our gatherings and groups, click here.

Affordable Christmas comes to Pinellas County

This year, we are once again proud to be sponsors of “Affordable Christmas,” an event put on by our good friends over at Current.

Affordable Christmas is a shopping event, hosted by the Greater Ridgecrest YMCA and Urban Young Life in Largo, that invites low-income and middle-class families to browse the “aisles” to find gifts they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford. The gifts are then wrapped for them while they enjoy a meal (and child care), courtesy of the amazing volunteers!

Sounds awesome, right?

Our involvement as a sponsor means the following:

1. We’ll be donating some new (unopened) toys and games to Current for the invited families
2. If you don’t have toys to donate, you can donate money (even the smallest amount helps, and $20 buys a new toy)
3. We’ll be volunteering that day at the event – Volunteers are needed to help out as cashiers, personal shoppers, gift wrappers and more!

This event is always lots of fun. And, we can bring our families along to help! The young ones can even play with other kids in the day care while we volunteer.

It will be held on Sunday, December 14 at the Ridgecrest YMCA in Largo from 3-6 p.m.

All you need to do to sign up is visit the Affordable Christmas site and under “Largo Event,” click “Donate” or “Volunteer.” It’s that easy. If you are in the Tampa Bay area and have new/unused items to donate (that meet the criteria on the site), and won’t be able to volunteer, you can drop them off with us. Just shoot us an e-mail.

NOTE: This is an invitation-only event. Families who are in need of help will need to register through Pinellas Urban Young Life.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO!

Join the Resolution Revolution on December 15

Don’t let another year pass you by.

Stay motivated and accountable to yourself and to others by attending the Resolution Revolution event on Monday, December 15. This event is designed to help you create clarity around your goals and a blueprint for achievement.

Don’t make resolutions this year … make decisions. This powerful event will help you map out your major objectives for the year and provide you with the tools to successfully move forward with the right ATTITUDE and ACTION.

Learn how to:

Set realistic resolutions and keep them.
Get fit using wellness wisdom from around the world.
Prepare yourself for greater financial well-being.
Give your body, mind and spirit the motivation it needs.

Learn from the best in the field:

Dr. Joel Bennett, President of Organizational Wellness & Learning Systems, author of 4 books including Raw Coping Power, and developer of effective wellness programs including “The Wellness Retreat” and “Team Resilience.”

Alina Hall, certified yoga teacher, dancer, marketer and Reiki practitioner, teaches at several Tampa Bay studios and offers a variety of wellness classes and workshops through her company New World Martial Arts and Yoga.

Gary Loper, a recognized Twitter expert, Mindset Coach, motivational speaker, trainer, radio host, life and business coach, and entrepreneur, helping people master the business of life.

Joran Oppelt, author, marketing and media professional as well as an interfaith minister with 20 years of community-building and event experience.

RESOLUTION REVOLUTION presented by GO TO HEALTH, LLC
JOIN US on Monday, December 15

Unity Campus • Friendship Hall
460 46th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33703
5:30 – 6:30 (Networking and Dinner); 6:30 – 9 p.m. (Program)
$15 in advance, $20 at the door
*Dinner included in ticket price (courtesy of Rollin’ Oats)
Limited seating. Get your tickets today!

Sign up here: http://bit.ly/resolutionrevolution

A New Year, A Newer You!

Alchemy Fest 2014 [Photos and Video]

UPDATE: See photos from the 2014 event!

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Alchemy Fest is St. Petersburg’s 9th annual family­-friendly event featuring live music, interactive arts and crafts, food, an organic vendor marketplace, kids games and activities, dance performances, yoga, meditation, massage, workshops, magic and more! Bring the whole family and enjoy a beautiful day packed with music, art, education and fun!

Entertainment confirmed so far includes Hymn For Her, Good Graeff, Red Feather, Rebekah Pulley and Luxury Mane, plus the Noisemakers All Stars, Revolutions Dance, playshops by Rising Light, live art by Jerry Cahill and an opening ceremony featuring Jennifer Real.

There will be seven “Transformation Stations” set up throughout the event. To be entered to win the grand prize, containing donations from our sponsors and vendors, attendees must visit all stations and submit their completed “Green Cards” before the end of the day!

Visit the event page.

What: Alchemy Fest 9
When: Saturday, April 26; Noon – 6 p.m.
Where: First Unity Campus, 460 46th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 33703
Who: Live music by Hymn For Her, Good Graeff, RedFeather, Luxury Mane and Rebekah Pulley, plus the Noisemakers All Stars, Revolutions Dance, playshops by Rising Light, live art by Jerry Cahill and an opening ceremony featuring Jennifer Real.
Tickets: $10 in advance at enlivenwellnessworks.com, $12 at the door, Kids 10 and under Free; Parking available on 46th Ave. N., all ages, plenty of parking and restrooms, stroller and wheelchair-friendly

RSVP on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/661768430510307/

Alchemy Fest 2013 a Huge Success in St. Petersburg

This year, our 8th annual Alchemy Fest event was held at First Unity Spiritual Campus in St. Petersburg and as expected, this year’s event was the biggest and best so far, doubling past records at well over 4oo attendees.

This year’s event committee – Lorrie McMurrian, Jennifer Oppelt, Christa Leonard, Jessica Respondek, and Shanna Gillette – did an amazing job pulling together a much more ambitious event than we’ve done in years past – including live music, dance performances, workshops, a vendor marketplace, and 7 interactive “Transformation Stations” which included everything from guided meditation and chair massage to hula hooping and face painting.

We’re also very grateful to our huge crew of volunteers (Jake Respondek, Dan McMurrian, Tanya Sharkey, Lil Reisman, Sarah Davis, Charlie Forsyth, Ashley Butler, Chelsea Greene, Trina Hill, Dwayne Scheuneman, Joel Conrad, Catherine St. John and Gina Smith), as well as the amazing staff at First Unity (Denise, Neil, and Sharon).

Shanna captured some amazing photographs of the festivities as well as performances by RedFeather, Geri X, Sons of Hippies, The Gita and Rise of Saturn. Check out the gallery below.

This year’s presenting sponsors were Thank You Mama and Number 9 Salon.

If you were there and have stories and/or feedback from the event, please share it in the comments section. I can’t express how thankful I am to everyone that has helped grow this event into such an amazing and meaningful annual gathering for our community. Every one of you have my sincere thanks and profound gratitude.

Joran Oppelt
President, Integral Church

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Video of the Opening Ceremony, featuring Joe Terrana and Raihan Alam

Juicing Workshop at First Unity Campus on November 17

Why is everyone talking about juicing and why should you care?

Integral Church is proud to be a sponsor of this upcoming workshop alongside Enliven Wellness Works. The workshop will be led by our good friend Kelly Lessem (Squeeze Juiceworks, Kelly’s Yoga and Massage Garage).

Join us on Saturday, November 17 from Noon – 2 p.m. for a discussion on home juicing, cleansing, and what the heck it all means. See a live demonstration of real, raw food being juiced and taste the delicious results. A Q&A session will follow with some socializing, snacks and refreshments.

Register here / RSVP here on Facebook.

Juicing 101 [Workshop]
Saturday, November 17
Noon – 2 p.m.
First Unity Campus – Friendship Hall
460 46th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33703; (727) 527-2222
$10 in advance; $15 suggested love offering at the door

TESTIFY: Read Joran’s transformative daily journal from his five-day juice cleanse.