Production Musings

Arts Party ’09

// September 17th, 2009 // Thoughts

Our annual Arts Party took place a few weeks ago.  It may have been the best one yet.  Each year we do an event in the summer and one in the fall for everyone involved in the arts at Blue Ridge.  The summer events are more relaxed.  People hang out.  They talk amongst themselves.  They play disc golf.  Whatever.  Fall events, while relaxed, have a more specific purpose.  We want to be reminded why we do what we do.  Why wake up at 5am on Sunday mornings?  Why park a quarter mile from the building and walk, while dodging deer, in the pre-dawn darkness?  Why sacrifice our Wednesday or Thursday evenings at home watching movies?  Because.  Because of what’s at stake for the hopeless and hurting.  Because of the life that Jesus offers.  We want to remember and refocus.

SO, here’s the scoop on what went down this year.  Dinner was prepared Alex Richardson of Robin Alexander American Bistro and served by Shea Foster and the events team at Blue Ridge.  Soooo Cheesy (made to order cheesecakes) provided some pretty unbelievable cheesecakes.  Mmm mmm mmmm.

After dinner and good conversation we migrated into the Sr. High auditorium for the evening festivities.  Todd Foster got us kicked off.  To his surprise I made a little welcome tag for him:

Todd’s Stage Welcome

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Todd made a few announcements and set up the next portion.  A major change took place this year within the Arts @_theridge.  Nan Torrence has led the Arts ministries for many, many years.  This year she passed the baton to Judson Lee.  In keeping with what we’re given in Romans 13, “⁷Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”  We all wanted to give honor to her for her encouragement over the years and her example of servant leadership…

Nan was totally shocked.  In keeping with Nan’s famous double entendre tradition, we presented her a few little  awards to signify her new role as Director of Communications.  So, as we transitioned into what we endearingly have termed “The Nancy’s” we rolled this little clip.  It was hand crafted by Colin Harman:

The Nancy’s

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One of Nan’s famous lines when she’s recruiting for manual labor is, “I’m looking for a few big, strong, handsome men.”  It’s amazing how many old projects come to mind before answering this question.  The number of things that you remembered HAD TO BE done which is exactly why I don’t know of any big, strong, handsome men.  Reality sets in though and you offer your big, strong, handsome self to serve with joy.  None the less, we thought it would be fitting to provide her with her very own big, strong, handsome men.  This gives you an idea of the nature of the gifts…there were many more.

Following this, Peggy Schaub gave the keynote address.  Rather than write more about it, take a listen for yourself:

Peggy Schaub’s Talk: Or download it here

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