Joseph Osborne & Bill Schoenleber Social Marketing Developers

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Joseph Osborne & Bill Schoenleber Social Curators

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Along the Yellow River

I was born along the Yellow River, and I had a dream to travel from its source someday. The dream was not realized until I left China after living there for 40 years. But I made happened while I am living in Sacramento.

My childhood malnutrition set me a weak physical foundation and my addictive work habits destroyed my health. Without exception, I have suffered from a physical disorder and the vicious circle reformed again as it was a curse after I did the four projects, Life’s Crossroad, Black Hole, Nations, and Site 2801. Especially, when the exhibition of my project Site 2801 at Crocker Art Museum was done, my health condition declined to the point that my doctor warned me must stop all the heavy and hard work. For my own health, I decided to travel to challenge my physical body and my art future.

My trip started from Beijing first to Tibet, and last four months passing along eight provinces around Yellow River with whole distance of 5400 kilometers. During the whole trip, I indulged in mother nature and brought myself to deeper thinking. Any modern technology, such as camera, computer, or cell phone were kept far away from me. My drawings became all instant, fresh, and nature; What’s the true meaning of the Yellow River as to Chinese? What’s the diverse value of Chinese art culture as to the world? Finally, I found it in my last stop, Tai Chi (Wu Dang) mountain.

The Yin and Yang in Tai Chi represent the relationship between Chinese and Yellow River. At same time, it applies to the relationship between the nature and human being. Tai Chi is the perfect example of living and keeping harmony with our planet. Tai Chi is using the nature energy through between body and earth. The smoothness, softness, and contentiousness are the spirit of the Tai Chi. Tai Chi is not only keeping our body system in the balance but also calm anxious nerve as well

I hope my understanding and my art language derived from the Tai Chi and it could leave my audience a dose of wisdom.

Gong YueBin

Joseph Osborne & Bill Schoenleber Social Curators

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As we navigate our way through the broken glass of life, are we able to stop and see beauty, creativity and opportunity in the most un-likely locations? South Stockton, California – in the minds of most people – is the epitome of throw away society. When the world throws us away we need to seize the opportunity and take advantage of our creative potential to recycle ourselves.

Joseph Osborne & Bill Schoenleber Social Curators

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Dave uses found and modified agricultural and industrial steel relics to skillfully express his inner thoughts.  Monumentality is always present in his work even in the open space.  The detail and intricate lace of his imagination is evident in every piece. Dave’s art has been in the winner’s circle at the Sacramento State Fair over the last several years.

Visit Oakwilde Ranch to see more of Dave’s sculptures.

Joseph Osborne & Bill Schoenleber Social Curators

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Advent 4, Year C

Sermon – Rev. Lyn Morlan

December 23, 2012

Giver of all gifts, prepare us for the greatest gift…

Can you identify with totally trusting God? Have you ever let God guide your next step completely? When you are undecided about what to do next and prayed for guidance, did you really let God have control? Even knowing that God loves us and knows us, we still have trouble letting God guide us. I have to get pretty frustrated trying to make my life work before I can turn to God and ask for help. Has that ever happened to you?

I had been working part time as an associate priest in the Diocese of California, applying for different open rector positions for over a year. I knew it was time for me to have my “own church” so to speak, but it just wasn’t happening, and didn’t look like it would happen in the Bay Area for many reasons. So finally, I asked God – send me where ever you need me to be – even if it means that I need to leave California. Two months later I was forwarded an e-mail from Fr. Mark Hall who was looking for some part-time help at St. Anne’s in Stockton. Nothing is impossible with God.

If we back up a little in the gospel story, Mary had just a few days before been visited by Gabriel, an angel sent by God. Gabriel tells her she has been chosen by God to be the one to give birth to a child that will be called Son of the Most High, and the Son of God. Mary must have been very skeptical – this was all really strange talk, and it was very dangerous. Gabriel gives her a sign. “Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” Mary gives her consent to God’s plan. She knows the Torah and has heard about God’s promises of deliverance by a Savior.

Going to visit her relative, Elizabeth, accomplishes a couple things. She can check out what the angel has told her – Elizabeth is with child – and Elizabeth confirms the angel’s words. She reassures Mary with these words “and blessed is she who believed that there would be fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” So Mary says – Yes! Everything is going to be okay! Mary’s response is known as the Magnificat, we sang it just a few minutes ago. I doubt that she has any idea of what is in store for her or for her child, but she is able to receive the gift God has given her. God will save me, and all future generations will recall this time and they too will receive good things from God.

Mary’s song is for us too. “God’s mercy is on those who praise him from generation to generation…he has exalted the lowly and filled the hungry with good things.” Listen to your soul; let the song of praise and thanksgiving spread from it through your whole being. Stay open, be vulnerable and ready to receive God’s gifts for you. How? How do we stay open? How can we be ready? Mary says, “My soul magnifies (which means declares the greatness of) the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior. So our soul can continually bless and rejoice in God, but how do we get our conscious mind and actions to do the same? If we set aside time each day for quiet prayer or reading scripture, that’s a start. If we can take everyday, repetitive chores and do them for the glory of God, that’s another way. Making a commitment, having the intention to pray and give glory to God at all times throughout the day, would insure that our actions and words are praise worthy.

I don’t know about you, but I am so easily distracted by the world around me. So many things call for our attention. It’s so easy to forget, to lose track, be influenced by the wrong people or thoughts. It would help to have something to remind us. Something tangible that would call our minds back to giving thanks and praise to God. Some people carry prayer beads in their pocket or have a prayer bracelet. Maybe it’s a tattoo, a symbol or sign that would help you refocus on God. Some people wear a cross, and I remember one person telling me that they didn’t wear it so others could see, but they wore it inside next to their heart where they could feel it.

Another idea is looking for Christ in each other – hmmm. Our souls have no problem magnifying the Lord. If we look for Christ in the people we meet, in ourselves when we look in the mirror, we can be continually reminded to praise and give glory to God. Sundays, as we gather together is a great time to practice. At the exchange of the Peace, look in each other’s face, see Christ looking at you and smiling. Practice as you stand in those lines at the check out counter, or wending your way through the stores. Practice at work on your co-workers, your boss, or those pesky customers. Look for Christ in your neighbors and those family members you only see at the holidays.

Advent has helped us prepare for God’s greatest gift – the baby Jesus. As another year begins, we need to celebrate the gifts and the work that God has given us to do. We use our gifts to help each other, to do something to heal our world. We know that we are doing the work of God, our particular ministry, when we get more enjoyment and energy out of the activity than it takes from us. In those quiet moments between bowl games this week, think about what you do at St. Anne’s – does it still bring you joy? Is God calling you to some new ministry or confirming what you have been doing? Trust that with God nothing is impossible. AMEN.

You can see Rev. Lyn’s Sermons on our new Rector’s Page. Click Here or the tab at the top of the page to go to the Rector’s Page.

Joseph Osborne & Bill Schoenleber Social Curators

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Joseph Osborne & Bill Schoenleber Social Curators

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Like the winds of the sea
Are the waves of time,
As we journey along through life,
Tis the set of the soul,
That determines the goal,
And not the calm or the strife.”

Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Sailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large (usually fabric) foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centreboard, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the vessel relative to its surrounding medium (typically water, but also land and ice) and change its direction and speed. Mastery of the skill requires experience in varying wind and sea conditions, as well as knowledge concerning sailboats themselves and an understanding of one’s surroundings.

While there are still some places in the world where sail-powered passenger, fishing and trading vessels are used, these craft have become rarer as internal combustion engines have become economically viable in even the poorest and most remote areas. In most countries sailing is enjoyed as a recreational activity or as a sport. Recreational sailing or yachting can be divided into racing and cruising. Cruising can include extended offshore and ocean-crossing trips, coastal sailing within sight of land, and daysailing.

Two-masted schooner

Joseph Osborne & Bill Schoenleber Social Curators

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Josephine Baker was “the first African American” female to star in a major motion picture, to integrate an American concert hall, and to become a world-famous entertainer. What an awful burden the label, “The First…”, for someone who just wanted to entertain and do what seemed a natural calling. Why in 2011 do still say, “The First …?” Does “the first …” imply meeting up to a “White Standard”. In a recent interview Morgan Freeman said he didn’t want to be though of as a good black actor because the black label implied a different standard. When will a person of color just be able to be great at something and not have skin color define their standard?
Josephine Baker gained international prominence as a political revolutionary for assisting the French Resistance during World War II, which resulted in being the first American-born woman to receive the French military honor, the Croix de guerre. Josephine Baker is also noted for her contributions to the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. She was offered the unofficial leadership of the movement by Coretta Scott King in 1968 following Martin Luther King, Jr.‘s assassination, but turned it down.
Yes she was African American and she was “the first…” many times but like most others who were “the first…” that was not her goal. She was simply following her natural path and trying to do what she felt was right. It’s time to shift our focus from differentiation of standard and accomplishment based on the personal aspects of race, sex, religion or sexual orientation to each of us striving for the highest standard of what we can contribute. As a person of action and conviction Josephine Baker sets an example that we all should seek to emulate. What are our gifts and how can we make a difference?

Joseph Osborne Social Curator

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In a world that often seems more interested in business and production, we might ask the question, “Are people important”. Have we lost our human connection? If so how can we get it back? We could begin by just thinking about ways to relax and settle the racing thoughts in our mind. With stress being the chief problem in the world, a simple solution could be to learn ways to develop our creative imagination.
gardenWATER is a meditation instillation designed to create an opportunity for us to focus on the sight, sound and experience of water. Water is our true essence and foundation for our being. With about 70% of our bodies make up being H2O, we have a natural affinity for it’s healing qualities. Sitting beside a stream, on the beach or beside a river creates an opportunity for healing from our daily stress. With busy lives, it’s often not possible to go to these locations, so we have created a virtual experience for the healing qualities which we titled gardenWATER.

Joseph Osborne & Bill Schoenleber Enterprise Brand Consulting

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