The Red Door Series
Second Mondays, 5:30 p.m.
Our
Red Door Series is held on the second Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in St.
John’s Chapel, the small historic building on the corner of North Glenwood and
Gill. This series of meditative poetry reading is inspired by Padre Spencer,
who created the Red Door program at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Jackson
Heights, NYC. Here’s how it
works: A poet reads one poem, followed by ten minutes of silent meditation. The
poet reads the same poem a second time, followed by ten minutes of meditation,
then a short conversation with the poet concludes the gathering.
Brian Nystrom, poet and contractor turned priest, played an integral role in the poetry meditation series along with other local poets Will Broeder, Matt Daly, Laurie Kutchins, Connie Wieneke, and Susan Marsh.
Brian reflects, “I remember another poet/priest once saying that he felt the best theology to come out of our Anglican tradition has been in the form of poetry. I agree, if by theology we mean expressions of a sense of wonder at the mystery of creation and creativity in all its richness.” He goes on to say, “For me, good poetry sings to the head and the heart. Well-crafted words reflecting the Word, which we know to be love.”
Come and see, listen, meditate, converse. Give yourself the gift of a quiet half hour of poetry. You deserve it. Thanks to Spencer for creating this meditative poetry practice, and for generously encouraging us to move it out west.
