As blogged earlier, St. Paul's hosted the Third Annual Interfaith Service of Prayer & Music this afternoon, praying for our democracy and all elected leaders. Prayers were offered by a Hindu priest, a Muslim student leader, a Rabbi, and by Christian clergy from the Methodist and Episcopal traditions. You can listen to each of the prayers offered, as well as the Welcome and Benediction, by clicking on the links below.
Dear God, the source of all we desire and all we need, we thank you for the great gift of our democracy, the great of our government: we pray for our leaders, that you would grant them all the wisdom and courage and strength they need to govern for the good of all your people. May they honor the public trust they have been given, that divisions may be healed, and that forbearance, respect, and unity would grow. And, together, may we become yet more fully that city upon a hill that we have for so long desired to be, for our own sake, and for the sake of all the nations of the earth. In the name of God we pray. Amen
Technical difficulties? If you do not hear the correct forum after selecting a prayer, please click on the grey tab at the bottom left-hand corner of your screen. Then, select the tab on the player that says "Playlist." You will then see a full menu of audio tracks from which to choose the prayer you'd like to hear.
Pictured above (L-R): Wallace+, Pundit Raja Gopal, Rabbi Ben Romer, The Rev. Ben Campbell, Charles Turner, and The Rev. Pat Shipley
Today, we enthusiastically welcomed Steven Smith, Music Director & Conductor of the Richmond Symphony, for our Eyes on Richmond forum. As the new music director for the Richmond Symphony, his presentation was part of the impetus for this year's theme: "Richmond Changing: What's Next for Our City?"
In his presentation, "Richmond Changes Its Tune," Steven discussed a range of topics connected to the arts in Richmond, especially focusing on the importance of arts education and community collaborations. After his remarks, he answered a host of questions, from "What does a Conductor do?" to the future of the Symphony in Richmond to the issue of "atonality."
You can listen to his full remarks, as well as the Q&A session, by clicking below. Before answering, he repeats each of the questions that the recording may not pick up.
Thanks to Steven for a great conversation and thanks to our lunch sponsor today, TJ's at the Hotel Jefferson.
Want More?
Don't just listen to Steven Smith talk, listen to the Richmond Symphony perform! After the forum, the Symphony passed out vouchers for today's audience members to attend a performance this weekend of "Jefferson, In His Own Words" presented by the Richmond Symphony Masterworks. Thank you to the Symphony! And for those who weren't here, but might be interested in the performance, details are online here or you can read this story about it in yesterday's RTD.
Also, for more on today's forum, read a story by Angela Lehman-Rios in tomorrow's Richmond Times-Dispatch and listen to Craig Carper's report on WCVE Public Radio 88.9 FM on Monday morning.
Pictured: Richmond Symphony in the Carpenter Theatre. Photo courtesy of the Richmond Symphony.
Thanks to WCVE Public Radio, a community idea station, for their ongoing sponsorship of our Eyes on Richmond series. In case you missed it, yesterday WCVE aired this report by Craig Carper from Friday's Eyes on Richmond program with political scientist and University of Richmond professor Daniel Palazzolo.
The forum, titled "The 2010 Midterm Elections & Beyond," focused on the results of last Tuesday's elections. In one of his key points, Palazzolo explained that divided government does not necessarily result in gridlock and can move forward:
"There are plenty of times when Democrats and Republicans are able to bridge their differences and move on, even under President Bush, who some argue was the most polarizing figure in American politics... It depends a lot on what the leaders want to do. it’s going to be a very difficult two years, no question about it, partly because of this polarization, but there are issues on which the two parties can work together and move things forward."
If interested, you can also listen to Dr. Palazzolo's full remarks below, followed by an open Q&A session.
"God made you the way you are to be who you are. And you are beautiful."
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A record Eyes on Richmond crowd (over 160 people by volunteer Dick Carlton's count!) packed into the Parish Hall to hear Buford Scott this afternoon. Buford is a long-time member of St. Paul's, helping found the Eyes on Richmond series, and Chairman of the Board of Scott & Stringfellow, one of Richmond's oldest, most recognizable businesses.
Speaking about "50 Years on Main Street," Buford outlined the history of industry in Richmond and closed with his view of what's needed for renewal.
Former Virginia Governor Gerald Baliles, in a surprise to Buford, was present to introduce him. Describing Buford, Governor Baliles remarked: "His advice is sought by many. His counsel is wise and thoughtful. And his generosity is unbounded."
Click on the links below to listen to the Governor's introduction, Buford's full remarks, and the question-and-answer period.
For the fifth week in a row, over 100 individuals gathered at St. Paul's this afternoon for our Eyes on Richmond lunchtime forum.
We welcomed May-Lily Lee, "Virginia's Storyteller" and host of the award-winning series Virginia Currents on Community Idea Stations, WCVE PBS. She shared some of her favorite stories from the series, explained how topics are chosen and shows are produced, and answered questions from the audience. Describing how much time goes into each program, May-Lily explained that they typically shoot five hours of video for a five-minute segment, adding "Television is a craft of omission."
You can listen to her full remarks below. There's also a little something special at the end for piano enthusiasts!
Unfortunately, this recording does not
capture audience questions so you may hear periods of
silence during those portions of the presentation. But not to worry:
May-Lily repeats each question before she answers to help you follow
along.
Like what you hear?
Don't miss May-Lily Lee on Virginia Currents, celebrating its 20th season on air!
St. Paul's is grateful for the support of our Eyes on Richmond Media Sponsor, WCVE Public Radio, a community idea station. Click here to listen to Craig Carper's news reports from recent Eyes on Richmond forums with Council President Kathy Graziano, VCU President Michael Rao, Police Chief Bryan Norwood, and Virginia DRPT Director Thelma Drake.
She spoke at length about projects to expand rail in Virginia -- some underway, others in the planning stages, still others under discussion. With the cost of rail often dominating discussions, one audience member offered Drake an opportunity to make the case for investing in public transportation. She responded:
"We all have come to the conclusion that we just can't build enough lane miles to deal with our peak times."
You can listen to Director Drake's full remarks below. As in previous weeks, please note that this recording does not
capture audience questions so you may hear periods of
silence during those portions of the presentation.
'Thank you' to Maldini's Ristorante for catering today's lunch and to U.S. Congressman Bobby Scott who was in attendance and took time to address questions about federal funding of transportation after the forum.
Check tomorrow's Richmond Times-Dispatch for Peter Bacque's story about the forum. Peter covers transportation for the RTD. On Monday morning, listen to WCVE Public Radio, our Eyes on Richmond Media Sponsor, for Craig Carper's report. Craig covers Capitol Square for WCVE News and this segment will be the fourth in his series on the issues examined during Eyes on Richmond.
Pictured: The Hon. Bobby Scott, The Hon. Thelma Drake, and Mr. Bruce Wingo at the forum.
Once again, St. Paul's Parish Hall was packed last Friday for our lunchtime Eyes on Richmond forum.
Our speaker, Richmond's Chief of Police, Bryan Norwood, engaged those gathered with a conversational, town hall-style approach. You can listen to his full remarks below. [Please note that this recording does not capture audience comments and questions so you may hear periods of silence during those portions of the presentation.]
St. Paul's is grateful to WCVE Public Radio, our Eyes on Richmond Media Sponsor. On Monday mornings, listen to WCVE Public Radio 88.9 FM for news reports about the forums. Throughout the series, Capitol Square Correspondent Craig Carper
will cover the forums, interviewing speakers about the topics and
questions from the audience. These news reports further enhance the
value of this educational offering for the city.
Today, VCU President Michael Rao spoke about "VCU & Richmond." While he emphasized research, he also spoke on a range of subjects, including the arts, the future of Monroe Park, higher education funding, and more. Click on the player below to listen to his full remarks.
Additionally, participants enjoyed an outstanding meal of vegetable lasagna and salad from Positive Vibe Cafe. The new Positive Vibe Express is now open at the Library of Virginia.
Eyes on Richmond on WCVE Public Radio
On Monday mornings, listen to WCVE Public Radio 88.9 FM. Throughout the series, Capitol Square Correspondent Craig Carper will cover the forums, interviewing speakers about the topics and questions from the audience. These news reports further enhance the value of this educational offering for the city.
And, of course, this Christmas, tonight, and tomorrow, new memories are being made; a Carol sung, pure and exquisite; an old friend; warm, endearing words exchanged; a first Christmas for a new grandbaby; a candle lit, a face aglow, eyes agleam.
More than fifty times, in his published writings, Barth refers to the Grunewald image; and, indeed, usually, it is precisely in reference to John, and John’s relation to the figure of Christ; as he points.
Barth (and Grunewald before him) understood John’s sole purpose to be to serve as a pointer to Christ, a reference to Christ, a witness to Christ.
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Today, we enthusiastically welcomed Steven Smith, Music Director & Conductor of the Richmond Symphony, for our Eyes on Richmond forum. As the new music director for the Richmond Symphony, his presentation was part of the impetus for this year's theme: "Richmond Changing: What's Next for Our City?"
A record Eyes on Richmond crowd (over 160 people by volunteer Dick Carlton's count!) packed into the Parish Hall to hear Buford Scott this afternoon. Buford is a long-time member of St. Paul's, helping found the Eyes on Richmond series, and Chairman of the Board of Scott & Stringfellow, one of Richmond's oldest, most recognizable businesses.
The Hon. Thelma Drake, Director of the 
Once again, St. Paul's Parish Hall was packed last Friday for our lunchtime Eyes on Richmond forum.
Last week, the 2010 season of Eyes on Richmond got off to 