“Pointing the Way Forward”?
Trent Gilliss, Online Editor
» download (mp3, 1:04)
You may have seen the image above a number of times during the past month as we asked you to participate in the live event we coordinated last week. When we dug up this photo for our promotional collateral, we were pleased to find an intimate image of the relatively unknown Joshua DuBois with President Obama when he was still a candidate.
But we knew relatively little about the context of the photo. So, during the interview, Krista asked DuBois to tell us about this picture and this moment. What resulted was a light-hearted story during a conversation about politics and religion — a very human exchange when a photo elevates a rather ordinary moment.
The Still(s) of an Evening Event
Colleen Scheck, Producer
We decided late in our planning stages for our event with Joshua DuBois that we wanted a professional photographer there. When I asked Tony Bol, APM’s director of live event programs, for a recommendation, I didn’t even have the full sentence out of my mouth before he said “Ann Marsden.” Now I know why. Ann, a Minneapolis-based photographer, took some stunning pictures of our evening at the Fitzgerald Theater.
After it was all over, I stood on the Fitz stage wondering how everything had gone. I had been running around so much during the event, making sure x,y,z details happened as planned (and adjusting when it didn’t), that I hardly had a sense of if the event went well overall. But when I look at Ann’s photos, I don’t recall the frenzy of the evening; instead, I’m filled with a quiet, intimate sense of the power of convening community, the value of connection through public conversation, and the beauty of performance. Here’s some of my favorite pics:
Krista in action, gesturing with her hands. We often get media requests for these kinds of photos, so I’m sure this one will come in handy in the future.
Laughter. Everyone works hard - host and guest alike - to pull off a live event. And our conversations have a lot of weight at times. Lighter moments are lovely, too.
Audience = Inform. Inspire. Entertain. It’s what we do, who we serve.
A great photographer creates intimacy in crowded moments. An example.
…and has an eye for capturing VIPs both in and out of the frame.
The Fitz at dusk - a sense of place, a landmark.
Every guest at the Fitzgerald Theater is invited to sign the brick wall behind the stage. Yes, you guessed it - this is NOT an Ann Marsden photo. This is an attempt by yours truly to capture some behind-the-scenes action. Intimacy and beauty lost…must take photography classes…(Sigh).
Obama’s “Call to Renewal” Speech
Andy Dayton, Associate Web Producer
This keynote address (transcript here) given by Senator Obama on June 28, 2006 at the Call to Renewal conference has come up a few times in our program — first with Amy Sullivan during the 2008 presidential election season, then later in Krista’s live conversation with David Brooks and E.J. Dionne for “Obama’s Theologian.” Now, once more, it’s mentioned in Krista’s interview with Joshua DuBois. Perhaps this one’s worth a lengthy viewing … watch the entire speech here, in 5 parts (parts 2-5 below).
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Referencing Abortion in the President’s Speech at Notre Dame
Trent Gilliss, Online Editor
President Obama’s recent speech at the University of Notre Dame commencement ceremony came up several times during our live event with Joshua DuBois at the Fitz — from Krista during the interview and from our online and in-house audiences during the Q+A session.
The president addressed several divisive issues — including abortion, a topic we’ve been working at reframing by asking for your perspectives and stories on how you and others might engage in this dialogue in ways not yet imagined. Specifically, Krista asked DuBois if he had a hand in writing the speech. His answer was rather indirect, saying something to the effect that the president faces difficult issues “head on” and that his speeches are in the president’s voice.
President Obama’s address garnered a fair amount of attention for his choice of place in talking about such a controversial issues. Was this the appropriate venue for this discussion? I’m not sure, but I like that the administration isn’t avoiding it. I’m hopeful that more fruitful ways of talking about this hot-button issue are on the horizon.
Live Video: SOF Salon on Lived Faith and Civic Life
Trent Gilliss, Online Editor
Update: The streaming embed box has been replaced with the recorded versions of the salon, broken into two parts.
This is the place where we are streaming real-time video of Krista and a group of 15 listeners reflecting on the previous night’s conversation with Joshua DuBois. We’ll begin streaming at 8:45 am CST. The Speaking of Faith Salon begins at 9:00 am and will last approximately an hour.
We are asking the participants to ponder these questions coming into the discussion:
- How are you being called to engage in your various communities?
- What forms of action are you drawn to?
- How is faith-based initiative work relevant, or is it at all?
We welcome your participation and feedback:
- Watch.
- Comment.
- Twitter. Respond to points and topics with a tweet — or ask a question. We’ll feature your tweets on our Web site. The hashtag is #sofsalon.
There is still time to sign up so we can send you details and reminders about watching live video of Krista’s conversation with Joshua DuBois this Wednesday!
