Another Great Conservatory

08.19.13 01:25 AM Comment(s) By Rich

My great team at TAM.

I got to teach, direct and perform at the Salvation Army's TAM Conservatory for what I believe to be my ninth year. It's been going 13 years, and the only times I've missed it was to perform in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in '07, during the Olympics in '08 and '12. It was, as it is every year, a phenomenal experience!

A highlight for me was when some of us went into the city early to look for some shoes for our sketch. The rest of the group was held up in traffic, so we were able to put together a short program for the rehab center, where we'd planned to perform. The main group did arrive, about half way through the program we'd put together, and it was just a fantastic experience of life in the Spirit!

We took our theme from Brennan Manning's book Posers, Fakers & Wannabes. It was based on a chapter in Manning's book Abba's Child, which I read when I was in my 20's. It radically transformed how I lived. I no longer saw my work and art as something that might earn more love and respect from the Lord and those around me. Instead I accepted that I'm completely and unconditionally loved by the Creator of the universe, which frees me to live out his callings on my life with joy unhindered.

If an atheist was hanging out for our closing ceremonies the presence of God flowing through the love that was in that room would have melted skepticism like wax.

Here's my report from this morning at our church, Westchester Chapel:

http://archive.org/embed/RichTAMReport081813

Already looking forward to next year!

Watch Joyce and I play the parents of nine...