Niki Cheong tells the story of how this Tuesday’s event got organized.  It will be my first attempt, and I’m looking forward to it. I see a few friends lined up as well, surely will meet new ones too. Content and connection, what more could I ask for?

Here’s the detailed information, join us if you can!

Tuesday, January 18 · 8:00pm – 10:30pm

Delucca, The Italian Restaurant, Jalan Mesui, off Jalan Nagasari (opposite No Black Tie), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Back by popular demand, Pecha Kucha Night (PKN), the global design networking/social event that draws creative talents together is back for its eleventh instalment! 

In the first Pecha Kucha of 2011, join host Niki Cheong and the British Council who will present a line up of big names, with even bigger personalities to match as they share their stories and journeys about social media and the way it has revolutionalised the way wecommunicate!

Featuring,
• Niki Cheong – Journalist and social media advocate
Website | http://www.nikicheong.com/ 
Twitter | @nikicheong

• Daphne Iking –TV host and actress 
Website | http://daphneiking.blogspot.com/
Twitter | @daphCLPT

• Tengku Zatashah Idris – Online entrepreneur of exclusive gift collection company Originalo
Website | http://originalo.com.my/ 
Twitter | @zatashah

• Low Ngai Yuen – Director, producer and head of the newly revived Kakiseni.com team 
Website | http://www.kakiseni.com/
Twitter | @ngaiyuen 

• Julian Hopkins – PhD candidate at Monash University, Sunway Campus researching the commercialisation of Malaysian blogs
Website | http://julianhopkins.net/ 
Twitter | @julianhopkins

• James Chong – Independent Internet Strategist Heading Online & Social Media for P1
Website | http://aidsaware.ruumzcauses.com/ 
Twitter | @warbaby

• Zain HD – Project Manager for RandomAlphabets (the collective behind Glee Flashmob Dance KL, Tali Tenang and Freeze for Unison) and Wago, which does social media PR and alternative events
Website | www.randomalphabets.com 
Twitter | @zainhd

• Foong Cheng Leong – Senior Associate at Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill focusing on Intellectual Property and Information Technology and cyberlaws
Website | www.xes.cx 
Twitter | @xescx

• Sivin Kit – Pastor at Bangsar Lutheran Church and social activist 
Website | http://sivinkit.net/ 
Twitter | @sivinkit

• Jonson Chong – Human rights lawyer and former KEADILAN communications director 
Website | http://jonsonchong.com/
Twitter | @jonsonchong

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More about Pecha Kucha:

Pecha Kucha (pronounced peh-chak-cha) was started in Tokyo, Japan in 2003 by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Klein Dytham Architecture. Presenters give a slideshow of 20 images, each shown for only 20 seconds — giving a total presentation time of 6 minutes 40 seconds. 

The brief the presenters are given is no brief! They can talk about any subject of choice, as long as they keep to the time and format. With presenters made up mostly from the creative and design fields, Pecha Kucha Nights are great for networking, only more fun.

Pecha Kucha Nights have grown into a phenomenon in Tokyo where it has mushroomed in over 230 cities all over the world. In Kuala Lumpur, Pecha Kucha Nights are hosted by the British Council and supported by the Multimedia Development Corporation of Malaysia (MDeC). This celebratory volume is housed by Delucca, The Italian Restaurant.

We’re having a "simple nothing fancy" Christmas Celebration event back at our original home, The Father’s House. There will be baptisms, songs & carols (of course!) and my last message as the Pastor of Bangsar Lutheran Church. Refreshments will be served after the service. Come as you are, you are most welcome

Here’s how to get there?
http://sivinkit.net/church/

Let us know if you are coming and how many friends, so we can prepare adequate food. Nothing fancy, simple stuff.

I can’t recall when there was ever a time a Christmas production had a preview for bloggers. Perhaps, this demonstrates how times have changed even for churches today in reaching out beyond ourselves. My first impressions after the preview is that so much has changed in how churches can do their Christmas production these days.  On stage as well as off stage. some of the bloggers have put up their thoughts and mostly pictures up.  You can find them here at MADWORLD’s own blog post Special blogger preview. 

My apologies for being late. But with the countdown towards the first show on Friday. Perhaps it’s timely anyway. Please allow me to contribute finally my more wordy and personalized effort

MADWORLD is dubbed as "A contemporary stage show featuring dance choreography, drama & music" is a collaboration between two churches in Klang Valley namely,  DUMC and SIBKL.  To me this is significant, because it’s a hint of recognition we can’t do things alone.  Even for both of the churches whom I would guess have enough resources to go "solo", at the end decided to produce this Christmas stage show together (or more precisely decided from the start to do it together!)  For me this is the way to go.  It puts a smile on my face.

I was told that at least there are 36 members in the cast, and about 100 people in total including those behind the scenes from the steady hand who holds the lip stick to the meticulous dancing fingers switching the videos and every one in between. The amount of time needed to plan and prepare for this event starting this Friday 3 December 8pm at Dream Centre Section 13 sends shivers to me The second round of the performance will be at SIB KL auditorium, 5th floor, Bangunan Yin, starting also on a Friday, 24 December 2010 8pm. I salute everyone who will make this happen.

One thing which struck me was the attempt to allow the artistic gifts to flourish especially in terms of dance and movement.  The way creative movement is displayed in this stage show probably won’t be what some of us have been used to in a Christmas production in a church setting.  As a pastor myself, whom probably enjoys vocalizing words to convey my message, I’ve always been intrigued on how non-verbal communication evokes an emotion, stirs our imagination or carries a message.  Somehow dance which is such a physical activity on the surface, at the deeper level is able to touch us where words fail. There were moments even in the "raw" preview where a mixture of tension and release, intensity and peace oozed out from the stage. Apart from the grand opening scene, I particularly liked the performances by the two male leads.  I could see they were very "in to" character and focused in what they were doing.

Of course, there’s the familiar use of songs and MADWORLD has the combination of original pieces with contemporary Christian music.  Keep your ear out for the closing song.  I remember singing it as a Christmas carol when our small church did our gigs at MPH a couple of years ago,  Whether it was done with simple percussions and a guitar with two handful of singers, or in MADWORLD’s case powerful vocals together with full dance choreography, I couldn’t help but choke up a little but then held back to take some more pictures.

As for the story, there will be familiar parts with regards to the storyline which to some might be predictable, to others a needed reminder,  but for all of us it will depend on where we are at in our own stage of life to reflect on the message MADWORLD wants to communicate.  I best leave it to you to go to the show yourself and let you give your feedback.  From my view, one thing which I appreciated was there was a conscious effort to connect the pain, isolation and suffering outside of the walls of the church.  While I think we who are often overly comfortable should get a stronger kick out of our zones,  MADWORLD will at least the give us a nudge to reconsider the kind of world we live in (without being blind to our surroundings) as well as the state of our inner worlds (which reminds me of the metaphor of a "mirror" in one of the scenes).

One little note I want to add is that in a massive production like this.  A lot of times we miss the "invisible" people working behind the scenes whether it’s the make up team, stage design, and also the sound and light & media team.  I enjoyed sitting closer to them during the preview and see how they time their video clips and also other little technical details to provide the right environment for the rest of the cast and also live music to blend in.  Often they are the unsung heroes for events like this.  I thought I’d give them a little big CHEER before even the show begins! Yeah! In many ways they "remind" us of so many people in our own lives that often are behind the scenes but in their own way set the stage for us to flourish and dance through the MADWORLD of our lives!

Go for the show and if you want to tell me about it. So, my blog post will now come to an end.  The conversation on all that matters need not end when the lights are turned off at the finale. For many it might be the beginning (credit to Morpheus from the Matrix for this last line!) There’s the preacher bug in me sneaking in and itching to preach.  But, I’m wearing a blogger hat now. 

While I was walking in Bangsar Village I the other afternoon, I overheard the Christmas Carol, "The First Noel".  Even the malls are ready at least for the shopping mad rush they hope will happen.  As for the rest of us, Christmas can be a time where we can look out beyond ourselves, and also look in within ourselves, and in that whole process suddenly find ourselves afresh, and maybe find out more about the mysteries of a KINGDOM beyond this MADWORLD. 

THE CHRISTIAN GOSPEL AND CHANGING THE SOCIAL IMAGINARY

(Open Session)

Friday 12 November 2010, 8.00 – 10.00pm, Luther Centre

Whilst the stock market and exchange rates have recently hit record levels, and plans to boost our economy were announced with much fanfare, there is talk of a property “bubble” and skepticism on the delivery mechanism.

Even as the government proposes an interfaith committee, right-wing lobbyists continue drawing attention with their unchecked aggression. In these times of crises, we find no shortage of concepts and slogans on which to pin our hopes, promises of change and transformation – economic growth, globalisation, civil society, political reforms, interfaith dialogue – these and many more continue to capture our imagination, define our social imaginary.

Yet how are we to discern the signs of the times? How can we understand what is broken in our society and what makes it tick? How can the gospel bring true transformation to our situation? What shapes or defines our Christian Hope or Imaginary? Ultimately, what acts of fidelity does the Gospel of Jesus Christ demand of us in these trying times?

THIS EVENT IS FREE

Luther Centre, No.6 Jalan Utara, Petaling Jaya (Next to Hospital Mata Tun Hussein Onn), Opposite/Near Asia Jaya LRT Station)

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THE POLITICS OF DISCIPLESHIP (Seminar)

Saturday 13 November 2010, 10.00am – 12.30pm, Luther Centre PJ:

Dietrich Bonhoeffer asked “Who is Jesus Christ for us today?” Indeed, what does it mean for us to truly be his disciples in our time and place? For some of us such questions are a constant struggle as we wrestle with life’s challenges, whilst for others it is more a matter of doing what we know or think is right.

No matter where you are on this spectrum, there is a great need to understand what it means to be the church in our society and what it means to be followers of Christ today. How do we interact with culture at large, how do we deal with its politics? From here, we can then begin to explore the question “What do we do now?”

Doors open 9.30am for morning tea & coffee

PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS SEMINAR (FEE OF RM10). PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL TO friendsinconversation@gmail

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GRAHAM WARD is Professor of Contextual Theology and Ethics at The University of Manchester, and head of School of Arts, Histories and Cultures.

Professor Ward’s current research encompasses Christian social ethics, political theory and cultural hermeneutics and he is the co-director of the Centre for Religion and Political Culture. Books he has authored include Cities of God, Cultural Transformation and Religious Practice, Political Discipleship and Religion and Political Thought (with Dr Michael Hoezl).

* * *

Jointly Organised by Friends in Conversation (FIC) & Seminari Theoloji Malaysia (STM)

On Face book: Click here

47 Minutes of Silence, Peace for Malaysia

THEME:
Fraternity through Freedom

EVENT:
To conclude the 47 years of Malaysia and usher in her 48th year with 47 MINUTES OF SILENCE

CONTEXT:
For the past weeks and in the run-up to the Merdeka and Malaysia Days, more than before, the nation has been bombarded with ethno-religious noises. These range from direct calls to expel some Malaysians, subtle references to other Malaysians and females as “dirty”, to vulgar attack on ethnicity and faith of fellow Malaysians.

Coinciding with the noises are the attempts to control media and suppress rational discourse on ethno-religious relations. Bloggers are harassed and dissenting views demonized. Critical journalists are sacked.

The contrast of the noisy racists and the muted media is in no way coincidental. Racism and bigotry grow when citizens are not allowed to speak their mind and listen to each other.

It’s time to reclaim our nation, our freedom, the promise that Malaysia was meant to be in 1963.
We need no colonial masters from within to control our public sphere and selectively grant more space for some to vent their racist slurs.
They say we are the silent majority.
So, let’s show them the power of deafening silence.
Let’s all say no to the manipulation of bigotry and media.
Let’s show them our determination for fraternity through freedom.

DATE /TIME:
15th SEPTEMBER, 2010 @ 11.12pm TO 11.59pm

VENUE:
Community Hall / NGO Premises/Associations / Clubs in all major towns
. Kuala Lumpur: Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Carpark

GROUP ACTIVITY (subject to the preferences of the organisers/participants)

1. MEDITATION/REFLECTION
2. WRITE AN ESSAY/POEM based on the theme
3. DRAW/PAINT ON A WHITE PAPER/CLOTH based on the theme
4. READING IN SILENCE

Note: Items (2) and (3) can be used for display/ dissemination through different channels at later stage of campaign

11 September 2010
By Jayanath and Chin Huat

"FOR THE PAIN, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry." — Australian PM Kevin Rudd’s apology for mistreatment of aboriginal Australians, 13 Feb 2008

"We participated in things that were clearly wrong and have reason to regret and we apologize for them." — Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein’s apology for the 2009 financial crisis, 17 Nov 2009

"And I felt sorry, and I have felt bad about what happened." — Monica Lewinsky, 2002

Beg Your Pardon
When governments, leaders & individuals say sorry
Forum
Fri 3 Sep, 8.30pm
The Annexe Gallery, 2nd Flr, Central Market Annexe
Admission: Free of charge

SPEAKERS:
1. WHEN GOVERNMENTS SAY SORRY: by Ambiga Sreenevasan
2. WHEN CORPORATIONS SAY SORRY: by Sreedhar Subramaniam
3. WHEN COMMUNITIES SAY SORRY: by Edry Faizal Eddy Yusof
4. WHEN INDIVIDUALS SAY SORRY: by Leow Puay Tin

SAYING SORRY is first and foremost a personal act to initiate a journey of reconciliation and healing between two individuals. However, it is an act that also has implications beyond two private individuals. When leaders of communities, corporations and even countries apologize for the wrongs of the past, they also begin putting things right in the present in order to have a brighter future together.

The apologies quoted above have become historical milestones of recent history. We remember them because public apologies from leaders are so few and far between. So few in fact they often shock us into catharsis and tears, allowing many of us to move on from our hurt. But yet, we are aware of many more wrongs yet unaccounted for. Are there things for which our government, community leaders and public individuals have yet to apologise, thus preventing us from healing as a nation?

This forum aims to explore both the personal and public dimension of the act of saying sorry to facilitate greater thought in the respective spheres, and hopefully inspire individuals and larger groups to cultivate a culture of the willingness to make amends.

SPEAKERS’ BIOS:
AMBIGA SREENEVASAN served as the Malaysian Bar Council chairperson from 2007 to 2009. In March 2009, she became one of the eight recipients for the 2009 Secretary of State’s Award for International Women of Courage Awards. She is currently leading the Bersih Version 2.0 campaign and is a vocal activist on human rights.

EDRY FAIZAL EDDY YUSOF is a research fellow at Islamic Renaissance Front, an NGO that strides to engage in social debates and promote freedom of expression and religion, democracy and liberty. He has held a few key positions in the University’s Islamic society and actively writes for blog, tabloid and MMU’s "Risalah Jumaat".

SREEDHAR SUBRAMANIAM has almost 25 years of experience in consulting and senior management, about half of which was with a major international management consulting group. The remaining half has been in senior management positions within the media, business process outsourcing and information services industries. He is founder of The Malaysian Insider, currently the CEO of Good Times and a consultant with Character First!.

LEOW PUAY TIN is one of Malaysia’s finest theatre practitioners. She has written and performed 5 monologues – in Malaysia as well as in Egypt and Australia. She has also written a number of plays, including the popular "Ang Tau Mui", which have been performed in Malaysia, Singapore and Japan.

SAY SORRY DAY: Sun 5 Sep 2010
This forum is held in conjunction with the Say Sorry Day campaign. A collective of individuals and organisations are coming together to declare Sept 5, 2010, as Say Sorry Day. Everyone – in Malaysia and beyond – is encouraged on this day to seek forgiveness from and grant it to each other.

The inspiration for Say Sorry Day is a young Malaysian, Yong Vui Kong, who was only 18 when he was arrested for drug trafficking in Singapore. He is currently appealing for clemency, but he may still be hanged and not get a chance to redeem his wrongs.
His situation is extreme, and many people may not find themselves in the same situation. However, we all need forgiveness because we all do wrong; as the saying goes, “to err is human, to forgive, divine”.

To find out more about Say Sorry Day: http://www.facebook.com/saysorryday