building leadership for spiritual activism
In Fall 2003, we launched the stone circles fellowship — a group of 7 peers whose collective wisdom and experience embody the truly revolutionary ways of being that are shifting the way social change happens in this world. We believe these individuals are at the forefront of both thinking and acting in their fields, and that bringing them together will create something far beyond the sum of their parts. Our goals are:
The fellows gathered three times over the fellowship year to build relationships and networks; share skills and experience; explore common questions; investigate language and frameworks; vision and dream; rest and rejuvenate.
In addition to the gatherings, we supported fellows in the realms of reflection, strategy, and documentation. The stone circles fellowship also included a $10,000 stipend to support the work of each fellow.
The Fellows
(please note~ most of these organizational affiliations are no longer current but reflect the work areas during the fellowship year)
KENNY BAILEY, Project Communitas, Boston MA: An experienced practitioner in youth development, community building and organizational development, Kenny is working with to give communities and organizations the tools, perspective and encouragement they need to explore their own hidden dynamics and handle conflict.
ARRINGTON CHAMBLISS, No Ordinary Time, Boston MA: An ordained priest in the Episcopal Diocese, Arrington founded No Ordinary Time to help youth activists and faith-based leaders in the greater Boston area develop their leadership, deepen strategic actions, and create more reflective organizations by integrating contemplation and action.
LISA CHARLEY, Movement Strategy Center, Oakland CA: Lisa is working at the Movement Strategy Center as the Spirit in Motion Fellow. Raised on the Diné reservation near Farmington, New Mexico, she is implementing her traditional healing practices with activists and individuals to create internal healing and balance in their lives.
ALBINO GARCIA, Red Wolf Clan and Non-Traditional Leadership Institute, Albquerque, NM: Albino is an outreach consultant and trainer in leadership development, violence prevention, juvenile justice, drug prevention, and cultural diversity. Once Project Coordinator of Barrios Unidos, Albino works to enhance the well being of people living in poor and underserved communities by integrating education, personal transformation, healing and social change.
SIMON GREER, New York Jobs with Justice, New York NY: Simon is the Executive Director of New York Jobs with Justice, a city-wide labor, community, religious and student coalition that works to improve working people’s standard of living, fight for job security, and protect workers’ right to organize. Simon uses contemplative and reflective practices to strengthen and JwJ’s organizational culture and effectiveness.
SCOTT PRYOR, Greensboro Community Truth and Reconciliation Project (GTCRP), Greensboro NC: Through the GTCRP, Scott is helping to develop a grassroots movement for community truth-seeking and healing process looking into the events of November 3, 1979 in which five community and labor organizers were killed by Klan and Nazis. A singer-songwriter raised on a Presbyterian summer camp, Scott uses music to tell stories and build community.
ANGEL KYODO WILLIAMS, urbanPEACE, New York NY and Oakland, CA, and New-Dharma Community: Trained in the Zen Buddhist tradition and an ordained interfaith minister, Angel Kyodo Williams is the founder of urbanPEACE. urbanPEACE bridges the practice of spirit and the promise of social transformation by infusing meaningful meditation and awareness practices that have been adapted from traditional wisdom teachings into a range of transcultural, widely diversified, and often chaotic, or “urban” settings.
