A brief preview of our upcoming FabricTV+ series, and announcing the first-ever Fabric Film Festival! Put together a team and make a film together— it doesn’t matter if you’re a pro or haven’t made a short film before… it’s all about creativity, not perfection!
Read MorePhotos and reflections by Jeanette Mayo
The turn of the calendar tempts us with promises of newness—fresh starts, better habits, upgraded versions of ourselves. But what if, instead of charging ahead with self-improvement schemes, we took a cue from winter’s stillness? What if we let go of the relentless hustle and embraced the radical idea that we are already enough?
Fabric’s January series, “Give Up,” has invited us into this counterintuitive wisdom—the grace of resting, receiving, and recognizing our inherent worth. Nature doesn’t demand that a hibernating bear emerge as a “better” bear. Spring’s renewal is not about striving but about unfolding what has been there all along.
In Wintering, Katherine May reminds us that transformation often happens in the quiet, unseen spaces. And in Belonging, Toko-pa Turner challenges us to strengthen our “receiving muscle,” to accept the support woven into our interconnected lives. “You are the receiver of too many generosities to count,” she writes. “Count them anyway.”
So, what if we stopped trying to earn our existence? What if we acknowledged the trees, the friendships, the small kindnesses that hold us? What if, instead of striving, we surrendered to belonging?
You are the gift. That’s enough. May it be so.
-Ian
Read MoreIan reflects a bit on the supposed divide between “sacred” and “secular,” and on Fabric’s 18+ year position straddling the two…
Read MoreSpeak, speak up – even a whisper counts; let us each name our grief and give each other permission to do likewise. Let us face outward, and inward…
Reflections and photos from Jeanette Mayo
Read MoreFor several years now, I've been dreaming about the potential of inviting songwriters who align with what we're doing into some kind of residency with Fabric. Like most of what I seem to do, it was bold, optimistic, held loosely, and without a clear path on how to start moving toward it. This summer I've gotten the gift of time to spend bonding with and caring for my new daughter, Fia. With that came a bit of an obvious question of who might share some music on Sundays when I'm not around; enter opportunity.
Ellis Delaney is an amazing songwriter and performer who happens to live in the same neighborhood the Fabric staff have officed out of for years. I can't think of another artist that more beautifully aligns with who Fabric is today than Ellis. I don't mean that in a sort of picture of likeminded homogeneity, but rather when I consider what Ellis' music inspires in me (and who I've started to discover Ellis to be as a human and friend), it feels like it's those community values we as Fabric had been noticing and finally articulated clearly a couple years ago; Brave Uncertainty, Share Warmth, Think Big, Choose Connection, and Whimsify!
Upon gazing at the multi-faceted realities of the world, Ellis seems to skillfully hold the wide-eyed tension of what most truly is... and helps me see it; all of the different soils (rocky, packed, weedy, rich, etc.) around and within us as well as the subterranean loving force that seems to offer nourishment for our truest selves to grow and our better angels to blossom.
I think there's all kinds of potential to come as we imagine what we might be able to do with artists intentionally spending more time with Fabric, but for now it just feels like a gift to have Ellis present with us to close out the summer. This idea of super|natural we've been exploring feels rich with synergy. As Ellis wrote in their song Start Where You Are, "There is a chance to wake up to what is going on." In any given moment, that might mean anything from grief to relief, protest to rest. All of it worthy, curious, and beautiful. The main dates you’ll see Ellis around are Sundays 8/18-9/1. May the time we get to spend with them help us all see a little more of what already is… an amazingly complex tapestry bursting with life at every turn.
If you haven't had a chance to explore the music of Ellis yet, they put together this playlist of original songs specifically for Fabric as a bit of a "Get-To-Know Ellis" or a shortcut for us to notice some of the common threads connecting us. I hope and trust that you'll be surprised and delighted as you dig in!
With wonder and gratitude,
Chris Tripolino
"There is a chance to wake up to what is going on"
Ellis Delaney from Start Where You Are
There is always work to be done. Some of it can stop and some of it still needs to happen. But you don’t always have to be the one carrying the pack of the work! This week, take stock
Read MoreChoose a simple, playful activity that is easily done and takes little time to do every day….
Read MoreChoose a “sit spot” to spend 5 minutes in regularly throughout the week….
Read MoreWe’re embracing our beginners’ minds around the age-old idea of Sabbath as we kick-off Cease and Resist. In the spirit of learning and practice - here’s your assignment (invitation?!) this week…
Read MoreWe all get by with help from our friends. But there is more to giving and receiving help than meets the eye. Let's help each other out with our help stories!
Read MoreA reflection in poetry and photos by Jeanette Mayo. The goal is not to pray more, or worry less…
Read MoreWho needs one more thing to do? And more people to manage relationships and communication with? I know I don’t. Yet…
Read MoreFabric Young adults get a chance to disconnect from technology and the fast pace of life while finding connection to ourselves, each other and something we can’t quite put words to.
Read MoreI think the biggest thing for me at camp was it was the most peaceful and present I had felt in a long time. It felt really good to step away from real life for a moment.
Read MoreROAM through some readings to stretch your doubt muscles.
Read MoreOlivia Jutila and Alexa Miller share their talents of writing and digital art to reflect on our High School trip to Appalachia.
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Fabric… now on the World Wide Web! Fabric is a thoughtful, progressive church community based in South Minneapolis. Together we're experimenting with what church can be for folks, and engaging life "woven deeply" (with ourselves, God, and all others) through conversations that matter, significant relationships, and inspiring experiences for people of all ages. We take this stuff seriously, and prioritize playfulness along the way!
Photos and reflections by Jeanette Mayo
The turn of the calendar tempts us with promises of newness—fresh starts, better habits, upgraded versions of ourselves. But what if, instead of charging ahead with self-improvement schemes, we took a cue from winter’s stillness? What if we let go of the relentless hustle and embraced the radical idea that we are already enough?
Fabric’s January series, “Give Up,” has invited us into this counterintuitive wisdom—the grace of resting, receiving, and recognizing our inherent worth. Nature doesn’t demand that a hibernating bear emerge as a “better” bear. Spring’s renewal is not about striving but about unfolding what has been there all along.
In Wintering, Katherine May reminds us that transformation often happens in the quiet, unseen spaces. And in Belonging, Toko-pa Turner challenges us to strengthen our “receiving muscle,” to accept the support woven into our interconnected lives. “You are the receiver of too many generosities to count,” she writes. “Count them anyway.”
So, what if we stopped trying to earn our existence? What if we acknowledged the trees, the friendships, the small kindnesses that hold us? What if, instead of striving, we surrendered to belonging?
You are the gift. That’s enough. May it be so.
-Ian
Ian reflects a bit on the supposed divide between “sacred” and “secular,” and on Fabric’s 18+ year position straddling the two…
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Fabric MPLS
Sundays @ 10:30am
Field Elementary School, 4645 4th Ave S, Mpls, MN 55419 (map)
Questions? Connect with us via our Contact Page
Office: 3751 17th Ave S/ Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 822-0300
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A brief preview of our upcoming FabricTV+ series, and announcing the first-ever Fabric Film Festival! Put together a team and make a film together— it doesn’t matter if you’re a pro or haven’t made a short film before… it’s all about creativity, not perfection!