bryan field mcfarland: Calendar

Mom & Dad came up for this! Diane was already in Greensboro. Meagan went with us. She wasn't feeling well that night. Justin Pemerton, whom I met at John Knox Center a couple of weeks prior, sat in with me on djembe. Played 1) What's Been Given, 2) What I Want, and 3) How 'Bout This Day! Great reaction and singing along from the audience. I love the Bluebird. Meagan was really not feeling well, so we left as soon as possible after I played. Sold one CD and probably would have sold a lot more if I could have stayed longer.

What an incredible four days! Arrived on Monday. On Tuesday I taught about labyrinths to a first-time group of high schoolers. Only two of them had any knowledge of labyrinths. Before lunch on Tuesday the group had drawn a seven-circuit labyrinth on the floor of the pavilion in chalk. We began to gather materials (stones and tree limbs for mulch) for making a permanent labyrinth. By Friday noon we had finished laying the stones for a 40 foot, seven-circuit flower or Cretan labyrinth. The only thing we could not complete was gathering enough material for mulch. I expect I'll be asked back for labyrinth facilitator training for this camp. Bri Payne current program director.

First time doing this retreat at a home. Went well. Played my music as well as a couple of songs of Tim O'Brien. Michael and Peggy's place lends itself so well for the walking time.

Fourth year in a row to be asked to lead worship and music and be chaplain for this Synod of Mid-Atlantic deal. Co-wrote Get Back Behind Me at this event with Rev. Todd Hester.

My first night playing The Bluebird Sunday Writers! Great night. Michael Thompson and Peggy Brooks came down from Gentryville, IN. Played 1) Way, 2) For Ever, 3) Yard Sale. Great listening crowd. Sat next to Vince Gill after Michael and Peggy left.

Had a great time here reuniting with Bob and Jenni. Earlier in the day on Saturday I met Bill Dent for lunch at Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Cafe.

Met Bob and Jenni's kid's Lawson and Abigail. They are really great. Lawson plays soccer and was quite sick while I was there. Abby had been in state competition for Show Choir. They are really something special.

Bob sang "Part of the Plan" with me and Jenni sang backup and harmony on "On A Labyrinth." That song has meant a lot to her in a recent job search and attempt to find her calling.

Small crowd, but appreciate hosts who said they'd love to do this again. Didn't make any money on this gig. I don't know if they did not understand the house concert concept or what, but I essentially played a free concert for these folks.

Cynthia Williams was the contact here. She is the associate pastor of First Presbyterian of Newton, NC.

This was a really nice event with openness to all I said in the celtic retreat. We learned that toaster ovens really don't do the right kinda work for baking Sculpey clay.

Great sunrise seen in silence with a really cool group of people.

Playing this Coffeehouse Worship is one of my favorite things to do. I totally love the evident spirituality of this congregation! I only wish I lived closer to them.

What a wonderful congregation! This annual spirituality retreat takes place at BPC and seems like it is a nice drink of cold water for these people. I know it was for me.

I'm especially excited to have been asked to be here for this event since it led to a new song for me. With their theme - The Journey Worth Taking - as a springboard I wrote a song I'm calling "The Journey Is Worth Taking." It includes a celtic fingerstyle guitar introduction using the tune Inisheer Aire with a portion of Psalm 84 which was a guiding text for BPC's Christian Education CELTIC team.

My hat's off to BPC's staff and lay leaders for an excellent event.