refresh chiang mai

REFRESH TONIGHT!

2012-02-17T16:37:00.000+07:00

Tonight (February 17) is REFRESH!

Come at 7:00 to listen to pre-worship music and cafe and art.

Worship 7:30 to 9:00

Post-worship music and art and cafe from 9:00 to 9:30.

See you tonight!

REFRESH This Week!

2012-02-15T16:34:00.000+07:00

REFRESH is this Friday, February 17 at CMIS!

Come and hang out, check out the art, have a coffee and listen to music from 7:00 to 7:30.

Worship from 7:30 to 9:00.

Post-worship music/art/cafe from 9:00 to 9:30.

REFRESH Next Week!

2012-02-08T16:20:00.000+07:00

Next Friday is REFRESH at CMIS!

Pre-worship music at 7:00 PM, along with cafe by Sojo's Cafe.

Worship from 7:30 - 9:00 PM.

Post-worship music and cafe from 9:00 PM to 9:30 PM.

See you there!

Photos from January REFRESH

2012-02-07T16:06:00.000+07:00

Here are some photos from the last REFRESH! Thanks to all who came, who worshiped, who led in worship, and who together helped create a night of praise!

For more photos, and the latest updates, jump over to our Facebook Page.

Remember, the NEXT REFRESH is February 17, Friday! Hope to see you there!

REFRESH is TONIGHT!

2012-01-20T08:00:00.000+07:00

REFRESH IS TONIGHT!

Tonight, 7:00 will be acoustic music, art and the cafe by Sojo's.

Worship from 7:30 to 9:00.

Hope to see you there!

Be sure to checkout our Facebook page for more info!

The 3rd and Last Year of Refresh

2012-01-19T22:37:00.002+07:00

A few years ago God put it on our hearts to start a regular community-wide worship night. The plans and prayers solidified and became a reality when we started REFRESH in 2009. We had the idea of incorporating the arts into worship because of our church backgrounds and experience. As we sought God for the details, God gave us the name "REFRESH", and REFRESH was born! It delights us to see REFRESH in its 3rd year and to know that people are blessed by the opportunity to come together and worship God in a community-wide event, and it delights us to hear testimonies of God working in people’s lives as they worship.

This is our 3rd and last year of REFRESH. From the beginning we planned on it being for "a season". We feel this is the right time to bring REFRESH to a close, at the end of this international school year. Ken and Roslyn are going back to Australia for a couple of years. Mark and Dana are seeking God about starting a new worship night.

The last REFRESH will be on May 18, 2012. We hope and pray that all who would be blessed by REFRESH will come to the remaining REFRESH worship nights – Jan 20, Feb 17, Mar 30, Apr 27, May 18.

Come and be REFRESHed!

Blessings,
Ken & Roslyn Manson and Mark & Dana Ritchie

Art this REFRESH: Video from CREATE THAILAND

2012-01-18T08:00:00.000+07:00

The art this week is going to be video -- we've been wanting to do something like this for a long time!

We'll be featuring the work of Create Thailand, and their work on putting the Gospel into video and other media (cartoons, etc.) for many different cultures in Asia.

Come early (7:00) to listen to acoustic music by Ryan and Melanie, and check out the art by Create!

REFRESH This week!

2012-01-15T15:53:00.001+07:00

REFRESH will be THIS FRIDAY (January 20) at CMIS!

Acoustic music, art and cafe (by Sojo's) from 7:00 PM.

Worship from 7:30 to 9:00 PM.

In the CMIS Auditorium.

Please check us out on Facebook for the latest updates and information!

December 2

2011-12-03T16:07:00.000+07:00

We had a great time of worship at the December 2 REFRESH!

Blessed by worship, music art and dance.

Be sure to check our Facebook page for the latest information about REFRESH!

Looking back, looking forward!

2011-10-31T22:20:00.000+07:00

The next REFRESH is THIS FRIDAY November 4 at CMIS at 7:00! Acoustic music and art and the Sojo's cafe starts at 7, followed by worship at 7:30.Hope to see you there!

Here are some photos from the last REFRESH, thanks to Jennifer Leeper -- who will also be showing her art at this next REFRESH.

Next REFRESH November 4!

2011-10-21T16:25:00.000+07:00

The next REFRESH is November 4 at CMIS!

Sojo's Cafe, art and acoustic music from 7:00 PM.

Worship from 7:30 to 9:00 PM.

Acoustic music, cafe and art from 9:00 to 9:30 PM.

- photographic exhibition by JENNIFER LEEPER
- collage created during the worship by KAREN BLOCK
- special music piece by RYAN & MELANIE GEHRMANN

See you there!

Next REFRESH--Oct 14 at Grace International School

2011-09-15T11:44:00.001+07:00

The next REFRESH is at Grace International School (GIS)!

Lynette Hester will be doing the artistic piece -- a spoken word.

The art will be by Sharon Wade's GIS’ Painting and AP Studio Art classes

Looking forward to it!

Photos from Friday, September 9

2011-09-11T08:07:00.000+07:00

Here are some photos from Friday, September 9 -- a large turn out for the first REFRESH of the new school year!

This FRIDAY!

2011-09-06T18:36:00.000+07:00

The first REFRESH for the year will be this FRIDAY, September 9!

Cafe+music+art from 7:00pm. worship from 7:30pm.

At Chiang Mai International School (CMIS)

Worship led by Roslyn Manson and The REFRESH Band
Painting live + art exhibition by Frances Cannon
Special music + prelude&postlude music by Rachel Louise Tanner & Ty Williams
Cafe by Sojo's Cafe

Looking forward to seeing you there!

REFRESH will be starting it's third year -- dates and venue confirmed!

2011-08-09T12:23:00.002+07:00

Delighted to announce that REFRESH is ready to start its 3rd year! The venue is the same, CMIS, huge thanks to CMIS! But the night is changing- this year REFRESH will be on Friday nights (not Saturday nights). Here are the dates:

All Fridays: Sept 9, Nov 4, Dec 2, Jan 20, Feb 17, Mar 30, Apr 27, May 18

Since it's Friday evenings we'll start a little later than we did last year, 7:30-9:00pm (instead of 7:00-8:30pm).

We're excited about the year ahead!

Update on REFRESH

2011-07-28T13:15:00.001+07:00

We thought we had the dates & venue for the next international school year settled but it became apparent recently that they aren’t.

We very much hope to start as planned on Saturday September 3rd but we’re not sure if we’ll be able to do a 3rd year of REFRESH because of uncertainty regarding a venue.

We'll keep you updated here on on the REFRESH Facebook page.

Photos from May 21 REFRESH!

2011-06-22T13:48:00.000+07:00

Here are a series of photos of the final REFRESH of the 2010-2011 season.

Thanks to Julie Green for the photos, and all of the people who've made a contribution to REFRESH over the last year -- the musicians, support and set up crew, artists, SoJo's Cafe, and everyone who came and worshiped together!

The photos are in order, from pre event music to worship, dance, crowdsourced art, to post event music.

Upcoming art... crowdsourcing for the next REFRESH

2011-05-10T21:02:00.001+07:00

I read a lot of design and art blogs, and this project crossed my newsfeed not long ago, an urban public art project by Cindy Chang.

Her project, Before I Die, is a community art piece in New Orleans, in the United States. She took an abandoned house, and turned it into a place for the local community to share, dream, and engage with each other by answering a simple but profound question -- what do you want to do before you die?

The images (shown below and linked above) stuck with me for a long time, and I was taken with the idea of doing something similar. Looking back through everything all of us have been through over the last year. And thinking, how have we been blessed?

So inspired by a public crowdsourced art installation in New Orleans, REFRESH Chiang Mai will be doing the same at the next event -- completing the sentence "This year, I've been blessed by..."

Think about all the things in your life that have blessed you -- events, people, things you've read, seen or heard over the last year. Bring those ideas with you to the next REFRESH to write on the wall and share. If you're inspired, bring a poem or a small piece of art to put on the wall.

Take some time to look at the photos below, click through to Cindy Chang's original art that inspired this, and think about how you've been blessed.

Photos from April 30 REFRESH!

2011-04-30T23:31:00.000+07:00

Here are some photos, from the pre-music through the worship, art and post music. Thanks to the musicians, to the artists, photographers and to our God, who fills us with His creativity and gives us the privilege to worship him together! Thanks to the photographers Chris and Cal, the artists Frances and Ellyn, and for classical music from Judi and Annette.

Art: Photography

2011-04-28T19:46:00.000+07:00

Here is a sample of the photos that will be a part of the art at REFRESH this Saturday, April 30. Be sure to come at 6:30 for a chance to browse the art and listen to classical music.

See you there!

A song: My Savior Lives

2011-04-23T10:57:00.002+07:00

Another song we'll be doing!

A song: Forever Reign

2011-04-21T10:56:00.003+07:00

Here is one of the songs we'll be doing at the next REFRESH!

Next REFRESH, April 30!

2011-04-12T08:17:00.000+07:00

The next REFRESH is April 30!

We are looking forward to Judi Utley and Annette George with classical music on harp and flute for pre-and post-event music, Frances Cannon painting live during the event, and Chris Sinclair's photography.

And as always, Sojo's Cafe!

Pre-event music starts at 6:30 and REFESH starts at 7:00 PM.

See you there!

Photos from March REFRESH

2011-04-11T08:24:00.001+07:00

Here are a few photos from the last REFRESH.

Looking forward to the next RERESH on April 30!

Acoustic music with the Scottish small pipes by Graeme Ritchie backed by Andrew Conner on guitar and Mark Ritchie on bodhran.

Art this month was poetry by Melanie Carey (in the photo up on the right). What a blessing!

Worship dance by Cindy Heine.

This Saturday, March 19th!

2011-03-16T22:42:00.001+07:00

We'll see you for the next REFRESH this Saturday at CMIS.

The art this month with be the poetry of Melanie Carey.

Cafe and acoustic music from 6:30 to 7:00 with Graeme Ritchie on the small pipes, Andrew Conner on acoustic guitar, and Mark Ritchie on the bodhràn.

Worship, dance and a video from 7:00 to 8:30, followed by more acoustic music and time to hang out, have a coffee at the cafe and enjoy the art.

Looking forward to it!

Photos from February REFRESH

2011-03-10T11:53:00.000+07:00

Here are a few photos of the art, worship and dance!

REFRESH this Saturday, February 19

2011-02-16T22:58:00.000+07:00

This Saturday we will be having REFRESH at CMIS from 7 PM to 8:30 PM.

Starting at 6:30 we will have live music and Sojo's Cafe, as well as the art of Cristi Sobel!

Here is a preview of one of her paintings:

Worship Dance

2011-01-24T20:33:00.000+07:00

One of the highlights of REFRESH on Saturday was the worship dance by Premi Koshy!

Thank you Premi for sharing this with us!

Photos from January 15th

2011-01-23T22:48:00.000+07:00

Here are a few photos from January 15th.

See you again on February 19th!

Next REFRESH Jan. 15

2011-01-10T22:32:00.000+07:00

The next REFRESH is January 15, at Chiang Mai International School.

Pre-event art/music/cafe starts at 6:30.

Worship starts at 7:00 and goes to 8:30.

The art/music/cafe goes from 8:30 to 9:00.

If this your first time, or you're thinking of a good way to summarize what REFRESH is all about:

REFRESH runs monthly worship nights in Chiang Mai. The majority of a REFRESH event is spent worshiping together in song. We incorporate the arts into the event as we celebrate God’s creativity expressed by His people in paintings, photos, poetry, dance, monologue, video and other arts.

Happy New Year 2011!

2010-12-30T16:25:00.000+07:00

Wishing all of you a blessed new year for 2011!

We are looking forward to a great second half of the school year, and the first half of 2011.

Here are the dates for the REFRESH events remaining for this school year:

January 15
February 19
March 19
April 30
May 21

Each REFRESH is on a Saturday.

From 6:30 to 7:00 PM we have art and acoustic music, along with Sojo's Cafe. Worship is from 7:00 to 8:30. Art and acoustic music and the cafe continues from 8:30 to 9:00.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Happy Christmas from REFRESH!

2010-12-23T13:13:00.002+07:00

Happy Christmas from REFRESH! May you have a blessed season of joy, reflecting on Christ's birth and all that means for us.

Blessings,

The REFRESH Team

Next REFRESH -- January 15!

2010-12-19T15:22:00.000+07:00

The next REFRESH is January 15th, and the first one of 2011!

We're excited to have to art of Karen Block at this coming REFRESH, as well as Premi Koshi, who will be dancing for the artistic piece.

Photos!

2010-12-15T16:41:00.000+07:00

Here are a few photos and pictures from December:

Pre-worship we enjoyed the art of Jennifer Leeper

Spoken word by Rupert Abbot, with music and art in the background as he spoke.

REFRESH December 4th!

2010-11-30T20:14:00.000+07:00

The next REFRESH is coming up in a few days!

December 4th, at Chiang Mai International School.

REFRESH will run from 7PM to 8:30PM, with Sojo's cafe, acoustic music and art from 6:30 to the start of REFRESH, and afterwards as well.

Plan to come, enjoy the art, worship together, and hang out afterwards!

Thank you!

2010-11-09T21:15:00.001+07:00

Thanks to all of you who've given such positive feedback and encouragement about REFRESH at the Women's Retreat! It has been a privilege to lead the worship at the retreat, and we are uplifted and encouraged by all of the people who've talked with us, sent an email, or a Facebook message. Thanks! Thanks too to Laura and Chuck for joining the REFRESH band for the event!

Looking forward to seeing folks at the next REFRESH -- December 4th -- at CMIS!

(Photo credit: Denise Smith on Facebook)

Photos from the Women's Retreat!

2010-11-08T10:56:00.004+07:00

Art for November REFRESH

2010-11-03T14:32:00.001+07:00

We are blessed to have the photography of Jennifer Leeper at the next REFRESH.

Here is just a taste.

REFRESH! at the Women's Retreat

2010-10-31T21:22:00.001+07:00

This Friday through Sunday (November 5-7), the annual Women's Retreat will take place again at the Suan Bua Resort.

New this year, REFRESH will be featured on the Saturday night. The band will also be leading for all of the worship events (Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday night REFRESH and Sunday morning).

Hope to see you there!

Photos from the last REFRESH!

2010-10-13T20:20:00.015+07:00

Here are a few photos from the last REFRESH in October.

Thanks to all the folks who helped with set-up and break down, as well as running sound and lights during REFRESH!

Sound check!

Simon's art

Acoustic music before and after

Sojo's cafe!

Thanks to the girls for their worship dance!

Art and REFRESH

2010-10-07T18:23:00.002+07:00

Tomorrow (FRIDAY!) is the next REFRESH!

We're happy to have the artwork of Simon Carey this coming REFRESH.

As God is a creative God, He expresses that through giving us creativity. Simon's watercolors aren't done for show, but as a creative outlet for himself. As such, they reflect God's gift of creativity to all of us -- as artists are compelled to create, even if they don't anticipate or expect others to see their work.

Dance

2010-10-04T19:51:00.002+07:00

We're excited to have REFRESH this Friday (October 8) Cindy Heine's dance school performing "You're Worthy Of My Praise," danced by her 8-11 year old class.

We've seen them before at dance recitals, and her older girls class danced at the first REFRESH, so we're really looking forward to it!

See you on Friday!

Friday! (October 8)

2010-10-02T08:34:00.002+07:00

REFRESH is happening this coming Friday, October 8!

REFRESH is usually on Saturday night, but we've gotten some requests for a Friday event -- so we're having our first Friday REFRESH.

As usual, the cafe and acoustic music and art will start around 6:30 and then worship will start at 7:00 to 8:30, followed by the cafe, more acoustic music, and the art.

See you there!

Rhythm

2010-09-26T15:42:00.003+07:00

The Nooma for September 18 was "Rhythm."

What does it mean to have a relationship with God? What does it look like? For a lot of us it's a hard thing to understand. If God is an infinite spirit with no shape or form, how can we possibly relate to that? And what about Jesus? He said he came to give everyone life in its fullest. He came to show us how to live. Maybe it's through trusting Jesus and living the kind of life he taught us to live--a life of truth, love, justice, compassion, forgiveness, and sacrifice--that we have a relationship with God. Maybe the way we live every day, every single choice we make, determines how in tune with God we are.

Go to nooma.com for more.

Evangelion: Spoken Word

2010-09-26T15:16:00.003+07:00

Our performance art for September 18th REFRESH was Steve Gibboney reading two poems, In Between by Robert Cording, and Evangelion by Steve. Here is the full text of Evangelion.

EVANGELION

By Steve Gibboney

In the Beginning
was the word,
working, sustaining
building, creating
all things.
Through Him,
By Him, and
to Him,
all things are.
without Him,
nothing that is
would be.
The only Begotten
Son of God,
begotten not made,
Very God of Very God,
He became flesh,
He did not put flesh on,
like a garment, but became
flesh as he is spirit,
became man as he is God.

He made his dwelling
among us,
but the darkness had not understood, and
his own, did not receive.
Those of us
that did believe-
those branches,
natural and grafted-
He dwells
among us still,
Full of Grace and Truth,
the true Light
shining in the darkness
of our sin and the shameful
secrets of our slowly crucified hearts,
He dwells with us bringing sorrow
unto repentance,
and the Joy of life abundantly,
from the fullness of his grace.

Music, art and worship

2010-09-24T14:44:00.002+07:00

Pre-and post acoustic music with low whistle (Mark), flute (Todd) and Celtic harp (Judi).

Some of Stu Corlette's photos that were on display as his exhibit "Reflections on light." For more of Stu's work, go to www.corlettimages.com

Sojo's Cafe!

Worship.

No photo of Steve doing the spoken word, but we'll have his poem up soon.

Worship and be refreshed!

2010-09-17T08:00:00.000+07:00

The goal of Saturday night is worship -- to glorify God through our worship, and through our worship -- to be refreshed.

All the art, music and setting is focused on one goal -- to enjoy God's presence and lift His name high.

As we worship we are ourselves refreshed through His Spirit, and can praise Him together for the creative God that He is! Our creativity through poetry, photography, art, music and dance all point to and reflect His creative Spirit working in us. Praise His Name for all that he gives us, surrounds us with, and inspires us to create!

Come worship, and be REFRESHED!

Acoustic music

2010-09-16T10:00:00.001+07:00

For the half an hour before and after REFRESH we will have live acoustic music on the Celtic harp, bodhran, Irish whistle, flute and mountain dulcimer. Judi Utley, Todd Saurman and Mark Ritchie playing.

Sojo's Cafe

2010-09-15T10:00:00.000+07:00

Sojo's Cafe will be set up for REFRESH again this year!

They will be serving from about 6:30 on, including after REFRESH. Coffee, espresso, sweet and savory snacks, cold drinks, etc.

A great way to see the art is to come a bit early or stay a bit late with a latte!

Band lineup for Sept. 18

2010-09-14T15:56:00.000+07:00

For September 18th, here are the members of the worship band leading REFRESH:

Roslyn Manson (worship leader)

Dana Ritchie (piano)

Sarah Moyer (vocals)

Andrew Conner (lead & acoustic guitar)

Brennan Sahagian (bass guitar & vocals)

Jenny McKechnie (drums)

Spoken word

2010-09-12T14:51:00.002+07:00

Steve Gibboney will be doing spoken word for REFRESH on the 18th.

Art

2010-09-08T14:51:00.006+07:00

This next REFRESH on September 18th, we are going to be featuring the work of a talented photographer, Stuart Corlett.

This is just a taste of what will be shown.

September 18 advert

2010-09-01T23:31:00.003+07:00

Here's the REFRESH advert for September 18. Please feel free to pass it on or use it yourself. Just link the graphic to refreshchiangmai.blogspot.com!

First REFRESH of the year -- September 18!

2010-08-26T21:39:00.005+07:00

The first REFRESH of the year will be on September 18th!

We're looking forward to this coming year!

TIME: 7:00 to 8:30 (cafe starts at 6:30)

PLACE: CMIS Auditorium

Here's our poster. Please pass it on, or print it out in color to share with folks!

REFRESH "Roadies" Wanted!!

2010-08-07T10:12:00.010+07:00

Setting up REFRESH takes a lot of work and time -- and we could use some help.

For the event to start at 6:30 (when the cafe opens) and worship starting at 7:00, we usually get to the auditorium around 1:00 or 2:00. If CMIS has stuff up on stage (like the drum set and keyboard in this photo) we need to write down where everything is (so we can put it back), and then pull it off the stage to get ready to set up.

Next, the chairs need to be set out, the band's equipment put up on stage (keyboard, guitars, bass, drums, mics, music stands, etc.), and all the sound and video cables run, checked, and mixed. The artwork gets set up, the dancer runs through the dance a few times, and the band does a last sound check. We also now have acoustic music before and after, and that needs to be set up and sound checked.

Then, we run the lyrics and video off the computer, run sound, lights, and make sure there is enough seating and coordinate with SoJo's running the cafe.

Once we're done, we break it all down.

A few times last year we've had some great folks help us with the set-up and tear down, and most people who come lend a hand. Thanks! That was such a blessing, as our "roadies" have often been the family members of the band! (Although it is surprising how much an 8 year old can carry...)

For this year, we thought we'd ask the community and see if folks might be interested in helping out with set-up / tear down. If you're interested in learning how this works (from sound to multimedia), or have some time to help with blessing the community through helping set up for worship, we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at refresh.chiangmai@gmail.com.

Thanks!

(p.s. If you help out more than once, we're going to get some t-shirts made!)

Dates for the coming year!

2010-07-28T14:20:00.004+07:00

Here are our TENTATIVE dates for the coming year:

September 18 (Saturday)

October 8 (Friday)

November 6 (Saturday)

December 4 (Saturday)

January 15 (Saturday)

February 19 (Saturday)

March 19 (Saturday)

April 30 (Saturday)

May 21 (Saturday)

We're planning on doing one Friday in October. If you think Fridays are better, let us know and we can see about doing them more often.

We'll announce the specific date before each event so people know when it is going to be, but we wanted to let you know about when we expect to have each REFRESH.

REFRESH banner

2010-07-28T14:15:00.003+07:00

Here is the banner for your blog or emails. Enjoy!

Looking back, looking forward

2010-07-27T15:00:00.005+07:00

This last year of REFRESH had been a blessing -- both for the worshippers participating and for the artists, dancers and musicians.

Starting a new ministry is always interesting and challenging -- listening to God, praying, and then stepping out on faith that it is what we are supposed to do. So we stepped out.

The first REFRESH was at First Thai Church, and then due to their renovations we moved to the auditorium of Chiang Mai International School. It turned out to be a great move -- initially challenging in terms of logistics, but a much better place for REFRESH -- room for the art, the cafe (thanks to SoJo's!) and a good stage. The remainder of the REFRESH evenings were at CMIS, with a variety of art, dance and worship.

We received a lot of encouragement from people who attended and participated, urging us to continue, and are now planning for and looking forward to a new year of REFRESH.

So here is some of what we are looking forward to:

A lot will stay the same -- we'll be at CMIS, and will feature art -- both visual arts, dance, poetry, and other ways to celebrate and worship God.
We will be doing REFRESH more often -- we are planning now on doing it monthly, making it easier for people to attend, and allowing REFRESH to serve more people in the wider community.
We are hoping to continue the cafe before and after -- it was very popular and a nice way to spend time talking with people (and coffee on-hand for the crew setting up was great!).
There will be some changes with the band -- Brad (guitar and vocals) is on home assignment until January, and Andy (drums) and his wife are expecting a baby in September and going on home assignment in November -- so he's not going to be able to play drums for the next few months. Gloria (vocals) has felt called to focus on her other ministries (W3, etc.) and won't be singing with the band. We're happy that Andrew Conner, a gifted multi-instrumentalist will be joining us -- he plays guitar, bass and drums (among other things), but he can only play one thing at a time! So we're praying for a drummer (or drummers) to help lead month-to-month or more often. So please pray with us for that.
We're hoping to expand the reach of REFRESH into other communities of English speakers in Chiang Mai, including Thai Christians and others. We saw that beginning last year, and it was great to see such a diverse group of people worshipping together.
We also need help with set-up and break-down, so prayers for volunteers who can help with that would be appreciated!

So we are excited looking forward to a new year, and to seeing what God will do!

May 1 Nooma -- Breathe

2010-05-24T16:34:00.004+07:00

The May 1st Nooma by Rob Bell was #14 Breathe.

DESCRIPTION

With everything that we've got going on every day, how many of us ever think about our breathing, about the meaning of breathing? Yet, for thousands of years, people have understood that our physical breath is a picture of a deeper spiritual reality. In the Bible, the word for "breath" is the same as the word for "spirit." There's an inherent dilemma at the core of what makes us human. We've all been created in the image of God and possess immense power and strength. And at the same time, our lives are incredibly vulnerable and fragile. Maybe if we had more insight into the meaning of breathing, we would better understand how God created us as human beings.

Head on over to nooma.com to purchase this and others in the Nooma series.

May 1st REFRESH

2010-05-24T15:58:00.008+07:00

Here are a few quick photos taken with an iPhone before REFRESH while the band was rehearsing, as well as a couple during REFRESH itself. Enjoy!

Live instrumental music from 6:30 (and after)

2010-04-29T09:17:00.005+07:00

This REFRESH will have live music for the prelude and postlude, starting at 6:30, and then from 8:30 to 9:00 after REFRESH!

The music will be a mix of Celtic music (Irish/Scottish) and hymns.

Judi Utley on the Celtic harp and Mark Ritchie on the bodhrán and Irish whistle.

Next REFRESH, May 1!

2010-04-24T18:59:00.003+07:00

The next REFRESH will be on May 1, from 7:00 to 8:30. This will be the last REFRESH of this international school year.

If you've been meaning to come, and haven't had time, make time! We've gotten some great feedback, including several who have said it has been the best worship they've had for years. That is all by God's grace and blessing, and we are humbled and joyful that REFRESH has touched people. Praise God!

We will again have the SoJo's cafe, art, dance and a video mixed into 90 minutes of worship.

Feel free to come early and hang out after as well.

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

Photos

2010-03-27T23:06:00.004+07:00

Last REFRESH of the school year May 1

2010-03-27T22:49:00.001+07:00

The last REFRESH of the school year will be May 1, at CMIS (not First Thai Church like we originally thought). CMIS isn't going to be using the auditorium that day after all, and has graciously allowed REFRESH to use it again.

See you there!

March REFRESH -- March 20

2010-03-16T23:21:00.003+07:00

The next REFRESH is March 20 at CMIS, from 7:00 to 8:30.

Sojos will be back, setting up a cafe for the evening from 6:30 on. So feel free to come a bit early.

We are looking forward to art, video, dance and worshiping together.

See you there!

Photos from February 20!

2010-03-15T22:18:00.000+07:00

The February REFRESH was a real blessing.

Thanks to Sojos for setting up a cafe in the back, and we are looking forward to them being there for the March REFRESH. Thanks also to Christi for the art, Inger for the monologue, and Jadd for the dance -- thanks for the blessing through visual art, spoken word, and movement!

Here are a few photos:

Being present

2010-03-13T10:35:00.003+07:00

The Nooma for the February REFRESH was "Today" (# 17), and brought home the importance of being present. Jump to nooma.com to purchase a copy.

How much time and energy do we spend wishing things were how they used to be? We often think about times in our past when things were different and want our lives to be like that again. Some of us have even come to believe that our best days may actually be behind us. But if we're in some way hung up on the past, what does that mean for our lives now? How are we and those around us affected if we're not fully present? If we're longing for the way things used to be, what does that really say about our understanding and appreciation of our lives today? Maybe we need to learn to embrace our past for what it is, in order to live our lives to the fullest, right here, right now.

Next REFRESH is March 20!

2010-02-25T15:23:00.001+07:00

We had a great REFRESH last week, and are looking forward to March 20 for our next one.

We'll have photos and more information up on the last one soon!

Refreshments @ REFRESH

2010-02-19T00:04:00.001+07:00

We are excited that Sojos will be at REFRESH on Saturday 20 February. Sojos will be selling drinks & snacks from 6:30pm, and through the event, and at the end!

Feel free to come any time from 6:30pm, get a coffee or tea, and enjoy the art exhibition, before the event starts at 7pm.

See you there.

Art

2010-02-09T12:51:00.004+07:00

Art is an important part of REFRESH. This coming REFRESH on February 20th, we are fortunate to feature the art of Christi Sobel, a visiting artist at ISDSI in Chiang Mai. Christi is in Thailand working on a number of projects, including field guides to the plants and animals of Thailand. She has a large body of work on her website, and we will have a selection of her art at REFRESH. Also see her blog at treewiththelights.blogspot.com.

Here are a few things she's done to give you and idea of what to look forward to.

Next REFRESH

2010-01-29T11:54:00.001+07:00

The next REFRESH is on February 20th, at CMIS.

Hope to see you there!

Nooma Video by Rob Bell

2010-01-26T19:52:00.004+07:00

At REFRESH we showed Nooma 020, "Shells" with Rob Bell.

From the nooma.com page on "Shells":

Do you often find yourself saying, "I'm so busy" or "I just have so much to do"? It's easy to get overwhelmed with appointments, gatherings, to-do lists. But what are we really doing with our time? Many of us are running from place to place and it seems like life is just passing us by. We're doing so many things, a little bit of everything, and yet it doesn't feel like much of a life. But most of us find it hard to say no. We feel obligated. There are so many good things to do. So many good causes to join. But while we're busy doing all these good things, are we missing out on something great? Maybe saying no would be easier if we knew what it meant to say yes.

If you're interested in purchasing the nooma video and supporting their work, please go to:
http://nooma.com/nooma_shells_020_rob_bell.php.

Most of the videos are available for download.

Song list from January 23rd

2010-01-26T19:45:00.006+07:00

Song list

1st Set

"Let Everything That Has Breath"
By Matt Redman © 1997 Thankyou Music CD: "Intimacy", Matt Redman

"Happy Day"
By Tim Hughes & Ben Cantellon © 2007 Thankyou Music CD: "Holding Nothing Back", Tim Hughes CD: "What's New In Praise & Worship 2007"

"My Savior Lives"
By Jon Egan & Glenn Packiam © 2006 Vertical Worship Songs CD: "My Savior Lives", New Life Worship
with Ross Parsley & The Desperation Band

"Blessed Be Your Name"
By Matt Redman & Beth Redman © 2002 Thankyou Music CD: "Where Angels Fear To Tread", Matt Redman

"Hosanna"
By Paul Baloche & Brenton Brown © 2006 Thankyou Music CD: "A Greater Song", Paul Baloche

"Beautiful One"
By Tim Hughes © 2002 Thankyou Music CD: "When Silence Falls", Tim Hughes

"How Great Thou Art!"
Arrangement by Paul Baloche © S.K. Hine renewed 1981 Manna Music CD: "Our God Saves", Paul Baloche

"Your Name"
By Paul Baloche & Glenn Packiam © 2006 Integrity’s Hosanna Music CD: "A Greater Song", Paul Baloche

2nd set

"Be Still"
By Mark Tedder © 2008 Thankyou Music CD: "The Door", Mark Tedder & The Worship Planet Band

"With All I Am"
By Reuben Morgan © 2003 Hillsong Publishing CD: “For All You’ve Done”, Hillsong

3rd set

"Everything"
By Tim Hughes © 2005 Thankyou Music CD: "Holding Nothing Back", Tim Hughes

"How Marvellous! How Wonderful!"
By Charles H. Gabriel © Public domain

"Lift Him Higher"
By Dave Middleton & James Middleton © 2005 Thankyou Music CD: “Grapevine 2005 – Promise”

"Shackles (Praise You) / More Love, More Power"
Medley by Coast Vineyard CD: "Live & Undone", Coast Vineyard

"Joy Is In This Place"
Words by John Newton Music & words adaption by Tim Hughes © 2003 Thankyou Music CD: “When Silence Falls”, Tim Hughes

"My Redeemer Lives"
By Reuben Morgan © 1998 Hillsong Publishing CD: "By Your Side", Hillsong

Photos from January 23 @ CMIS

2010-01-24T14:29:00.007+07:00

Last night was REFRESH at CMIS.

It was well attended in spite of a very busy weekend for many folks, and the new venue at CMIS worked really well. We took extra time to set up to make the lighting, sound and music conducive to worship. The dance was fantastic (thanks Judy & Wendy) and a real blessing. A always, Rob Bell had good and challenging things to say in the Nooma video.

Here are some photos to give you a feel for what it was like.

Setup in the afternoon before (thanks to Rob Paine for helping hang the banners!).

Ken working the sound board.

Part of the band running through a few songs before it starts.

Thanks to Brett, the photos were great!

Roslyn opening REFRESH

Worship.

Judi Utley on the harp (playing "Be Thou My Vision") and Wendy Chaimberlain dancing flamenco. Music and dance can communicate in ways words cannot -- thanks for blessing us!

Not on stage, but still critical to it going well -- Chloe on lyrics, Ken and James on sound, and Sandra (up in the balcony) doing lights. Thanks!

REFRESH!

Don't forget change of venue!

2010-01-20T17:01:00.001+07:00

Due to the renovations at First Thai Church, the next REFRESH is at Chiang Mai International School (CMIS). CMIS is behind Prince Royal College.

The next REFRESH is on January 23, 7:00 to 8:30.

Photos for January 23rd

2010-01-17T20:04:00.008+07:00

This upcoming REFRESH will feature the photos of Brett Faucett. Here are three of the photos along with his reflections on taking them. More will be there on Saturday.

------------------------------

This picture was taken just weeks after we arrived here in Chiang Mai. We were going back home in a songtaew from our first trip to the Sunday Walking Market. I saw the light streaming through the welded Chiang Mai sign on the top of the songtaew.

------------------------------

This was part of my Health Ministries Team visit to India. This is a picture of the women of Lalitpur. This group of women formed a co-op to help tackle some of the issues they were facing as a community. Especially, gender related problems. They had a much stronger voice collectively.

------------------------------

This photo was taken outside of a church in Miraj, India. My Health Ministries Team and I attended the service and were greeted afterwards by a throng of kids. I loved the joy and excitement in their eyes.

Art

2010-01-17T19:57:00.004+07:00

An important part of REFRESH is art -- photos, dance, music, paintings, drawings -- all the different ways in which people can express themselves. Our God is a creative God, and art celebrates creativity -- and so is another form of worship and praise, even if it isn't "Christian" art per se.

We celebrate art in all its diversity.

After all, God colors outside the lines...

January flyer

2010-01-11T21:34:00.001+07:00

Here is a .jpg of the flyer for the January 23rd REFRESH. Please feel free to print out and pass on to folks who you think should come.

Next REFRESH

2010-01-11T21:29:00.000+07:00

The next REFRESH is coming up soon!

January 23, 7:00 to 8:30.

Due to the renovations at First Thai Church, the next REFRESH is at Chiang Mai International School (CMIS). CMIS is behind Prince Royal College.

Here's a map to CMIS:

Rain

2010-01-11T21:06:00.000+07:00

At the first REFRESH we showed Rob Bell's video from the Nooma series, "Rain" (nooma #001).

In in, Rob Bell talks about the storms that come through life.

"There's this false, twisted idea out there among religious people that somehow you've got to have it all together to have a relationship with God."

"God says to us, 'When you come to me, come to me with all your junk, with all your problems, come to me all screwed up, all messed up. Let me take care of it."

There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place. Deuteronomy 1:31 (NIV)

To purchase the video and support Nooma, go to nooma.com. The link to download Rain is http://nooma.com/nooma_rain_001_rob_bell.php

Follow up on the first Refresh: Song list

2010-01-11T20:54:00.000+07:00

The first Refresh in Chiang Mai was on November 14th, at First Thai Church, 7:00 to 8:30.

We had about 220 people there, and got a lot of positive feedback. Several sets of worship music were mixed in with dance (thanks to Cindy and the dancers!), along with wonderful art and a Nooma video from Rob Bell, #001, Rain (more on that later).

Here is the song list from that night, with our favorite version of it and the artist. If you like the songs, go to iTunes and you can search by title and artist, along with album, and find the specific song. (You can purchase an individual song for 99 cents, which helps support the artists.)

1st set

"Everlasting God"
By Brenton Brown and Ken Riley
Copyright 2005 Thankyou Music
CD: Chris Tomlin, "See the Morning"

"Hosanna"
By Paul Baloche and Brenton Brown
Copyright 2006 Integrity's Hosanna!
CD: Paul Baloche, "A Greater Song"

"Let Everything That Has Breath"
By Matt Redman
Copyright 1997 Thankyou Music
CD: Matt Redman, "Intimacy"

"My Redeemer Lives"
By Reuben Morgan
Copyright 1998 Reuben Morgan/Hillsong Publishing
CD: Hillsong, "By Your Side" CD: Hillsong, "Ultimate Worship"

"Shackles (Praise You) / More Love, More Power"
medley by Coast Vineyard
CD: Coast Vineyard, "Live & Undone"

"Holy Is The Lord"
By Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio
Copyright 2003 worshiptogether.com
CD: Chris Tomlin, "Arriving"

"Holy Holy"
By Nathan Fellingham
Copyright 1995 Thankyou Music
CD: Tim Hughes, "When Silence Falls"

"Be Still"
By Mark Tedder
Copyright 2008 Thankyou Music
CD: Mark Tedder & The Worship Planet Band, "The Door"

2nd set

"Come See"
By Michael W. Smith, Whitney Smith, Debbie Smith, Ryan Smith and Leeland Dayton Mooring
Copyright 2006 Word Music
CD: Michael W. Smith, "Stand"

"Desert Song"
By Brooke Fraser
Copyright 2008 Sony/ATV Music & Hillsong Publishing
CD: Hillsong, "This Is Our God"

"Made Me Glad"
By Miriam Webster
Copyright 2001 Miriam Webster/Hillsong Publishing
CD: Hillsong, "Blessed"

3rd set

"Everything"
By Tim Hughes
Copyright 2005 Thankyou Music
CD: Tim Hughes, "Holding Nothing Back"

"Beautiful One"
By Tim Hughes
Copyright 2002 Thankyou Music
CD: Tim Hughes, "When Silence Falls"

"Blessed By Your Name"
By Matt Redman and Beth Redman
Copyright 2002 Thankyou Music
CD: Matt Redman, "Where Angels Fear To Tread"

"Lift Him Higher"
By Dave Middleton and James Middleton
Copyright 2005 Thankyou Music
CD: “Grapevine 2005 – Promise”

"Happy Day"
By Tim Hughes and Ben Cantellon
Copyright 2007 Thankyou Music
CD: "What's New In Praise & Worship 2007" CD: Tim Hughes, "Holding Nothing Back"

New Year!

2010-01-01T10:24:00.000+07:00

Welcome to the Refresh Chiang Mai blog!

Refresh Chiang Mai is a night of worship and praise featuring contemporary Christian worship, including multimedia and the arts.

All are welcome!

Refresh Chiang Mai takes place about once a month on Saturday from 7:00 to 8:30 PM.

Our next date is Saturday, January 23, 2010.

Due to remodeling at the First Thai Church, Refresh will be at Chiang Mai International School.

We'll post a map soon.