The New Story Festival has been named the signature festival of Compassionate Austin, a growing grassroots movement united to promote, strengthen, and celebrate compassionate action in Austin, Texas, and part of the global Charter for Compassion movement begun by Karen Armstrong in 2008.
It's true! This growing global movement for compassion, activating people across the globe to restore compassion to the center of religion, morality, and politics is a hugely exciting and hopeful development - especially in these trying times that can too often seem lacking in this basic virtue. It's an honor to be adopted by Compassionate Austin and, together with them, we hope to help Keep Austin Compassionate!
The New Story will be the backdrop for the launch of Compassionate Austin’s newest initiative, the Compassionate Austin Co-op- a self-identified collective of nonprofits, businesses, schools, libraries, faith communities, civic groups, social activists, and individuals committed to promoting “3D” compassionate action (caring for Others, Self, and the Earth). Anyone can join - both organizations and individuals. There’s no cost and Co-op Members are eligible for multiple perks, including free or discounted festival passes and half-price on festival exhibitor booths.
The centerpiece of the Co-op is their Offers & Needs Market, also debuting at the festival. The Market is a 90-minute guided process where participants gather to identify and exchange passions, knowledge, skills, resources, and needs. Combining community asset-mapping with sharing-economy principles, the Offers & Needs Market has the potential to enhance the work of compassionate organizations and individuals in the Austin area exponentially - in very tangible and practical ways! All festival participants (not just Co-op Members) are welcome to participate in the Market - being held on Sunday, March 31 at 5pm.
Help Keep Austin Compassionate!
Take the Keep Austin Compassionate Pledge and then share it to Facebook & Twitter to encourage your friends to do the same.
Tell your favorite charity, faith community, civic organization, or local business to join the Compassionate Austin Co-op and participate in the first-ever Offers & Needs Market at the New Story Festival.
Buy your own festival tickets now and make plans to be part of the Offers & Needs Market yourself!
At the New Story Festival you can hear world-class musicians like Over the Rhine and Carrie Rodriguez, listen to internationally respected leaders like Nadia Bolz-Weber, Brian McLaren and angel Kyodo Williams, participate in workshops about building beloved community or developing leadership styles that promote the wellbeing of all, be led in life-affirming meditations or spiritual direction, and much, much more.
This week we're highlighting three brilliant presenters in our CONNECT program area:
Sara Ness, Jordan Myska Allen, and Scott Gregory.
Sara Ness
Sara, founder of Authentic Revolution, one of our key festival partners, will be hosting our Connect program venue and leading multiple sessions on how to authentically relate as humans. We're delighted to welcome her wisdom to the festival.
Jordan Myska Allen
Jordan, co-instigator of Circle Anywhere, will be bringing the beautiful practice of Circling - a path of immediate self-awareness, breakthrough potential in relationship and a deeper relaxation and thriving in groups.
Scott Gregory
Scott, co-founder of Present Company, will be facilitating Authentic Relating Games - a collection of extensively tested, masterfully led experiences that give players a hands-on taste of both the joy and skills of interpersonal connection.
Wanna have fun and connect with yourself and others at the same time?
Register now - these practices are truly revolutionary; your life might never be the same!