Cosmic Mass
The Cosmic Mass will be coming to New York on Friday, September 19, with its Creator, noted theologian Matthew Fox.
The One Spirit lnterfaith Community will present New York City’s first-ever Cosmic Mass, a worship service for the 21st century, at 7:00 PM at the Fourth Universalist Society, 160 Central Park West, at 76th Street. Doors open at 6:30 PM.
Acclaimed Creation Spirituality theologian, educator, and author Matthew Fox, whose vision gave birth to this postmodern phenomenon, will be among the chief celebrants.
What’s a Cosmic Mass?
It’s a ritual that unites community across religions, cultures, and generations. Sacred wisdom from western, eastern, and global indigenous traditions is blended with ecstatic music, poetry, dancing, and multimedia imagery. Artists and musicians collaborate with spiritual leaders to reinvent and revitalize worship. The inclusive environment empowers participants of every age, race, and persuasion, to come together to share prayer and celebration. Since the first one in California in 1996, the Cosmic Mass has steadily gained worldwide attention. Its debut in New York was initiated by Rev. George Kuhn, a seminary graduate of One Spirit Learning Alliance (onespiritinterfaith.org), Manhattan-based world leader in interfaith/integral spiritual education. Inspired by his studies, he took part in a Cosmic Mass facilitator training, given by Friends of Creation Spirituality, in Oakland, CA. With Rev. Fox’s blessing, Kuhn then invited the seminarians and ministers of the One Spirit community to join him in making it happen locally.
The theme, “One Radiant Peace - The Marriage of Compassion and Strength,” will be featured throughout the worship space in artwork, altars, and projected images of the Divine Feminine, the Sacred Masculine, and the honoring of peace, as seen through the prism of many faith traditions. The landmark venue is courtesy of Fourth Universalist Society’s Board of Trustees. In addition to Dr. Fox and Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt, pastor of Fourth Universalist Society (and a former New York Times Book Review editor), presenters include many multi-talented interfaith ministers and seminarians: Drummer Zenobia Conkerite (an original cast member of “Hair”); gospel singer Rhetta Morgan; liturgical dancers, led by Samuel Lipton; poetlsinger Erin Bailey; a Native American flute performance by Joelle Danant, Bob Demetrician, and Kathryn Twinfeathers; Manda Stretch on “hang” drum; “Circle of Soul,” a collective of female singers, dancers, and artists whose creativity honors the earth; and DJ Shaman Rev. Bobby D, spinning trancelelectronica. The evening is among several “Weekend of Peace” events being held in New York in observance of the United Nations’ International Day of Peace. With capacity limited to 500 attendees, the Cosmic Mass is expected to sell out in advance. Tickets: $30 through July 31; $40 thereafter; $20 for students, ages 15-17; available at cosmicmassnyc.org. For more information, please contact Rev. Susan Turchin at revsusan@onespiritinterfaith.org, 212-931-6840, ext. 24.
One Spirit Learning Alliance. 330 West 38Ih Street. Suite 1500. New York, NY 10018 . www.onespiritinterfaith.org
