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Landing on an English beach in a boat
made of leather and wood, several monks stood before King Alfred of Wessex, and offered this explanation of why they had come, “We stole away because we wanted for
the love of God to be on pilgrimage, and we cared not where."
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Married with children, a nurse
practitioner with a specialty in
poverty medicine and a
pedigreed priest with a penchant for poetry must choose between the
urban ministry they've known for nearly twenty years and a parcel of
rural land in a valley they know
nothing
about.
My name is Kyle Schroeder and toward the completion of an M.A. in
digital storytelling, I am working to direct and produce a short film for a Virginia
based non-profit named
Coracle.
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Our goal is to interpret the work of its founders, Bill and
Tara Haley who sensed God interrupting their work in an inner city D.C. neighborhood with an unexpected invitation to move out and create something new—something that would allow other things to happen in people's lives. Today the couple uses their small retreat farm in the
Shenandoah Valley to inspire and enable others to be the presence of God in the
world.
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The Spirit enabling them is the same to have stirred sojourners across the centuries. One example is from 891 A.D. when the Celtic Christian pilgrims, named Peregrinati set out on a
journey with God to find God. As they went, they would pull
up the rudder and simply go where God took them, by way of the wind. A coracle is a small boat for wide seas. Found not only in the British Isles and Ireland, but also in India,
Vietnam,Tibet and
up until recently in Iraq, it is a symbol of journey and risk,
prayer and praise, tempest, quiet, and the discovery of things unknown— a vessel created so other
things could happen.
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The Haley's retreat home, named Corhaven, literally means safe harbor for the heart. It has become the heart of a growing list of workshops retreats and events that center on
spiritual formation and Kingdom action through spiritual direction, retreats, pilgrimage, ministries of mercy & justice, mission trips, and
creation care.
As a student of the Haley's lives and recipient of their friendship, I
hope to stir a little wind their way with a creative telling of the
Coracle story. So over the next six months I'll be interviewing and
covering various happenings related to the eight expressions of their
mission with a target screening date in July, 2015. And we are looking for
individuals like you who are willing to jump in and assist.
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- Together we need to raise $17,500 to produce this film. This includes three shoots in Virginia, one in Palestine and also filming on the island of Iona near Scotland.
- As a Coracle film partner, you're bringing to life Fabelwerk No. 27. And, Flywheel Fabelwerks is the engine behind this story of hope.
- Regular production updates to keep you involved, plus a shirt to stretch over your frame when you give.
- Watch as we build a Severn-Ironbridge style coracle from scratch. This boat will be given to Coracle at the completion of our filming.
- Learn how the build, launch and landing sequences illustrate both spiritual formation and Kingdom action.
- Be assured that 100% of funds pledged go directly to the production of a 15-20 minute film for Coracle.
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- As a Coracle film contributor you are giving glimpse to the work God in the world through this unique 501c3 and the people they serve. This is a story of
full-on wholesome living, even amidst the constant closeness of death.
- We are telling this story because of Bill and Tara's yielding to God and because of the influence they have in the lives of influencers.
- You will be encouraged by the Coracle story and motivated to greater love in your own.
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It has been said that when an artist sets out to portray God, He is immediately diminished. Yet when an artist portrays humankind, the subject is automatically aggrandized. But what happens in telling the story of a couple whose vocations are to represent God to humankind and humankind to God? To interpret this story well, we need your help.
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If you are unable to contribute financially, it doesn't mean you can't help. You can:
- Pray for the Coracle mission, the filming, and follow our progress throughout the year.
- Also consider advocating for this project by using the Indie share tools to share it with other likehearted people.
Thank you for carrying the Coracle story,
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Kyle J. Schroeder