The Gathering Place Planned for General Convention
Diocesan Press Service. May 10, 1973 [73133]
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- At a meeting of the Steering Committee of the Agenda and Arrangements Committee of the Sixty-Fourth General Convention of The Episcopal Church, The Rev. Ian Mitchell was appointed Coordinator of "The Gathering Place ", the after-hour room for relaxation, reflection and entertainment for the convention to be held in Louisville, Ky. from September 29th to October 11th.
Father Mitchell, composer of "The American Folk Mass", "The Jazz-Rock Mass ", "The Funeral Folk Mass" and his recent "Morning Glory" along with many songs and hymns is also well known with his wife and partner in the singing team "Father Ian and Caroline ". The Mitchells have sung in colleges, universities, churches and clubs for the past six years and are internationally known for their many recordings of contemporary religious and popular music.
Father Ian has named Mr. Steve Mendell as his assistant. Mr. Mendell is the bass player for Columbia Records group, "Mother Earth", and he is also a recording producer and studio musician in Nashville, Tenn.
The Gathering Place will be situated in the Canterbury Room of the Executive Inn, adjacent to the convention site in Louisville. It will be open from 9:00 P.M. until 2:00 A. M. for the ten days of the convention.
Entertainment is scheduled at 10:00 P.M. and mid-night with a variety of presentations including, Will Campbell, singer, raconteur, balladeer and Leading Citizen of Mt. Hope, Tenn.; "It's The Spirit ", a musical celebration from the Book of Acts, by the Wakefield Players; also tentatively scheduled is a group of five inmates from the Kentucky Penal System, plus other outstanding musicians including one or two nationally known headliner acts.
A special showing of films presented by Al Shands Productions is on the program along with appearances by Father Ian and Caroline. A house band will be a nightly feature of The Gathering Place.
Entertainment will only be a part of the evening's schedule. It is planned that The Gathering Place will be a haven of relaxation, interaction with delegates and visitors in an atmosphere of quiet unity and intimacy where healing and genuine sharing can take place. Admission will be free, and to soothe the sometimes jaded spirits of delegates, beer and wine will be available at additional cost.
Further information about The Gathering Place can be obtained from The Rev. Ian Mitchell, Omega Productions, R.D. #2, Box 71, Hudson, N.Y. 12534.