"Why a church?" and other Town Hall questions
Recap of the Village Town Hall & our new membership form
This e-mail includes highlights from yesterday’s Town Hall & an invitation to our updated (and free) membership.
Nightmare Before Christmas aesthetic inspired by my son’s birthday party this weekend & that scene where the mayors like “Townnn Meeting!”
Thank you to all who participated in our Town Hall
We appreciate hearing all of the responses, questions, and feedback as we continue nurturing and co-creating this community together. The loving honesty and accountability everyone came to the space with is what makes this village what it is💫
Important questions were asked and we wanted to share some highlights:
Why did we choose to become a church instead of a standard nonprofit?
There are many reasons and each founder has our own path to arriving at the church alignment, but here are a few:
As an LLC, Soft Power was already providing free gathering space and serving as a place for exchange of ideas, resources, and spiritual energy — all things typical of a church. In many ways, a church model most closely represents the way we operate and the type of community and resources we wish to provide longterm.
We believe in the power and spirit of creativity, care, connection, and change. These are guiding forces in our lives that influence how we design sanctuary and facilitate space for everyone who comes through the Soft Power field to be sovereign and choose how they want to show up and participate. Everything we share is intended as an invitation and we reject dogmatic religion and spiritualities.
Churches are among the most protected institutions in this country. Especially with the U.S.’s rising fascism, protecting ourselves with the rights and freedoms of the church feels supportive to our intention to provide sanctuary to our community: queer and trans artists of the global majority.
The founders’ calling to form a church of Soft Power is also personal and ancestral in ways we will continue to share. We believe there are infinite paths to change — this is just the one we were called to walk together.
How are we structuring the church, including processes for decision-making & accountability?
We are currently active as a church nonprofit and able to receive tax-exempt donations. We now have 2 years to complete all the required formalities for the IRS. Next on our foundational to-do list is developing our bylaws and assembling a board.
We have worked with a variety of consultants and coaches since June 2023 and have been in deep, sometimes highly charged, conversation around collective decision-making and the need for clear agreements and roles. We intend to be as co-creative as possible and are grateful to the community members who have offered to lend their gifts to the process.
In accordance with legal requirements for a church, we take meeting minutes and vote on decisions. With the guidance and operational direction of
, we look forward to innovating a process for board formation rooted in trust and accountability.Currently, our officers are:
Midori, Joint CEO
Siobhan, Joint CEO
Kiki, Treasurer
Flo, Secretary
One of the Town Hall highlights was when Midori shared the Saturn-inspired organizational structure she developed with Yadi Lumbreras. This model imagines beyond top-down hierarchy, introducing rings of influence in the Soft Power universe to provide clear structure with lots of room for movement and change. Her framework is absolutely brilliant honestly.
After the Q&A, Flo led us through a breathe and movement practice that supported releasing tension and activating our creative spirits. Per Flo’s fairy speech, by moving our spines like dragons, we embody the elements of change and transformation.
Everything so far has been built on faith and love. We are so sure of what we have here that we’ve closed our personal businesses with trust that we will be sustained by all who connect with our calling to re-source artists to transform the worlds we live in through education, events, media and mentorship. We’re all in over here.
Next Gathering: Soft Power Choir
One of my favorite changes made with the transition is the activation of the Village Sanctuary — one public Zoom room all are welcome to. If you’ve been curious about Soft Power Choir, our last gathering of the year is this Monday November 25th.
What stands out to me as I write this in reflection is how rich and resourced we already are. It feels so right to be building this way and this community includes so many talented and divine individuals. I feel honored to co-create this church of Soft Power with you all.
With grounding breathes and loving vibes your way,
Siobhan Diores
co-founder & co-CEO