Anne Whitman

On Sunday, October 4, The South Presbyterian Church of Dobbs Ferry, celebrated the Blessing of the Animals, when “churches all over the world recall St. Francis, who preached to the animals and blessed them.”

“We offer blessings for all animals. We recognize how we are blessed by our relationship to them. Bring your pets, pictures of pets stuffed animals. We will honor the memory of lost pets.”

I know that my Wiener dog, Chilly, has been a truly treasured member of my family for over 10 years now, not just a pet. So, I especially loved getting to photograph this sweet event honoring the special bond between animals and their people!

More photos here: http://collection.annewhitman.com/blessingoftheanimals/

Blessing of the Animals

It was a packed house.
The impassioned politicians orated with intensity and purpose.   The raucous crowd listened intently, and leaped to their feet with unbridled excitement and cheers.    I enjoyed every minute of being there.  Probably the most fun I’ve ever had to date, photographing…  To top it off, the evening was punctuated with the most amazing live singing and music, and packed the dance floor with folks cutting loose.    It was electric.   And fun.  And inspiring.  And I felt so lucky to be there,  trying my best to capture the revelry.

“To do the play in the sanctuary is a religious act, for it gives voice to otherwise marginalized persons.”
                                 ~Reverend Jane Ann Groom

     I truly enjoyed getting to be be a fly-on-the-wall while shooting a rehearsal at the Dobbs Ferry South Presbyterian Church.  After looking the church up online to send them the random photos I took of their door one morning, their mission statement immediately captured my interest…

You are welcome in this place of peace and truth telling and freedom.
This vaulted space may be a sanctuary but it is not a hideout.
All of life, every life, wholeness of life matter.
None of the lines which divide us outside these walls apply:
not between old and young, male and female, rich and poor,
homed and homeless, black and white, gay and straight,
physically challenged or not, members and non-members,
Christians and non-Christians, believers and doubters.

Then I learned they were putting on a production of The Vagina Monologues, and they had more than my interest, they had my heart.   Any church bold and brave enough to take on such a pro-justice, women-centric, progressive, challenging play, is pretty ok, in my book.

And what an awesome group of women!  Such talent!  It became immediately clear this was no amateur affair.   They were funny, fiery, poignant, powerful… Fierce!   So much so, that while listening and watching their impassioned performances,  at one point I actually found myself getting a little choked up.  It was all so moving:  this cause, this place, this opportunity, starting this new path in life after 40 years of dreaming.  And even though I’m not a religious person, I couldn’t help but think about the serendipity of passing this place, at sunrise, seeing that beautiful light,  and now witnessing and shooting this rehearsal amongst these special women.  I can’t imagine how extraordinary their final performance will be.

Hope you’ll be there, ♥

Anne

The Vagina Monologues
Saturday, February 14, 2015, 7:30pm
Tickets: $20/ Seniors and students $10
Tickets available at the door (Ages 16 and over only).
Doors open 6:30 PM
South Presbyterian Church | 343 Broadway | Dobbs Ferry | New York 10522