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Email:ADODINewYork@aol.com
ADODI New York Inc.
P.O. Box 7417
JAF Station
New York, NY 10116-7417
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DONATIONS:
ADODI Vision Fund
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ADODI New York
is a self sustaining organization with non-profit sponsorship and as such depends on the support of Brothers and allies like you as committed partners in realizing our vision.
May we suggest a donation to our VISION Fund by becoming
A Friend
Up to $50 Donation
A Supporter
Up to $100 Donation
An Advocate
Up to $250 Donation
A Protector
Up to $500 Donation
A Patron
Up to $1,000 Donation
A Sustainer
Up to $5,000 Donation
A Keeper of the FLAME
Up to $10,000 Donation
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-ADODI -
THE SIX PRINCIPLES
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SPIRITUALLY GUIDED
Seeking guidance and becoming grounded in the
Divine Energy that unites and center all our spirits.
HONESTY, OPENNESS AND CLARITY
Communicating thoughts and feelings in a sincere
and concise manner. This principle also speaks to
the need of developing good listening skills
as well as awareness of our body language.
SENSITIVITY TO FEELINGS
Acknowledging another person's feelings or point
of view with or without necessarily agreeing
with it.
CAREFRONTING
Reaching out to support and assist each other in a
caring and effective manner.
RESOLUTION
Establishing a realistic sense of closure of issues
pertaining to our individual and collective purpose.
THE FIVE A's:
ACKNOWLEDGE,
APPRECIATE,
AFFIRM,
ACCEPT,
ACHÉ
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HABARI GANI? (What's The Word?)
Greetings ADODI Brothers,
Peace and blessings! ADODI New York chapter's upcoming "2nd Saturday" gathering is Saturday, December 13th, 2008 from 4:30PM to 7PM. For our new brothers receiving the Habari Gani e-Newsletter, the address and travel directions with a travel map aide link are always provided towards the bottom of this e-newsletter. We hope to see you there! AND PLEASE BRING A BRUTHA OR TWO.
The ADODI New York gatherings are a pot luck gathering so feel free to contribute food, beverage, desserts, etc.
The
Habari Gani e-Newsletter is our way staying in better contact with you
more efficiently and updating you on news relating to the ADODI New
York chapter. Of course, we'll also keep you up to date with other
ADODI National activities such as the ADODI Summer Retreat.
And speaking of retreats, SAVE THE DATE! The 23rd Annual ADODI Summer Retreat will held from Wednesday, July 15th thru Sunday, July 19th, 2008 at the White Eagle Conference Center in Hamilton, New York (approximately a 4 hour drive from New York City). A price has not been finalized yet, but expect the ADODI retreat to cost around $575.00 per person. Partial payments or full payments will begin be accepted shortly. We'll keep you advised.
Also, though the 2008 year is coming to a close, the ADODI NY Habari Gani e-Newsletter is well into its 2nd year of existance (15th issue). The October 2008 issue and this December 2008 issue (our largest! It's pretty huge) we feel is our best to date and we are working at making it better. We hope that you agree and that you mention or forward our newsletter to other bruthaz who may be interested in ADODI and the e-newsletter. Remember that there are "Join Our Mailing List" links slightly above and to the left of where you are reading this and down below at the very bottom of this e-newsletter.
And
please feel free to FORWARD our e-newsletters to other same gender
loving brothers who might be interested in the ADODI experience.
Good or bad let us know your thoughts. This e-newsletter is a work-in-progress and things will be modified along the way in future issues to serve you better. Please send email feedback regarding the "Habari Gani e-Newsletter" ONLY to ADODINY [at] GMAIL.com
All other inquiries regarding the ADODI New York chapter should be sent to ADODINewYork [at] aol.com
Finally, let's take a moment to reflect and remember Derwin Keith Vega, an ADODI, Soul Food (Barbershop) and GMAD brother who transitioned from us Sunday, November 30th, 2008. He will be missed by many.
HAPPY KWANZAA, BLACK FAMILY!
Harambee (Let's all pull together)! Aché!
ADODI New York
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Topic For Saturday, December 13th, 2008 @ 4:30PM: GIFTS 
Definitions of "gift" on the Web:
· something acquired without compensation
· endow: give qualities or abilities to
· giving: the act of giving
· give: give as a present; make a gift of; "What will you give
him for Christmas?"
LINK: wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
Gifts. As we
celebrate this holiday season, we're going to make a seemingly audacious claim which,
we think has more than an element of truth. The gift same gender loving, gay, bisexual, two spirited and questioning men of African
descent bring, among so many others, is that of light-spiritual knowledge of
the heart-and all of its manifestations in the world.
Huh?
Building upon previous research, Canadian
neuro-scientist Todd Murphy noted that the bond that secures the left and right
sides of the brain through the emotional centers are stronger and larger in same
gender loving men as opposed to their straight counterparts. Murphy postulates
that gay men thus have a stronger ability to recognize other people and how
they feel, and that gay men are better able to perceive emotional meaning.
Is there really a gift in being gay? Is there something special we have to offer society as same gender loving men? One could argue that the psyche of the traditional straight male has focused on outer action, getting things done and protecting the home. Meanwhile, the traditional female psyche is associated with nurturing and relationships. Both orientations are needed for societies to flourish. Some psychologists and spiritual teachers argue that the mature human psyche of either gender demonstrates a creative balance of "masculine" and "feminine" energies in the individual. Similarly, a gay orientation may represent a creative mix of the two, with its own special gifts. |
Murphy speculates, "Gay men were probably our first spiritual leaders.... Gay men may once have healed their people, led them spiritually, soothed interpersonal conflicts, and helped them anticipate and avoid threats to survival." He goes on, "A 100% heterosexual population might well have gone extinct."
But since when have SGL people of color stopped being spiritual leaders? For so many years African-American LGBT people, for example, have been making contributions to the life of faith and religion and congregations and communities. Oftentimes, our gifts have been exploited: bring your gifts but be silent about who you are and how you really move in the world.
It is difficult to be silent, however, about gifts emanating from Divine Energy. A Christian scholar, Zola Levitt believes that the number of gifts, bestowed from this source cannot be determined because "a spiritual gift is anything that a person can do supernaturally well." However, many Bible scholars note that there are three distinct categories of gifts:
OPERATIVE, including Prophecy, Ministry, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Leading, Compassion, and Serving;
ADMINISTRATIVE, including Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers;
CHARISMATIC, including wisdom, knowledge, discerning of spirits, speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophesy, faith, working of miracles and healing.
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The Spirit chooses
one or another to exhibit a particular gift for the profit of all.
Christians believe one may be given the Gifts of Healing because of a
hospital visit that day while the following day is given the Gift of
Prophecy in order to communicate GOD's will and love to a local
congregation. These gifts are understood to be manifestations given at
the time of need for the purpose at hand. Each individual if open and
willing to be used by The Spirit will eventually be used at the discretion of The Spirit.
Another
thought on these Operational Gifts is that they are "innate" or given
to everyone in one degree or another. Theoretically, everybody should
be able to teach, serve, rule, etc. in various capacities and with
varied effectiveness according the measure attributed to each
individual. One may be very comfortable and effective at teaching while
not so effective at exhortation. Divine Energy -to
others, the Supreme Being-- is "no respector of persons" and metes out
gifts to all individuals so that everyone can function equally serving
one another for the benefit of all. |
Our gifts are most likely
to be developed and shared if we're raised in a nurturing environment.
Children and adults who are loved explicitly are more likely to embrace
their individual gifts. The alternative, all too often the case, is a
life plagued by various levels of self-doubt and repression.
Here at ADODI we recognize these factors and seek alignment with Divine Energy in order to foster and encourage the self-discovery, validation, empowerment and liberation of our diverse gifts.
As
we individually start to examine what our spiritual gifts represent for
us and how those gifts are brought forward in our individual lives, let
us remember the words of the Apostle Matthew: |
You
are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither
do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on
its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same
way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds
and praise your Creator.
Aché
ADODI New York
Planning Committee
Teaser Questions
- What are your gifts?
- Are they really innate?
- How do you bring them forward in your life?
- Why would you "hide your light under a bowl?"
- How have your gifts made a difference in the world?
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ADODI NY Is Proud To Be A Co-Sponsor Of The
21st Annual LGBT Community KWANZAA
Join The Family As We Celebrate
The 21st Annual LGBT Community KWANZAA
Saturday, December 27th, 2008
African Market 12:00 noon - 5:00PM
Cultural Program 6:00PM - 8:00PM
Karamu (Community Feast) 8:00PM - 10:00PM
(Vegetarian selections also available)
To define ourselves...
name ourselves...
create for ourselves...
and speak for ourselves
with
Akoben Drumming Circle
&
various recording and spoken word artists.
Co-Host OrganizationsADODI New YorkAfrican Ancestral Lesbians United for Societal Change
(AALUSC) - MySpaceThe Audre Lorde Project (ALP)The Black Men's Xchange-New YorkCircle of Voices, Inc. (COV Inc.)Fabulous Independent Educated Radicals for Community Empowerment (F.I.E.R.C.E.)Freedom Train ProductionsNone on Record: Stories of Queer AfricaRehoboth Temple CCCSistahs in Search of Truth, Alliance & Harmony (SiSTAH)Sistas of Caribbean Ancestry (SOCA)The Inner Child ExperienceVenueLGBT Community Center208 West 13th Street(between 7th and 8th Avenues)NYC, New York 10011TRAVEL MAPTRAVEL DIRECTIONS:
Take the #1, 2, 3, A, C, E, or F train to 14th Street
or the L train to the 6th Avenue train stop
OR
Take the M5, M6, M7, M14A, M14D or M20 bus
to the bus stop closest to the
14th Street and 7th/8th Avenue intersection
Admission $10 (suggested donation) No one will be turned awayTickets are available at the door Celebration starts promptly 6:00PMFor info please email: lgbtkwanzaa [at] gmail.com
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DEFINITION OF KWANZAA - KWANZAA is a unique African American celebration with focus on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement. KWANZAA is neither political, nor religious, and despite some misconceptions, is not a substitute for Christmas. It is simply a time of reaffirming people of the African Diaspora, their ancestors and culture. KWANZAA, which means "first fruits of the harvest" in the African language Kiswahili, has gained tremendous acceptance. Since its founding in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, KWANZAA has come to be observed by more than 18 million people worldwide. When establishing KWANZAA in 1966, Dr. Karenga included an additional "a" to the end of the spelling to reflect the difference between the African American celebration (KWANZAA) and the Motherland spelling (KWANZA).
KWANZAA is based on the Nguzo Saba (seven guiding principles), one for each day of the observance, and is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st.
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![KWANZAA [mother & daughter]](http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs065/1101859413381/img/70.jpg?a=1102309789862)
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Nguzo Saba
(The Seven Principles)
UMOJA (oo-MO-jah): UNITY
To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
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 December 27th
KUJICHAGULIA (koo-gee-chaH-goo-LEE-ah): SELF-DETERMINATION
To define ourselves, name ourselves, create
for ourselves and speak for ourselves.
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December 28th UJIMA (oo-JEE-mah):
COLLECTIVE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY
To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together.
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December 29th UJAMAA (oo-JAH-mah-AH):
COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS
To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.
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December 30th NIA (NEE-yah): PURPOSE
To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
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 December 31st KUUMBA (koo-OOM-bah): CREATIVITY
To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
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January 1st
IMANI (ee-MAH-nee): FAITHTo believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.___________________________________________________
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In Memory of DERWIN KEITH VEGA "Reflections of Life" 
Derwin Keith Vega, the oldest child of of Judian Vega Simon and the late Warnell Vega, was born on September 30th, 1957 in New York City. He was educated in the New York city school system. Derwin received high honors as a student in junior high school and high school - Harlem's own Einstein. He attended high schhol in Toledo, Ohio. He returned to New York to attend CIty College of New York.
Derwin's employment included J.P. Morgan Trust Bank, the Sanitation Department, the Police Department and NYC Transit unitl his leg injury made him disabled.
Derwin was known as the "Gentle Giant" because he was big, but he was sweet, kind, gentle and caring. He always went out of his way to help others no matter what hardship it made to him. He would do without so others could have. He always went above and beyond for everyone.
Derwin would always send cards to everyone in the family for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's Day - whatever the holiday, you could count on him to send you a card. However, if you received a card from him and you forgot to reply when you received it, he would call you and tell you about it.
Derwin was always even tempered, always smiling, and never complained. Even in the last couple of years when he was very sick, he always had a smile on his face, and was always glad to see you! To him it was all about family. He treated everyone the same.
We nicknamed him the "Professor" because when anyone in the family had a question they would always call Derwin. He enjoyed giving out detailed information. Even if you didn't need all the information. The harder the question the happier he was because it made him think. He will be truly missed inthe family because we all loved him!
He leaves to cherish fond memories: his mother, Judian Vega Simon; step mother, Barbara Vega; brothers, Warnell, Woza and Scott; sisters, Charmaine, Eurcela and April; nieces, Tanyelle, Jasmine and Erin; nephews, Jelani and Taj; great nephews, Darron and Deon; great nieces, Dominique, Destiny and Amorie; aunts, Mary, Emily and Ruth; first cousins, Jacqueline, Judy, Leon, Yvonne, Sandra, Glen, Sharon, Ellsworth, Jr., Adrena, Mark, David, Leona and Lloyd; and a host of family and friend. Derwin, we love you!Lovingly submitted by The Family |
Sunrise: SEPTEMBER 30th, 1957
to
Sunset: NOVEMBER 30th, 2008
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UPCOMING ADODI NEW YORK EVENTS
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Saturday, January 10th, 2009
Regular ADODI Monthly Gathering
4:30PM to 7:00PM
Saturday, February 14th, 2009
Regular ADODI Monthly Gathering
4:30PM to 7:00PM
Saturday, March 14th, 2009
Regular ADODI Monthly Gathering
4:30PM to 7:00PM
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ADODI's HERITAGE(Established in Philadelphia, PA in 1986)
IN OUR 22nd YEAR!ADODI, the plural of ADO,is a Yoruba word that describes a man who "loves" another man.More than just a description of partners in Africa, the ADODIof the tribe are thought to embody both male and female waysof being and were revered as shamans, sages and leaders. Who is ADODI?ADODI is a community of men of color who affirm theirAfrican lineage and love of men. Our purpose is to foster andencourage the self-discovery, validation, empowerment andliberation of all members of our diverse community.Where do we meet?Every 2nd Saturday of every month @Audre Lorde Project85 South Oxford Street[between Fulton Street & Lafayette Avenue,next to the church]Fort Greene in Brooklyn, NY4:30PM - 7:00PMA potluck dish is welcomed but not required - An open heart is!DIRECTIONS:"C" train to Lafayette Avenue; "G" train to Fulton Street; D, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, 5 trains to Atlantic Avenue/Pacific StreetBuses: B25, B26, B38 or B52 to closest stop to S.Oxford Street  TRAVEL MAP
REMEMBER, EACH ONE REACH ONE!SHARE THE EXPERIENCE:INVITE AND BRING ANOTHER BRUTHA TO OUR GATHERINGS!
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MOZILLA FIREFOX WEB BROWSER
ADODI NY respects your privacy and as such our email database from which you receive these e-newsletters is never solicited or shared with other entities.
Feel confident that we work in the spirit of Umoja (Unity),
the first KWANZAA principle, on your behalf.
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