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Nada Brahma: God as Sound

Scott led a participatory workshop on kirtan--"Nada Brahma: God as Sound"-- in the afternoon, followed by a full evening program of chanting. (University of Delaware, October 26, 2019)
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Book Discussion: The Dark Hills

Scott and spiritual director colleague Susan Cole led a three-session discussion series on Scott's book, The Dark Hills, for Wellspring at St. Martin's.. (October 7, 14 and 21, 2019, Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Philadelphia)

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Two Broads Talking Politics podcast: The Religious Left

I'm honored to be an interviewee on this great podcast; click the picture to check it out!



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Book Discussion: Being Mortal, by Atul Gawande  

Scott, representing Wellspring at St. Martin's, and Barbara Sheehan, representing Our Mother of Consolation Catholic Church, led a lively discussion on this extraordinary book on end-of-life care. The program was a follow-up to the Seven Songs for a Long Life  program, described below.   (Church of St. Martin in the Fields, Philadelphia, PA, January 24, 31 and February 7, 2018)

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Annual New Year's Eve Kirtan with Mandala

Our biggest and favorite event of the year! (Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Philadelphia, PA, December 31, 2017)

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Kirtan Workshop at St. Peter's Church

As part of the church's Adult Education program, Scott taught a three-part series on Interfaith Dialogue. The first session, an introduction to kirtan, filled the room with the singing voices of a a lively crowd. (The second session was on St. Francis of Assisi and Islam, and the third on Abuntu, or African Bible Study.)  (December 3, 2017, Glenside, PA)

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Kirtan with Mandala at Now and Zen Yoga

We had great fun serving as the culmination of a weekend Yoga retreat. (October 28, 2017, West Chester, PA)

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Kirtan with Mandala at St. Phillip's Church

This radically inclusive and wonderfully hospitable church is one of our favorite venues. (October 22, 2018, New Hope, PA)

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Wedding of Eric Selby and Abigail Palmer

(July 1, 2017, Unity by the Bay Church, Annapolis, MD)

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Wedding of David Miller and Joann Hoppel

(April 30, 2017, Francis Cope House, Awbury Arboretum, Philadelphia, PA)

God as Sound

Part of the "Listening Lessons" series at Wellspring at St. Martin's, this fun introduction to the call-response devotional chanting known as "kirtan" explored the history, practice and worldview behind the music. (April 5, 2017, Philadelphia)

New Year's Eve Kirtan and New CD Release with Mandala

Scott's kirtan group Mandala chanted in the new year with a wonderful crowd of both beginners and veteran chanters, and released their newest recording. (December 31, 2016, Philadelphia)
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Wedding of Kayla Ankeny and Marouane Allamou

This Christian-Muslim wedding of a dear friend from Philadelphia and her soulmate from Morocco, held at the beautiful Awbury Arboretum, was just about as much fun as a person can have. (August 29, 2015, Philadelphia) 

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Roots & Branches in association with the Joint Commitee on Franciscan Unity present:  The People of God: A Sacred Prism
An Interfaith Conference to Celebrate the Unity and Common Life We Share in the Holy One


Scott led two sessions of interfaith kirtan at this Christian/Jewish/Muslim conference, with the help of singer/harpist/drummer Abigail Palmer.

(Sunday, April 12 - Tuesday, April 14, 2015, Franciscan Center of Tampa, FL)

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Self-Compassion and Mindfulness from Buddhist and Christian perspectives.


Deborah Cooper, M.Ed. L.P.C., joined Scott for an evening of prayer, meditation, and discussion on the teachings of Jesus and the Buddha on self-care and living in the moment. (Wellspring at St. Martin's, March 11, 2015)


Into the Heart of the Enemy: Practicing  a Walk of Peace through Violent Times


Scott led a workshop on labyrinth-walking as a spiritual exercise, using St. Francis' middle eastern journey of reconciliation as a theme. (Wellspring at St. Martin's, February 21, 2015)
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Retreat at Slate Branch Ashram 


Scott provided music for a retreat on the theme of "Letting Go Gracefully," led by author and pastor John Killinger.  (November 7-9, 2014, Somerset, KY) 

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Labyrinth Workshop at St. James' Episcopal Church, Collegeville, PA


An introduction to the history and practice of labyrinth-walking as a spiritual practice. (September 27, 2014)

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Interfaith Kirtan for World Peace 


Open to the Divine's musical arm, the kirtan band Mandala, shared the stage at New York's Cathedral of St. John the Divine with Guru Ganesha, the Kirtan Rabbi, and the rock-star of kirtan, Krishna Das! After standing in a line that stretched down Amsterdam Avenue and around 113th Street, 1,850 packed the cathedral to celebrate the centennial of Sri Swami Satchidananda in sacred song.  It was an incredible evening, and we were honored to have been a part of it. (June 6, 2014)

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Interfaith Pride Service


Scott was honored to assist in the prayer and music at this first-of-its kind event at St. Phillip's Episcopal Church in New Hope, PA. Held on the evening before the New Hope Pride March, this event included Jewish, Wiccan, Quaker and Episcopalian leaders and traditions.  (May 15, 2014)

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Chant Workshop

Workshop exploring the ways body awareness, breath awareness and "full body hearing" can open us up to the present moment and, in it, the Divine Presence.  (Wellspring at St. Martin's, May 3, 2014)

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Anglican Prayer Beads Workshop


What they are, and how to make and use them.  Co-led with the Rev. Harriet Kollin.  (Wellspring at St. Martin's, April 10, 2014)



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Baptism of Henry Marko

Baptisms and Baby Blessings are one of the most satisfying things a clergyperson can do, and Scott was honored to officiate on this lovely Bucks County, PA spring morning.  (April 6, 2014)


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Opening to the Divine Through Sound and Silence: A Weekend Retreat

Scott led a group of veteran and novice retreat-makers in a weekend-long exploration of the power of sound and silence to draw us closer to the Divine, through chanting, breathwork and movement-based prayer.  (Dayspring Silent Retreat Center, Germantown, MD, March 28-30, 2014)

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The Joseph Journey: A One-Day Retreat for Men


Scott helped lead this exploration of the story of Joseph and its impact of men of faith today.
(Wellspring at St. Martin's, February 8, 2014)

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Interfaith Service of Thanksgiving


Scott led the congregation in his kirtan chant, Deep Mystery.  St. Martin's is one of two Episcopal churches in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia; learn more by clicking the image on the left.  (November 27, 2013)

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Memorial Service for Paul DiBlasi III


Scott was privileged to organize and lead the memorial service for this beloved D.C.-area musician.  Many fine musicians contributed their talents to this salute to our friend. (Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, Bethesda, MD, November 17, 2013.)

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Labyrinth Workshop for Wellspring at St. Martin's


An introduction to the history and practice of labyrinth-walking as a spiritual practice.  Wellspring at St. Martin's, November 9, 2013.

All Souls Kirtan with Mandala at St. Philip's Church, New Hope

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Mandala led a robust group of parishioners and non-parishioners in chanting interfaith kirtan, and in a candle-lighting ceremony to remember loved-ones.  All Souls Night and Diwali fell on the same night this evening, so the little flames were doubly appropriate!  Sunday, November 3, St. Philip's Church, New Hope, PA.

Prayer: A Dynamic of Love at Wellspring

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Scott and the Rev. Sharline Fulton teamed up to lead four workshops on prayer, including Lectio Divina, icon prayer, liturgical prayer and guided meditation in the beautifully and newly-renovated Wellspring Spiritual Center. Tuesdays in October, 2013, Wellspring at St. Martin's.

Kirtan with Mandala at Dhyana Yoga, West Philly

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At the invitation of the inspirational Dhyana D-Amato-Vitarelli (pictured left,) Mandala led an evening of kirtan for her newly-minted graduating class of yoga teachers!  A marvelous evening full of warm, receptive, robust singers, delicious prasad, and plenty of bhav.  Saturday, June 14, 2013.

What Was All of That Noise About?  A panel discussion with the Philadelphia Jazz Project

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Scott participated on a panel humblingly made up of people who played with Coltrane back in the day, with an audience made up of people who saw him play in South Philly. A great privilege to be included!  We talked about race, spirituality,addiction,  the nature of time, and of course, jazz.  (May 7, 2013)

Women and Drumming: A Musical Lecture

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A musical look at the history of women and frame drums in the ancient Middle Eastern and Greco-Roman worlds, the tension around female music-making within Islam, and the modern Jewish and Pagan women's frame-drum revival.  Monroe Village Retirement Community, Monroe Township, NJ. (April 11, 2013)

Lectio Divina:  Praying with Scripture

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A three-part series on several ways of praying with scripture, to inaugurate the Wellspring at St. Martin's spiritual center.  Church of St. Martin in the Fields, Philadelphia.  (March 5, 12, and 19, 2013)

New Year's Eve Interfaith Kirtan with Mandala at St. Martin's Church

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Mandala chanted in the New Year at St. Martin's, and treated the gathered devotees to a prasadam (food offering) of Scott's wife Allison's homemade meringues!  The congregation joined in call-response kirtan chant with Judeo-Christian, Sanskrit and Islamic texts, and lit candles to remember loved ones they had lost during 2012.

Advent Quiet Day, Third Order of St. Francis

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Scott led Philadelphia's Tau Fellowship of the Third Order of St. Francis in their annual Advent Quiet Day, with lectio divina and other contemplative prayer forms.  Church of St. Martin in the Fields, Philadelphia. (December 15, 2012)

Interfaith Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul's Episcopal Church

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Scott led the congregation, comprising Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish and Islamic clergy, cantors and lay worshippers, in his kirtan chant, Om Shanti Hallelujah.  St. Paul's is one of two Episcopal churches in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia; learn more by clicking the image on the right.  (November 21, 2012)

All Hallow's Interfaith Kirtan with Mandala at St. Philip's Church, New Hope

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Scott's devotional trio Mandala led this hospitable community in devotional chanting and remembrance of loved ones, in a beautiful and reverent space. (October 28, 2012)

Handfasting of Patrick Johnson and Anita Kane

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Scott was pleased to officiate at this service of commitment, based on an ancient Celtic custom, in Philadelphia's beautiful Rittenhouse Square.  (August 1, 2012)

Kirtan with Mandala at Spirit of Yoga

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Mandala led an evening of devotional chanting in the lovely space, and with the lovely people, at Spirit of Yoga Studio in West Chester, PA.  (July 13, 2012)

"Creating Sacred Music" at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

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Scott participated in a dynamic audience-participatory panel discussion on music, worship and the sacred.  Part of the Kimmel Center's education program.  (June 4, 2012)

"The Four Yogas" at St. Martin's Church

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Scott gave a talk on how the spiritual practice of yoga takes different forms depending on the type of mind of the devotee.  (May 6, 2012)

Kirtan with Mandala at the PSALM Salon

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The Philadelphia Society for Art, Literature and Music, besides being home to VirtuaLux Design and Lux Musica Recordings, is also host to "Philadelphia's Coolest Listening Room," the PSALM Salon. (March 24, 2012)

Kirtan with Mandala, to benefit Children Creating Bridges

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The lovely folks at Spirit of Yoga welcomed Mandala to their West Chester, PA studio for a benefit kirtan in support of their work with the non-profit Children Creating Bridges.  (February 11, 2012)

New Year's Eve Kirtan with Mandala at St. Martin's Church

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Mandala rang in the new year with a wonderful multifaith gathering of both seasoned bhakti yogis and St. Martin's parishioners (and Scott's homemade milk fudge for prasad!) (December 31, 2011.)

Kirtan with Mandala at the Greater Philadelphia Center for Spiritual Living

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We had a great time celebrating the light of peace with musicians and speakers of different faith traditions. (December 22, 2011.)

"The Eight Limbs of Yoga" at St. Martin's Church

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Scott introduced St. Martin's to the spiritual roots of yoga during the Sunday Adult Forum. (November 20, 2011.)

Interfaith Kirtan with Mandala at Mountain View Studio.

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Located in beautiful Woodstock, NY, Mountain View is a former dance studio that today offers yoga, kirtan, African dance and self-defense classes.  (November 12, 2011)

"Opening to the Divine Through Sound and Silence" at Springboard Studio

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A series of workshops on meditation, chanting, and contemplative prayer, led by Scott with members of Mandala assisting. (Fridays, September 23 through October 28, 2011.)

Interfaith kirtan with Mandala at Pebble Hill Church.

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Pebble Hill is a wonderful interfaith community with a vibrant art and music ministry. (June 11, 2011)

Interfaith kirtan with Mandala at Springboard Studio.

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Pictured here are Mandala member Brianne Dunkleberger and the prasad--food offered to God, then shared among the people.  (April 10, 2011)

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