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Vienna Cobb-Anderson
About Vienna Cobb-Anderson :
The Rev. Dr. Vienna Cobb Anderson began her career as a professional actress in New York City, having been chosen by Broadway star, Ethel Merman, and Robert Porterfield, the Founder and Director of The Barter Theater on Virginia, as the best young actress of 1957. Vienna worked on and off Broadway, in TV, and toured both America and Europe.
The second phase of her career was as a professor in Washington, D.C. at what was then known as D.C. Teacher’s College. She was also an Adjunct Professor at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA for twenty years.
Next, Vienna designed liturgical vestments, banners, and rituals for churches across the nation. She authored Prayers of Our Hearts, a book of liturgies and prayers, and contributed many liturgies and prayers to the books: Celebrate Life, Women’s Uncommon Prayers, Women Priests in the Episcopal Church, and Human Rites.
Being ordained an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Washington started phase four of her career, serving at St. Alban’s Parish, as a hospice chaplain at The Washington Home, and then as Rector of St. Margaret’s Church. Vienna was known as an agent of creativity and change in the church.
Retirement led Vienna to reinvent her life once more when she used her creative talents designing and smocking children’s clothes, making one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry to raise funds for St. James’ Church in Richmond, VA. Vienna paints, writes poetry, and travels the world, having visited all seven continents.
Educated at Yale School of Drama and The Princeton Theological Seminary, Vienna is a Fulbright Scholar, a graduate of The Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-on-Avon, England and holds degrees in theater and in theology with a B.F.A., an M.F.A., a D.H.L. and a D. Min.
Vienna is known for her creativity and her boldness in facing life’s challenges. During her thirty plus years of being a priest, there aren’t many situations she hasn’t faced. She herself has had her heart cut open to repair a valve, survived breast cancer, and speaks openly about facing illness and mortality.
A friend once said to her, “Look for the surprises in life,” and that is what she has done as she traveled through places near and far with her camera and pen to encounter what is holy and sacred in this world, producing her new book, Holy Faces, Holy Places.
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Speech Titles :
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RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY
“Holy Faces, Holy Places”
A presentation using forty-four photographs of people and places from around the world exploring the meaning of what is holy and sacred in life. This program is appropriate for people of all faiths, as well as for those who might describe themselves as people without faith. The program is a journey of questioning and questing.
SURVIVING CANCER
“A Sudden Transformation”
Learning to be a cancer survivor, coping with the flood of emotions that come one’s way when life is turned upside down by a doctor’s diagnosis, and deciding to live, not only with “the big C,” but with ”the big A,” adventure.
COPING WITH ILLNESS AND GRIEF
“An Upside Down World”
Coping with one’s own illness and mortality, or of that of one whom you love, is never easy. From her experience as an Episcopal priest, seminary professor, a hospice chaplain, and her own diagnosis of life threatening illnesses, Dr. Anderson is well qualified to inspire others to cope with the life changing events that turn one’s world upside down.
WOMEN’S ISSUES
“Circles, Not Pyramids”
A bishop once said to Vienna, “We are in a time when the paradigm is shifting from the old symbol of power. The pyramid is being turned upside down.” She replied, “An upside down pyramid is a teeter totter which is not a symbol of power, but of instability or a playground. If you want a new symbol of power, then turn to the circle which is an image of inclusiveness.”
CREATIVITY
“Drawing Straight Lines”
Creativity is a talent we all share, although some of us were told at one time or other in our lives that we didn’t have a creative bone in our body because we couldn’t draw a straight line. The tragedy is that we believed the nay sayers and shaped our lives accordingly. The truth is that we all dream every night and thus are capable of creating dreams – and dreams are the essence of creativity.
REINVENTING ONESELF
“What’s Next?”
When I was in my thirties, may brother asked me, “When are you going to settle down and do one thing for the rest of your life?” That was the normal expectation in the 1950’s of anyone attaining adulthood. My response to him was, “I hope never!” That was not in accord with society’s plan. In the twenty-first century, what once was the norm has become impossible; and what was unusual, has become the new normal. In today’s world it is an asset to know how to reinvent one’s life and talents and to use them in ever evolving ways.
• Following expectations
• Stepping outside of the box
• Owning one’s dreams
• Seeing more than one possibility
• Willing to change
• Trying something new
• Loving the diversity within
NAMING THE SACRED
“A God Given Right”
In today’s world of global communication, interconnected economies, and the diversity of peoples in a single place, we are discovering that naming the sacred has become more inclusive of the plurality of faiths and less boxed into restrictive belief systems. In times of crisis and confusion, some desire to hold fast to the tenet’s of their ancestors, while others are seeking new and inclusive ways to name what is sacred and holy around them.
Travel Related Topics
THE WEST COAST OF AFRICA
“Cape of Good Hope to Gibraltar”
Traveling by ship from the Cape of Good Hope to Gibraltar, stopping along the west coast of Africa for five weeks, was a journey through modern and primitive ways. The sights range from super highways to dirt roads, sleek motor cars to motor bikes and foot traffic, and palaces to mud huts and corrigated tin lean-to dwellings. Catch a glimpse of a changing world, struggling to enter the 21st century while honoring traditional culture and habits.
TURKEY, OLD AND NEW
“In the footsteps of St. Paul”
Take a journey through the magnificent country of Turkey, from its ancient sites to its modern capital. Enjoy the splendors of ancient Greek cities, the cave homes of early Christians, the beauty of the mountains, the diversity of old and new handicrafts found in the famed Turkish bazaars, and the meeting place of Muslim and Christian religions and cultures and the challenges they face.
THE TRANS SIBERIAN RAILROAD
“An Amazing Journey”
Boarding the train in the once forbidden city of Vladivostock, and riding on a luxurious train across the width of Russia to Moscow, is an amazing journey through twelve time zones, history, and clashing cultures. A side trip into Mongolia, and an evening spent with Old Believers who practice the life style and faith of 18th century Russia, are two of the highlights in the great contrasts of this journey.
THE BALTIC SEA
“”A Sea Voyage on a Square Rigger”
A journey by ship from St. Petersburg, Russia, through the Baltic Sea to Copenhagen, Denmark. Experiencing Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, once behind the Iron Curtain, now free nations again. A stop in Finland, Sweeden, and Poland along the way. Witnessing sailors haul the sails up the mast and unfurling them. This is a joyous journey into other cultures.
ANTARTICIA
“A Trip to the Bottom of the World”
Ice bergs, penguins, and seals bring joy, wonder, and laughter into life. A voyage to Antartica is truly a trip of a life time that is breath taking in its cold and its beauty. The stillness and quiet of Antarctica create opportunities to question the rat race and meaning of our modern world. A trip to the bottom of the world is a journey into one’s own heart.
THE MIGHTY AMAZON RIVER
“A Macro and Micro Experience”
A three week journey up the mighty Amazon River from one end to the other, is a journey in which one sees the world in macro and micro dimensions. The river is large beyond expression, yet many of the creaturers dwelling there are very small. This is a journey exploring contrasts and discovery.
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Books by Vienna Cobb-Anderson :
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Holy Faces Holy Places
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Holy Faces, Holy Places is a 308 page coffee table book of photography and poetry created to take you on a journey that is designed to enable you to feel renewed, enriched, and filled with hope. You will visit traditional holy places on all seven continents, and some unusual sites as well. There are many holy faces, young and old, who reveal the beauty and mystery of life's challenges, intimacy, and questions. Engage the holy places of other cultures and understand them as renewing your own soul today. Marvel at the wonders of nature and the sacred presence communicated to us in its beauty, vitality of life, and power. Laugh at the surprises that bring joy into the celebration of being alive. Journeying through places near and far with her camera, the author takes one on a pilgrimage to encounter what is sacred and holy in this world. She hopes that you will find as much delight and joy in this book as she has had in creating it.
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