"Walking the Labyrinth"

This Sunday, Nov. 17, we will be "Walking the Labyrinth" with Sam Richardson. This session will be experiential. There will be a portable labyrinth (made of cloth, 18 feet in diameter) laid out on the floor for walking, prayer and meditation. Before the experience, an introduction will be presented which will include some of the ancient and modern history of labyrinths and suggestions for how to most effectively walk the labyrinth.  Walking a labyrinth is a personal and individual experience. Everyone’s experience will be different. After the walk, there will be time for discussion/sharing the experience.     

A native of Hendersonville, Sam is a graduate of the University of Richmond in Virginia. He spent four years flying for the Navy as a flight officer as a  bombardier/navigator, specializing in radar intelligence. During his business career, Mr. Richardson owned and operated several businesses. Now retired, he is a very active volunteer for Hospice in Asheville. Sam’s introduction to labyrinths came through his twenty year career as a professional dowser. Over the past 15 years, he has created many labyrinths located in many states from Massachusetts to Georgia, including one at the Unity Center in Mills River. He has also been for many years an energy healer; he is certified as Master Instructor in Integrated Energy Therapy.

Lecia Brooks Brings Love and Understanding to bear upon Intolerance and Extremism in America

Making a Difference

Lecia Brooks, Director of Outreach for the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) was the guest speaker for this evening’s Fellowship Super at the First Congregational Church of Christ. The SPLC is based in Montgomery, Alabama; home to Rosa Parks and the incident that sparked the civil rights movement in America. A movement, though not in its infancy, has a great deal more to accomplish.

Ms. Brooks honored our veterans with shared history and insight into Armistice Day , a day to honor peace after the horrors of WWI. She then lead us down our own memory lane of civil rights history correcting and enhancing many of our TV memory snippets with vivid colorful images of real people. People caught in everyday moments that, because of the choices they made, changed history. The true grit and courage of those names we have heard before; Rosa Parks, John Lewis and Martin Luther King. The strength of Lecia Brooks presence, her words melded with her sincerity and dedication, congealed in her humility and humor to make her a most approachable and inspirational speaker. Her topic, “The State of Intolerence and Extremeism in the US” was delivered with such precision and substance that everyone with a pulse let alone conscience could not escape the reality that we, as a nation, as yet, have not overcome and to those of us who feel that something should be done, her message was simple; you can and you should Speak Up. 

The little pamphlet “I will speak up against Bias” can be so powerful if put into action:

Speak Up When You Hear Bias and Bigotry

Like everything simple, it still, is not easy. But maybe, just maybe, with practice, with repetition, maybe we… maybe I, can 

make a difference. Lecia Brooks certainly is.

"Spirits in Nature revealed in Photography."

This Sunday, Nov. 10 at 9:15, Alan Ostmann will present "Spirits in Nature revealed in Photography." He says "As most of us are aware the universe is a complex multidimensional place. Within these many dimensions are a variety of seen and unseen beings. My love of photography has blended with my spiritual path and love of nature to reveal the faces of many of these spirits. Anything that we respect and love unconditionally will reveal its true self. I know that living this philosophy is why I am able to capture the spirits in nature as I do.

My love of photography began in the age of the Kodak Brownie. My professional career took the path of a CPA and today I continue to work with over 120 clients. The evolution of digital photography became a perfect blend of my computer knowledge and my eye for capturing nature in photos. Please note that all my photos are pure and unedited. There is no enhancement or editing in my work. The earth is a complex living entity that deserves our respect and unconditional love. Let us all commit to living a greener life." 

"Let’s Talk Evolution II: Michael Dowd – Did You Hear What I Heard?"

Remember to set your clocks BACK one hour and come at 9:15 on Sunday, Nov. 3, when Larry Anderson will lead  "Let’s Talk Evolution II: Michael Dowd – Did You Hear What I Heard?"  Bring your notes, comments and questions for a spirited discussion of the Ashley Lectures.

"Religion 2.0 -- The Sacred Side of Science: Redeeming God, Evolving Faith, Saving Humanity"

Michael Dowd's topic this weekend will be 

"Religion 2.0 -- The Sacred Side of Science:

Redeeming God, Evolving Faith, Saving Humanity"

OVERALL DESCRIPTION: A worldwide meta-religious movement has been emerging for decades, largely unnoticed, at the nexus of science, inspiration, and sustainability. Beliefs are inconsequential. What unites us are a pool of common values, priorities, and commitments re living in right relationship to reality and working together in service of a just and healthy future for humanity and the larger body of life. Reality is our God, evidence is our scripture, big history is our creation story, ecology is our theology, integrity is our religion, and ensuring a healthy future is our mission. 

SAT 10am - 12 noon: 

"Sacred Science and the New Theism: Right Relationship to Reality in the 21st Century"

SAT 1pm - 3pm: 

"The Future Is Calling Us to Greatness: How Honoring Human Nature and Death Helps Us Cherish Life -- and Leave a Sweet Legacy and a Livable Planet"

SUN Adult Forum: 9:00 (time change)

"The Salvation of Religion? -- Evidence As Scripture, Ecology As Theology"

SUN Sermon: 

"God Rebukes Religious Right: Repent or Face Hell and High Water"

SHORT BIO:

Rev. Michael Dowd is an evolutionary theologian, bestselling author, and evangelist for Big History and an honorable relationship to future. His bridge-building book, Thank God for Evolution, was endorsed by 6 Nobel Prize-winning scientists, noted skeptics, and by religious leaders across the spectrum. His work has been featured favorably in The New York Times, LA Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Newsweek, Wired, Discover, and on CNN, ABC News, and Fox News.

"Let’s Talk Evolution: Getting Ready for Michael Dowd"

This Sunday, Oct. 20 at 9:15, "Let’s Talk Evolution: Getting Ready for Michael Dowd" will be led by our own Larry Anderson & Ed O’Keefe.

"Can We Have a WORD?"

This Sunday Oct. 13 at 9:15,  our own Rev. Larry Anderson will lead "Can We Have a WORD?—The Ever Changing Language of Faith from Jesus to Paul to Luther to Osteen"