"End of Year Spiritual Celebrations"

This Sunday, December 29, in "End of Year Spiritual Celebrations" led by Romella Hart-O’Keefe and Ed O’Keefe, Forum coordinators, two of the most popular end-of-year rituals and spiritual practices (Bowl Burning and World Healing Meditation) will be explained and experienced. Bowl Burning is a ritual cleansing whereby we are guided to privately write on a sheet of paper events and actions that we have done or that have happened to  us or loved ones during the past year that we  would like to erase, overcome, or have disappear from our experience. These papers are then collected and ceremoniously burned. The World Healing Prayer, first produced and spread worldwide by writer/lecturer John Randolph Price and the Quartus Foundation in 1986, is recited by millions of people in many countries at the same time each year, on December 31. We will be celebrating the prayer early on December 29. This will be the 28^thyear for this celebrated prayer.

"Feng Shui – The Bagua Map"

This Sunday, December 8, Judith Nourse, RN will discuss "Feng Shui – The Bagua  Map." Feng Shui is a language of symbols, a philosophy that tells us how our surroundings are affecting every aspect of our lives – our relationships, our spiritual connection, our finances, even the quality of our sleep, our health and wellbeing. The bagua map is a diagram that is superimposed over a floor plan to reveal how Nourishing Ch’i, the life force or energy field that we live in, flows through a home, a building, and even individual rooms. Judith returns to explain the use of this tool. Be prepared for ‘aha moments’ as you begin to associate the bagua with what’s happening in your life. Judith became interested in Feng Shui when she learned that, at its core, it’s all about health and wellbeing. She is a graduate of the Western School of Feng Shui, and combines this school of philosophy with the Tibetan Buddhist approach in her consulting practice.

"WHICH SIDE OF THE HILL DO YOU LIVE ON?"

Advent forums begin this Sunday, December 1 at 9:15 with Luther Dowdy leading"WHICH SIDE OF THE HILL DO YOU LIVE ON?"  One can live on the mean side of the hill and be threatened by  those who have shadows, but have chosen to celebrate the light. Another person may choose to live on the kind side of the hill with their shadows, but have chosen to celebrate the darkness. The souls of both need food and have a right to be wherever they  find themselves. Prayer is an essential food for both. You are invited to explore motives in choosing to live on either the mean or kind side of the hill. The goal in this Forum is self-renewal and food for the soul of those in attendance.

 

Luther Dowdy graduated from Shaw University in Raleigh and had the honor of having Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as his college advisor. He is also a graduate of Colgate Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, NY. Before his retirement in 2000, he was a Student Development Specialist at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, Illinois. A certified Gestalt and Transactional Analyst Therapist, he also studied at the School of Psychodrama in Beacon, NY, studying with Zerka Moreno.  Mr. Dowdy now lives in Snellville, Georgia. He has two sons “and one glorious granddaughter, Taylor," whom he describes as “a peach”.  .

"A Rampage of Appreciation: Poetry for Thanksgiving."

Don't forget our "Love for Logan" event Saturday at 5 pm, with the concert from 6-8. Spread the word and buy tickets at the door.

On Sunday, Romella Hart-O'Keefe will coordinate "A Rampage of Appreciation: Poetry for Thanksgiving." All are invited to bring a favorite poem for this Thanksgiving session of Forum. Volunteers will be asked to read a poem (or several if there’s time) and lead a discussion after the reading if they wish. You are invited – but not required – to provide copies (20) for the audience.

"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."