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Church Blog
December 16, 2011
For those of us who celebrate Christmas or Yule, we’ve
probably put up our trees and placed decorations in their traditional places to
remind us of years past and the memories associated.
We are quickly approaching the fourth and final Sunday of
the advent season. Just to reiterate
WHY we celebrate the advent season, for the Christian faith, Advent marks the four
weeks prior to the day that is recognized as the birth of Jesus. In earth based religions, Advent marks the
four Sundays before the Winter Solstice.
Week one of the Advent Season is a week to reflect on Hope
and how we can deliver hope to others as well as embrace and fan the flame of
hope in our own hearts.
Week two sermon was delivered by Reverend Helen Rossman. In truth, I wasn’t able to attend week two
services, so I didn’t hear the sermon, but Helen ALWAYS delivers sermons
representing the second week of Advent which is that of love. When we say the word “love”, some of us have
different visions come to mind: the love
of two best friends with years of laughter and tears shared, the love of a
husband and wife with devotion and trust as their bonds, the love of a mother
and child, the love of brothers and sisters (after they’ve passed THAT
age). Love encompasses so very much, and
we are so fortunate to be able to walk into our building and immediately feel
the embrace of our church family – both figuratively and literally. When we walk into our church, if we don’t seek
out a hug from a friend, we still feel as though we’ve been wrapped in the arms
of a long lost friend, comfortable lover, or much missed parent.
Week three of Advent represents Joy. Reverend Charlane Busse delivered her message
dolloped with a bit of humor. She
brought in an industrial sized bottle of Joy soap… There was a healthy round of
laughter from all of us. Charlane
brought us joy with her bottle of Joy.
We learned this past Sunday, that there are two basic forms
of joy: external joy which is brought to
us by the “stuff” we accumulate, and often times that joy is sabotaged in our
attempt to keep up with our neighbors.
The second form of joy is that from Spirit. It is the joy divinely delivered to each and
every one of us by our Creator before we ever enter the earth plane.
We have so much to be joyful of: We have a great and glorious God that we can
worship freely and openly. We are encouraged to study all religions… and take
what we need from each rather than being limited to a single dogma. We understand that death doesn’t mean our
loved ones cease to be; they’ve only transitioned and are waiting on us on the
other side.
During this past week, many of us may have taken Charlane up
on her challenge to reflect on our lives and find what brings us joy.
May
the Lord continually bless you with heaven's blessings as well as with human joys.
- Psalms 128:5
November 30, 2011
Quick reminders: we
are collecting new unwrapped gifts to donate for Toys for Tots. The deadline to
donate is Sunday December 4… which coincidentally is the day after our
Christmas Party!
If you are able, please bring your Toys for Tots, along with
a covered dish of your choice to the Christmas Party to be held at our church
2201 E. 54th Street, Indianapolis IN. The party will begin at 6:30 and run until
the last person has sung the final note of Karaoke!
November 27, 2011 was the first day of the Advent
season. Because we take our lessons from
all major faiths of the world, I did a little research. In both Christian and non-Christian faiths
that celebrate Advent, the season holds similar meanings: the coming of the light…. Christians
celebrate the coming of the Sun (or Jesus) during the four weeks leading up to
Christmas day, while those who embrace a non-Abrahamic faith celebrate the
coming of the son at the winter solstice (December 21). I found the following blog which gives some
interesting information, and perhaps may spur you to research a bit more: http://www.blogher.com/simple-seasonal-practice-christians-pagans-and-those-between.
Reverend Mike Mellott delivered the sermon representing the
first week of the Advent season. During
the first week of Advent, we light a purple candle which is representative of
hope. Mike pointed out that during the
holiday season, many of us are filled with joy and happiness, but at the same
time, there are so many others who are saddened or depressed during this time
of year. The economy, family situations
and other different pressures can cause a pressure cooker of emotions in many
of us.
The beginning of the Christmas Story as found in the Bible
(Matthew 1:18 – 2:23). Mike related how
circumstances from the time of Christ were very similar to today: corrupt politicians, an enormous gap between
the “classes”, hunger and fear. The
unmarried mother embraced the birth of her baby as an opportunity to seek
hope. She was carrying the hope of the
world for future generations.
We, as a faithful people are carrying the hope for future
generations. It is our responsibility to
live our lives as beacons of hope for those who feel lost. Share a smile with a stranger. Offer a
helping hand to someone (before they have to ask) if there is a situation that
can be helped. Offer a meal or a simple
cup of coffee to a friend (old or new). Love unconditionally. We saw
demonstrations of this this past Sunday.
Parishioners pitched in to help clean up “Lake Progressive”. We shared
food, smiles, laughter and love with only the expectation of love in return.
We must surround ourselves with like-minded people, and most
of us manage to do just this through our church family. When we surround ourselves with like-minded
individuals, our beacons grow and the signals travel further and reach a far
greater people. We don’t aspire to reach
others in the hopes of converting them, but rather with the intention of
lighting another candle of hope for the future.
We don’t stoke the flames of hope
in our own hearts, but we feed the fires of hopes for another. When we pass on the light, we are further
embraced by our spiritual family.
November 23, 2011 First of all… to those who volunteered to assist with the Mozel Sanders Thanksgiving, THANK YOU ALL! Apparently, the number of volunteers was so great, that we were called and advised that they were at capacity. This means that they had plenty of assistance. A great many people will be assisted by the love and generosity of others they have never met.
James Lasher delivered the sermon this past Sunday. He delivered some words of wisdom on how to survive the Thanksgiving Holiday. So often, we get caught up in the negatives, or we get hung up on the way things used to be, or we get lost in the fact that (not all of us, but many of us) are spending time with folks we really would rather not, or we face the fact, that we have nobody to share the holiday with. Jim gave some sage advice on how to survive intact physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 
1. Don’t get stuffed. Moderation in the amount of food we shovel in is important. Why eat to the point where we sleep the rest of the day away, or spend the time uncomfortable because we can’t find anything larger to wear. 2. Don’t be a gobbler. We all have folks that like to talk… and talk… and talk. Many of us are the person that likes to talk… and talk… and talk… People who talk incessantly can be annoying. 3. Don’t lose your head. Think before you speak. Think positively. There is no sense in starting something you cannot win. There are so many positives to hold onto surrounding the holidays. Hold onto the memories of green jell-o salad and puppies (if you were in church, you understand both of these). 4. Don’t lose your feet. If someone starts the negative talk, walk away. It’s ok to get up and move, or leave altogether. 5. Don’t lose your giblet’s. Be able to look at situations and own your responsibility in it. Don’t lose heart. We enter this life to learn lessons, embrace these opportunities. 6. Don’t lose your liver. A person that gives is called a giver… why can’t those who live be livers? Choose to be a liver. 7. Don’t lose our gizzard -- guts. Don’t lose your courage. Don’t lose the courage to be yourself. The only way a person can get to know you is if you are yourself… otherwise it is a lie. All of us are turkeys at one point or another. Learn to embrace humility. Humility will help us forgive those who have hurt us. If we have the “don’ts”, there must be a list of do’s”: 1. DO fly. If the turkey could fly, it wouldn’t be on the table. We don’t have wings, but sacred texts tell us angels will raise us above what ties us to this world. 2. DO give. In turkey medicine, the turkey is a symbol of sacrifice, abundance and generosity. Give with love and gratitude. Give freely. 3. Do pray for the blessings we are provided. Pray in thanksgiving. Pray in gratitude. Pray often. 4. Do live your life as though you are princes and princesses of royalty. Live your life as an example of your faith. Set the examples for others to emulate. October 30, 2011 Today Progressive Spiritualist celebrated Dias de la Muertos, or The Day of the Dead. Traditionally celebrated in Mexico and among Hispanic communities in the Southwest, the Day of the Dead originated with the Aztecs. The Aztecs, who believed the dead came back to visit and reconnect with their loves ones, celebrated for an entire month at the end of the summer, around the month of August. To support their efforts to convert the indigenous Mexicans to Catholicism, the Conquistadores moved the celebration to coincide with the Catholic holidays of All Saint’s and All Soul’s Days on November 1 and 2. The day of the dead is an occasion to celebratethe continuing relationship with our loved ones and ancestors who have passed into Spirit. The holiday provides those who remain with the chance to “laugh in the face of death” with brightly colored decorations and reproductions of skulls and skeletons. Followers of the ritual believe the souls visit on October 31 and leave on November 2nd. Today, those who celebrate Dias de la Muertos honor loved ones in spirit with feasts and altars. Family altars are traditionally decorated with skulls and skeletons made out of sugar. Mexican folk art featuring elaborate designs cut into paper and known as papel picado is often used as a decoration. Incense, flowers, and loved ones’ favorite foods are also commonly offered on the altar. Our altar was built and decorated by the Art in Your Soul class. The altar was traditionally decorated with sugar skulls, yellow marigolds, candles, a papel picado banner and photos of those in spirit. We hope we have started a new tradition at PSC; the yearly celebration of Dios de la Muertos. The Call to Worship was read by Reverend Mike Mellott. Psalm 118:24- This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Kandy Kendall was today’s speaker for the student service. Psalms 26:8 - I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells. Kandy spoke of beautiful old churches with elaborate stained glass and altars. The place where God dwells isn’t in a church or building. Many of us are well into our adult years before we are able to let go the baggage from our youth. Perhaps we grew up believing we weren’t a good person. The spark of God helps us all to heal from the hurts of our childhood and yesterday. Where does God dwell other than within you? Kandy began her journey a few years ago. “From one toe in the water to a total body emergence”. Now she is on the path, committed to completing her journey and to learning to live every day through communicating with God. Kandy reminded us that seeking spiritual growth means letting your ego centeredness die. How big is your heart? Is there room for God to dwell in it? “God counts the value of a gift not by how much is given, but by how much is held back.” 
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