Ongoing Epiphany

I’ve always been intrigued by language and word origin. The word “Epiphany” is Greek in origin, meaning “sudden realization”. This past Sunday the kids and I focused on the parallel between the Christian celebration of Epiphany (when we celebrate the Magi, with gifts in tow, visiting the infant Jesus) and the concept of self-epiphany, or self-realization. Each one of us is bestowed with natural strengths, which we may choose to nurture or ignore. By nurturing our strengths, or talents, we are able to give the best gifts that we have to offer to creation.

 

There is nothing selfish in getting to know your self. In doing so, you’re becoming a better instrument of love, and peace in the world. So, how do you go about doing that? Pay attention to what feels good to you, and what makes you passionate- that’s your heart guiding you. Accept who you are, exactly where you are, at this moment in time. Be honest, and kind about your challenges or shortcomings. You will not find anyone else in the universe that deserves love more (or less) than you.

In my opinion, journaling is one of the most effective ways to get to know and keep track of the self. I like to go back in my journal to read past entries to see just how much I’ve grown and changed. It’s really astonishing to track your growth, and to tune into your inner voice of wisdom. (If you’re self-critical, like me, it’s a great way to verify great stuff that you’ve become or accomplished.) I go through phases of writing a lot, to writing very little, but that’s ok. Something is better than nothing! Try it, if only for a week or so.

Peace, Love, and Laughter,

Emily

Listen...

This past Sunday the kids and I experienced two very different ways to connect with God; one very quiet and introverted, and one quite boisterous and extroverted. In our quiet activity, which was walking the advent spiral, (a very simple labyrinth constructed out of greens and other natural items) a very profound question was asked. We had been talking about how meditative practices, like walking a labyrinth, are opportunities for the mind to quiet just enough to hear what God is saying.

One child asked, “ How do you know what God is saying?” I suppose that he, like I, and I suspect most of the population, had never had a really tangible “God moment” in which actual words rang out in his ears from a

source beyond. (Please hear me when I say that other “God moments” are no less real or valuable when God speaks in other ways.) I had to think about it for a moment, and then it just came to me. For me, God speaks through emotions and feelings. When something feels right, it usually means that it’s leading me back towards balance in my life, and thus leading creation back to balance. When something feels wrong, I either need to rethink my decision, or the way I’m handling my decision.

I gave this example: How do you feel when you hurt someone or something? You feel bad, right? That’s a subtle message from God. Vice versa, when you give love to someone. Some people, however, bury their emotions through layers of the ego, and therefore have a hard time hearing the faint non-verbal messages, which God sends so frequently. Emotions, after all, are the language of the heart.

Peace, Love, and Laughter,

Emily

Trading thanks for Joy

“Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.” –Marianne Williamson

You might be tired or stressed, but if you’re reading this article, chances are, you have a home, people who love you, and all the means you’ll ever need to survive. Life is good! Even if you don’t have these things, you have life. I believe that life is like one big course of study, and even the assignments that you don’t enjoy doing teach you something in the end if you are open to learning. Sorrow is what happens when we loose sight of this. Happy people are constantly taking inventory of the things that they have to be grateful for. (I even give thanks for the challenges in my life, because they have made me stronger, and wiser.)

If you constantly focus on your gratitude, even for the tiniest things, you’ll soon forget about all that is lacking. Start to notice and give thanks for things that you normally just overlook, like a good cup of coffee, patience or understanding from a friend, or the smell of pine trees. You’re the only one who’s preventing joy in your life. I know that’s hard to hear, but it’s true.

Wishing you Joy this advent,

Emily

P.S.- Come visit the advent spiral in the upstairs far classroom!

Advent Spiral

The rhythms of nature tell me to slow down during this time of year. Strangely enough, my culture is telling me to do the opposite- shop till I drop, clean the house, go to another party, fret over Christmas gifts… etc. Yes, advent is a time of preparation, but remember the most precious thing that you must prepare in this season; yourself. In slowing down, and contemplating the wonder of the season you’re priming your heart and your mind for what Christmas is all about.

This year we’re starting a new tradition for the kids, congregation, and community. We’re building an advent spiral in one of the newly remodeled classrooms. Think of the advent spiral kind of like an advent specific labyrinth. The roots of the advent spiral are traced back to Germany in the 4^th century. Today, advent spirals are often associated with the Waldorf teaching method. It’s constructed out of real evergreen garland, candles, and items from the natural world. In the center of the spiral is the nativity.

As we journey in towards the center of the spiral, we are moving in towards Christ. We each light a candle, and then, on the Journey out we bring the light of Christ into the world. I hope that you will take the time to slow-down and contemplate the true meaning of Christmas with the advent spiral. It will be open for congregational/community use Sundays, for an hour before and after the service, and Monday-Thursday 10:00 am through 5:00 pm.

Peace, Love, and Laughter,

Emily

The Miracle of Flowers

“If we could see the miracle of a single flower, our whole life would change.”

–The Buddha

Orchids are notoriously difficult flowers to cultivate. About a month ago I noticed little sprouts on three of my orchid plants (even the really sad looking orchid that I recued from Bob’s office), all of which had shed their blooms months before. I had relinquished all hope that I would ever see blooms again on these beauties. But, soon enough the miracle of the orchid will return to my office. I was almost giddy with excitement when I first noticed the sprouts, because I’m not really known for having a green thumb. As David jokes, “Emily is really good at growing ivy.”

Half of the battle of giving thanks is really taking inventory of all there is for which to give thanks. We forget about the little miracles that permeate all of existence. Think about the intricacy of something as small as a flower- the millions of years of evolution (flowers showed up about 135 million years ago), the incredible process of photosynthesis, or the delicate curvature of the petals. An awful lot of things had to happen to make this flower on my desk possible.

So if you’re struggling to find things for which to be thankful, contemplate how incredible it is that any of this (life, you, orchids) even exists at all. Finding wonder in “simple” things will ensure you always have cause for thankfulness. Remember, “We don’t give thanks because we’re happy. We’re happy because we give thanks.”

Peace, Love, and Laughter,

Emily

This one goes out to the ladies...

The pendulum swings until, loosing momentum, it settles in the center at equilibrium. Prior to the dawning of the common-era the divine feminine was, if not central to the spiritual lives, at least present in the lives of our ancestors. Now fast-forward through the past two millennia, and religion is dominated by masculine figures (the father, and son, male dominated clergy in all major religions, etc.) So, where are we headed next? Logic would tell me that the pendulum wants to settle in the center- honoring both the masculine and feminine in religion.

But, is Christianity ready to fully embrace such a change, especially with the pervasiveness of masculinity? The church does not have a great track record with keeping up with the times, always a few steps behind popular culture. What are your beliefs on the balance of masculine and feminine in religion? How has this contributed to the decline of Christianity in America? What do you think the church should to keep in step with “the pendulum?”

Peace, Love, and Laughter,

Emily

Philippine Disaster Relief This Sunday

 I can’t sit by and watch as disaster strikes. I have to do something. The typhoon that hit the Philippines this past Friday was beyond devastating to the country. Relief workers are completely overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster, especially because the country’s infrastructure was not great even before the typhoon hit. The best way to get involved is to offer up monetary gifts to charitable relief organizations. To find a comprehensive list of these organizations please click here for the New York Times’ list.

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/11/how-to-help-philippines-typhoon-victims/?ref=asia

So, this Sunday after the service we’ll be having a “Minute to Win it” fundraiser. Participation will be open to everyone. Here’s how it will work: folks will donate “tips” to the game stations in exchange for playing the games… which all take one minute, or less. We'll be having fun and raising money for a great cause.

Would you like to volunteer to run one of these game stations? Just email or call Emily. All stations will be set up and ready to go before the service this Sunday, 11/17. All proceeds will be donated to the Philippine Red Cross for disaster relief.

Peace, Love, and Laughter,

Emily