Broadview UCC Connect

Adult Spirituality Group notes, 12/11/2011

2011-12-11T13:31:00.000-08:00

(10 people participated)

In the Bible (John 6:62), Jesus is described as the “Son of Man”, the human one who lived as the archetypal model for humanity. His actions and perspective are studied in this light:

1. For example, in the Bible (Luke 7:44), it is noted that Jesus washed his disciples' feet. To frame the cultural context, the group discussed different forms of showing reverent respect in the West and around the world.

In Western society, people are used to shaking each other's hands as a way of showing humble respectful personal attention. Jesus' action of washing his disciples' feet goes one step beyond how people in India frequently show great respect to each other. They bow to touch each others' feet as a practice of the awareness that God is everywhere and in all. This deeper more careful attention also helps to remind the recipient person of his or her own divine essence and helps to cultivate an earnest response.

All in the Adult Spirituality Group agreed that it's very important to give respect in culturally appropriate ways that the other can understand and appreciate. Day M. attended a Devi Bhava in San Ramon, CA.
* Please see the program details of a Devi Bhava at - http://www.ammanewengland.org/blog/ammatour-boston-home/devi-bhava-program-details. (One reason why I think that the program details are on the Web is so that people can open their minds beforehand to this culturally exotic event.)

2. We also chatted about the notion of Holy Communion, that we are sampling the body and blood of Jesus Christ through the wafer & wine. As a symbolic action, this seems an intimate way to experience the Christ’s teachings and example. As a literal action, this seems cannibalistic, a poor example for our young boys to learn, just as they often learn to respect discrimination and bullying among their friends.

What ever happened to softness and kindness? (Francis & Rose B.)

For next week, please finish reading Chapter 8, entitled, “Compassion”, in which Jesus’ role as a game-changer is discussed. Try to respond to the question, “Do you really want to make a change?” (Pastor Dan)

Adult Spirituality Group notes, 11/6/11

2011-11-06T12:37:00.000-08:00

TODAY - We completed questions of interest in the rich Chapter 2, in Questions of Jesus:

Jesus asked, "Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?" (Luke 12:14, see p. 30)
"Jesus does not want to get involved in our family feuds or divide up land and possessions. Rather, he is trying to get us to see beyond ourselves, our material goods, our brief lives. He wants to save our souls, to change the world, and to inspire us to lay down our lives on behalf of the human race as nonviolent martyrs for justice and peace." (see p. 31)
Day - Jesus is a heart/soul/identity doctor. Us humans are so easily distracted by our egoic notion of "I am the body", and forget to raise our consciousness to realize how God is our true living self and identity "I". With this higher perception, "Jesus rarely loses his patience. he is like Buddha, like Gandhi, an icon of peace and serenity, even as all hell breaks loose around him." (p. 33)
Bob - Jesus' whole goal was to empower people to do what he did, to lift people's eyes to a new level.

Jesus inquired, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me?" (John 14:9, on p. 39) "I am the way and the truth and the life," Jesus explains. "If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him." (p. 39)
Day - At a certain level, it's fairly easy to revere and honor God. It seems that Jesus wants us to go deeper, to learn from him and do the work requisite to achieve his miracles ourselves. In the following quote, I'm curious about Mother Theresa's center of awareness -
"As Mother Theresa washed the vomit and vermin off the face, chest, and legs of a dying man, the reporter watched in horror, appalled that she would go near such filth. "I wouldn't do that for a million dollars," he said.
"Neither would I," Mother Theresa answered." (p. 36)

Rose Bailey asked - Would we still be interested in what Jesus said, without him showing his miraculous powers? This led into a discussion about how humans clamor for material possessions:
"Our context today is characterized by a glaring disparity between the rich and the poor." (p. 37)
Tom Ward - In the U.S., the gap between the rich and poor is widening. The U.S. has the most radical extremes among almost all countries on Earth."
Gudrun - "I just came from China and was positively impressed. Democracy isn't efficient. In the U.S., we're too focused on capitalism for the creation of material wealth, without using our government to direct it for the people's benefit. We need to use the counter-balancing powers of our representative democracy to provide justice and righteousness."
Pastor Dan - Most of the wealth nowadays is gotten from usery, or making money off other people's money. (See http://www.occupytogether.org/)
Gudrun - "It is important to set up a good will to protect children's inheritance and future relationship with each other."

NEXT WEEK - We'll discuss:
- Chapter 3, Purity of Heart (p. 410->)
- Chapter 4, Conversion (p. 49->) Giselle thinks this chapter is superb!

Adult Spirituality Group notes, 10/23/11

2011-10-23T20:02:00.000-07:00

Today, the nine attendees discussed Chapter 2, entitled "Identity" and posed the question to ourselves that Jesus posed to a wealthy young man, "Why do you ask me about what is good?" (Matthew 19:17, that we read on p. 15 of our book, Questions of Jesus).

Why do we ask Jesus about what is good? Do we expect a direct answer?
This question is not simple and requires long-term personal introspection. What are our expectations of a so called God-man who is to "save" us and answer our life existential questions? The group discussion, by elucidating the complex nature of this question helped map the path towards a meaningful answer:

Day - Nowadays, the Internet and other entertainment is a form of material wealth that can be very distracting from what Buddha has called the Middle Path, which best balances one between the delusions and distractions of material wealth as well as the hardships of poverty. The Middle Path is best to discover and deepen one's spiritual perspective and realization over the long-term.
Bob - People have an early basic sense for right and wrong, just by sitting and naturally listening to what is going on.
Francis - Ignorance is bliss. The more you know and perspective you gain, the more clear and responsible you become to understand and manage the complex ethics of mature adult reality.
Pastor Dan - It is our responsibility to have the discipline of love.
Bob - In the bible, the blind Bartimeus had a lot more to benefit from by immediately dropping his possessions before Jesus. The rich man has more external responsibility and a complex set of priorities that made him more attached and thus slower.
Rose - I think we get bogged down by our nuances of the questions - "What is good?" and "Who do you think I am?"

FOR NEXT WEEK: Please continue to read Chapter 2, focusing on the questions on pp. 19 & 23.

List of possible after New Year 2012 readings:
1. The Red Tent (novel)- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Red_Tent
2. The Poisonwood Bible (novel)- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Poisonwood_Bible
3. Everything Must Change: Global Crises and a Revolution of Hope, by Brian McLaren – http://www.gci.org/book/mclaren.

Adult Spirituality Group notes, 10/16/11

2011-10-21T16:26:00.000-07:00

With love, respect, and hope, Jesus repeatedly inquires of his followers, “But who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20; Matthew 16:15) At some point along our faith journey, Jesus turns to each one of us as well, and asks us this same question. “Who do you say that I am?” (p. 13)

And so we responded:

Charles – Jesus was a humanization of God so people could relate, to make humans in God the focus.

Rose – What’s the difference between Jesus and humankind? I see Jesus as a mentor, showing people how to live. Jesus was fully human and divine. I give my all to work. How much energy at the end of the day do I have to ponder who I am?

Bob – We, in Western society, can’t help but anthropomorphosize ourselves.

Day – It’s an identity question. Are we the body & our set of relationships? What are our potentials and potencies? I’ve been reading about the concept of divinity in humans. Check out “The Spark of God lives within the Heart - http://ebookbrowse.com/guidance-the-spark-of-god-lives-within-the-heart-pdf-d54467180.

Pastor Dan – The kingdom of God lives within. God is everywhere. The Dalai Lama, Bishop Tutu, and Mother Theresa cleanly see divine reality everywhere.

---

Bob – E.g., Mother Theresa says that Jesus’ pronouncement to seekers of the divine to give up our material wealth truly means to give up the veil of our egos.

Charles – It’s important to understand our use of the word “ego”. As we use it, “ego” is actually “Id”. The id comprises the unorganized part of the personality structure that contains the basic drives. The id acts according to the "pleasure principle", seeking to avoid pain or displeasure aroused by increases in instinctual tension.^[2] Ego is trying to make reality fit us. Instead, God wants us to serve others as a vessel of the divine reality.

Bob – People learn separation over time to survive in the world.

Charles – The ego helps us relate to the world. Jesus wasn’t appealing to the ego, but to the reality of our divine source.

---

For Next Week (10/23): Reread Chapter 2, as we only got through a few questions.

Adult Spirituality Group notes, 10/9/11

2011-10-21T14:41:00.000-07:00

We're just starting to read the book, The Questions of Jesus - Challenging Ourselves to Discover Life's Great Answers, by John Dear.

On the back cover is written:

This illuminating examination of the Gospels reveals how the questions Jesus asks of his followers lead the way to a deeper understanding of the meaning of life and the mystery of God.

The Gospels are filled with stories, parables, miracles, commandments, and dramatic incidents that trace Jesus’ life and recount his teachings. A close reading of the Gospels reveals, however, that they are also filled with questions. As John Dear points out in this remarkable book, Jesus, like any great teacher and rabbi, “has a question for everyone he meets, for every occasion, for every experience, for every potential disciple.” Dear uses these questions as a starting point, an invitation to readers to discover the lessons they contain by searching their own hearts and minds for answers.

Throughout The Questions of Jesus, Dear interweaves insights from ethical and religious teachers ranging from Buddha to Gandhi to Martin Luther King, Jr. Using recent events as powerful and poignant examples, he shows why a renewed commitment to Jesus’ message of nonviolence, compassion, justice, and peace is essential to healing a world torn by violence and war.

* There's a decent book review at – http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/books/books.php?id=9503

FRANCIS reflected that Jesus not answering some sorts of questions is a kind of answer itself. That way Jesus doesn’t just prescribe simple answers to complex problems, but he leads people to find answers in their own lives, which is more useful. In this way, Jesus manages to put bridges between the cliffs in people's life. Often what we need is to get the assurance of love to lead on through life.

TOM mentioned that since God is the ultimate reality, spiritual seekers aren’t necessarily finding solutions via analytical logical answers, but instead through contentment and repose.

BOB – For example, a man in a grocery store asking “What are you looking for?” is easier to answer. But, regarding meta questions, one can’t so easily answer.

GISELLE revealed “Jesus helps me to get guidance regarding my own expectations. It’s one of the strongest questions I can ask my kids.”

* Day suggests our next book to read and discuss be, Everything Must Change: Global Crises and a Revolution of Hope, by Brian McLaren.

What do you think? Please check out a review – http://www.gci.org/book/mclaren.

FOR NEXT WEEK: Discuss Chapter 2 – “Identity” (30pp.)

Adult Spirituality Group notes, 5/15/11

2011-05-17T18:02:00.000-07:00

On Sunday 5/15, we discussed the chapter, "Week 7 - Risen" to conclude the book, Calmly Plotting the Resurrection:

EMPTINESS - Thea W. highlighted that there are many ways to gain insights about God from one's personal experience in creation. "In God's house there are many mansions. Many rooms. There is a place for you who failed to keep alive or to love perfectly your own child." (p. 80)
- Rose B., a school teacher, responded that it's necessary to hold emptiness in one's heart for insights to arise. "Everyday, I lead class in group breathing exercise to center people's attention for study."
- Charles begins stressful encounters with a brief prayer.
- Don added that a person needs to release the sense of failure to persist for success.
- Bob, "We all benefit from finding emptiness, a balanced space to be able to focus and integrate disparate elements that cause stress."
- Day M. spring-cleaned and child-proofed the entire house & yard to prep for my sister's and nieces' arrival to allow them to experience the wonder of discovery untainted by the stress of dangers.

BOOK QUOTE ABOUT STRINGS - "We remain string to short to be saved until God forgives us and then we connect. We become something strong and useful and capable of holding other stuff together. String separated is nothing; string connected is something."(p. 83)
"It's important to not just house-clean our hearts, but to butler (organize & bring harmony) them." (Day M.)
"I think our reactions to others should be nuanced to encompass what they intend. Therefore, we should spend some time to craft our response to be able to be effective, heart-to-heart, not just have a visceral polarizing gut response that can pull people apart." (Francis)

Regarding DAY 4, Pastor Dan mentioned that his ministerial role is to be a keeper of the story, the vessel.
Regarding DAY 5, Rose B. noted that it's really important to have depth of conversations.

Charles passed out our next read, Seeing Gray- in a World of Black and White (Thoughts on Religion, Morality, and Politics).
- For next Sunday, we'll read the Forward, Introduction, and Part 1 - Chapter One. (until page 8).

Adult Spirituality Group notes, 5/8/11

2011-05-14T09:22:00.000-07:00

(10 attendees)

5/8/11 Adult Spirituality Group:

(Rose) "Forgive others so you can move on in your life."
(Charles) "Donna E Schaper is talking about individual spirituality."
(Dan) "The best parts of us are willing to suffer personally for vast benefits for others and the common future."
(Day) "It helps me to relate with others in periods of conflict to remember my center is at my heart as a whole, not getting stuck with a viceral polarizing gut reaction."
(Bob) "What we consider evils change over time. They vary from context to context. Perspective of the universe has changed over time."
(Charles) "There is a greater power game going on in the U.S. than the power game going on in rape. Power is reversed, through control over weaker societies. This structure is accepted."
(Francis) "We need to nurture males to enjoy & experience our feminine qualities. Otherwise, males are set up to only express themselves through dominance."

For Sunday 5/15/11, please read chapter 7 through to the end of the book.

The next book we'll read:
Black and White (a series of short essays sent to Tom & Thea Ward, which cover many subjects)

Adult Spirituality Group notes, 5/1/11

2011-05-04T20:53:00.000-07:00

We discussed Week 6 - "Rising", pp. 66 - 79.

For Next Week, we'll discuss "Day 6" & "Day 7" of Week 6, pp. 76 - 79.

Members of the group expressed interest in us together reading fiction, possibly over the summer. Check out the description of The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Poisonwood_Bible
- Barbara Kingsolver's books generate a lot of thought and discussion.
- It made Frances so grateful!

Adult Spirituality Group notes, 4/17/11

2011-04-17T18:27:00.000-07:00

(five attended)

Today, we related the symbolic action of Communion to the themes in book section, "Week 4 - Parabolic Thinking: The Land Beyond Lost, Next to Doubt":

What's the point of Communion as a communication with one's Soul and God?
1. Communion is like an hors d'euvres of Grace. One's body gets a taste of heaven's love fest.
2. One's intention adds greatly to the intensity of one's experience of Communion. It makes the experience more memorable for lasting value if one provides a proper context by being consciously receptive both to the direct experience and the symbolic nature of Communion.
3. We're always communicating with others! It's so important to be self-conscious to care for our bodies, minds, and life habits. We should consider ourselves as temples for God's works & inspiration on Earth, in Communion with divine Heart, instead of being myopic and self absorbed.

For next Sunday, please read "Week 5 - What Is Enough Resurrection?", p. 55 - 65.

Adult Spirituality Group notes, 4/3/11

2011-04-04T18:06:00.000-07:00

The nine attendees had a rich discussion about the second section, "Week 2 - Are We There Yet?":

HELPING THE POOR

Frances B., "Participating with the poor is an experience that benefits all involved. Poorness is not just monetarily. Some are poor in time, but we may have wealth in health or personality."
Day M., "Poorness is always in oneself. It's partly reflective."

DISCIPLINE OF DAILY PRACTICE
Giselle (80 birthdays), "When I was a student in the Convent, I did daily Mass for 30 minutes, everyday. We had to do it. The habit of daily reflection helps instill discipline."
Bob S., "The structure of school discipline and military service helped me think of others and God."

DAILY PRAYER
Bill H., "Do we really believe God is here?"
Joan H., "Sometimes we don't let in God, the good stuff."
Thea W., "Three things I recite everyday:
1. What wonderful things are we going to do today?
2. How will I make You smile?
3. Fill me with Your holy spirit.

For next week, please -
• List the criteria you use to determine the quality of your life. (See p. 20)
• Read Week 3 (p. 29 - 42).

Adult Spirituality Group notes, 3/27/11

2011-03-30T19:14:00.002-07:00

(There were seven participants.)

We all are in the process or learning how to live a life of forgiveness in Jesus' model:
FRANCIS S. shared a definition of forgiveness. "Kaphar" in Hebrew means to forgive (cleanse pardon, purge away).
BOB S. mentioned that to learn how to forgive is to overcome pride. To be forgiven is to overcome hopelessness and despair.
It is possible for a BCUCC Movie Night to watch a Catholic movie he was familiar with, As fast as my feet will carry me. (It's theme is that every man deserves to be forgiven.)
BILL K. brought out how the author interplays space and place in the Day Two chapter, A Prepared Place. For example, "Forgiveness knows just how much love there is... plenty."
DAN S. highlighted the importance of exercising forgiveness as a daily practice.
DAY M. discussed his intuition of subtle healing and balance with another person that had occurred this last week. The process seemed to be initiated by the other person, and included DAY proactively responding by making a mental choice to forgive and broaden his perspective, towards a final integrated whole Heart for both.

FOR NEXT SUNDAY, 4/3, please reflect when reading Week Two content, how the questions at end of chapters bring out the quoted bible verses.

Adult Spirituality Group notes, 3/20/11

2011-03-20T14:18:00.000-07:00

(Today, there were eight attendees.)

We're starting to discuss a new book, Calmly Plotting the Resurrection - Lenten Reflections for Individuals and Groups. The back cover of the book has the following information:
"Donna E Schaper [a senior minister] has written a thought-provoking book to assist readers in developing a way to move forward, a way to become persons of faith, and a way of becoming Christians by "calmly plotting the resurrection." Schaper provides a daily exercise for the seven weeks of the Lenten season, including a passage of Scripture, a brief reflection, and concluding questions for further consideration or group discussion. The themes for each week of reflections are:

Week 1 - Where Are We Going?
Week 2 - Are We There Yet?
Week 3 - Are We Lost?
Week 4 - Parabolic Thinking: The Land Beyond Lost, Next To Doubt
Week 5 - What Is Enough Resurrection?
Week 6 - Rising
Week 7 - Risen

Schaper provides a daily guide for our journey through the Lenten season, filled with personal illustrations, inspirational stories, and words for reflection. Perfect for individual study and for adult groups, Calmly Plotting the Resurrection is a helpful resource for anyone seeking a meaningful journey toward Easter.
ISBN-13: 978-1-59752-020-1 "

• DAY MURTI suggested to note 2-3 paragraphs in each week's reading that were meaningful and inspiring to us. This will allow us to condense what really matters to us and help pull out material for group discussions.
• For example, DAN STERN highlighted a bible passage, "In my father's house, there are many dwelling places." Consider that physicists have mathematically discovered 23+ dimensions, as detailed in the Public Broadcasting System Nova series entitled, "The Emergent Universe." (Check out - www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/physics/elegant-universe-einstein.html )

For next week, read (to page 14) the rest of "Week 1 - Where are we going?"

Adult Spirituality Group Notes: 9/19/10

2010-09-19T15:37:00.000-07:00

Not having attended BCUCC in a while, I was drawn last night to study Chapter 14, "Nonfiction vs. Fiction vs. Cosmic Illusion". Bra~Brah~Dum! It turned out that was what we were to read....

We right away spoke of our answers to the author's pop quiz, a series of paragraphs we were to categorize as either fiction or nonfiction:
"All the quiz was nonfiction." - Rose Bailey
"The author's message was to point out that writing isn't necessarily fiction or nonfiction." -Pastor Dan
"Only science & math approach is nonfiction." - Tom Ward
"Only science & math approach finds truths, not necessarily solutions." -Pete Bailey
"Yeah! I'm enthralled by to find out the latest science. Check out - www.sciencedaily.com/ Scientific truths are all hypotheses, as we don't know all like the Creator does." -Day Murti

(Hmm... Is there a Creator? We digressed to question the retired Cambridge University physics professor Steven Hawking recent assertion that a Creator wasn't required for the Universe to occur. Find out more at - www.huffingtonpost.com/karl-giberson-phd/hawkings-speculation-ever_b_703374.html)

Pastor Dan brought the group back to the book, noting "It is human to want facts and clarity, but the reality is that there is a lot of mystery. We create mysteries and then we try to solve them. The author of "God Laughs & Plays" is intrigued by the Christian paradox that by losing your life, you gain everlasting life."

There was a long discussion of the conflict provoked by a Gainesville Florida pastor burning Korans. Check out David Horsey's insightful cartoon - blog.seattlepi.com/davidhorsey/archives/220875.asp

NEXT WEEK: Chapter 15, "Assailed - Improvisations in the key of cosmology"
NEXT BOOK: is authored by UCC pastor John Indermark and will be passed out next Sunday.

Adult Spirituality Group Notes: 7/11/10

2010-07-12T09:18:00.000-07:00

Today, we brought up more questions than answers relating to Chapter 4 reading, "When Compassion Becomes Dissent":
- Upon the pastor's inquiry, we sought to unveil the best bible discussions of compassion and decided that the "Love Your Neighbor as yourself" quote reflected most clearly Jesus' views on compassion.

We talk in church about how to influence society with Christ's teachings:
1. We agreed that it is hard to sort out a "truth" in anything nowadays in this multi-paradigm global culture. We debated the question of whether possible to do anything positive for good in the world nowadays given the complexity. It was so much more clear earlier....

2. Given that there is so much that can and needs to be done in the world and everything is controlled by the battle over resources, why not restart a global Marshall Plan (rebuilding plan from World War 2) currently?

3. "We have to keep going in the direction of hope, not destruction." (Rose)

4. "We need to all hug trees!" (Day)

5. "We wouldn't have all these problems if we had education."

* Read Chapter 5 (p. 77) "Ashes & Dirt" to discuss next week.

Adult Spirituality Group Notes: (6/27/10)

2010-06-27T17:12:00.000-07:00

Today, the group discussed the chapter, "Unsaying the word of God":

--"We humans learn best when we can relate new knowledge to what we already know." (Rose) When we try to frame God through out word symbols, humans often have a tendency to become dogmatic and fundamentalist, boxed in by our own thoughts. When we approach God, we should use intuition to not limit and become bound by the thoughts we use to learn about God. For this reason, Francis (dark-haired) remarked that "The book's author, David James Duncan, takes a Dr. Seuss approach to diagnosing the contemporary American spirit."
* Our group feels that BCUCC is different than the churches that Duncan is critical of. "BCUCC gives confidence in your faith because it expands your thinking, giving windows, not walls." (Rose)
* We do not feel our church is that unique in this regard. "There is hope for common vistas between viewpoints in and among churches. For example, recently a Southern Baptist was on National Public Radio mentioning that loving Earth is loving God, and that he wanted church-goers to take the Earth seriously as one of our spiritual goals." (Charles & Francis)
* "Speaking of woo-woo though. Meister Eckhart, a mystic who lived in 13th century Europe) was considered apostate (a non-believer) by the Catholic church." (Bob)

We related to the author's discussion of a soul's hunger at the end of the chapter:
"On loving God: In the period of preparation for loving God, the soul loves in emptiness. It does not know whether anything real answers its love. It may believe that it knows but to believe is not to know. Such a belief does not help. The soul knows for certain only that it is hungry. The important thing is that it announces its hunger by crying. A child does not stop crying if we suggest to it that perhaps there is no such thing as bread. It goes on crying just the same. The danger is not lest the soul should doubt whether there is bread, but lest by a lie, it should persuade itself that it is not hungry. It can only persuade itself of this by lying, for the reality of its hunger is not a belief, it is a certainty."
(by Simone Weil, p. 31)

(The group had a broad, complex, in-depth discussion of the nature of God & the human necessity of belief in God's infallibility. I was unable to properly transcribe its nuggets to notes.)

NEXT WEEK: Read Chapter 3 "What Fundamentalists Need For Their Salvation" (p. 33 ->)

Adult Spirituality Group Notes (6/20/10)

2010-06-20T18:25:00.000-07:00

Today, the group discussed the first chapter of God Laughs & Plays:
- Author David James Duncan is a writing professor, who lives in western Montana and home schools his children. He experiences the Grace of aloneness and God in nature, but has allergies to organized religion from a poor childhood experience in church. Thus, he hasn't been to church in 35 years! As a church going group, we decided that his vantage and perspective was initially at odds to our own. We defended the value of our church discussions and fellowship and queried, "If against organized religion, is one also against community?"

WONDER: We relished the chapter section on the spiritual benefits of wonder. Wonder is unknowing experienced as pleasure. Wonder doesn't have room for fear and anxiety. Like Grace, wonder defies rational analysis.
"As a facial expression, wonder is the letter our eyes and mouths make when the state itself descends. O: God's middle initial. O: because wonder Opens us. O(ld) becomes new. Wonder is anything taken for granted - the old neighborhood, old job, old buddy, old spouse - suddenly filled with mystery. Wonder is anything closed, suddenly opening..." (p. 9)

YOGI: This section reminded us of a few things:
1. An intuitive response is not so scripted. As listener to this response, it is more important for us to look at the unscripted comments for the place from which they come.
2. The dance of life is a balance between careful attention to high quality practiced endeavor and explorative openness to newness of perception & wonder.

GLADLY: My twin nieces are visiting Seattle right now. After church, I, my sister, nieces, and mom used "Skype" (internet video telephone) to call my dad for Father's Day. It was a wonderful example of the power of the "gladly" section. My mom, sister, and I had deeper questions about the nuances of Dad's life. Dad appreciated the contact, but I noticed truly came alive when Josephine and Thais, my 8 month old twin nieces became enthralled by how the computer screen was actually the grandpa that they had hugged and new well from earlier. The babies were pure and bright. Their glad enthusiasm was wholesome & healing for the family.

FOR NEXT WEEK (6/27/10):
Read the chapter two, "Unsaying the Word, "God", p. 17 ->.

Adult Spirituality Group Notes (6/13/10)

2010-06-13T11:34:00.000-07:00

(11 participants)
Thanks to Charles Cressey Saturday delivery, everyone has received their books, "God Laugh & Plays" by David James Duncan, and have started to read the forward and preface.

There was general agreement that the author knows the relation between metaphors and compassion, e.g.:
"Unsaying the word of God"
"To define is to limit the unfathomable mystery of God. When very one names God, you give a slant and relationship."

There were two superb quotes that elicited discussion:
1. "Evangelism as embodied by Jesus does not remotely suggest the close-minded zeal of proselytizers claiming that only their interpretation of scripture prevents eternal punishments and pays eternal rewards: it implies, on the contrary, the kind of all-embracing love evident in Mother Teresa's prayer, "May God break my heart so completely that the whole world falls in." Not just her fellow nuns, Catholics, Calcuttans, potential converts. The whole world."

The whole world, for example, seemed to fall into the heart of Mahatma Gandhi. He repeatedly acted upon what his stated belief "I am a Christian, I am a Hindu, I am a muslim, I am a Jew."
(Author's Preface, xxv)

2. We the peoples of Earth, need a new cosmology that can effectivelyl embrace both our innate thirst for deeper, often obscured and intuited meanings as well as the necessary rigors of our intellectual life. We need a cosmology that can feed our souls and our questions about the meaning of life and death, while embracing the realities of our biological and ecological selves." (Forward, xi)

For next week (6/20): Please read Chapter 1, "Wonder; Yogi; Gladly" (p. 5-16)

Adult Spirituality Group Notes (6/6/10)

2010-06-06T11:38:00.000-07:00

We discussed the last two chapters today:
1. "Who Are Those Christians?" (p. 219)
- This chapter discussed the messiness we call religion. The author described a number of Christian versions in the modern world. Choosing a church today is kind of like the blithering variety of choices offered in sex ed classes, e.g., rhythm method, condoms, or virginity 'til 33. It is necessary to enter a version of the Christian paradigm when one commits to a new church. Many new church goers are going towards religious extremism to simplify the multiple paradigm complexity of modern choices.

2. "At The Hinge Of History: Post Modernity" (p. 226)
-Modern technology embraces individuality, whereas post-modern converts re-seek community.
-On p. 229, is a interesting quote. "Modernity turned Christianity, a religion of grace, into a religion of good works and achievement. I don't mean, of course, that Thomas Jefferson himself did this. I do mean that the attempt to accommodate Christianity to modernity did. Spirituality, with its faith in the miraculous and mysterious, was lost or repressed. The end result was thin fare, a moral code without transformative power. It is religion as obligation, but lacking much in the way of motivation or motivating power."

** Our next book, "God Laughs and Prays", by David James Duncan will be delivered, probably by this Friday.

Adult Spirituality Group Notes (5/26/10)

2010-05-26T21:18:00.000-07:00

** We first discussed the chapter, "In a Time of War" (starting on p. 195) **

For churches to develop an activist voice on larger social issues such as war, we must kindle a debate within, similar to our Adult Spirituality Group intellectual exchange. (As Pastor Dan mentioned, the church is designed to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comforted.)
-For example, during the height of tensions during the Korean War, an American flag stood side by side to a Christian flag behind the pastor as he gave sermons in our church, from 1955-57.

The group discussed how we have a different situation today. Terrorism isn't from a clear enemy target that one can polarize towards to burgeon a large scale response, such as Americans could against the Nazis in Germany during World War II. Defeating a terrorist "enemy" seems to require a much more subtle nation building response nowadays. (This involves social, military, and education problems).

** We secondly discussed the chapter, "The Gay Divide" (starting on p. 201) **

In the early 600 BC Jewish church, homosexuality, circumcision, and temple cult like sexual rituals) were outlawed by higher priests to make the Jewish church distinctive from other groups. The Christian New Testament has changed the focus from simple external activities to the more subtle heart and mind, as evidenced through one's immediate relationships, which were at the roots of external activities.

In modern society, there is vastly less moral stigma around being gay, celibate, or child free. Bob Squalia sees both liberals and conservatives having different perspectives, but as one gets older one sees those identities as boxes that don't encompass one's true broader living perspective.

Chapters to discuss next week:
1. "Technology & Human Values", p. 207
2. "Holy Stories", p. 213

religious leaders as connectors and community builders

2010-04-26T19:58:00.000-07:00

Our discussion of the next 2 essays in the book (Notes on a Field-based Scholar and Community) focused on the sense of community in our church. We celebrated our diversity of ages and roles and observed how the smaller size of our congregation leads to more mixing of groups that might not mix in a large congregation. We nurture relationships by working together to keep our small church vibrant through spiritual, social, musical, and even maintenance activities. And our efforts are wonderfully tended by Dan, our pastor, who has such a talent for unearthing our hidden gifts and encouraging us to test them in new ways.

Next week: Problems with Pluralism and Grievance Gluttony... (From Common Grace by Anthony Robinson)

Adult Spirituality Group notes, 4/18/2010

2010-04-18T11:41:00.001-07:00

We discussed two chapters -
"WHAT ARE FATHERS FOR" (p. 140 - 144)

To answer the above chapter title, Francis' husband noted that the fundamental biological difference between the male and female gender (egg vs. sperm) is only to first create a baby. More is required to assist the mother in raising a child to adulthood with the skills and qualities to be able to pass on his genes over time. The below quote from page 143 was mentioned:
"The mother's blessing seems to have been imparted long ago, at the womb, and requires no conferral. Yes, clearly there are many exceptions to this as a pattern, but the pattern itself stands. In this sense, it is the father's love that is more of the growth-prodding and demanding, while a mother's is more of the accepting and letting be."

The group reflected upon the author's use of the 'fatherhood' gender to describe the set of traits discussed in this chapter, which seem to fit old gender stereotypes and was not really correct. For example in Day's family, often Mom was the "whip" to instill my tiger-like discipline and character to claw and pounce on also things I don't have a conscious attraction towards. Dad more often nurtured my inner development through meditation and math.

"DEATH DIMINISHED" (p. 145)
Francis brightly summarized that everyone grieves death in their own way. Some benefit more than others from a formal grieving process, like attending funerals. Public memorials are very important for people outside of the family, e.g., co-workers, to get closure that a person is truly dead. Day made note that his aunt in India had such a long and unending period of formal expected grief for her son's death, that she later laughed that she was still alive and it was morbid to grieve too much or for too long.

For next week (4/25), please read the chapters:
• "Notes of a Field-Based Scholar: A View of Ministry, p. 154
• "Community", p. 159

Adult Spirituality Group notes (3/28/10)

2010-03-28T12:24:00.000-07:00

All ten adult attendees rejoiced in the chapter, "Being a Grownup", since it felt personally relevant. Pastor Dan crowed, "A brilliant chapter!" (Soon afterward, the momentary gleam of sunlight that we all took notice of, faded into Seattle overcast....)

We bubbled over the insightful quote, "The capacity to know and affirm and live from the conviction that "it's not about you" is a crucial marker of grown-up-ness." (p. 104) Babies learn to cry and coo and sign language to get mom and dad to eventually figure out their needs. When we attain adulthood, we learn the communication tools to get attention, services, and things, much more effectively. Not only do we learn to specifically articulate our desires, but also gain a complex sophisticated understanding of what we really want.
--For example, Day's father Ajit has learned the complicated skill of communicating in a way that doesn't skip past social graces. Ajit has learned to take time & space for personal development, e.g., meditation, to center himself for his divergent interactions. By opening up to our common spiritual core, he is better able to relate about difficult topics via our commonness. "The art of being able to say something unpopular lies in doing it in such a way that those to whom you are saying it know that you still care about them and that you are in it with them." (p. 106)

Many men are socialized to get angry as a way to express their emotions. Many women are instead socialized to cry. How to manage in balance so that we can both articulate the nuances of our mature perspectives as well as communicate our personal relationship to the perspective? Day feels that Pastor Dan like his father has predominately learned to manage his emotions, e.g., expressions of tears and anger during his sermons in a effective way to impart his message.

Next week, we'll discuss:
1. "The Prayer My Father Taught Me (p. 108)
2. "Friendship" (p. 112)
3. Marriage: What's the Point? (p. 119)

BCUCC Adult Spirituality Group Notes: (3/21/10)

2010-03-21T15:19:00.001-07:00

We all had insights about the Common Grace “Hyperparenting” chapter, especially Francis:

“There has got to be a balance – All things in moderation, including moderation. The rule is simplicity in life.” – Georg Myers
Parents foster their children’s development through “accepting love” and “transforming love”. (bottom of p. 98)
Parents should determine what their goals are so that they don’t merely react to divergent opportunities for their children.
Kids often have too much structured time. Instead they need down time to construct on their own and be creative. This doesn’t mean passively veg in front of the TV but, e.g., have a quiet walk in nature (to explore the subtle complex ecosystem and sort out and distill their minds).
There’s a Slow Parenting movement. The philosophy is basically that “maximizing” a child’s structured exposure to new learning and resources is not helpful. It’s as important for the family to spend time together to bond, e.g., to sit down for a meal. It’s important to give time to foster the parents’ relationship. Check out - http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/08/what-is-slow-parenting/
Finland has a great education model. Until children reach age 7, the emphasis is on social relationships and exercise, not on school learning. Early on, Finland students are dead last, but later are at the top! (Day’s sister will base her children’s development on the Waldorf Answers at http://www.waldorfanswers.com/, which has a similar approach.)
A way for working parents in the U.S. to maintain influence in their children’s development is to send children to YMCA and neighborhood centers, as well as post reminders and inspirational note cards around the house.

* Next Sunday, we'll discuss these chapters:
1. Being a Grown Up, p. 102
2. The Prayer My Father Taught Me, p. 108
3. Friendship, p. 112

Tony Robinson Visits!

2010-03-03T16:50:00.000-08:00

How many book groups get to meet with the author?! We did last Sunday, 2/28. All agreed it really enriched our already rich experience reading his book, Common Grace. We also agreed the time went way too fast and we had more questions for Tony. Some of the questions/comments topics we discussed with him included the effective way he relates parables to current life issues. Several of us have found ourselves quoting from his book during our everyday lives. I actually posted his comment about parenting being a sacrificial act on my Facebook page - it felt real to me at this stage of my life! I invite others from the group to comment on their thoughts from the meeting. I also invite others to pose questions and we can try to forward them to Tony for more input since the time went so fast.

Sunday Adult Spirituality Group Notes-January 31, 2010

2010-02-02T08:09:00.000-08:00

1/31/2010 - Notes by Jane Witmer

We discussed two chapters – Revelation and Dreams in the current book Common Grace by Anthony B. Robinson. Also, one should note that this author is scheduled to join our group in person on Sunday, February 28.

Conversation centered on the author’s discussion about choice. He asserts that we do not have choice over what comes our way. Tom Ward expressed concern about those who feel life’s events are preordained and when things go wrong, lose faith. Several members commented that we may not have a choice about what events come at us in life, but we have a choice in how we respond or deal with those events. The last two lines of the chapter supported our discussion and are as follows, “For the most part, we can’t control what life brings us. It is, however, up to us how we respond to life. Something is being asked of us.” We also discussed the importance and the challenge of slowing down enough to allow ourselves to experience a revelation. In other words, slow down and listen, because God is still speaking!

The chapter called Dreams helped us link subconscious awareness of God’s messages to conscious awareness in the form of a revelation. We discussed whether or not people can control or direct their dreams and what impact that might have. Frances G. talked about developing an awareness of the theme of your dreams. Once again, ask yourself, “Is God speaking to me?”

Thea, Charles, and Dan talked about practicing “praying the scripture” as recommended in previous chapters. Ask if you are curious about what that means!

The next session will focus on the next 3 chapters.

BCUCC Adult Spirituality Group Notes (1/10/10)

2010-01-10T17:08:00.000-08:00

Our next reading is Common Grace, by Anthony B. Robinson, minister at Plymouth UCC and former writer of a weekly column for the Seattle P-I newspaper. (See the book's description at Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Common-Grace-Person-Spiritual-Matters/dp/1570614601/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1263173766&sr=8-1 .)
**Charles had passed out copies of the first chapter as he's having trouble ordering the book so far via Amazon.com. Until he obtains books for the group, he'll continue to pass out copies of upcoming chapters we're to read.

Discussion Gems:
1. Practically, an unexamined faith doesn't exist. We must realize our faith through conscious questioning.
2. In the Old Testament, there are dramatic stories of God's active interventions in external events, such as when he parted the sea for Jews escaping from Egypt. Jesus preached the more subtle powerful ways that God intervenes in the affairs of man -> through his heart.
E.G. - Giselle brought up a traumatic experience when it hailed ruining her 700 acres of wheat fields in Nebraska. As a result, she learned that when you pray, you get the strength to be able to live through hardships.
3. When we pray, we normally expect results. The ego is the chooser, based on all influences. It is important as an element of God to keep "Heart Up", to consciously be a channel for God's varied works and love. We ought to have thanks in prayer, not just ask, if we have Jesus' higher vision that God has the whole of creation in mind, justice, and heart.

BCUCC Adult Spirituality Group notes (Sunday, 1/3/10, 6th week of Advent)

2010-01-07T23:12:00.000-08:00

BCUCC Adult Spirituality Group notes: (Sunday, 1/3/10, 6th week of Advent)

(9 people attended)

Reading : "Close to God's Heart" Focus Scripture: John 1:(1-9), 10-18

Two spiritual concepts were brought up:
1. The rich bounty of our Adult Spirituality Group’s discussion reminded Pastor Dan of his collegiate discussions with his mentors about the eternal nature of Grace upon Grace embodied in Jesus. In recent times, whirlwinds of thought have surrounded theological debates about the Scandal of Particularity. How could it be that a single individual man (Jesus) could be the savior for all men?
2. A related word, “Panentheism” was also brought up for discussion. Panentheism is a constructed word composed of the English equivalents of the Greek terms “pan”, meaning all, “en”, meaning in, and “theism”, meaning God. Panentheism understands God and the world to be inter-related with the world being in God and God being in the world. It offers an increasingly popular alternative to traditional theism and pantheism. Panentheism seeks to avoid both isolating God from the world as traditional theism often does and identifying God with the world as pantheism does. Traditional theistic systems emphasize the difference between God and the world while panentheism stresses God's active presence in the world. Pantheism emphasizes God's presence in the world but panentheism maintains the identity and significance of the non-divine. Anticipations of panentheistic understandings of God have occurred in both philosophical and theological writings throughout history (Hartshorne and Reese 1953; Cooper, 2006). However, a rich diversity of panentheistic understandings has developed in the past two centuries primarily in Christian traditions responding to scientific thought (Clayton and Peacocke 2004).

** Pastor Dan has not resolved this discussion in his entire lifetime. Instead, he has chosen to focus on Jesus as his beam to find God.

Dan noted that Catholics focus a lot on the Holy Spirit as that is what lives. Tuning into Grace is turning down our personal “volume”. It is making God’s reality conscious, not just living on habit and non-purposeful delusions. Grace isn’t what most people think. Grace is a higher wisdom to face and cope what one is facing. True wisdom to face and cope with what we are facing. Supplicating to God in prayer is to center and “let go and let God.”

I was enthralled by the group’s discussion! :)

Adult Sprituality Group Advent notes, 12/27/09

2010-01-02T10:47:00.000-08:00

BCUCC Adult Spirituality Group notes: (Sunday, 12/27/09, 5th week of Advent)

13 people attended.

Reading:"Who is this child? Luke 2:41-52 (Focus Scripture)

From God, mother Mary knew before Jesus' birth that Jesus was special.

It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a world to raise a God man such as Jesus! At age 12, Jesus argued with church authorities, just as nowadays teenagers first develop our own perspectives and self understandings by acquiring new experience and speaking out.
--Day's father, Ajit Murti, noted that there is little information about Jesus until the 3-4 years before his death at age 33. Among Indian & Western scholars, it is believed that Jesus came to India sometime between age 12 and 29 to acquire knowledge and develop as person.

Jane Whitmer goes to church weekly for spiritual focus. Everyday life chips away at one's spiritual confidence.

Charles Cressey highlighted the Colossians reading as a nice summary of the Advent season, because it puts the focus again on the heart.
-- "...And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's you basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it." (Colossians 3:12-17, by Paul)

NEXT WEEK (Jan 3, 2010), the last Advent reading, "Close to God's Heart" will be discussed. The focus scripture is John 1: (1-9), 10-18.

4th week of Advent Adult Spirituality Group notes

2009-12-20T17:35:00.000-08:00

BCUCC Adult Spirituality Group notes: (Sunday, 12/20/09, 4th week of Advent)

9 people attended.

At first we discussed the Bible, Luke 1:39-56:
When 3 months pregnant, Mary sought out an older woman named Elizabeth for assistance & community with Mary's incarnate "real" experience of God.
1. In Spanish, giving birth is called "a dar luz", which means to give light.
2. When Day's sister was pregnant with twins, she was busy with the practical reality of the growing fetuses in her womb. I helped her to give broader attention to her process or birthing the universe.

Later, we discussed the 12/20/09 readings, entitled "Morning with Mary's Song" (p. 52)
1. All of the Old Testament is fairly strictly from a Jewish perspective. The New Testament opens the message for all peoples of the world.
2. Nowadays, the U.S. gives more aid to Israel than anywhere else in the world, which illustrates the strong Jewish influence on us.

Anthony B. Robinson, former Pastor of Plymouth Congregational Church (downtown Seattle), wrote readings for Advent, about the higher law of love.

Respectfully submitted,
Day Murti
Blogger

BCUCC Adult Spirituality Group Notes 12-13-09:

2009-12-14T08:28:00.000-08:00

(Sunday, 12/13/09, third week of Advent)
A. Why do we find it so hard to change even though change is the stasis; change is the norm?
-> We want things better, but often don’t want to give anything up to change. Change isn’t so difficult if we understand the cost/benefit analysis. Envision the positive outcome from the change and be present to the joy of process.

B. What “daring” practices can open us up to change?
-> Move ego out of the closet. Let go of “perfection.” Keep in mind that the goal is to improve something.

C. How to inwardly motivate ourselves to make changes:
“The fruit of silence is prayer, prayer is faith, faith is love, love is service, and service is peace.” - Thea Ward
“It is more important to search than to find – so keep searching.” - Ingrid Fjellander (Day’s grandmother)
“Everything you do or feel has to do with God. Everything you do has consequences....” - Bible

D. How to sustain a flexible outlook:
-> When we change, it opens up too many possibilities. Thus, it’s important to keep stability in life, while undergoing change.
-> Be open and receptive to changes in other people in reunions with them. Respect how they are different just as I am aware of how much I’ve changed over time and in different situations.
-> Be in tune with the joy in the present as it makes one flexible. Practice the discipline of spontaneity to be flexible to making changes.

Change is itself the promise. A point made in “The Bucket List” (movie):
-> At the end of life, Egyptians are asked the following question by God:
“Have you found joy for yourself and have you provided joy for others?”

NEXT WEEK: December 20th Readings

Sunday Adult Spirituality Class Notes 12-6-09

2009-12-12T07:38:00.000-08:00

BCUCC ADULT SPIRITUALITY CLASS NOTES, 12/6/09
(12 people attended)

In this session, we explored Dan Stern’s question, "Do we enjoy getting ready for Christmas?"

We read December 6 readings, (on p. 38) as grist for discussion, from which we pulled out the following:
1. "Live a life - circumspect & exemplary, a life that is like Jesus."
- Phillipians 1 (Supplemental Readings)
2. "Be prepared, get repaired." - John the Baptist, who was filled with the Holy Spirit.
3. "God's sunrise will break in promise." - Luke, who sets everything in historical context.

The ritual of Christmas preparation can often seem overbearing and cumbersome. We discussed that heavy preparation is not necessary to enjoy the season, but can add in important ways to the season's richness:
1. For Day, spending the day baking with his family is a rewarding bonding experience.
2. Dan Stern clearing his house for guests has become a spiritual practice, making a ginger bread house, e.g.
3. We can learn from participating with children to decorate a Christmas tree as children aren't concerned with a conceived perfect outcome, but are more in the present process.
--To get ready for Christmas truly is a process of being in the present, whether as newly exploring kids or as "good can be better" mature adults. Kids help adults to see through new ideas with flexibility and humor.
--Transformation can be hard, but if one is present and open to the process of learning and inner growing it makes it easier and more meaningful.

"Change is itself the promise. God of transformation, help me to..."
--Are You Still Listening? A Stillspeaking Advent Devotional, by United Church of Christ

FOR NEXT WEEK: Read, Week Dec. 13 (pp. 50 & 44) “

Adult Spirituality Class Notes 11-29-09

2009-12-10T09:53:00.000-08:00

"Tidbits" from Sunday, 11/29/09 meeting:

Today is the first day of Advent, the first day of the new year in the Christian calendar.

For the most part, there is no humor in the Bible.
A summary of Psalm 25 (1-10) -> "We're led by a God who is fair and just."

- How is the Bible a book of hope for humanity? -
* Jesus Christ's birth being on the date of December 25 seems seasonally adjusted for the Northern Hemisphere. Since the darkest day is December 22, his birth represents the kernel of hope and love for the world.
* The physical time and place of his birth isn't what makes Jesus so important. His message about the essence and kernel of love is key, not the average of the sum that one does. How we live matters, both to do and pause in an integrated way yields the greatest positive influence.
--In the book of Daniel in the Bible, the kernel is of hopeful expectation of the oppressed; not just death and despair.

- In summary -
* Be aware of signs of hope as you look all around in this dark time. The allows one to be fully perceptive of the many complex problems that abound, yet remain lovingly and hopefully constructive.

FOR NEXT WEEK, read through the December 6 readings.”

Sunday Adult Spirituality Group Notes 11-22-09

2009-12-10T09:50:00.000-08:00

" Our Adult Spirituality Group will meet Sunday mornings (11/29 -> 12/25/09, from 8:45-9:45 AM) to read, consider, and discuss tangible stories and themes related to Advent that will follow the Lectionary.

We want you to participate! For next week, the first Sunday of Advent, we'll try to have read the first page of the readings handed out last week by Charles Cressey entitled, "Sign of Things to Come". We'll help each other negotiate these concepts by telling how we're each acting on our framing stories. To help prepare for this discussion, we'll think though how our homes are imbued with our life narrative guiding symbols of the media. Here is an opportunity for show and tell! Please bring some objects or concepts. "