Circular Congregational Church Blog | Conversations in Faith RSS Feed http://www.circularchurch.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm This is an RSS blog feed available from Circular Congregational Church. Charleston, SC Fri, 24 May 2013 04:16:28 GMT 60 The Sacrament of Waiting by Macrina Weiderkehr http://www.circularchurch.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=35 she celebrated the sacrament of letting go.
First she surrendered her green,
then the orange, yellow, and red
finally she let go of her brown.
Shedding her last leaf
she stood empty and silent, stripped bare.
Leaning against the winter sky
she began her vigil of trust.

Shedding her last leaf
she watched its journey to the ground.
She stood in silence
wearing the color of emptiness,
her branches wondering;
How do you give shade with so much gone?

And then,
the sacrament of waiting began.
The sunrise and sunset watched with tenderness.
Clothing her with silhouettes
they kept her hope alive.

They helped her understand that
her vulnerability,
her dependence and need,
her emptiness,
her readiness to receive
were giving her a new kind of beauty.
Every morning and every evening they stood in silence
and celebrated together
the sacrament of waiting.

by Macrina Weiderkehr ]]> Conversations in Faith http://www.circularchurch.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=35 Wed, 05 Dec 2012 09:53:52 GMT Fall/Winter 2012 http://www.circularchurch.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=33 Taking Steps

Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small.
A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. - Lao Tzu

Peace Is Every Step
Meditation in Action: The Life and Work of Thich Nhat Hanh
September 16 & 23, 2012

The miracle is not to walk on water.
The miracle is to walk on the green earth in the present momen. - Thich Nhat Hanh

Thich Nhat Hanh is a Vietnamese Buddhist teacher, author and Nobel Peace Prize-nominee (nominated by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.). Whether you have read all of his books, read Living Buddha, Living Christ this summer at Circular, or never heard of him before, this two part series will give you the opportunity to get to know Thich Nhat Hanh better or for the first time. We will be viewing the documentary about his life and work, Peace Is Every Step, and taking time to have more conversations about this remarkable man and his challenge to our lives.


Parenting Forum (Concurent With Series: Embracing An Adult Faith)
September 30, October 28, November 18, 2012

Every child begins the world again. - Henry David Thoreau

If you are a parent who attends Circular Church and lives in Charleston, chances are you do not meet a lot of like-minded parents at the playground. Chances are you are also tired and busy and find it hard to get to church early on Sunday mornings. Though this step may seem difficult, we hope you will find it worthwhile. These monthly forums will provide a place for progressive parents to exhale, connect with one another, have a cup of coffee and learn about issues surrounding our children from various presenters. This is an opportunity to reflect, find support from other parents and take a pause in the hectic pace that is a part of parenting. Come and "fill your tank" while your children are lovingly taken care of in our nursery and Sunday School programs.


Embracing An Adult Faith (Concurent with Parenting Forum)
September 30, October 28, November 18, 2012

Christianity's goal is not escape from this world.
It loves this world and seeks to change it for the better. - Marcus Borg

Through this DVD series, author and Bible scholar Marcus Borg invites us to join him in revisiting Christianity's most fundamental questions: Who is God? What does salvation mean? What place does Jesus hold in contemporary Christian faith? The study addresses fundamental questions that adults struggle with as faith matures. The three sessions we will visit this Fall include: * God * Jesus and * Salvation.

Participants will enjoy the rare privilege of witnessing Marcus in dialogue with a small, diverse group of adults as they honestly -- and sometimes painfully -- confront the big questions and work together toward authentic answers.


Steps Towards Justice in the Charleston Area
October 7, 2012

In Charleston County, 16% of the population lives below the poverty level and more than 9% of the population is unemployed. The illiteracy rate is 14% and thousands of children in our schools are reading below grade level with over 13% of this year’s incoming freshman reading at or below a 4th grade level. High recidivism rates are one of the results of poor and few drug rehabilitation programs available in the area.

We are serving food at soup kitchens, stocking food pantries, volunteering in the shelters, ministering to those in jail and tutoring kids after school. What if it was possible to tackle these problems at their roots? Micah 6:8 states, What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love mercy and walk humble with your God. What if it was possible to do justice in our city? What would happen if all of the congregations in Charleston came together to hold our public officials accountable for our failing systems? What would happen if 1,500 people from all areas of Charleston, all economic backgrounds, all races and all religions came together to do justice by demanding positive changes for all people? What systemic changes could we win for Charleston with 3000 or 6000 people?

Join Treva Williams on October 7 during CIF to hear how and why Circular is involved in doing justice with 22 other congregations in the Charleston area and find out how you can be a part of this growing ministry. Treva is the Lead Organizer of CAISC (the Charleston Area Interfaith Sponsoring Committee). She chose to do justice through congregations of faith because of her love for the church and because doing justice makes her faith more relevant.

Privilege
October 14, 21 & November 4, 11, 2012

In order to do the theological work of constructing rightly related communities as a response to the God of justice and love, social relations informed by structures that promote an unjust distribution of power and privilege must be dismantled and transformed. - Mary Elizabeth Hobgood

Recognizing our privilege is a step towards more honest relationships with our planet, our brothers and sisters and our God. Rather than something to be ashamed of, knowing our privilege can be a pathway towards right relationships, justice and a deeper spirituality. Ryan Leveille and Evelyn Oliveira will lead this four part series, which will hopefully only be the beginning of a larger conversation.


Advent Series: Sacred Stories
December 2-23, 2012

Light your candles quietly, such candles as you possess, wherever you are. - Alfred Delp

Add Sacred Stories to your holiday preparations as a step towards preparing your heart and spirit during Advent. Join us for readings, reflections and meditations on Advent and Christmas with the help of both classic and contemporary writers. We will be drawing from Henri Nouwen, Annie Dillard, Dorothy Day, T.S. Eliot, Kathleen Norris, Oscar Romero, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and others.
]]> Conversations in Faith http://www.circularchurch.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=33 Tue, 11 Sep 2012 09:36:23 GMT Integrating Mind, Body, Spirit and the Refrigerator http://www.circularchurch.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=32 Integrating Mind, Body, Spirit and the Refrigerator  
April 15th and 22nd, 9:30 am, The Sharpe Room (Lower Lance Hall)

The links between spirituality and food have been depicted in art, stories, the bible, ancient traditions and ceremonies since the start of civilization.  However, seldom do we examine the nature of the relationship between food and our faith or the role food play in our religious communities.  We invest energy and attention to nourishing our spirits and many of us consider faith to be one of our greatest assets. Yet, have we explored how our physical health and the foods which we consume impact our ability to experience joy and grace?

About our presenter:  Dana Giggey-Pappas
I have worked in various capacities within healthcare for the past eighteen years. After earning my B.S. and M.S. in Health Policy and Administration, I spent the first part of my career consulting with hospitals and corporations on how to improve the health of patients and employees. Many of us spend the majority of our time in our working environment. Although individuals can make many healthy choices for themselves, if their work environment is not conducive to health, it will be difficult for them to feel well. Helping organizations make investments in creating a healthy workplace benefits, not only the employees, but the corporation.

As time passed, I felt I could have a greater impact on individual wellness as a practitioner. Through a unique opportunity, I was hired to design a patient advocacy program in an emergency department of a hospital. After designing it, I chose to leave the corporate world and become certified in counseling and work as one of the patient advocates in order to gain clinical experience. To this day, I tell people that my time spent in that ER was some of my best training! It confirmed my desire to work with patients but also confirmed that I wanted to study alternative medicine. I returned to school and earned a master’s degree in Asian medicine in Boston. While studying, I worked as a group therapist in with adolescents and adults. After graduating, I joined a wellness center with a group of holistic practitioners where I then worked as an acupuncturist. With time, I began to specialize in women’s health issues, digestive disorders and autoimmune diseases.

Until that time, most of my moves had been for school or work. However, it was love that took me to California. My husband had applied to do his fellowship in Orthopedics Sports Medicine in northern California. As an alternative medicine practitioner, it was like being a kid in a candy shop. There were so many opportunities to learn new techniques and mentor with skilled practitioners. I began to see that although Asian medicine holds the wisdom of thousands of years, it is not entirely equipped to treat the complex health challenges that our modern environment present. I grew to appreciate the effectiveness of integrating Asian medicine with nutrition and functional medicine to better identify the root cause of someone’s ailment in addition to alleviating their symptoms.

Functional Medicine incorporates several of the diagnostic tools of western medicine but focuses on the use of nutrition, herbs and alternative. Our bodies give us many warning signs before we are actually sick. By incorporating objective diagnostic tests into my Asian medicine and nutrition practice, I am better able to assess deficiencies and identify specific patterns of imbalance before pathology is apparent. This is true preventative medicine.

My husband and I moved to Charleston in the spring of 2011.  I'm in the process of launching my new practice, Living Natural Medicine.  Although, digestion, woman’s health and autoimmune diseases continue to be the main aspects of my work, I’m always surprising to find how many symptoms are improved by working on digestion and removing allergens. Some of the most common symptoms that I see improve: headaches/migraines, chronic infections, fatigue, painful joints, acne and other skin problems, fertility, GI upset, insomnia, mood, focus and weight loss. I always emphasize the role that food and lifestyle play in our healing. Providing education on wellness and the medicinal use of food empowers patients with the knowledge to heal themselves and their families.
]]> Conversations in Faith http://www.circularchurch.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=32 Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:19:09 GMT Lent Series - Additional Resources http://www.circularchurch.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=31 Body Prayer

Take, o take me as I am,
(each arm extends outwards, one at a time, palms facing up)
Summon out what I shall be,
(Roll hands together and spread arms apart overhead)
Set your seal upon my heart
(Bring hands on top of one another and place on heart)
and live in me.
(From heart, move hands, palms down and together down your core)

Books

Thurman, Howard, Meditations of the Heart: Beacon Press, Boston, Massachusetts, 1953.

Ladinsky, Daniel, Love Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West: Penguin Group, New York, New York, 2002.

Rupp, Joyce, The Cup of our Life: A Guide for Spiritual Growth: Ave Maria Press, Notre Dame, Indiana, 1997.

Hanh, Thich Nhat, Living Buddha, Living Christ: Riverhead Books, New York, New York, 1995.

Rupp, Joyce, Out of the Ordinary: Prayers, Poems, and Reflections for Every Season: Ave Maria Press,Notre Dame, Indiana, 2000, 2010.

Mycoskie, Blake, Start Something That Matters: Random House, Inc. New York, New York, 2011.

Helliwell, Tanis, Take Your Soul To Work: Transform Your Life and Work: Adams Media Corporation, Holbrook, Massachusetts, 1999.


Poetry Reading, Sunday, February 26, 2012

The Opening of Eyes by David Whyte from Songs for Coming Home, Many Rivers Press, Langley, Washington, 1984.



]]> Conversations in Faith http://www.circularchurch.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=31 Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:01:37 GMT Books on the Labyrinth http://www.circularchurch.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=30 Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Sacred Tool: Riverhead Books, published by the Berkeley Publishing Group, NY, NY, 1995.

Artress, Rev. Dr. Lauren, The Sacred Path Companion: A Guide to Walking the Labyrinth to Heal and Transform: Berkeley Publishing Group, New York , New York, 2006.

Schaper, Donna and Carol Ann Camp, Labyrinths From the Outside In: Walking to Spiritual Insight A Beginner’s Guide: Skylight Paths Publishing, Woodstock, Vermont 2001.

Simpson, Liz, The Magic of the Labyrinth: Following Your Path, Finding Your Center: Harpers/Collins Publishers, London, England, 2002.

Saward, Jeff, Labyrinths and Mazes: A Complete Guide to Magical Paths of the World: Sterling Publishing Company, New York, New York, 2003.

Conty, Patrick, The Genesis and Geometry of the Labyrinth: Architecture, Hidden Language, Myths and Rituals: Inner Traditions International, Rochester, Vermont, 2002.

]]> Conversations in Faith http://www.circularchurch.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=30 Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:01:47 GMT Lenten Series - 2012 http://www.circularchurch.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=29 Walking the Labyrinth and
Incorporating Ancient Disciplines Into Our Lives Today
Feb 26 - April 11
Wherever you place your foot,
there rests a blessing. - Rumi

During the 2012 Lenten season, we invite you to place your foot with intention on the Labyrinth. We will be walking the Labyrinth and exploring ancient spiritual disciplines such as Silence and Fasting. Though this will be a communal time of sharing and learning, there will also be time for personal reflection through journaling and meditation. Linda Mayo-Perez Willliams will be leading us. Linda has an MA in Spirituality from Hartford Seminary. She is a native of New York and has been a member of Circular since 2011. She and her husband, Jimmy, live in Mt. Pleasant.

First Sunday in Lent, Feb 26: Introduction to the Labyrinth and the Discipline of JOURNALING & Labyrinth walking

Second Sunday in Lent, Mar 4: The Discipline of SOLITUDE & sharing experiences of walking the Labyrinth

Third Sunday in Lent, Mar 11: The Discipline of SILENCE & Labyrinth walking

Fourth Sunday in Lent, Mar 18: The Discipline of FASTING & sharing experiences of walking the Labyrinth

Fifth Sunday in Lent, March 25: The Discipline of RIGHT LIVELIHOOD & Labyrinth walking

Sixth Sunday in Lent, April 1 (Palm Sunday): The Discipline of SPIRITUAL CONFIDENCE

_____________

Links:  
]]> Conversations in Faith http://www.circularchurch.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=29 Sun, 26 Feb 2012 17:01:54 GMT Immigration - February 2012 http://www.circularchurch.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=25

Lydia Cotton

A United SC

ACLU and Civil Rights Coalition File Lawsuit Against South Carolina's Anti-Immigrant Law

The United Church of Christ Immigration Page

The Charleston Chamber of Commerce Position on Immigration
Week of January 9, 2012
Event Highlights How Smarter Immigration Laws will Create More American Jobs
During its Quarterly Meeting of the Membership, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and The Partnership for a New American Economy presented a discussion with business and academic leaders on how smarter immigration laws would benefit our economy, with a special address from Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. and keynote presenter Richard Hermann, immigration attorney and author of Immigrant, Inc.
Local panelist included Roger Warren, president, Kiawah Island Golf Resort; Steven Mungo, CEO, The Mungo Companies;
Edward Krug, PhD, associate professor Regenerative Medicine & Cell Biology, the Medical University of South Carolina.
“The Chamber has consistently supported comprehensive immigration reform at the federal level to ensure a uniform approach,” stated Ron Jones, Clawson & Staubes and Chamber chairman of the board. “We need new immigration laws that are fair and balanced. These laws must meet the needs of our growing economy and the test of common sense. Only through this kind of comprehensive approach can an effective solution be reached.”
With high unemployment, it is often asserted that cutting down on immigration will help protect the jobs that do exist for American workers. But, to a large extent, precisely the reverse is true. In the long term, we need to convince more Americans to pursue the fields where gaps exist. But, in the short term, smarter immigration policies can help fill these gaps and equip our companies with the talent they need to compete and grow.
“Our ability to operate at full capacity is dependent on the opportunity to bring in legal foreign seasonal workers for jobs that American workers have consistently proven unwilling to undertake,” explained panelist Roger Warren.
The government estimates that in the innovation rich fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (“STEM”), new jobs will be created three times faster than the rest of the economy. Yet at universities across the country, we are training the brightest minds in the world and then send them abroad to compete against us. For labor-intensive industries like hospitality, landscaping, agriculture, construction, and many others, companies operate at less than full capacity because there is an insufficient legal avenue for workers to come here.
“In the construction trades, the immigrant workers provide skilled labor for positions that were largely unfilled by Americans. Americans workers have voted with their feet and not pursued manual construction careers, nor have the older workers encouraged their children to follow in their footsteps. Subsequently, they never taught their trade to their offspring and construction “trade schools” have all but vanished for lack of interested students,” shared panelist Steven Mungo. “There cannot be a rebound in housing should we not have access to those skilled workers going forward.”
Filling gaps creates jobs. According to a recent report by the American Enterprise Institute and the Partnership for a New American Economy, each additional foreign graduate with an advanced degree from a U.S. university who stays and works in a STEM field creates an average of 2.62 American jobs. The same report found that each temporary non-agriculture low skilled visa that goes to workers in our hospitality and other industries creates an average of 4.64 American jobs.

ADDITIONAL LINKS, ADDED 2/14/12...

"Big Money Behind State Laws" from the New York Times

"Do I Look Illegal?" YouTube video

]]> Conversations in Faith http://www.circularchurch.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=25 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:02:06 GMT