Weekly Recap for Tuesday, November 22, 2016 from ProgressiveChristianity.org of Gig Harbor, Washington, United States "Is it perfectly normal to have biases and prejudices? This and more in our Free Weekly Recap of our most viewed and new resources from last week." 
Last Week At ProgressiveChristianity.org ...
We delved into the topics of: The Science of Happiness - An Experiment in Gratitude, 500 Clergy: Prayer for People and Planet, Meditation: Black Lives Matter and Giving Thanks.
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The Science of Happiness – An Experiment in Gratitude
Rev. Dawn Hutchings
John Shelby Spong: “If God is the source of life, I worship God by living. If God is the source of love I worship God by loving. If God is the ground of being, I worship God by having the courage to be more fully human; the embodiment of the divine.”In place of the sermon this Sunday, we watched the video “An Experiment in Gratitude” followed by brief comments about embodied gratitude. You can watch the video below and listen to our conversation here below are the notes from on which the comments are based:
Your Mom and Dad were right when they taught you that “thank-you” is a magic word. Science now confirms what we learned at our parents’ knees all those years ago. However, many of us do not need science to confirm the power of gratitude. As far back as the 14th century Meister Eckhart insisted that “If the only prayer you said in your whole live was “Thank –you, That would suffice!”
What does gratitude look like when you no longer worship an image of God that personifies or anthropomorphizes God? When God is more than the source of our being, when God is being itself, how do we offer our thanksgiving? When God is the One in whom we live and move and have our being, how do we say thank-you? When we begin to understand that everything is in God and God is in everything, what prayer of thanksgiving will suffice? Leaves – seeing the hand of our Creator in Creation – who do we embody gratitude to creation? Humans seeing God in everyone – how do we embody gratitude to everyone? Jesus pointed to LOVE as the definition of God, God is LOVE and those who know LOVE know God. Jesus said, that he Jesus, this imperfect human being was ONE with God. Jesus taught us to see God in one another, when you give a cup of water to the least of these, you give it to me. Our gratitude is expressed in our loving.
LOVE encompasses a whole lot of things.
John Shelby Spong: “If God is the source of life, I worship God by living. If God is the source of love I worship God by loving. If God is the ground of being, I worship God by having the courage to be more fully human; the embodiment of the divine.”
Augustine described God as: “LOVER, BELOVED, AND LOVE ITSELF” let LOVE be our embodiment of gratitude!
Happy Thanksgiving!
In a “historic” show of interfaith solidarity, 500 clergy members prayed along the banks of North Dakota’s Cannonball River...
A Meditation: Black Lives Matter
God Gives, God Takes by Rabbi Allen S. MallerGod gives
opportunities
but not forever.
God takes opportunities away
after a while.
So don’t hesitate or delay
or curse the darkness
while remaining mired in hopelessness,
because God gives;
and God takes away.
Blessed be the name of the LORD.
But why bless the LORD when God takes away?
Because if the opportunities
were always there,
we would wait until the time was right
and never make the leap,
and another year would waste away.
So each year God gives and God takes away
opportunities for a better year.
The World Needs Love by Philip SudworthTune: Finlandia
The world needs love; so many hearts are hurting.
Lord, work through us, help us to spread your peace,
bringing to all – through your forgiving spirit –
freedom from guilt, from bitterness release.
Reconcile us; help us to share your calmness,
’till anger stills and all our conflicts cease.
The world needs hope, a vision for the future,
what life might be, if all would live in you.
Help us to lead – through your transforming spirit –
lives that reflect what you would have us do,
to share our gifts, show forth your loving kindness,
encourage all to find their hope in you.
The world needs faith, a willing dedication
of all we are and all we might yet be.
Help us to serve – through your empowering spirit –
in active faith in our community.
Love for each soul, respecting and upholding,
declares the worth of all humanity.
The world needs joy, a sense of celebration
that human lives have such diversity.
Help us to see – through your dynamic spirit –
each person’s part in life’s vitality.
Sharing our joys, supporting others’ sorrows
make our small world a better place to be.© Philip Sudworth 2002
John Shelby Spong: “If God is the source of life, I worship God by living. If God is the source of love I worship God by loving. If God is the ground of being, I worship God by having the courage to be more fully human; the embodiment of the divine.”In place of the sermon this Sunday, we watched the video “An Experiment in Gratitude” followed by brief comments about embodied gratitude. You can watch the video below and listen to our conversation here below are the notes from on which the comments are based:
Your Mom and Dad were right when they taught you that “thank-you” is a magic word. Science now confirms what we learned at our parents’ knees all those years ago. However, many of us do not need science to confirm the power of gratitude. As far back as the 14th century Meister Eckhart insisted that “If the only prayer you said in your whole live was “Thank –you, That would suffice!”
What does gratitude look like when you no longer worship an image of God that personifies or anthropomorphizes God? When God is more than the source of our being, when God is being itself, how do we offer our thanksgiving? When God is the One in whom we live and move and have our being, how do we say thank-you? When we begin to understand that everything is in God and God is in everything, what prayer of thanksgiving will suffice? Leaves – seeing the hand of our Creator in Creation – who do we embody gratitude to creation? Humans seeing God in everyone – how do we embody gratitude to everyone? Jesus pointed to LOVE as the definition of God, God is LOVE and those who know LOVE know God. Jesus said, that he Jesus, this imperfect human being was ONE with God. Jesus taught us to see God in one another, when you give a cup of water to the least of these, you give it to me. Our gratitude is expressed in our loving.
LOVE encompasses a whole lot of things.
John Shelby Spong: “If God is the source of life, I worship God by living. If God is the source of love I worship God by loving. If God is the ground of being, I worship God by having the courage to be more fully human; the embodiment of the divine.”
Augustine described God as: “LOVER, BELOVED, AND LOVE ITSELF” let LOVE be our embodiment of gratitude!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Visit Rev. Dawn Hutchings website hereREAD ON ...
A Prayer for People and Planet: 500 Clergy Hold ‘Historic’ Mass Gathering for Standing RockIn a “historic” show of interfaith solidarity, 500 clergy members prayed along the banks of North Dakota’s Cannonball River...
Roughly a hundred protesters and clergy members shut down the North Dakota state Capitol with a lawn prayer circle.
In a “historic” show of interfaith solidarity, 500 clergy members prayed along the banks of North Dakota’s Cannonball River on Thursday where they “bore witness with the Standing Rock Sioux Nation,” which has faced intimidation, violence, and arrests for protecting their sacred land and water supply from the threats of a massive oil pipeline.
According to the Episcopal News Service, “The interfaith group spent more than five hours on site, marching, singing hymns, sharing testimony, and calling others to join them in standing with the more than 200 tribes who have committed their support to the Sioux Nation as they protest the route of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL).”
Later, roughly a hundred protesters and clergy members held a prayer circle on the lawn of the North Dakota state Capitol in Bismarck, forcing the police to order a lock-down of the building. “Highway Patrol Lt. Tom Iverson said 14 people were arrested in the Capitol’s judicial wing for refusing to leave the building. Iverson said the protesters, who were holding a sit-in and singing prayer hymns, faced disorderly conduct charges,” AP reported.
The below video was taken by local news station KRYR-TV:
Caro Gonzales, a Native American activist, told reporters that the water protectors had come to the Capitol to deliver a letter to Gov. Jack Dalrymple in support of the tribe and to ask “why he has ordered riot police to engage in police brutality at Standing Rock.” Afterwards, a group of roughly 100 protesters marched from the Capitol to the governor’s residence, where they were met by “dozens of riot police,” Gonzales said.
Throughout the months-long standoff, Dalrymple, a Republican, has routinely sided with the pipeline company. After falsely declaring that the water protectors were risking public safety by engaging in “unlawful acts,” he called a state of emergency, which paved the way for an increasingly aggressive and overblown police response to the peaceful protests.
On Wednesday, about 100 police in riot gear fired mace, pepper spray, and rubber bullets at point-blank range at water protectors praying waist-deep in water. The group of roughly 300 protectors had attempted to cross the Cannonball River to pray for the threatened land on the opposite side.
The week prior, more than 140 water protectors were arrested after police conducted a military-style raid of their encampment. Armed with tanks, a sound cannon, an armored truck, and bulldozer, the scene was described as “all-out war…waged on Indigenous protectors.”
During the day of prayer Thursday, the clergy members marched to the bridge that was the site of last week’s attack and “ceremonially burned a copy of a 600-year-old document,” AP reported. Known as the Doctrine of Discovery, “the document from the 1400s sanctioned the taking of land from Indigenous peoples.”
“It was very moving to be there in solidarity,” said Philadelphia-based Bishop Dwayne Royster. “I wanted to be present as an African-American clergy person to let the people at Standing Rock understand that we as African Americans need them to know that we stand with them in their fight.”
Similar acts of solidarity, particularly by people of faith, have grown in recent days. On Wednesday, nine rabbis, rabbinical students, and Jewish community members were arrested in Philadelphia for staging a civil disobedience action at a downtown TD Bank, one of the biggest financiers of the pipeline project. Nearly 300 rabbis have signed a statement in opposition to Dakota Access.
As the pipeline’s construction edges closer to the Missouri River, which the Standing Rock Sioux is hoping to protect, with little hope of abatement, pipeline opponents worldwide are planning a mass Day of Action on Nov. 15, asking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the incoming U.S. president “stop the Dakota Access Pipeline—and all those after it.”
The call to action reads:
The Army Corps fast-tracked the Dakota Access Pipeline without proper consultation, and as a result, bulldozers are approaching Standing Rock as we speak. But with coordinated, massive demonstrations across the country, we’ll make it clear that this powerful movement will not allow the Obama administration or the incoming President to sacrifice Indigenous rights, our water, or our climate—they must reject this pipeline.
Episcopal News Service photographer Lynette Wilson shared a number of moving photographs from the day of prayer.
Article Originally Published Here: Common Dreams
In a “historic” show of interfaith solidarity, 500 clergy members prayed along the banks of North Dakota’s Cannonball River on Thursday where they “bore witness with the Standing Rock Sioux Nation,” which has faced intimidation, violence, and arrests for protecting their sacred land and water supply from the threats of a massive oil pipeline.
According to the Episcopal News Service, “The interfaith group spent more than five hours on site, marching, singing hymns, sharing testimony, and calling others to join them in standing with the more than 200 tribes who have committed their support to the Sioux Nation as they protest the route of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL).”
Later, roughly a hundred protesters and clergy members held a prayer circle on the lawn of the North Dakota state Capitol in Bismarck, forcing the police to order a lock-down of the building. “Highway Patrol Lt. Tom Iverson said 14 people were arrested in the Capitol’s judicial wing for refusing to leave the building. Iverson said the protesters, who were holding a sit-in and singing prayer hymns, faced disorderly conduct charges,” AP reported.
The below video was taken by local news station KRYR-TV:
Caro Gonzales, a Native American activist, told reporters that the water protectors had come to the Capitol to deliver a letter to Gov. Jack Dalrymple in support of the tribe and to ask “why he has ordered riot police to engage in police brutality at Standing Rock.” Afterwards, a group of roughly 100 protesters marched from the Capitol to the governor’s residence, where they were met by “dozens of riot police,” Gonzales said.
Throughout the months-long standoff, Dalrymple, a Republican, has routinely sided with the pipeline company. After falsely declaring that the water protectors were risking public safety by engaging in “unlawful acts,” he called a state of emergency, which paved the way for an increasingly aggressive and overblown police response to the peaceful protests.
On Wednesday, about 100 police in riot gear fired mace, pepper spray, and rubber bullets at point-blank range at water protectors praying waist-deep in water. The group of roughly 300 protectors had attempted to cross the Cannonball River to pray for the threatened land on the opposite side.
The week prior, more than 140 water protectors were arrested after police conducted a military-style raid of their encampment. Armed with tanks, a sound cannon, an armored truck, and bulldozer, the scene was described as “all-out war…waged on Indigenous protectors.”
During the day of prayer Thursday, the clergy members marched to the bridge that was the site of last week’s attack and “ceremonially burned a copy of a 600-year-old document,” AP reported. Known as the Doctrine of Discovery, “the document from the 1400s sanctioned the taking of land from Indigenous peoples.”
“It was very moving to be there in solidarity,” said Philadelphia-based Bishop Dwayne Royster. “I wanted to be present as an African-American clergy person to let the people at Standing Rock understand that we as African Americans need them to know that we stand with them in their fight.”
Similar acts of solidarity, particularly by people of faith, have grown in recent days. On Wednesday, nine rabbis, rabbinical students, and Jewish community members were arrested in Philadelphia for staging a civil disobedience action at a downtown TD Bank, one of the biggest financiers of the pipeline project. Nearly 300 rabbis have signed a statement in opposition to Dakota Access.
As the pipeline’s construction edges closer to the Missouri River, which the Standing Rock Sioux is hoping to protect, with little hope of abatement, pipeline opponents worldwide are planning a mass Day of Action on Nov. 15, asking the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the incoming U.S. president “stop the Dakota Access Pipeline—and all those after it.”
The call to action reads:
The Army Corps fast-tracked the Dakota Access Pipeline without proper consultation, and as a result, bulldozers are approaching Standing Rock as we speak. But with coordinated, massive demonstrations across the country, we’ll make it clear that this powerful movement will not allow the Obama administration or the incoming President to sacrifice Indigenous rights, our water, or our climate—they must reject this pipeline.
Episcopal News Service photographer Lynette Wilson shared a number of moving photographs from the day of prayer.
Article Originally Published Here: Common Dreams
A Meditation: Black Lives Matter
Frank and Andrea LeskoThere has probably never been a human who didn’t grow up with some kind of bias against somebody–except Jesus.We invite you to join us in a virtual (but real) social media prayer and meditation.
We’d like you to get comfortable wherever you are–at your desk, on the subway or at home. And quiet.
Put yourself in the presence of God. Or rather, acknowledge that you are already there.
We’re going to say something, and we’d like you to sit back and think about what comes to your mind when you hear it.
Close your eyes and begin to be aware of your breath.
Allow your breaths to become deeper and deeper until you can feel them down in your belly.
After a bit, allow your breathing to come back to normal.
As you breathe in, imagine your are taking in peace and love – imagine them as feelings or as words, or however they form in your mind’s eye.
As you breathe out, imagine your thoughts and worries and preconceptions being exhaled.
Sit with this for a few moments – breathing in and out.
Now I am going to give you a phrase. Allow your clear head to simply feel or think whatever comes to mind when you hear it.
There is no right or wrong.
Just allow your thoughts and feelings to be.
The phrase is… Black Lives Matter.
Remember to continue to breathe in deeply,
And breathe out.
***
Allow some time to sit with this thought.
What comes up for you?
How does it feel in your body when you hear the words?
Joys, pains, memories.
Be aware of any tensions, reflexes, resistance.
Suspend any judgments, conclusions or distractions, but take notice if you want to react in that way.
Just let the thoughts be.
Try to avoid leaving the topic and jumping elsewhere.
This is not about the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
This is not about “All lives matter.”
It’s just the expression that black lives–in their own right–matter.
Just experience it.
***
Maybe it’s awkward to you,
Maybe you want to wiggle away and change the subject.
Perhaps your breathing immediately becomes more shallow.
Ask yourself where is that coming from?
***
It’s perfectly normal to have biases and prejudices. Even people who believe they are beyond having prejudices probably have some subtle angst or awkwardness in relation to somebody. There has probably never been a human who didn’t grow up with some kind of bias against somebody–except Jesus
Whether it’s the rednecks in town, the “dumb Polak” down the street, “them Jews”, homosexuals, hippies, blacks, you name it. We all got somebody that we just can’t stand… and perhaps hate. If you are in a minority population, you might even pick up the sentiments of the larger population and have a bias against your own group! You can say it’s part of human nature. It’s tribalism–we stick with our tribe and have an implicit bias against the others.
Jesus challenged this continuously through the Gospels. He kept approaching people as fully equal, human persons. It didn’t matter if they were rich or poor, popular or unpopular, whether they smelled funny, were sick, or were a member of the “unapproved” groups of the day. He developed quite a reputation for hanging out with “sinners and tax collectors.” For a Jewish male to associate with a Samaritan woman, for example, especially someone who was known publically as “sinful,” was to incur scandal upon scandal. It’s hard for us to image for us today just how scandalous that was.
That Jesus could do this so consistently, without a hint of prejudice recorded in the Gospel narratives, is perhaps more evidence for his divinity than any other miracle! Humans just have a really tough time with that, and we’ve never met a person would could do it as consistently and constantly as Jesus did in the Gospel narratives.
We can and should be held accountable if we hurt people through our biases and prejudices, but we can at least have some compassion for having them. We inherited many of them. We are soaked in a culture that is full of them, some of them so subtle–yet strong–that we don’t even realize we have them. They are just part of the fabric of life–birds fly, fish swim and black people are second class. It can take a lifetime to untangle oneself from a culture rife with them.
There’s a paradox. Shaming yourself for these thoughts is not likely to be helpful. But those are also thoughts that need to be purged and healed so that you can grow into the being God made you to be and that we all can grow together in peace and harmony as one human family.
The problem becomes much more urgent when our biases and prejudices are combined with institutional power. This is what we call racism. That’s when these prejudices are not just quirks that individual people have, but they are put into practice and damage real people.
Police can gun black men and children down in the streets over the most questionable behavior, with almost no consequences whatsoever. Black people go to jail more often–and with harsher sentences–than white people for the same behaviors. When people take to the streets to protest, they are tear gassed and silenced–how dare they speak up and question the way things are!
Even justice-minded white people, who thought racism was yesterday’s news, are coming to terms with this. How did we miss it?
***
Black lives matter.
Black people matter.
This is a good thing.
Let’s breathe into this thought.
If it’s a frail idea to you, build it up. Give it roots.
Give it strength.
If it is strong, imagine it be stronger.
***
Let’s think about the goodness of black people.
Created in the image and likeness of God.
Who show us something about what God is like.
For far too long, they have been treated like their lives don’t matter. Like they don’t deserve time and attention.
To quickly change a discussion from “black lives matter” to “all lives matter” only reinforces what many believe in the first place: That black lives do not deserve special time and attention reserved only for them.
So let’s change that.
***
When people say, “black lives matter,” they are affirming what is rightfully theirs.
They are not demanding it.
They are not asking for your permission.
You can’t give them value–their value comes from the Creator.
They are affirming what God said: “And it was good.”
So very, very good.
Black lives matter.
***
Black lives matter.
Say it.
Love it .
Embrace it.
Suspend other thoughts.
Suspend the exceptions,
The qualifying clauses,
Everything else.
Just repeat after me: Black lives matter.
Black people matter.
This is a good thing, a complete thought all unto itself that doesn’t need any qualifiers, exceptions or footnotes.
It is a thought whose time has come–it is overdue, in fact.
God announced the goodness of black lives at the moment of Creation. We’ve got some catching up to do.
There is a time later to talk about everyone and everything else.
Right now, let’s just embrace the thought that black lives matter.
Cherish that thought and the people that go with it.
Amen. by Andrea and Frank Lesko
READ ON ...
Liturgy Selection
We’d like you to get comfortable wherever you are–at your desk, on the subway or at home. And quiet.
Put yourself in the presence of God. Or rather, acknowledge that you are already there.
We’re going to say something, and we’d like you to sit back and think about what comes to your mind when you hear it.
Close your eyes and begin to be aware of your breath.
Allow your breaths to become deeper and deeper until you can feel them down in your belly.
After a bit, allow your breathing to come back to normal.
As you breathe in, imagine your are taking in peace and love – imagine them as feelings or as words, or however they form in your mind’s eye.
As you breathe out, imagine your thoughts and worries and preconceptions being exhaled.
Sit with this for a few moments – breathing in and out.
Now I am going to give you a phrase. Allow your clear head to simply feel or think whatever comes to mind when you hear it.
There is no right or wrong.
Just allow your thoughts and feelings to be.
The phrase is… Black Lives Matter.
Remember to continue to breathe in deeply,
And breathe out.
***
Allow some time to sit with this thought.
What comes up for you?
How does it feel in your body when you hear the words?
Joys, pains, memories.
Be aware of any tensions, reflexes, resistance.
Suspend any judgments, conclusions or distractions, but take notice if you want to react in that way.
Just let the thoughts be.
Try to avoid leaving the topic and jumping elsewhere.
This is not about the #BlackLivesMatter movement.
This is not about “All lives matter.”
It’s just the expression that black lives–in their own right–matter.
Just experience it.
***
Maybe it’s awkward to you,
Maybe you want to wiggle away and change the subject.
Perhaps your breathing immediately becomes more shallow.
Ask yourself where is that coming from?
***
It’s perfectly normal to have biases and prejudices. Even people who believe they are beyond having prejudices probably have some subtle angst or awkwardness in relation to somebody. There has probably never been a human who didn’t grow up with some kind of bias against somebody–except Jesus
Whether it’s the rednecks in town, the “dumb Polak” down the street, “them Jews”, homosexuals, hippies, blacks, you name it. We all got somebody that we just can’t stand… and perhaps hate. If you are in a minority population, you might even pick up the sentiments of the larger population and have a bias against your own group! You can say it’s part of human nature. It’s tribalism–we stick with our tribe and have an implicit bias against the others.
Jesus challenged this continuously through the Gospels. He kept approaching people as fully equal, human persons. It didn’t matter if they were rich or poor, popular or unpopular, whether they smelled funny, were sick, or were a member of the “unapproved” groups of the day. He developed quite a reputation for hanging out with “sinners and tax collectors.” For a Jewish male to associate with a Samaritan woman, for example, especially someone who was known publically as “sinful,” was to incur scandal upon scandal. It’s hard for us to image for us today just how scandalous that was.
That Jesus could do this so consistently, without a hint of prejudice recorded in the Gospel narratives, is perhaps more evidence for his divinity than any other miracle! Humans just have a really tough time with that, and we’ve never met a person would could do it as consistently and constantly as Jesus did in the Gospel narratives.
We can and should be held accountable if we hurt people through our biases and prejudices, but we can at least have some compassion for having them. We inherited many of them. We are soaked in a culture that is full of them, some of them so subtle–yet strong–that we don’t even realize we have them. They are just part of the fabric of life–birds fly, fish swim and black people are second class. It can take a lifetime to untangle oneself from a culture rife with them.
There’s a paradox. Shaming yourself for these thoughts is not likely to be helpful. But those are also thoughts that need to be purged and healed so that you can grow into the being God made you to be and that we all can grow together in peace and harmony as one human family.
The problem becomes much more urgent when our biases and prejudices are combined with institutional power. This is what we call racism. That’s when these prejudices are not just quirks that individual people have, but they are put into practice and damage real people.
Police can gun black men and children down in the streets over the most questionable behavior, with almost no consequences whatsoever. Black people go to jail more often–and with harsher sentences–than white people for the same behaviors. When people take to the streets to protest, they are tear gassed and silenced–how dare they speak up and question the way things are!
Even justice-minded white people, who thought racism was yesterday’s news, are coming to terms with this. How did we miss it?
***
Black lives matter.
Black people matter.
This is a good thing.
Let’s breathe into this thought.
If it’s a frail idea to you, build it up. Give it roots.
Give it strength.
If it is strong, imagine it be stronger.
***
Let’s think about the goodness of black people.
Created in the image and likeness of God.
Who show us something about what God is like.
For far too long, they have been treated like their lives don’t matter. Like they don’t deserve time and attention.
To quickly change a discussion from “black lives matter” to “all lives matter” only reinforces what many believe in the first place: That black lives do not deserve special time and attention reserved only for them.
So let’s change that.
***
When people say, “black lives matter,” they are affirming what is rightfully theirs.
They are not demanding it.
They are not asking for your permission.
You can’t give them value–their value comes from the Creator.
They are affirming what God said: “And it was good.”
So very, very good.
Black lives matter.
***
Black lives matter.
Say it.
Love it .
Embrace it.
Suspend other thoughts.
Suspend the exceptions,
The qualifying clauses,
Everything else.
Just repeat after me: Black lives matter.
Black people matter.
This is a good thing, a complete thought all unto itself that doesn’t need any qualifiers, exceptions or footnotes.
It is a thought whose time has come–it is overdue, in fact.
God announced the goodness of black lives at the moment of Creation. We’ve got some catching up to do.
There is a time later to talk about everyone and everything else.
Right now, let’s just embrace the thought that black lives matter.
Cherish that thought and the people that go with it.
Amen. by Andrea and Frank Lesko
READ ON ...
Liturgy Selection
Giving Thanks... giving thanks is a practice for everyone, around the world, at all times. Thankfulness – gratitude — is one of the keys to a happy life.Thanksgiving is an American holiday, but giving thanks is a practice for everyone, around the world, at all times. Thankfulness – gratitude — is one of the keys to a happy life. As the 14th century mystic Meister Eckhart is often quoted, “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is ‘thank you,’ that will suffice.”
Everything I needed
I asked for strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
Everything I needed
I asked for strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
Everything I needed
One: I asked for strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
Many: I asked for wisdom and God gave me problems to learn to solve.
One: I asked for prosperity and God gave me a brain and brawn to work.
Many: I asked for courage and God gave me dangers to overcome.
One: I asked for love and God gave me people to help.
Many: I asked for favors and God gave me opportunities.
All: I received nothing I wanted and everything I needed.[Rev. Dawn Peters, First Congregational Church, San Jose, CA]
read more
God Gives, God Takes
God gives
opportunities
but not forever.
God Gives, God Takes
God gives
opportunities
but not forever.
God Gives, God Takes by Rabbi Allen S. MallerGod gives
opportunities
but not forever.
God takes opportunities away
after a while.
So don’t hesitate or delay
or curse the darkness
while remaining mired in hopelessness,
because God gives;
and God takes away.
Blessed be the name of the LORD.
But why bless the LORD when God takes away?
Because if the opportunities
were always there,
we would wait until the time was right
and never make the leap,
and another year would waste away.
So each year God gives and God takes away
opportunities for a better year.
read more
The World Needs Love
Hymn to the tune Finlandia.
The world needs love; so many hearts are hurting. Lord, work through us, help us to spread your peace, bringing to all – through your forgiving spirit -freedom from guilt, from bitterness release.
The World Needs Love
Hymn to the tune Finlandia.
The world needs love; so many hearts are hurting. Lord, work through us, help us to spread your peace, bringing to all – through your forgiving spirit -freedom from guilt, from bitterness release.
The World Needs Love by Philip SudworthTune: Finlandia
The world needs love; so many hearts are hurting.
Lord, work through us, help us to spread your peace,
bringing to all – through your forgiving spirit –
freedom from guilt, from bitterness release.
Reconcile us; help us to share your calmness,
’till anger stills and all our conflicts cease.
The world needs hope, a vision for the future,
what life might be, if all would live in you.
Help us to lead – through your transforming spirit –
lives that reflect what you would have us do,
to share our gifts, show forth your loving kindness,
encourage all to find their hope in you.
The world needs faith, a willing dedication
of all we are and all we might yet be.
Help us to serve – through your empowering spirit –
in active faith in our community.
Love for each soul, respecting and upholding,
declares the worth of all humanity.
The world needs joy, a sense of celebration
that human lives have such diversity.
Help us to see – through your dynamic spirit –
each person’s part in life’s vitality.
Sharing our joys, supporting others’ sorrows
make our small world a better place to be.© Philip Sudworth 2002
READ ON ...
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*** Remember to send us your Events and Job Postings - we will advertise them on our website free!
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Copyright © 2016 ProgressiveChristianity.org, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
ProgressiveChristianity.org
4810 Point Fosdick Drive NorthWest#80
Click on Amazon Smile and choose ProgressiveChristianity.org as your charity - when you shop on Amazon they donate .05% of your purchases to ProgressiveChristianity.org.
*** Remember to send us your Events and Job Postings - we will advertise them on our website free!
-------
FacebookTwitterWebsiteEmailYouTubeCopyright © 2016 ProgressiveChristianity.org, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
ProgressiveChristianity.org
4810 Point Fosdick Drive NorthWest#80
Gig Harbor, Washington 98335, United States
------- Celebrating "A Joyful Path Curriculum" Price Reduction from ProgressiveChristianity.org of Gig Harbor, Washington, United States "A Joyful Path Children's Curriculum for ages 6 - 10 has reached a milestone - we have covered our production costs and can now permanently reduce the price by 35%!"
“Children’s spirituality thrives on playfulness. It demands respect. And it overflows into the lives of others bringing gifts and abundant inner riches. Not surprisingly, then, we were delighted when we had a chance to immerse ourselves in A Joyful Path. Whether you are a parent, a Sunday School teacher, a preacher, a spiritual seeker, or just someone who likes to look at ideas from a child’s point of view, this one’s for you.” ~Mary Ann and Frederic Brussat, Spirituality & Practice
A Joyful Path gives teachers and parents the tools needed to successfully teach children about compassion, self-awareness, the universe, the wisdom teachings, and finding happiness through the loving kindness toward self and others.
Excellent curriculum for In-Home and classroom teaching- these heart centered lessons, make complex topics accessible and fun for young minds and hearts.
Click below video for more information
What is included in a A Joyful Path? Each year has 38 Full Lessons and a sturdy mix of support materials for Teachers and Parents - click here for more information.
New Price List
Year One Hard Copy $75 Click Here to Purchase
Year One PDF Version $125 Click Here to Purchase
Year One DVD Only $125 Click Here to Purchase
Year Two Hard Copy $75 Click Here to Purchase
Year Two PDF Version $125 Click Here to Purchase
Year Two DVD Only $125 Click Here to Purchase
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Facebook
Twitter
Website
Email
YouTube
Copyright © 2016 ProgressiveChristianity.org, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
ProgressiveChristianity.org
4810 Point Fosdick Drive NorthWest#80
-------
Celebrating "A Joyful Path Curriculum" Price Reduction from ProgressiveChristianity.org of Gig Harbor, Washington, United States "A Joyful Path Children's Curriculum for ages 6 - 10 has reached a milestone - we have covered our production costs and can now permanently reduce the price by 35%!"“Children’s spirituality thrives on playfulness. It demands respect. And it overflows into the lives of others bringing gifts and abundant inner riches. Not surprisingly, then, we were delighted when we had a chance to immerse ourselves in A Joyful Path. Whether you are a parent, a Sunday School teacher, a preacher, a spiritual seeker, or just someone who likes to look at ideas from a child’s point of view, this one’s for you.” ~Mary Ann and Frederic Brussat, Spirituality & Practice
A Joyful Path gives teachers and parents the tools needed to successfully teach children about compassion, self-awareness, the universe, the wisdom teachings, and finding happiness through the loving kindness toward self and others.
Excellent curriculum for In-Home and classroom teaching- these heart centered lessons, make complex topics accessible and fun for young minds and hearts.
Click below video for more information
What is included in a A Joyful Path? Each year has 38 Full Lessons and a sturdy mix of support materials for Teachers and Parents - click here for more information.
New Price List
Year One PDF Version $125 Click Here to Purchase
Year One DVD Only $125 Click Here to Purchase
Year Two PDF Version $125 Click Here to Purchase
Year Two DVD Only $125 Click Here to Purchase
-------
FacebookTwitterWebsiteEmailYouTubeCopyright © 2016 ProgressiveChristianity.org, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
ProgressiveChristianity.org
4810 Point Fosdick Drive NorthWest#80
Gig Harbor, Washington 98335, United States
-------
Combating biblical ignorance every day! from ProgressiveChristianity.org of Gig Harbor, Washington, United States "What kind of gospel should we really be spreading?"
Our goal is simple: to be a key source of information and networking to combat biblical ignorance, racism, sexism, religious extremism, economic inequality, and violence. We are committed to spreading the gospel of inclusive Christianity, environmental stewardship, and equality of all beings!
You and I both know that Jesus would be horrified to see what many people have done and preached in his name. We can no longer allow his teachings to be hijacked. We are taking back his name, his example, and his teachings! There is much to be optimistic about if we can continue this work.
Please support our mission to be a strong voice in the world for compassionate and informed Christianity today.
Please donate now as we work toward of goal of $60,000 raised during our annual end of year fundraiser. As a thank you for your donation of any amount we will send you a free copy of our 8 Points Study Guide PDF.
.We simply can't do this without you. Help us continue to grow this vitalmovement. Donate today
ProgressiveChristianity.org is a 501c-3 non-profit organization and we rely on supporters like you to help us stay afloat!
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Thank you from your friends at ProgressiveChristianity.org!
Copyright © 2016 ProgressiveChristianity.org, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
ProgressiveChristianity.org
4810 Point Fosdick Drive NorthWest#80
-------
Combating biblical ignorance every day! from ProgressiveChristianity.org of Gig Harbor, Washington, United States "What kind of gospel should we really be spreading?"Our goal is simple: to be a key source of information and networking to combat biblical ignorance, racism, sexism, religious extremism, economic inequality, and violence. We are committed to spreading the gospel of inclusive Christianity, environmental stewardship, and equality of all beings!
You and I both know that Jesus would be horrified to see what many people have done and preached in his name. We can no longer allow his teachings to be hijacked. We are taking back his name, his example, and his teachings! There is much to be optimistic about if we can continue this work.
Please support our mission to be a strong voice in the world for compassionate and informed Christianity today.
Please donate now as we work toward of goal of $60,000 raised during our annual end of year fundraiser. As a thank you for your donation of any amount we will send you a free copy of our 8 Points Study Guide PDF.
.We simply can't do this without you. Help us continue to grow this vitalmovement. Donate today
ProgressiveChristianity.org is a 501c-3 non-profit organization and we rely on supporters like you to help us stay afloat!
-------
ShareTweetForward+1Thank you from your friends at ProgressiveChristianity.org!
Copyright © 2016 ProgressiveChristianity.org, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
ProgressiveChristianity.org
4810 Point Fosdick Drive NorthWest#80
Gig Harbor, Washington 98335, United States
------- Announcing Embrace Festival! from ProgressiveChristianity.org of Gig Harbor, Washington, United States"First in-city music, art, sacred community and social transformation festival with a progressive Christian framework. Leaders from around the world join us to co-create a deeper vision for the future and share practical tools to heal ourselves, our communities, and the planet in on-going ways moving forward. We hope to see you there!"
We are delighted to announce our first
Embrace Festival!
May 4-6, 2017
Portland, Oregon
Embrace Festival is a 3 day, international, sacred community and social transformation gathering, which will be held May 4-6, 2017 in beautiful downtown Portland, Oregon for those wishing to positively transform their lives, their local communities, and the world.
Vision
In May 2017, people from all over the world will gather in Portland, Oregon to share knowledge and wisdom, learn from each other, celebrate, be inspired, and find the tools needed to create and enliven local movements within our communities. Together we will explore Sacred Oneness, Christ Consciousness, Eco-Spirituality, Social Justice and the way of Universal and Personal Transformation that honors the Divine in all.
We want you there!
Please save the date and consider joining us!
Tickets are currently set at Early Bird Pricing until December 1, 2016.
Venues
Portland Art Museum
First Congregational UCC
Eliot Center
Offerings
3 day event including:
Presentations by over 30 leaders, teachers, authors, theologians, activists, and artists
Ceremony and Ritual Celebration, Dance, Entertainment Live Art, Music and Performance
Sacred Community, Social Gathering & Networking
Learning, Worshops, & Breakouts Additional Leadership Training Track/Certification
Yoga, Qi Gong, Meditation, Dance, Drum circles
Village Marketplace with art, music, books, crafts, and more!
Join us as we co-create a new vision that we can all take into the world and into our local communities, creating positive transformation at the local and global levels.
Intentions
Our intention is to engage the hearts and minds of those present in finding the divine in each other and in all things, to inspire and enliven local movements and communities, to celebrate, play, and co-create a deeper vision for the future of a new Christianity and spirituality as a whole. We aim to raise consciousness, build bridges toward unity and sacred oneness, and eradicate the illusion of separation from each other. We invite participants to be open to new music, new liturgies, and new ideas that inspire hopefulness about the future. We invite participants to embrace a global community of people who will share in inspiration and knowledge. It is our intention that practical guidance will be offered so that we might heal ourselves, our communities, and the planet in on-going ways moving forward.
More information to come soon!
Visit EmbraceFestival.com to buy tickets and find out more!
Peia Music ~ As a song preserver Peia has gathered songs from ancient traditions that span across the globe, from the mountains of Bulgaria to the shores of Ireland, touching upon the wisdom and trials of the Native peoples of North and South America and preserving the enchantment of medieval chant and Indian Raga. She has traveled extensively to uncover melodies wrinkled and wise with time, laboring faithfully to revive their language, stories and original essence.
Yaima Music~ An alluring match of Music Makers, A unique collaboration of Dreamers, A fine frequency for the Future. Their sound is rooted in the the rich depth of tradition through biological beats, folkloric storytelling and mystical melodies.They reach towards our compelling, technological future by weaving live instrumentation and vocals over lush electronic layers, seamless soundscapes, and body-blooming bass.
Ashana Music ~ Ashana blends Western and ethnic instruments with a unique drone of the crystal singing bowls to create transcendent music for healing, relaxation, meditation.
Christoper "C" Bronson Wood, singer-song-writer, shares his new album, Rise at Embrace. Rise is a call to action – to Rise to the opportunity of knowing one's self; to Rise after you're broken and laying in your own ruins; to Rise and meet the supreme moment, which is of course, eternally… NOW.
Reba Riley
Reba Riley is the author of Post-Traumatic Church Syndrome: A Memoir of Humor and Healing, a book Elizabeth Gilbert calls, “Eat Pray Love's gutsy, wise, funny little sister”.
Irene Monroe
Rev. Irene Monroe is described in O, the Oprah Magazine, as “a phenomenal woman who has succeeded against all odds.” An African-American lesbian feminist public theologian, she is a sought-after speaker and preacher.
Matthew Fox
Author of 28 books, including A New Reformation, founder of the University of Creation Spirituality, President of Friends of Creation Spirituality, a "feminist theologian;" creator of a reformed liturgy, Cosmic Mass, and a highly popular religious-spiritual teacher in America.
Gretta Vosper
An atheist minister, Best-Selling author of two books: With or Without God and Amen: What Prayer Can Mean in a World Beyond Belief, and founder of the Canadian Centre for Progressive Christianity.
Eric Alexander
Founder of Christian Evolution and Jesism: The Revolution of Following Jesus Without Christianity.
Roger Wolsey
Author of Kissing Fish: Christianity for People who don't like Christianity
Speakers
Artists
-------
Facebook Page
EmbraceFestival.com
Email
This event is produced by ProgressiveChristianity.org!
Thank you for your support!
Copyright © 2016 ProgressiveChristianity.org, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
ProgressiveChristianity.org
4810 Point Fosdick Drive NorthWest#80
-------
Announcing Embrace Festival! from ProgressiveChristianity.org of Gig Harbor, Washington, United States"First in-city music, art, sacred community and social transformation festival with a progressive Christian framework. Leaders from around the world join us to co-create a deeper vision for the future and share practical tools to heal ourselves, our communities, and the planet in on-going ways moving forward. We hope to see you there!"We are delighted to announce our first
Embrace Festival!
May 4-6, 2017
Portland, Oregon
Embrace Festival is a 3 day, international, sacred community and social transformation gathering, which will be held May 4-6, 2017 in beautiful downtown Portland, Oregon for those wishing to positively transform their lives, their local communities, and the world.
Vision
In May 2017, people from all over the world will gather in Portland, Oregon to share knowledge and wisdom, learn from each other, celebrate, be inspired, and find the tools needed to create and enliven local movements within our communities. Together we will explore Sacred Oneness, Christ Consciousness, Eco-Spirituality, Social Justice and the way of Universal and Personal Transformation that honors the Divine in all.
We want you there!
Please save the date and consider joining us!
Tickets are currently set at Early Bird Pricing until December 1, 2016.
Venues
Portland Art Museum
First Congregational UCC
Eliot Center
Offerings
3 day event including:
Presentations by over 30 leaders, teachers, authors, theologians, activists, and artists
Ceremony and Ritual Celebration, Dance, Entertainment Live Art, Music and Performance
Sacred Community, Social Gathering & Networking
Learning, Worshops, & Breakouts Additional Leadership Training Track/Certification
Yoga, Qi Gong, Meditation, Dance, Drum circles
Village Marketplace with art, music, books, crafts, and more!
Join us as we co-create a new vision that we can all take into the world and into our local communities, creating positive transformation at the local and global levels.
Intentions
Our intention is to engage the hearts and minds of those present in finding the divine in each other and in all things, to inspire and enliven local movements and communities, to celebrate, play, and co-create a deeper vision for the future of a new Christianity and spirituality as a whole. We aim to raise consciousness, build bridges toward unity and sacred oneness, and eradicate the illusion of separation from each other. We invite participants to be open to new music, new liturgies, and new ideas that inspire hopefulness about the future. We invite participants to embrace a global community of people who will share in inspiration and knowledge. It is our intention that practical guidance will be offered so that we might heal ourselves, our communities, and the planet in on-going ways moving forward.
More information to come soon!
Visit EmbraceFestival.com to buy tickets and find out more!
Peia Music ~ As a song preserver Peia has gathered songs from ancient traditions that span across the globe, from the mountains of Bulgaria to the shores of Ireland, touching upon the wisdom and trials of the Native peoples of North and South America and preserving the enchantment of medieval chant and Indian Raga. She has traveled extensively to uncover melodies wrinkled and wise with time, laboring faithfully to revive their language, stories and original essence.
Yaima Music~ An alluring match of Music Makers, A unique collaboration of Dreamers, A fine frequency for the Future. Their sound is rooted in the the rich depth of tradition through biological beats, folkloric storytelling and mystical melodies.They reach towards our compelling, technological future by weaving live instrumentation and vocals over lush electronic layers, seamless soundscapes, and body-blooming bass.
Ashana Music ~ Ashana blends Western and ethnic instruments with a unique drone of the crystal singing bowls to create transcendent music for healing, relaxation, meditation.
Christoper "C" Bronson Wood, singer-song-writer, shares his new album, Rise at Embrace. Rise is a call to action – to Rise to the opportunity of knowing one's self; to Rise after you're broken and laying in your own ruins; to Rise and meet the supreme moment, which is of course, eternally… NOW.
Reba Riley
Reba Riley is the author of Post-Traumatic Church Syndrome: A Memoir of Humor and Healing, a book Elizabeth Gilbert calls, “Eat Pray Love's gutsy, wise, funny little sister”.
Rev. Irene Monroe is described in O, the Oprah Magazine, as “a phenomenal woman who has succeeded against all odds.” An African-American lesbian feminist public theologian, she is a sought-after speaker and preacher.
Matthew Fox
Author of 28 books, including A New Reformation, founder of the University of Creation Spirituality, President of Friends of Creation Spirituality, a "feminist theologian;" creator of a reformed liturgy, Cosmic Mass, and a highly popular religious-spiritual teacher in America.
Gretta Vosper
An atheist minister, Best-Selling author of two books: With or Without God and Amen: What Prayer Can Mean in a World Beyond Belief, and founder of the Canadian Centre for Progressive Christianity.
Eric Alexander
Founder of Christian Evolution and Jesism: The Revolution of Following Jesus Without Christianity.
Roger Wolsey
Author of Kissing Fish: Christianity for People who don't like Christianity
Speakers
- Matthew Fox
- Gretta Vosper
- Reba Riley
- Irene Monroe
- Bruce Sanguin
- Jim Burklo
- Roger Wolsey
- Eric Alexander Crawford
- Timothy Murphy
- Fred Plumer
- Lauren Van Ham
- Deshna Ubeda
- Alexandra Sangster
- Cassandra Farrin
- Jacques Colon
- Eli Eichenauer
- Special Guest
- More Speakers to be announced soon!!
- Musicians
- Peia Luzzi
- Yaima Music
- Ashana
- Christoper “C” Bronson Wood
- Dar Sernoff
Artists
- Kaylee Holz
-------
Facebook PageEmbraceFestival.comEmail
Thank you for your support!
Copyright © 2016 ProgressiveChristianity.org, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
ProgressiveChristianity.org
4810 Point Fosdick Drive NorthWest#80
Gig Harbor, Washington 98335, United States
------- Interfaith Studies and Interfaith Spiritual Direction Programs from ProgressiveChristianity.org of Gig Harbor, Washington, United States "Spiritual Growth and Personal Development?
ChI has programs for those seeking to fulfill a calling."
The Chaplaincy Institute offers education programs for those with a unique calling to spiritual service
About our Seminary Programs
At The Chaplaincy Institute, we believe that the world is in need of the gifts and talents of every individual called to service. Our Interfaith seminary is dedicated to supporting the unique call to ministry expressed by each of our students and alumni. With an appreciation of our students’ diverse learning styles and life experiences, we support them in unfolding the form of ministry that will best utilize the fullness of their innate capacities plus the confidence and competencies gained through their ChI studies.
We offer education for those who seek to be of Interfaith service and fulfill a calling in body, heart, mind and spirit. All programs respond to the changing climate of religious and spiritual life where faith, peace, and understanding are needed across religious divides.
ChI Faculty and Staff use the following 8 Principles for Interfaith Learning to guide the development of our programming at ChI.
Preparation for Spiritual Service to people of all faiths & paths
These programs are designed to inspire, nurture and educate those who are called to serve in an Interfaith capacity in our increasingly diverse world. Our innovative programs focus on a combination of the study of world religions, an exploration of mystical paths and teachings, and spiritual care and ministry skills… all in a creatively infused context.
Program Headlines:
Through study, reflection, writing and engaging with others, students gain a broad understanding of the world’s faiths, while simultaneously deepening their relationship to their own spiritual traditions. The curriculum includes class instruction, group interactions, theological study, spiritual care skills, spiritual leadership, and practicum experience. It is inclusive of many aspects of individual spiritual formation for ministry as well.
Spiritual Direction, or spiritual guidance, is the art of companioning people on the spiritual journey. This program is designed for those who feel called to a private practice in personal, one-on-one spiritual direction, and who anticipate working with clients from a variety of faith traditions. The program is also suited to other helping professionals who want to add a spiritual guidance perspective to their current work (such as psychotherapists, health practitioners, ministers and chaplains).
The Spiritual Psychology Intensive provides students with a holistic model of psycho-spiritual development that can be used for personal growth and for work with individuals, couples, families and organizations. In this program we take a deep dive into exploring trauma, addictions, and personal wounds to see how we are affected both emotionally and spiritually. We explore disease from a holistic, multi-dimensional perspective and discover many possible avenues of healing the human body, heart, mind, and spirit.
If you are seeking the opportunity to listen, to understand, and to ask questions of believers who walk a different path from yours, consider joining us for a Two Module Intensive. These courses allow you to take a deep dive into one of the world’s religions – Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and Christianity. Intensives are offered over 2 modules of 5-days each.
Offered 10 times per year the year, these 5-day programs are designed to inspire and educate people who are called to serve in an Interfaith capacity in our increasingly diverse world or for those who are interested in learning more about a specific faith tradition. Participants immerse themselves in a deeply creative and nurturing environment to develop and deepen their personal theological perspectives, while also expanding their capacity to serve the spiritually and culturally diverse world in which we live or simply to gain a greater understanding of those from different cultures or paths than you. Many individuals enroll in Thematic Module Intensives to discern their call to ministry and chaplaincy, prior to applying to our
-------
Interfaith Studies and Interfaith Spiritual Direction Programs from ProgressiveChristianity.org of Gig Harbor, Washington, United States "Spiritual Growth and Personal Development?ChI has programs for those seeking to fulfill a calling."
The Chaplaincy Institute offers education programs for those with a unique calling to spiritual service
About our Seminary Programs
At The Chaplaincy Institute, we believe that the world is in need of the gifts and talents of every individual called to service. Our Interfaith seminary is dedicated to supporting the unique call to ministry expressed by each of our students and alumni. With an appreciation of our students’ diverse learning styles and life experiences, we support them in unfolding the form of ministry that will best utilize the fullness of their innate capacities plus the confidence and competencies gained through their ChI studies.
We offer education for those who seek to be of Interfaith service and fulfill a calling in body, heart, mind and spirit. All programs respond to the changing climate of religious and spiritual life where faith, peace, and understanding are needed across religious divides.
ChI Faculty and Staff use the following 8 Principles for Interfaith Learning to guide the development of our programming at ChI.
Preparation for Spiritual Service to people of all faiths & paths
These programs are designed to inspire, nurture and educate those who are called to serve in an Interfaith capacity in our increasingly diverse world. Our innovative programs focus on a combination of the study of world religions, an exploration of mystical paths and teachings, and spiritual care and ministry skills… all in a creatively infused context.
Program Headlines:
Through study, reflection, writing and engaging with others, students gain a broad understanding of the world’s faiths, while simultaneously deepening their relationship to their own spiritual traditions. The curriculum includes class instruction, group interactions, theological study, spiritual care skills, spiritual leadership, and practicum experience. It is inclusive of many aspects of individual spiritual formation for ministry as well.
Spiritual Direction, or spiritual guidance, is the art of companioning people on the spiritual journey. This program is designed for those who feel called to a private practice in personal, one-on-one spiritual direction, and who anticipate working with clients from a variety of faith traditions. The program is also suited to other helping professionals who want to add a spiritual guidance perspective to their current work (such as psychotherapists, health practitioners, ministers and chaplains).
The Spiritual Psychology Intensive provides students with a holistic model of psycho-spiritual development that can be used for personal growth and for work with individuals, couples, families and organizations. In this program we take a deep dive into exploring trauma, addictions, and personal wounds to see how we are affected both emotionally and spiritually. We explore disease from a holistic, multi-dimensional perspective and discover many possible avenues of healing the human body, heart, mind, and spirit.
If you are seeking the opportunity to listen, to understand, and to ask questions of believers who walk a different path from yours, consider joining us for a Two Module Intensive. These courses allow you to take a deep dive into one of the world’s religions – Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and Christianity. Intensives are offered over 2 modules of 5-days each.
Offered 10 times per year the year, these 5-day programs are designed to inspire and educate people who are called to serve in an Interfaith capacity in our increasingly diverse world or for those who are interested in learning more about a specific faith tradition. Participants immerse themselves in a deeply creative and nurturing environment to develop and deepen their personal theological perspectives, while also expanding their capacity to serve the spiritually and culturally diverse world in which we live or simply to gain a greater understanding of those from different cultures or paths than you. Many individuals enroll in Thematic Module Intensives to discern their call to ministry and chaplaincy, prior to applying to our
Some attend because they have an interest in increasing their knowledge and understanding or particular faith tradition — Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity, or Earth Based Traditions.
The Chaplaincy Institute and Starr King School for the Ministry – Joint Program for Interfaith Chaplaincy
Since May 2014, The Chaplaincy Institute (ChI) and Starr King School for the Ministry (SKSM) have been formally affiliated through our Joint Program for Interfaith Chaplaincy. The purpose of this affiliation is to integrate the ChI Certificate of Interfaith Studies into Starr King’s accredited master’s degree programs (Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Social Change), thereby providing a pathway for students to meet both the educational and ecclesiastical requirements for certification as a professional chaplain.
Approaches to Learning/Learning Styles
Our educational model is a form of multi-modal education, always reaching for the balance of engaging the body as well as the mind and spirit, so that our students may learn to their greatest capacity, while having useful skills and tools with which to serve others.
In addition to recognizing the varieties of faiths and cultures, the curriculum is designed based on the knowledge that individuals learn in a variety of ways. Renowned educator Howard Gardner, author of Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, identified a variety of styles through which individuals learn.
Some of us know the world through study and dialogue. Others know the Divine through walking or singing—or, like the Sufi Dervishes, as we turn or dance as a form of prayer. At ChI, most classes begin within the cultural comfort zone of didactic presentation. Subsequently we build on this foundation, weaving together experiential and creative learning modalities. This educational methodology of interweaving promotes an exciting learning environment and encourages individual ways of knowing.
Hybrid Distance Learning
In the past decade, distance education – commonly referred to as ‘distance learning’ – has become an increasingly popular way for education institutions to provide access to their programs and for students to learn about topics and get education they might not otherwise be able to pursue.
At ChI, we offer hybrid distance learning to teach students from all around the globe. Our goal is to join the best features of in-class teaching with independent learning to serve the needs of people who cannot afford to spend time on a campus regularly to take a course.
In Person Instruction:
Students attend 2 1/2 to 5-day classes called Thematic Learning Modules. Students travel to Berkeley, California for important interaction and instruction for the development of personal, interpersonal, and theoretical skills. Information about travel to Berkeley is here.
Independent study:
Between the 2 1/2 to 5-day Thematic Learning Modules, students work independently on homework, practicum, and spiritual practices. They communicate with faculty and classmates via email and social media for information sharing and forwarding assignments.
This approach – learning on your own from home and also attending face-to-face classes – makes it easier for some students to participate in our education programs while balancing work and family commitments, and those who live in geographically remote areas and do not have readily available access to similar education in their areas.
While hybrid distance learning may be more flexible, it is not less work than a traditional on-campus class. Students dedicate an average 10-20 hours per month to the course in addition to the travel and classroom time of the 2 1/2 to 5-day module intensives.
Thus, hybrid distance learning requires that students are extremely self-motivated and disciplined, function independently, employ strong time management skills, and be able to use Internet technology to share their work and educational experiences with others in various formats.
Click the image below to view our program postcard.
-------
ShareTweetForward+1
This is a paid ad and does not necessarily represent the viewpoint of the organization but rather one perspective that some might share and find interesting for discussion. We are a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization. We only advertise select items. Thank you for supporting our mission to bring you the latest and best progressive Christian resources.
Copyright © 2016 ProgressiveChristianity.org, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
ProgressiveChristianity.org
4810 Point Fosdick Drive NorthWest#80
The Chaplaincy Institute and Starr King School for the Ministry – Joint Program for Interfaith Chaplaincy
Since May 2014, The Chaplaincy Institute (ChI) and Starr King School for the Ministry (SKSM) have been formally affiliated through our Joint Program for Interfaith Chaplaincy. The purpose of this affiliation is to integrate the ChI Certificate of Interfaith Studies into Starr King’s accredited master’s degree programs (Master of Divinity or Master of Arts in Social Change), thereby providing a pathway for students to meet both the educational and ecclesiastical requirements for certification as a professional chaplain.
Approaches to Learning/Learning Styles
Our educational model is a form of multi-modal education, always reaching for the balance of engaging the body as well as the mind and spirit, so that our students may learn to their greatest capacity, while having useful skills and tools with which to serve others.
In addition to recognizing the varieties of faiths and cultures, the curriculum is designed based on the knowledge that individuals learn in a variety of ways. Renowned educator Howard Gardner, author of Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, identified a variety of styles through which individuals learn.
Some of us know the world through study and dialogue. Others know the Divine through walking or singing—or, like the Sufi Dervishes, as we turn or dance as a form of prayer. At ChI, most classes begin within the cultural comfort zone of didactic presentation. Subsequently we build on this foundation, weaving together experiential and creative learning modalities. This educational methodology of interweaving promotes an exciting learning environment and encourages individual ways of knowing.
Hybrid Distance Learning
In the past decade, distance education – commonly referred to as ‘distance learning’ – has become an increasingly popular way for education institutions to provide access to their programs and for students to learn about topics and get education they might not otherwise be able to pursue.
At ChI, we offer hybrid distance learning to teach students from all around the globe. Our goal is to join the best features of in-class teaching with independent learning to serve the needs of people who cannot afford to spend time on a campus regularly to take a course.
In Person Instruction:
Students attend 2 1/2 to 5-day classes called Thematic Learning Modules. Students travel to Berkeley, California for important interaction and instruction for the development of personal, interpersonal, and theoretical skills. Information about travel to Berkeley is here.
Independent study:
Between the 2 1/2 to 5-day Thematic Learning Modules, students work independently on homework, practicum, and spiritual practices. They communicate with faculty and classmates via email and social media for information sharing and forwarding assignments.
This approach – learning on your own from home and also attending face-to-face classes – makes it easier for some students to participate in our education programs while balancing work and family commitments, and those who live in geographically remote areas and do not have readily available access to similar education in their areas.
While hybrid distance learning may be more flexible, it is not less work than a traditional on-campus class. Students dedicate an average 10-20 hours per month to the course in addition to the travel and classroom time of the 2 1/2 to 5-day module intensives.
Thus, hybrid distance learning requires that students are extremely self-motivated and disciplined, function independently, employ strong time management skills, and be able to use Internet technology to share their work and educational experiences with others in various formats.
Click the image below to view our program postcard.
ShareTweetForward+1This is a paid ad and does not necessarily represent the viewpoint of the organization but rather one perspective that some might share and find interesting for discussion. We are a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization. We only advertise select items. Thank you for supporting our mission to bring you the latest and best progressive Christian resources.
Copyright © 2016 ProgressiveChristianity.org, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
ProgressiveChristianity.org
4810 Point Fosdick Drive NorthWest#80
Gig Harbor, Washington 98335, United States
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