| A World in Need of AuthenticityThis month we welcome in the fall season. The trees share the beautiful brilliance of their changing leaves before letting them go, laying themselves bare for the winter. Fall and spring are my two favorite seasons, not only because of generous temperatures and colors that I cherish, but also because they are seasons of transition. The emergence of spring and the letting go of fall always remind me of our own transitions and transformations. We have much to learn from the natural world. For much of what Richard Rohr would call the second half of life our transformation revolves around letting go of the false self. Letting go of the facades we built the first half of life to simply be who we are! Like the tree and the flower who go about simply being a tree and a flower. So much emerges out of authenticity: compassion, grace, joy, gratefulness, deeper connection, courage, inspiration, and creativity just to name a few. In a world in need of connection, compassion, courage, and certainly creativity authenticity is a breath of fresh air. Researcher Brené Brown says “Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.”. That also sounds a lot like self love which is foundational if we ever hope to live out the greatest commandment ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself.’ This commandment, like the work of Brené Brown, reminds us that self acceptance, love, and knowledge are the fountain of compassion, gratitude, grace, and love. This fall may you, like the trees, let go of the things that do not serve you, the stuff that get in the way of authentically showing up in the places you are called. May letting go awaken you to your truest self where you are always loved, can find courage, be grateful, and dip into your own divine creativity. The authentic self is much more capable of loving neighbor and serving God who is, as John would tell us, Love. |
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| Shame, Vulnerability, and Authenticity. Join us for this 8-week study on the wisdom and work of Brené Brown including a 6-week book study on The Gifts of Imperfection and group viewing of her landmark TED Talk and Brené Brown: Call To Courage. We will journey through her profound work together through discussion, journaling, and exploring her faith through short video’s from The Work of the People. For our study we will use the upcoming 10th anniversary edition of The Gifts of Imperfection released September 8th, 2020. Suggested donation $25 or donate $40 by September 18th and receive a hardcover copy of the text (delivered to your doorstep if you live in Lincoln). No reading for the first meeting and we will read approximately 30 pages a week. Last meeting will be 2hrs as we watch Brené Brown: Call to CourageTuesday’s 11:00 AM 8-week Study Brené Brown The Gifts of Imperfection (Beginning September 22nd): Register Wednesday’s 1:30 PM 8-week Study Brené Brown The Gifts of Imperfection (Beginning September 23rd): Register Saturday’s 9:30 AM 8-week Study Brené Brown The Gifts of Imperfection (Beginning September 26th): Email [email protected] to express interest. Looking for 5 or more registrants to make a viable group. |
| All events are on Zoom! Links: Noon-hour silent prayer Weekdays 12:15pm-1:00pm: https://zoom.us/j/735301950 A 20-minute silent prayer sit with opening prayer and closing reading. No experience necessary. Lectio Divina Mondays 9:30am: Register via this link on zoom Prayer the scriptures. We read a passage 4 times with short silences followed by discussion. Contemplative Movement Fridays 5:30pm-6:30pm: https://zoom.us/j/386874404 A fun, playful, and contemplative whole body experience. House Church Sunday’s 4pm-5pm: https://zoom.us/j/993530287 Worship, conversation, and contemplation. A house church style church service with Eucharist. Contemplative Conversation Sundays at 2:30 PM (The Work of the People Short Films) Register via this link on zoom We watch films with today’s influential theologians and contemplatives gaining wisdom and finishing with a time of sharing. |
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