Wednesday Evening Service

We often approach spiritual practices one at a time when we are learning them. This is a good approach as we learn how practices like prayer and meditation and visioning work. But these spiritual practices don't exist in isolation. Each compliments the others, and they all work together to uplift us in ways we often cannot see.  Tonight in our Wednesday Evening Service, I will be leading us through a three part spiritual practice process--meditation, then prayer, and then visioning. Each practice will build on the last to help us open our hearts fully to allow Spirit to show us the way forward in whatever area of our life we may be seeking guidance. It is my hope that you will see just how effective these practices can be when we combine them.  I look forward to seeing everyone in the Social Hall at 7pm tonight for some beautiful spiritual practice! Much love, -Russ

The Transformative Power of Chanting, Humming, and Community in Spiritual Practice Finding a moment of peace often feels like a distant dream in the bustling rhythm of life. However, spiritual practices such as chanting affirmative phrases and humming the sound aum can bridge inner tranquility and personal transformation. These practices, rooted in ancient traditions, offer profound benefits and connect us deeply with ourselves and others. The Power of Chanting Affirmative Phrases Chanting affirmative phrases or affirmations is more than just a vocal practice; it's a method of nurturing our inner calm and clarity through the power of spoken words. Each affirmation is a positive statement that can reprogram the subconscious mind, helping to foster a sense of peace and clarity.  The effectiveness of this practice lies in its repetition and the emotional intensity behind the words. When chanted in a daily routine, these phrases embed themselves in our psyche, gradually transforming o

  What if I truly surrendered? This is a question I often ask myself. But, to what am I surrendering?  Spirit. The Self within. That part of me that is the core of who I am when I take away all my agendas and fears and expectations and beliefs and opinions.  Psychologist Richard Schwartz defines the Self as that eternal part of us that is wise, and that embodies the following qualities: Compassion, Courage, Clarity, Calm, Creativity, Curiosity, Connectedness, Confidence Additionally, there are five P words that describe the Self: Presence, Perspective, Playfulness, Persistence, Patience    Knowing this, the question for me then becomes, what might happen if I were to surrender fully into these qualities of my wise Self? Believe it or not, the answer can sometimes be frightening. You see, I have parts of my mind that like to keep me safe, as we all do, and they sometimes don't find these qualities of Self to be safe. Sometimes when we grow up, our natural compassion comes out in a s

Betrayal can leave us reeling, lost in a sea of shattered trust and emotional turmoil. Yet, within the stories we've inherited, there are paths forward, lessons on resilience, and recovery that resonate through time. Holy Wednesday, often overshadowed by the more prominent days of Holy Week, offers profound insights into the nature of betrayal and the steps toward healing. Dr. Edward will talk about the story of betrayal, understanding its impact on our peace, and the steps we may take to heal from it. The Story of Betrayal Holy Wednesday marks a pivotal moment in the Easter narrative—the day Judas Iscariot chose to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. This act wasn't a mere transaction; it was a breach of deep, personal trust. Judas, one of the twelve disciples, had walked alongside Jesus, sharing in the journey, the teachings, and the miracles. His betrayal set in motion the events leading to the crucifixion, a cornerstone of the Easter story. Understanding the Impact B

Spring Equinox is a special time of the year for me. The days and nights are equal, and this reminds me of the harmony and balance inherent in nature.  Sometimes I find my life out of balance; the world can be quite frightening, and occasionally, if I am not careful, I can let the stressors of my life add up. Spring Equinox is a lovely reminder, then, that the balance I am often seeking in my life is a vital part of the universe in which we live. It's not something I have to create, but rather something that already exists that I can choose to cultivate.  This Wednesday during our Spring Equinox Potluck, we will celebrate that balance with food, song, community, and shared spiritual practice. You will have an opportunity after our potluck dinner to create an affirmation of balance and harmony for yourself, our community, and the world.  Our potluck begins at the Center at 6pm, and the special Wednesday Evening Service begins at 7pm.  See you soon! -Russ

I love new things. New technology, new guitars (I may have a problem, I won't deny it!), new goodies to print on my 3d printer. There is something about "new" that feels like an expression of life to me. New can be quite exciting and fun! In our society I believe that we are conditioned to assume that just because something is shiny and new, it must be better. The whole smartphone industry is a great example of this--we are told that we need that new iPhone every year, even though that new iPhone isn't really doing anything new or much better than last year's iPhone. It still takes pictures, it still makes phone calls, it still browses the Internet and has tons of apps that all do various different cool things. Functionally speaking, when I look at the core things a smartphone needs to do, the iPhone of today isn't really that different than the very first iPhone. They both do the same things; maybe the new iPhone does those things better, but that original iP

In the quiet moments of reflection, the words we whisper to ourselves hold immense power. These silent conversations shape our confidence, sculpt our view of the world, and influence our steps forward. Recognizing the importance of nurturing a compassionate inner dialogue, we are thrilled to invite you to our Wednesday evening service at the center. This week Edward Viljoen will delve into the spiritual significance of gently cleaning up your self-talk. Edward Viljoen, known for his insightful and accessible approach to spiritual teachings, will guide us through the process of transforming our internal monologue. He brings a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the power of words. His message is clear: the way we converse with ourselves not only impacts our internal state but also reflects in our external world. Why does this matter? Our self-talk is often a mirror reflecting our deepest beliefs about ourselves and our place in the universe. Critical or harsh self-dialogue

  Meditation and affirmative prayer--these are all fantastic spiritual practices that can lead to incredible growth in our lives. But what do we do when we find these practices don't seem to be working?  If that sounds like an experience you've had, don't worry. You're not alone. In my classes about affirmative prayer I often have students ask me, "What do I do if my prayer doesn't work?" Or, I hear "I want to meditate, but my mind just won't be quiet!" The good news is that often when it seems like we are doing everything right--but not seeing results--it turns out there is a part of us that might be getting in the way. And these parts--hidden beliefs, attitudes, ways of being--can be addressed directly so that we might better understand what is keeping our prayers and meditations from uplifting our lives, and then bring in healing.  I invite you to join me in this exploration in our next Wednesday Evening Service, where I will be talking ab

  We are more than the sum of our parts. The aspects of our mind that protect us, that hold on to innocence and joy, that are curious and compassionate--they all make up the whole that is us. I like to think of my mind as a puzzle where the final picture is constantly growing and evolving--and that picture is wonderful.  But what happens to the puzzle pieces of our mind when they are faced with discomfort? What happens when sometimes it feels like one of our pieces doesn't fit; or, worse, when we can't seem to find  one of those pieces?   Don't worry--if you have asked yourself these questions, you are not alone. I have for most of my life.  This is what we will be talking about in our upcoming Wednesday Evening Service as I share a glimpse of knowledge from my upcoming class, Spiritual Cartography. We will also have freshly baked bread, cookies, tea, and beautiful music from Christopher Fritzsche.  I look forward to seeing you at 7pm for a sneak preview of what's to co

  Perhaps you have heard that term, "grace," in our community. But what does it mean, and what is its impact on our lives?  Join Rev. Siota Belle at the Center this Wednesday evening at 7pm to dive into how grace--the lovingly unconditional self-givingness of the Universe--can bring us comfort and healing as we wrestle with the most challenging aspects of life.  We will have tea, cookies, freshly baked bread, and a special guitar meditation. We look forward to seeing you and your friends! See you soon, -Russ

This month, our community has been exploring the theme of newness - in our thoughts, attitudes, and habits. It's a journey of renewal and transformation, where we open ourselves to fresh perspectives and embrace change in all its forms. And what better way to delve deeper into this theme than with Rev. Russ Legear's insights? Reverend Russ's topic, "Embracing the New," promises to be a continuation of our month-long exploration. It makes one curious – What unique perspectives will he bring? How will he guide us to incorporate this theme of newness into our daily lives? His sessions are always enlightening, often bringing forth ideas and approaches that are both thoughtful and invigorating. As we stand at the cusp of these new understandings and practices, Rev. Russ's guidance comes at a perfect time. Whether it's about shifting our mindset, adopting new habits, or simply learning to view the world through a lens of positivity and possibility, there's

  This past Sunday we spent time visioning on what our 2024 will look like. We had a lot of fun in our workshop and made some beautiful vision boards! But what can we do to keep that vision alive--and, more importantly, make sure we have the motivation to stick with it?  While a vision that is rooted in Spirit will always contain its own motivation, sometimes life can get in the way of that motivation by putting us in situations that can be demoralizing. Having solid spiritual practices can be so helpful in bringing us back into a feeling of inspiration and motivation, despite the circumstances of the world.  Join us tonight as we collect a whole set of creative practices we can employ keep connected to Spirit and its boundless motivation while we walk our vision.  See you soon! -Russ

When I first began my spiritual path it seemed as though I had to work toward some goal where I would become enlightened and transcend all my human limitations. I would love it if that were possible, but the truth is that no amount of spiritual practice will change that I am human. In fact, my spiritual practice has deepened  my experience of being human. I've found that authentic spiritual practice embraces the realization that there is always more to learn and more life to experience. It's the daily recognition that our universe is filled with infinite possibilities, and that I can choose how many or how few of those possibilities I want to embrace.  My humanity reminds me, then, that seeking out spiritual inspiration and connection is a choice that I get to make every day. Because if I don't, I find that life loses its spark, and my mind closes itself off to what is truly possible.  The good news is that there is no limit to the inspiration and connection and possibility