Dear Earthlings,
Dear Earthlings.
Please join us Sunday, November 1st, for a worship service and sermon, "Hear to Learn to Love" for All Souls Day and Day of the Dead. To the right is a photo of my mother as a baby and my mother's mother, my grandmother. We invite you to bring photos and stories to share of loved ones who have died, as well as food your loved ones enjoyed. For many years, I have prepared a plate of soda crackers, green olives and smoked oysters, all foods my father loved and as I eat them, and share photos and stories about my father, I am flooded with the love we shared. We invite you also to make a small altar in your own home with photos of pets and loved ones to honor their lives and our memories.
We will explore the dream incubation practice of writing a letter to a loved one who has died and put it under your mattress as a way to dream about and connect with our loved ones who have died, in our dreams. Many have shared near death experiences with similar elements regardless of their religious backgrounds or lack thereof. This may include a life review, being greeted by loved ones and or spiritual guides, separating from their body and being able to hear and see others like doctors, for example, working on their bodies. Many people after near death experiences become fearless and joyous and bring back the message that we are here to learn to love. We will consider how the early Christians experienced the resurrection of Jesus similarly; we are here to learn to love and need not fear death.
During the pandemic we are given an invitation to explore our ideas and feelings about death together. Raymond Moody coined the term "near death experience" with his book Life After Life in 1975. I encourage you to watch the video below for we will be exploring some of the ideas shared by Dr. Moody
.Nov. 1st All Souls Day and Day of the Dead, "Here to Learn to Love." Please bring photos, favorite food of loved ones and stories to share. Angela Garcia-Sermeno will share her family's traditions of Day of the Dead and Angela is the talented graphic designer who gifts us with gorgeous orders of worship every week.
Nov. 8th Taize chanting
Nov. 15th 10 am Rev. Bonnie Tarwater preaching at the UU Congregation of Salem. "A Grandmother at the Bedside of Mother Earth with God the Mother." Link below.
Nov 15th 5 pm Dr. Walt Rutherford will reflect on "Why the Buddha and Jesus are Blessed Brothers."
Nov. 22nd Healing Worship, bring oil for anointing ritual.
Nov. 29th Rev. Natalie Shiras will share stories of her anti racism work and we will explore a more truthful story of the genocide of the Native Americans as a part of the American Thanksgiving story.
All worship services close with DANCING at the Mary Magdalene Cafe! Please bring scarves to wave.
Thank you to many who make our worship services and church bountiful with music, meaning, love and generousity. Please find the link below, thanks to Martha Garcia who is our Zoom hostess with the most-est. She also edits our worships services for those who are not able to be with us, as well as those who would like to hear the message and music again! It was a joy to hear Dr. Kevin Clark's sermon, "Love Who Is Near By." Thank you Brother Kevin for this profound message and also thank you Brother Tony and Sister Angela for offering the gorgeous music from your concert at Southwestern College. Brother Tony your solo is so AWESOME and we are so proud to know you and everyone who gifts us with their presence in our beloved community. Church for Our Common Home, new address is 15435 Strong Road, Dallas, Oregon 97338. We are less than a 30 minute drive from Salem, Oregon and about an hour plus south of Portland. Our barn is also an art gallery space and is hanging art made from dreams in the Dream Art Gallery as well as children's art in the Children's EartH Art Gallery! Large colorful rugs on the ground and we are able to sit 6 feet away from one another with lots of fresh air.
Sending love, Bonnie Rev. Bonnie Tarwater Minister Church for Our Common Home
Zoom Church, Dream Group, Lectio Divina/Centering Prayer Three weekly Zoom programs to provide support during this time of global crisis and isolation.
Zoom worship, weekly Sunday 5 pm PST Dream Group, Wednesday 7-8:30 pm PST for during collective crisis dreams often become very powerful and meaningful.
Lectio Divina (bible study) and Centering Prayer Group Tuesdays at 9 am PST
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