First Metaphysical Church

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1 First Metaphysical Church Merry Christmas and Happy Yule to All December 2017 OK, right up front I'll admit it. I've been listening to Christmas carols for awhile now. I count down the days until it's time for carols. I try to wait for the day after Thanksgiving, but didn't make it this year. I often think that the beauty of the season might be a payback for our Michigan winters! Christmas, Yule and Hanukkah are all holidays of light. Christmas, the birth of the Son, that was to be the light of the world. Yule the return of the sun, to warm the days and bring the light to the earth. And Hanukkah the festival of lights for the oil that should have lasted for only one day in the temple, but lasted for eight. The Spirit of the season is universal, no matter how we chose to celebrate. Peace, love and compassion are all the meaning of the light in each holiday. I have many happy childhood memories of the season. One being when I was around seven and was chosen to be the angel in a church service. I was to stand very still with hands folded in prayer, and fly above the manager by standing on a chair. I took my part very seriously! I studied all the pictures of angels in the family Bible, and practiced looking holy. When show time came, I had taken off my shoes and socks. I was shocked at how the minister and Sunday school teacher reacted. I tried to explain that in the Bible angels were always barefoot! They were not buying it! So I had to be an angel in ruffled socks and shiny Mary Jane shoes. Travesty! The saddest memory was the year our kids were older teenagers. I had cancer, my dad had cancer, even our cat had cancer. It was a lot to deal with in one house. What to do? More carols! More decorations! More lights, and cookies! We loved each other though it. Years later I realize it was a precious, if hard time. We all have our holiday memory's. Some joyful some not so much. But we must always have an attitude of gratitude for our blessings. Our life, loved ones, friends and family are our true treasures of the season. Being Metaphysical means so much when you see the light in all the holidays. So light up the Yule log, the Menorah, and the Christmas tree! May this season of light bring peace, love, and Spirit to you and yours! I love you all so much!!! Rev. Connie Lundy

2 The Holiday Season Is Among Us Oh, the holidays! Family gatherings, food, travel and fun! This may be so for some or even most of us, but please remember not all have fond memories of the holidays. Some will even be emotional around the holidays. Perhaps emotions kick in due to money stress, such as buying all of those gifts. Maybe it is a memory trigger of less happier times as a child, or Post Traumatic symptoms. Others will be singing, dancing and decorating everywhere they go. This is the time that families gather and some people may not have a Thanksgiving table to feast at or a Christmas tree to gather around. I would like to ask everyone to check on each other this holiday season. See that your family members, friends and neighbors have a table to feast at and a tree to gather around. Even if it s just a, Hello. How are you doing? Just thought I would check in on you. Those few words can mean so much to someone. I am hoping that our pot luck will be full and members will bring that dish to share. Please invite others to come and feast with us, maybe even gather around our tree this year. Invite them to help decorate with us, and sing joyous music while doing so. We all have very busy lives and sometimes can walk right past a person without noticing that they aren t smiling. So I ask all of you, to take a deep breath, ground and center yourself, then take notice of the people around you during the holiday season this year. I hope to see you at our next Sunday service or Pot Luck! May you have a joyous holiday! Virginia Ginger Guindon President, Board of Directors Meaning of Yule Yule is the celebration of the winter solstice, and usually lands on Dec. 21 or 22. For 2017 the solstice is on Thursday, Dec. 21, at 11:28 am. It is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Traditionally, this is the birthday of the new Sun King, when the Oak King conquers the Holly King, and rules until the summer solstice. Often, these two are portrayed in familiar ways - the Holly King frequently appears as a woodsy version of Santa Claus. He dresses in red, wears a sprig of holly in his tangled hair, and is sometimes depicted driving a team of eight stags. Although Santa Claus is primarily based upon St. Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian bishop from Lycia (now in Turkey), the figure is also strongly influenced by early Norse tradition.

3 The celebration of Yule in Scandinavia predates the Christian Christmas holiday by thousands of years but you will notice a lot of the same symbolism. Their Midwinter Feast lasted at least twelve days and is the origin of the twelve days of Christmas. At Midwinter, or Solstice, the Vikings honored their Gods with religious rituals and feasting. Yule represented the halfway point of winter. It was time to select which animals might not make it through the rest of the winter. In some areas they sacrificed a wild boar to Frey, the God of fertility and farming, to assure a good growing season in the coming year. The meat was then cooked and eaten at the feast. In other areas Odin, Thor, or Frigga may have taken center stage, but in all cases this was a time for family coming together, exchanging gifts, and enjoying fabulous feasts. Another Viking tradition was the Yulelog, a large oak log decorated with sprigs of fir, holly or yew. Runes were carved into it, asking the Gods to protect them from misfortune. A piece of the log was saved to protect the home during the coming year and light next year's fire. Saint Nicholas was known for giving gifts to the poor. In one notable story, he met a pious but impoverished man who had three daughters. He presented them with dowries to save them from a life of poverty and ill repute. The Oak King is usually pictured as a fertility god, and occasionally appears as the Green Man. On this darkest of nights, the Goddess becomes the Great Mother and once again gives birth. And it makes perfect poetic sense that on the longest night of the winter, there springs the new spark of hope, the Sacred Fire, the Light of the World. Many ancient monuments and cities are aligned with the winter solstice s sunrise or sunset, including Stonehenge in England and Newgrange in Ireland. Newgrange is located in northeastern Ireland, and is thought to date back to about 3200 B.C. The mound, with its grassy roof, rises from a green field and inside contains a series of tunnels and channels. During sunrise on the winter solstice, the sun pours into the main chambers, which represents the renewal of life-giving light to the womb of the earth. The most well known, of course, is Stonehenge and is a popular place for hundreds, if not thousands, of Druids and other pagans to meet to watch the sunset since it is carefully aligned on a sight-line that points to the winter solstice sunset, as opposed to the sunrise on the summer solstice. This event is a popular travel destination. Unfortunately, most tours for this year are already fully booked. Maybe next year!

4 Why were ancient peoples so attuned with this astronomical event? Most ancient civilizations struggled to subsist through harsh winter months, thus the winter solstice marked a time of spiritual rejoice and celebration. As the days began to lengthen and the sun grew stronger each day, hope was renewed that another Spring would bring another harvest season, ensuring the continuation of life. For the rural folk who worked hard during the year, the end of a lean winter was something to celebrate and the God of the Sun was something to be honored. Today, it is still a festival that honors the cycle of nature and the Wheel of the Year. Your Birth Day number Numerology Your Birth Day number is just that -- the day on which you were born -- and it reveals a certain talent that will eventually find its place on your Life Path. Calculate your Birthday like this: December 2, 1966 December is the 12th month so December = (1+2) reduces to 3 The 2nd day stays as reduces to 22, a master number (discussed below), so leave it at 22. If your birthday number is: So we have: = 27, which reduces to = 9 Your birth day number is You are a leader. You have great ambition and a strong drive for success. You are highly independent and easily become frustrated with the routine. You have great will power that will be tested, especially during the years 28 to 56. But your opportunity for accomplishment is enormous. Your determination, will power, and inventiveness are the keys to your success and will likely bring you much personal reward and financial success. 2. You are very sensitive, intuitive, and diplomatic. You are aware of your surroundings and easily influenced by your environment. You love beauty and attention. Your sensitivity makes you highly emotional and vulnerable to being hurt.

5 3. You have a highly developed creative talent. You are an artist at heart. You could excel in writing, visual or performing arts. If you are not professionally involved in one of these areas, you should consider taking up art as a hobby. 4. You are a hard worker and a conscientious person. You are precise and take great care in what you do. You are highly-principled, disciplined, and responsible. You take your obligations very seriously. You are highly ethical. 5. You love change, travel and adventure. You are a bit of a rolling stone. You have enormous curiosity and yearn to see far-off places and meet exotic people. Your arena is the world itself, and it is just a matter of time before you are off once again on another excursion. 6. You are family-oriented and have a talent for settling disputes between people to the satisfaction of both sides. You somehow know the middle ground. Your lesson in life is to work with the whole subject of balance. You must come to truly understand the ancient and fundamental principle of opposites that seek harmony. Whether the realm is the emotions, caring for others, finances, work, or play, you must learn where you can be of service, exactly what you can do, and what are your limits. 7. You are a dreamer and a philosopher, and your destiny is your mind. You are attracted to the mystical side of life. Your clairvoyant and psychic abilities are marked, and you will develop the intuitive, introspective side of your personality. Often your psychic hunches foretell future events. If you develop your psychic gift, you can use it for the benefit of others. 8. Strength, will and effort are the keywords for your nature. You have the ability to channel your energies in order to alter any given situation, so you will ultimately be a leader. The power you exert over the material world is a product of the discipline you expend. 9. You are a humanitarian, a universalist who thinks in abstract terms. Born for service to others, you want to make the world a better place in which to live. Since 9 is the last single digit, it indicates attainment, perfection and completion, the seeds for new beginnings, the foundation for future growth in the next or higher cycle. Master Numbers In Numerology most numbers are reduced down to the vibration of a single digit, for example a 25 is reduced to a 7 (2 + 5 = 7), and 18 becomes a 9 (1 + 8 = 9). However, in Numerology 11 & 22 require unique attention. These are called the 'Master Numbers'. Being born in November (the 11th month), or on the 22nd does not automatically mean that you are an 11 or 22. Due to the intensified vibration and potency of 11 and 22, those who are born with them often feel a heightened sense of obligation in life and a greater need for self-discipline and purity of consciousness. They tend to have challenging childhoods, yet often lead extraordinary lives after learning to utilize their full potential - therefore many are late bloomers. Next month we will discuss the nine year cycle of life.

6 Card of the Month Native American Medicine Cards By Jamie Sams & David Carson Otter Woman Medicine The medicine held by Otter is a set of lessons in female energy. This applies to both men and women, as all of us have female sides. Otter is very caring of its young and will play for hours performing all types of acrobatics. It lives on land, but always has its home near water. The elements of Earth and Water are the female elements. Otter is the personification of femininity: long, sleek, and graceful, Otter is the true coquette of the animal world. Unlike other animals, Otter will not start a fight unless it is attacked first. This joyful little creature is adventuresome and assumes that all other creatures are friendly until proven otherwise. Otter teaches that balanced female energy is not jealous or catty. It is sisterhood, content to enjoy and share the food fortune of others. Anchored in the understanding that all accomplishments are worthwhile for the whole tribe, Otter people express joy for others. Woman energy without games or control is a beautiful experience. It is the freeness of love without jealousy. It is the joy of loving other people s children and their accomplishments as much as you love your own. It may be time to examine your feelings about sharing the bounty of your life with others. Otter may be saying that the finer qualities of women need to be striven for in both men and women so that a unity of spirit can be achieved. This would involve the destruction of jealousy and of all the acts of anger which stem from that fear. It would mean a world full of people coming together to honor the right of each person to be. Otter may be telling you to become the playful child and to simply allow things to unfold in your life. It may be time to stop your addiction to worrying. Become Otter and move gently into the river of life. Flow with the waters of the Universe this is the way of balanced female-receptive energy.

7 Your Sun Stone is Topaz. It is a beautiful gem! Sagittarius rules the very ending of the harvest and the very beginning of winter. The archer represents Sagittarius. The archer is often depicted as a centaur shooting arrows. Archers will listen to everything you have to say just like Sagittarians love to receive information from others. Sagittarians are optimistic, kind, and just plain out adventurous. You can count on them to cheer you up and make sure your happy no matter what. Sagittarians treat others the way they want to be treated. They expect you to give them the same respect they give you. The sense of adventure stimulates the Sagittarians' happiness. One thing they enjoy most is traveling and exploring. Their outlook on life is extremely positive. They believe that anything is possible if you just believe. They focus on something they really want and make it their own. Sagittarians can be the most loving and big-hearted person ever, but watch out. Sometimes they get really impatient and will speak their mind without holding anything back. The traditional stone for a Sagittarian is Topaz. Topaz colors varies from yellow, orange, blue, clear, brown, red, pink, violet, to green. Blue is the most popular color. This stone is also know as the true stone of success and love. Topaz promotes truth and forgiveness. It removes and demolishes doubts and strengthens your beliefs. Topaz has been said to be able to unleash your imagination. Amethyst stones and Topaz stones combined are powerful and bring you a very soothing relaxed feeling. Topaz is able to aware us what is most important. It's also said that this stone can open your mind to new adventures. Another traditional stone for a Sagittarian is Turquoise. Turquoise colors are blue-green. When Turquoise is worn it protects from negative energies and takes on one characteristics from the owner. This stone carries a lot of wisdom and truth because it's one of the oldest stones and been through more than most. Turquoise helps you understand yourself better and to pay more attention to your emotions. Lapis Lazuli is also a stone associated with Sagittarius. Lapis Lazuli is a stone that promotes friendship and truth, and can be worn to promote honesty and ease of communication. It is also believed to increase mental clarity, and be an energy focus for teachers. It is believed to enhance creative self-expression and to promoting spirituality. If you are lucky enough to be a Sagittarius, get a Topaz, Turquoise, or beautiful Lapis stone. Put it in a pendant or ring and wear it. You will feel like yourself when you do. Try it. As one born under the sun sign of Sagittarius, you have quite a few choices about which crystals are really right for you. We suggest you find one of the stones discussed above that seems right to you. That is your stone!

8 Introduction To The Meaning and Uses of Topaz For thousands of years the mere mention of Topaz has conjured thoughts of opulence and luxury, influence and generosity, vibrancy and strength. To possess one brings true love and fidelity, friendship, and a gentle nature, bestowing the gifts of courage and wisdom, and success in all endeavors. Its energy, harnessed from the sun, transcends both time and space, and is one of the most loving, beneficial crystals one can gift to the Self. From the pure light of clear Topaz, to the gold and sunny yellows, to the fiery pink-red varieties, Topaz warms to its solar energy, diffusing and radiating its gentle power in all directions soothing, healing, stimulating and recharging. It brings solid, lasting energy, joy, generosity and abundance. Blue Topaz draws its solar influence from the entire sky, where strength and vitality become inspiration, breath and momentum. It promotes truth and forgiveness, expression, and the confidence to fulfill one s aspirations. Topaz is also considered to have lunar connections, its color and power waxing and waning in union with the moon s cycle Topaz is more than an enhancement stone, it is regarded as the crystal of potency, with ends and facets (and those which have been faceted) that produce both positive and negative currents. It differs from the energy of Quartz in the way its alternating currents are linked and broadcast via the ethers to the forces of attraction and manifestation. A request to the Universe focused through this gem brings an intense clarify to one s intention and increases the focus of one s thoughts, energy and actions in order to manifest one s desires into physical reality. Topaz is highly effective for affirmations and visualization, meditation and projection, and is an excellent talisman for discerning Divine wisdom and connecting to the heavenly realm. Topaz occurs in a wide range of colors; the varieties most commonly used for metaphysical purposes are listed below. In addition to the general properties they share, some have additional properties or are more suited for some applications. As Topaz magnifies whatever energy is focused through it, it is important to be conscious and responsible in its use.

9 Did you Know we get a percentage when you sign up and shop? It is fast and easy! Kroger just go to Guest Services and they will link your card with First Metaphysical Church. All you need is the Church name and our Non-Profit Kroger ID which is

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14 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday j Book Club 7pm-9pm Lost Symbol Crafting 5pm-9pm Meditation 7:00 Set Up Psychic Fair Psychic Fair 11am- 6pm Book Club 7pm-9pm Lost Symbol Crafting 5pm-9pm Meditation 7:00 17 Yule Ritual 2:30 Potluck 4:00 Drumming 5:30 18 Book Club 7pm-9pm Lost Symbol Crafting 5pm-9pm 21 Meditation 7: No Services No Book Club Meditation 7:00 31 No Services

15 UPCOMING CLASSES AT FMC BOOK Club Monday December 4, 11, 18 7pm-9pm Bring a snack to Share Love Donation The Lost Symbol is a masterstroke of storytelling - a deadly race through a real-world labyrinth of codes, secrets, and unseen truths...all under the watchful eye of Brown's most terrifying villain to date. Set within the hidden chambers, tunnels, and temples of Washington, DC., The Lost Symbol accelerates through a startling landscape toward an unthinkable finale. Meditation Thursday, December 7, 14, 21, 28 7PM-8:30pm Meditation is as important as prayer. It is important to take the time to listen, to sit in silence and to be one with our higher self. This meditation group is a wonderful place to do just that. We have many wonderful guided meditations with music, drumming and even singing bowls, Shaman journeys and the tree of life are just a few examples. Meet your guides, totems or angels. The outcomes are endless. The first Thursday of the month is TABLE TIPPING, a divination tool for communicating with spirit Holiday Crafting

16 Wednesday, December 6, 13 & 20 5pm-9pm So many of us are in need of finishing our Holiday Crafts for our Loved Ones. Come Join us bring your craft to work on and a snack to share. We are going to have lots of fun. We all say we get more done when we are not at home! Games and Potluck December 31 4 pm We are going to have an awesome night of fun playing games and Hanging out. We will not be having our regular service. Just a bunch of fun to ring in the New Year.

17 Wassail Ingredients Servings: apples, cored (preferably crisp, sweet apples like Fuji or honey crisp) 1 cup brown sugar 4 cups hard cider, crisp and not too sweet 3 cups ale 2 cups sherry 1 cinnamon stick 1 teaspoon nutmeg, ground 1 teaspoon ginger, ground 2 cloves, whole 4 allspice berries, whole 6 eggs Garnish: apple slice and a cinnamon stick Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Put apples in a baking dish, and spoon brown sugar into the core of each. Add 1/4 inch water to the bottom of the dish, and place in the oven until softened, about 45 minutes. 3. In a large sauce pot, add cider, ale and sherry. Place over low heat, and do not boil. 4. In a square of cheesecloth, add cinnamon stick, cloves and allspice. Tie securely and drop into the warming pot with nutmeg and ginger. 5. Separate egg yolks from whites into two separate medium-sized bowls. 6. With an electric mixer, beat egg yolks until frothy. Then beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. 7. Beat egg whites into yolks until just combined. 8. Slowly add 1/2 a cup of the warm cider mixture into the eggs while whisking the entire time. 9. Whisk this mixture back into the cider pot. 10.Add apples and baking liquid to the pot. 11.Ladle into individual glasses, and garnish with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick.

18 English-Trifle An English Trifle is the quintessential pudding that has graced British tables for more than four centuries. As a child, I remember everyone in our family looked forward to my mother bringing her Trifle to the feast. The decadent, rich dessert is simply luscious. This is mom s recipe and one I love the most. Ingredients ounce package instant vanilla pudding 3 cups whole milk cold 1 pint heavy cream 1/4 cup sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 7 ounces lady fingers 1/2 cup Sherry wine 1 12-ounce package frozen mixed berries thawed 2 quarts frozen strawberries, whole or sliced 1/3 cup sliced almonds toasted, cooled Instructions 1. Make pudding by mixing 5.1 ounce package with 3 cups of cold milk (if your package has difference measurements of milk, follow those). Whisk to combine until it's thickened. Place in the fridge to thicken a little more until we need it. 2. Make whipped cream by adding heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla to the bowl of a mixer. Beat with whisk attachment until thickened and stiff peaks form. Set aside. 3. Layer 1/2 of the ladyfingers on the bottom of a trifle dish. Slowly pour 1/4 cup of Sherry wine over the ladyfingers. With a slotted spoon, scoop half of the thawed mixed berries over the ladyfingers. They should be strained enough with the spoon, but don't worry if a little extra juice gets in there. 4. Layer 1/2 of the prepared pudding over the berries, making sure that they are completely covered. Add 1/2 of sliced strawberries over the top of the pudding. If you want a nice presentation, you can line the edge with strawberry slices standing straight up. Layer 1/2 of the whipped cream over the strawberries, completely covering them. 5. Repeat layers. Sprinkle toasted almonds (that have cooled) over the top layer of whipped cream. If the almonds are still warm, they will melt the whipped cream so make sure they have cooled. Let the mixture set in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving (ideally overnight, if possible).

19 Bishop Bread Bake 325* 1-1/2 hours makes 1 loaf Ingregients: 1-1/2 c flour 1-1/2 t baking powder 1/4 t salt 1 c chocolate chips 3 eggs 1 c chopped dates 1 c candied cherries 1 c sugar Mix well, grease loaf pan and cover bottom of pan with brown paper Yule Incense Ingredients 1/2 Orange Rind 1/2 part Sweetgrass 1/2 part Grandfather White Sage 1/8 part pine needles 1 part Frankincense 1/2 part Myrrh 1/2 part Cloves 1/2 part Cinnamon Directions Grate the Orange rind in to a mortar, inhaling the scent as you go. Break up the sweet grass and sage into small bits by hand, and add it to the mortar. Add the rest of the ingredients to it. Mix together with your pestle, while visualizing a harmonious light coming from your chest and going into the blend. Inhale the scent of the mix. When you feel everything has been ground into a powder, take your incense and put it on a charcoal to burn. You could also put this in a seashell and burn it as well. *Note: If you want, you can also use a grinder, but I do recommend using a mortar and pestle. With this technique, you release the fragrances without heating them. If they are put into a grinder, they get hot and lose some of their essential oils.

20 FMC Wholesale Distributer FMC offers the following: 1. Any member or friend/family can pre-order from the Young Living Catalog (Wholesale prices 40% off retail prices) plus Michigan tax 6% plus $1.00 S+H. Orders go in at the first week of each month. See our face book page under files for catalog and prices or look through our catalog on Sunday nights. Applying Young Living Essential Oils Aromatically: All of the oils -including blends- may be diffused. Inhaling: It takes 22 seconds for oil to reach the brain! Topically: All of the oils can be applied to the Vita Flex points on the feet, added to bath water mixed with Epsom salts, applied topically on location or used with body and foot massage. When applied topically, it takes 2-3 minutes for the oil to reach the blood stream, 20 minutes to affect every cell in the body, and 2 ½ hours to fully metabolize. FMC will not be liable for the use of the oils Ginger Guindon guindonvirginia@gmail.com Tess Piontek mztessa@yahoo.com Joshua Alward 10 Gary Bassett 31 Joe Crevisten 18 Laurie French 19 Tassy Kalemas 8 Rev. Beverley LaJoie 5

21 FMC Board of Directors 2017 Trustees Head Minister Rev. Connie Lundy John Lundy President Ginger Guindon Jim Haywood Vice President Tessa Piontek Jim Walker Secretary Missa Rozell Kristen Senters Treasurer Rhonda Sebert Cheri Cook Mica Davis Minutes from the Board of Directors Meetings are available to all members of the Congregation anytime We are an Inter-faith Organization, and we honor the truth in all religions. We accept people of all faiths and invite everyone to join us in our spiritual journeys. It doesn t matter by what name you call your God or Goddess; it s what s in your heart that counts. Your own individual path to spiritual growth is always accepted in this church without judgment as long as you harm no one. We believe in the Divinity of each person and the sacredness of nature. First Metaphysical Church 8267 E. Atherton rd. Davison, MI Harmany Hall Rental: Seats 72 Please call for information Living is Learning to Love How to find us. Webpage: Meet up Facebook First Metaphysical Church