First Metaphysical Church

Transcription

1 First Metaphysical Church MARCH 2016 NEWSLETTER Ostara The word Ostara is just one of the names applied to the celebration of the spring equinox, the day when there are equal lengths of daylight and darkness. The equinox can be as early as March 19 or as late as March 21, the precise time being about 5 hours 49 minutes later in a common year, and about 18 hours 11 minutes earlier in a leap year, than in the previous year. It is the balance of common years and leap years that keeps the calendar date of the equinox from drifting more than a day from March 20 each year. Since 2016 is a leap year, the equinox falls on Sunday, March 20th, at 12:30 am. The origin of the word is actually from the name, Eostre, a European goddess of spring. Of course, it's also around the same time as the Christian Easter celebration, and in the Jewish faith, Passover takes place as well. For early Pagans in the Germanic countries, this was a time to celebrate the warmer lengthening days, planting, and the new crop season. Spring equinox is a time for fertility and sowing seeds. In colder climates, such as Michigan s, you can always begin your seeds indoors. In medieval societies in Europe, the March hare was viewed as a major fertility symbol -- this is a species of rabbit that is nocturnal most of the year, but in March when mating season begins, there are bunnies everywhere, all day long. Eostre was the Saxon version of the Germanic goddess Ostara. Her feast day was held on the full moon following the vernal equinox -- almost the identical calculation as for the Christian Easter in the west. One popular folk tale is that Eostre found a wounded bird on the ground late one winter. To save its life, she transformed it into a hare. But the transformation was incomplete. The bird took the appearance of a hare but retained the ability to lay eggs...the hare would decorate these eggs and leave them as gifts to Eostre. In ancient Rome, the followers of Cybele, the Great Mother goddess, believed that she had a consort who was born via a virgin birth. His name was Attis, and he died and was resurrected each year during the time of the vernal equinox, according to the Julian Calendar (between March 22 and March 25). Around the same time, the

2 Germanic tribes also believed that Ostara mated with a fertility god around this time of year, and then gave birth nine months later at Yule. The indigenous Mayan people in Central American have celebrated a spring equinox festival for at least a thousand years. As the sun sets on the day of the equinox on the great ceremonial pyramid, El Castillo, its western face is bathed in the late afternoon sunlight. The lengthening shadows appear to run from the top of the pyramid's northern staircase to the bottom, giving the illusion of a diamond-backed snake in descent. This has been called "The Return of the Sun Serpent" since ancient times. This is a good time of year to start your seedlings. If you grow an herb or vegetable garden, start getting the soil ready for late spring plantings. Celebrate the balance of light and dark as the sun begins to tip the scales, and the return of new growth is near. Try this sometime with your children, on the day of the Vernal Equinox, just a few moments before the exact moment of the equinox, go outside with a raw egg. Find a reasonably level place on the sidewalk or driveway. For a few moments just before and just after the equinox, you can balance the egg upright (wider end down) by simply setting it down on the ground. No kidding! It will stand up all by itself. Kids love this, and most adults are amazed and delighted, too. JOIN US FOR AN OSTARA RITUAL ON SUNDAY, MARCH 20 TH IMMEDIATELY AFTER CHILDREN S EASTER PARTY 3:30 IN SANCTUARY, BRING A DISH TO PASS IF YOU WITH TO JOIN US FOR REFRESHMENTS AFTER RITUAL

3 Synchronicity Rev Nicky Highlen This month I wanted to share with you the wonderful way that synchronicity works by sharing an excerpt from The Artists Way. Answered prayers are scary, they imply responsibility. You asked for it, now you have it, what are you going to do? The universe will reward you for taking risks on its behalf. Shakti Gawain The jig is up; God knows that the sky s the limit. Possibility is far more frightening than impossibility; freedom is far more terrifying than any prison. Ask and you shall receive. Knock and it shall be opened to you. When we answer the call, when we commit to it, we set in motion the principle that Carl Jung dubbed synchronicity, loosely defined as a fortuitous intermeshing of events. As a rule of thumb, don t ask whether you can do something; instead say that you are doing it. Then fasten your seat belt, the most remarkable things follow. The universe falls in with worthy plans and most especially with festive and expansive ones. Understand that the what must come before the how. First choose what you would do, the how usually falls into place by itself. Take a small step in the direction of your dream and watch the synchronous doors fly open. Leap and the net will appear. Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative [or creation] there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would otherwise never have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one s favor all manner of incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man would have believed would come his way. Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace, and power in it. ~~ Trust Goethe, Statesman, scholar, artist, man of the world.

4 11 th Annual Scrap book Overnighter Friday, March 4 th 6pm to Saturday, March 5 th 6am Join us for crafting all night 12 hours! You can bring any craft knitting, sewing, scrap book, blankets, reading, card making, and more. Cricuit will be there along with card stock, etc. Cost is still the same after all these years $10 per person includes hall rental, supper and breakfast! Sign up in Harmony Hall or with Sherry Pickett

5 Chakra Balancing Class Learn new ways to balance your Chakras. Receive handouts of varieties of meditations. Participate in class discussions. Practice balancing that day. Sunday, March 13 th 4-5pm $10 per person Class led by Rachel Cooper

6 11 th Annual Children s Easter Egg Hunt and Party March 20 th, 1-3 pm Enjoy crafts, games, food, face painting, egg decorating, and the egg hunt of all egg hunts 900 hundred plastic eggs this year! We are looking for donations of wrapped candy and any tiny toys for the plastic eggs. Thank you.

7 Come join us for a great time of Painting with the help of Smartee Paints. We will be painting a tree and moon for our new mural on the wall of the church. Smartee Paints supplies all the easels, canvas and paints. You get to choose your colors and paint along with us as a group. We will have some snacks but feel free to bring something for yourself or to share, and BYOD if you like. This is a FUNraiser for the church. Cost is $40 with $5 going to the church and Smartee Paints will also donate. Space is limited to 30 people and you MUST register online at the Smartee Paints link by April 4th or until full. Go to the First Metaphysical church and pre-pay online. Contact Jeniel Payne with any questions

8 Meditation with the Moon! Saturday Night, March 5 th 7:00pm Experience intense healing for the personal mind, body and soul. Ool Pardi Tubular Bells, Sioux Ceremonial Drum & Paiste Gong. Ann Nedela Singing Bowl. Meditation will be spent in the dark incorporating the energies of the MOON. You are also encouraged to bring a bottle of water to be blessed. Thursday, March 31st, pm-9pm Mediation the last Thursday of the month in March we will host our candle divination. Come join us as we watch and talk to the candle flame. This is a great way to meditate and connect with spirit. Discussion at 7pm, Candle circle will start promptly at 7:30pm. Bring an open mind as we watch the flame for messages from Spirit, Loved Ones, Angels, and your Guides. We will discuss the use of candles and the different ways to talk to them and watch for signs. Did you know burning different colored candles will help with different parts of your life?? We will demonstrate different candle divination each month to go home and try on your own. This is something everyone can do and bring the spirits to the light. LOVE DONATION

9 Freestyle Hoola Hooping with Krystal Caloia Join us Wednesday 2nd, 9 th, and 23rd from 6-7pm and Friday the 18 th from 6pm to 8pm. Get in shape, meet new friends, have some laughs. Extra hoops will be available at class. LOVE DONATION Explore the Chinese Martial Art of Kung Fu/Tai Chi With Dawei Li Class will start with posture balancing and improving walking gait. From there you will dive into breathing movement and balancing. Coordination and self defense, awareness and weapons are also covered. Join us starting Tuesdays, March 1 st, 8 th, 15 th, 22 nd, and 29 th. Cost of class $10 person.

10 CONTINUOUS ORDERS EVERY MONTH Our new FMC t-shirts are available for pre-order now! Prices are as follows: Youth sizes thru adult x large $10 each. 2x large is $12 and 3x large is $ Entire amount due to Kristen Nix (board secretary) ******ONGOING AT HARMONY HALL**** Meditation with the Reverends! Every Thursday a different Reverend of First Metaphysical Church hosts our meditation. Every night is a different theme and a new and different way to meditate. Join us every Thursday of the month at 7pm to 8:30pm. Love donations. Candle meditation last Thursday of each month through March. Meditation with the Moon. Hosted by Ann Nedela and Ool Pardi. Love donation. Saturdays, please arrive 7:00 pm sharp. This is an intense healing for personal mind, body and soul. It will be spent in the dark incorporating the energies of the moon. March 5th 7:00pm HOOLA HOOP FREESTYLE Hosted by Krystal Caloia. See calendar for dates and times. Explore the Chinese Martial Art of Kung Fu/Tai Chi starting Tuesdays, March 1 st, 8 th, 15 th, 22 nd, and 29 th. Cost of class $10 person.

11 FMC HOLISTIC PSYCHIC FAIR Saturday, March 12th, 11:00am-6:00pm Sit face to face with one of our amazing psychics and light workers offering such wonderful services such as: Tarot Runes Native Am. Medicine Cards- Clairvoyance Animal Cards Astrology Angel Cards Intuitive Healing Reflexology Massage-Shamanic Healing. Admission is $3.00 readings start at $ We have an exciting array of interesting vendors offering unique items that you will not be able to find anywhere else.

12 Healing Service 6:00pm Regular service 6:30pm 2016 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 6 Board Meeting 3pm The New Earth 7-9pm 1 Tai Chi 7pm $10 Ministers Meeting 7pm Sanctuary 8 Tai Chi 7pm $ HOOLA HOOP CLASS 6pm Love Donation 19 HOOLA HOOP CLASS 6pm Love Donation 16 3 Meditation 7:00 10 Meditation 7: Scrapbook Event 6pm to 6am Saturday 11 Fair Set Up 6:00pm Fair meeting 18 7pm 5 Moon Meditation 7pm 12 Psychic Fair 11:00 6:00 $3 admission 19 Chakra Balancing 4-5pm 20 CHILDRENS EASTER PARTY 1-3 PM OSTARA RITUAL 330 POTLUCK AFTERWARDS 27 Pot Luck and Drumming 4pm Agape (Communion) Service The New Earth 7-9pm Tai Chi 7pm $10 Filling eggs 7-9 Sanctuary Tai Chi 7pm $10 Tai Chi 7pm $10 Filling eggs 5-7 Harmony Hall 23 HOOLA HOOP CLASS 6pm Love Donation Meditation 7:00 24 Meditation 7: Candle Meditation 7:00 HOOLA HOOP CLASS 6pm Love Donation Webpage:

13 Need Tree Soon you will notice a new addition to Harmony Hall, a new tree on the cupboard on the north wall. This tree is more than decoration, it is here to help us all t0 keep our little church running smoothly; we call it our Need Tree. Here is how it works: on leaves of different colors will be printed what we need, such as toilet paper, paper towels, etc. If the items are needed they will be placed on the tree, if you would like to donate that item, you take it (the leaf with the name of the item) off of the tree and place it on the side hook so that others will know that item is taken care of. We feel this would help us to keep the items that we need stocked for the use of the congregation while at church. Thank you all for the wonderful contributions that you make to keep our church running smoothly! Thank You, The FMC Board of Directors NEEDED FURNISHED

14 The Sunday Service Sign in Sheet is a voluntary activity that is used to track the attendance of Members who wish to participate. This sign in sheet is used for the purpose of making sure that the Ministers, Board of Directors, and Minister Candidates are meeting the requirements of being a Member in Good Standing. Please do not feel obligated to sign in if you do not wish to do so; this is strictly for members who wish to become members of the board next year, or wish to maintain their qualifications to remain on the board. Thank you for being here Santa s Closet We will be hosting a fundraising event in November with new and slightly used Christmas and holiday items. Along with this we will be offering carolers, pictures with Santa, readers, massages, etc. Please save aside any holiday items that you want to give for this fundraiser. Please see Jeniel for details. 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 See the display catalogs in the hall or ask for Ginger Guidion , Kristin Nix , and Rev Sherry Pickett ORDERS FROM CATALOG made first of month Next order in March

15 First Metaphysical Church Members March Birthdays Joe Poison 1 Meg Johnson 8 Davonna Wallace 8 Shawn Sinclair 9 Jamie Young 9 Mary Miley Russell 9 Maria Amezcua 10 Rochelle Anderson 13 Debby Schriner 15 Head Minister Rev Connie Lundy President Rev Nicky Highlen superwoman422001@yahoo.com Vice President Tonya Barton TreasurerJeniel Payne Jlp742@aol.com Secretary Kristen Nix kristen.nix@gmail.com FMC BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2016 Trustees Gary Leyanna 16 Rev Kellly Bailey 17 Rachel Moreno 23 Ann Nedella 27 Amber Gibson 28 Ryan Bellows 30 Rev Deanna Newton 31 Youth Dylan Payne 31 John Lundy Jim Haywood Jimwood6363@gmail.com Barb Nada bnada3@yahoo.com Tessa Piontek Jim Walker Ginger Guidion Minutes from the Board of Directors meetings are available to all members of the Congregation anytime. Call Rev Nicky Highlen or Kristen Nix 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.

16 FIRST METAPHYSICAL CHURCH 8267 E ATHERTON ROAD DAVISON, MI Harmony Hall rental: Seats 100 people Please call for information: Living is Learning to Love How to find us Webpage: spirituality.meetup.com/432/ Face book: First Metaphysical Church Group