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| Franciscan Living: An Urban Center for Spirituality |
Nov./Dec. 2009 |
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Updates
Congratulations to Kim Winters, who won the drawing for five photo cards at the Alternative Christmas Faire held at St. Francis of Assisi Parish on
November 22.
And many thanks to all of you who stopped by our table to say hello, or to purchase cards, prayer candles and paperweights.
All proceeds went to our sliding scale fund for spiritual direction.
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Presence
Heart of Darkness
Again
we ease our way
into the Heart of Gracious Darkness
wherein lies the
Holy of Holies
Sacred Myst'ry
nestled,
burgeoning from
dire nothing
Promise of Promise
Birth of Light
cycle completed
ever begun anew
Sunny de Koning
For Advent 2008 |
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 Buon Giorno, Bona Gente
The circle begins anew even as it ends while we once again find ourselves entering the Season of Light. From ancient times our ancestors have marked the movement of the sun and anticipated the growing light at the Winter Solstice.
In California, Feasts of Light from many different spiritual traditions are part of our cultural and spiritual landscape, with each tradition adding a richness and depth to these days. Here at Franciscan Living Urban Center for Spirituality we celebrate the season of Advent as we mark the days until Christmas with a wreath of green, lighted candles, and prayers for enlightenment.
Advent, the very word means, something new, a beginning. There have been many beginnings for us since last December when, after much effort and anticipation our Center opened in its present location inside Sunlight of the Spirit Books and Gifts. As we begin our second year of offering a space, community, and opportunities to embody the Spirituality of Presence, we invite you to enter into a Sacred Pause and to celebrate the gifts that have been yours this past year. Our Advent retreats, Sabbath Prayer and SoulCollage sessions are designed to assist participants in savoring moments of silence and enlightenment in this busy holiday season. We hope that you will find time to drop by and join us some time this month.
Peace and All Good,
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| Sabbath Prayer: Welcoming the Light
Our First Sabbath Prayer, A Circle of Gratitude, focused on the practice of gratitude with participants singing (and some) dancing their thanks at the beginning of the session. Each person was given a notebook and invited to list those things for which she was grateful. Participants chose beads to make a personal set of gratitude beads, bracelets that can be used to count one's blessings, and were then sent forth with the challenge to keep gratitude lists each day of November.
The December 6th Sabbath Prayer, Welcoming the Light, will focus on the Season of Light and include time for meditation as well as conversation about the ways in which light and darkness interplay in our daily lives. Each participant will have the opportunity to design and decorate a 20 hour prayer candle for personal use during the holidays.
Designed as a pause for spiritual renewal in the midst of your busy life, these 90 minute Sunday afternoon gatherings include contemporary music and ritual, art as meditation, and opportunities for sacred conversation with other participants. |
 BodyPrayer
Prayers for Light
A fusion of gentle movement, modified tai chi and breathwork, BodyPrayer celebrates and nurtures the Divine Presence that dwells within. Participants receive a brief orientation to the simple gestures and are invited to enter into prayer with both body and voice for about 40 minutes as meditative music is played.
Our next celebration of BodyPrayer will be on Monday evenings in January from 6-7 PM . The January prayer will be dedicated to meditation upon and prayers for enlightenment. All are welcome to participate and the prayer can be adapted for those who may need a specific type of accommodation. |
 From Darkness Into Light With Ashana
To welcome this Blessed Season of Light, join renowned Crystal Bowl Master and Artist, Ashana, for a Solstice Ceremony of Healing Sound and Light on Sunday, December 6, 6:00 - 8:30 PM. This event, sponsored by Sunlight of the Spirit Books and Gifts, will be held at the St. Francis parish Center Chapel, 26th & K Streets, Sacramento. Cost: $35.00 advance purchase only. Call 916-440-1533 or email: sunlight.spirit@att.net. | |
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 St. Francis and the Christmas Crib
To depict the astonishing humility with which God embraced our human condition, Francis of Assisi decided to visually recreate the Bethlehem experience in a cave among the hills of central Italy.
One December 24, 1223, carrying a small infant in his arms, Francis led the people of Greccio in procession with their various farm animals to a grotto where the saint made the Christmas liturgy itself a dramatic celebration of the incarnation. All night long a procession of villagers braved cold and snow to see the unique tableau, their torches illuminating the night. The grotto was far too tiny to accommodate everyone so they shivered outside in the woods.
The ritual has been celebrated ever since, in Greccio and round the world . The grotto has remained virtually unchanged, with he exception of a nativity scene fresco painted on the wall by a follower of Giotto about a hundred years after Francis died in 1226.
As you unpack your nativity set this season, spend some time considering the great wonder of God becoming like us so that we might become more like God. |
Upcoming Events
SoulCollage - The Light Bearers
Saturday, December 5, 2009, 10:00 AM - Noon
$15.00 - Pre-Registration Only
Sabbath Prayer - Welcoming the Light
Sunday, December 6, 2009, 1:30 - 3:00 PM
$10.00 - Pre-registration encouraged
Advent Retreat - Resting in the Mystery
Thursday Mornings, December 10 & 17, 2009, 11 AM - Noon
$20.00 - Pre-registration Only
Advent Retreat - StarSong & Silence
Tuesday, December 15, 2009, 6:30 - 8:00 PM
$15.00 - Pre-registration Only
Introduction to SoulCollage - At the Threshold
Saturday, January 2, 2010, 2009, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
$25.00 - Pre-Registration Only
Sabbath Prayer - Embracing the New
Sunday, January 3, 2010, 1:30 - 3:00 PM
$10.00 - Pre-Registration encouraged
BodyPrayer - Prayers for Light
Mondays, January 4, 11, 18 & 25, 2010, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Drop in - Free will offering |
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Soul Food
Most High and Glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of my heart.
Give me right faith, certain hope,
perfect charity, sense and knowledge,
that I may carry out your holy and true will.
(Prayer Before the San Damiano Crucifix by St. Francis of Assisi) |
Contact Information
Franciscan Living: An Urban Center for Spirituality Welcome@FranciscanLiving.org
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| Save 10% |
Good for 10% off any class, workshop or retreat at Franciscan Living Urban Center for Spirituality. |
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Applies only to pre-registration. Offer expires January 31, 2010 | |
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