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April 2010
Upcoming Retreats and Programs
at Franciscan Living Urban Center for Spirituality |
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"Praised be You, Most High, in all your creatures...
Praised be You for our sister, Mother Earth, which sustains us and keeps us, and yields diverse fruits, and flowers of many colors, and grass."
--St. Francis of Assisi
Greetings!
Can you imagine a world without birds because they have all succumbed to commonly used pesticides and chemical agents. This was the thesis of "Silent Spring", a book by Rachel Carson published in the fall of 1962. This disturbing possibility led U. S. Senator Gaylord Nelson to an inspiration about how to bring environmental issues to the political arena. Over a period of seven years, he used his skills and connections to build a foundation and network for what would eventually become what we now call Earth Day. With
support across political, social, and economic differences, the first
Earth Day in 1970 led to the creation of the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and
Endangered Species Acts.
This week, April 22, 2010, marks the 40th
anniversary of Earth Day,
which is now the  largest secular holiday in
the world, observed by one billion people. In anticipation of this significant anniversary, our April Sabbath Prayer, Sister Mother Earth explored a Franciscan approach to relationship with the
natural world as we listened together to the heart of creation.
Particularly evocative for those gathered was a Meditation on a Raisin where we spent about 15 minutes in mindful consideration of the color, texture, scent, taste, and the countless inter-connections needed to bring this small piece of fruit to our lips. If you are interested in experiencing this meditation yourself, please click on the title above which will link you to the text we used for our gathering.
Our April programs continue with opportunities to experience the eco-friendly
SoulCollage®
process which makes use of magazine and other "found" images to foster an experience of connecting deeply with one's inner life. The SoulCollage® Studio is
open on Tuesday evenings in April from 5:30 - 8:00 PM. Those new to SoulCollage®
as well as those with some experience in card making will find
everything needed to create these beautiful "windows into the soul.
May programs will include: A Sabbath Prayer which explores the divine as Mother of Us All, a morning and evening repeat of our popular two week mini-retreat, A Pilgrimage Back to the Shack,an introduction to SoulCollage:The Great Mother Archetype, a new SoulCollage workshop: Working With Your Cards, Franciscan Prayerwith Lana Engler and SpiritDances at our weekly Monday Evening BodyPrayer.
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GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!!!
Ashana Benefit ConcertFriday,
April 30th - 7:00 PM
St. Francis of Assisi Church
 26th & K Streets
Sacramento 95816
General Admission $35.00
VIP Ticket $55.00
(This special ticket includes Thursday evening reception with Ashana and reserved seating at the Church)
Crystal bowl artist and singer, Ashana, will return to
Sacramento for a benefit concert.
Last May Ashana riveted an audience of about
150 with her soaring vocals and deep spirituality as she
brought her stirring music to the historic sanctuary of St. Francis of
Assisi Church in midtown Sacramento. This year's
event will benefit Stanford
Settlement,
Bread of Life
Center & Spirit in the Arts and our own Franciscan
Living.
Tickets are available at the Franciscan Living office
and online through Sunlight of the Spirit Books and Gifts.
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$10.00 per session - Drop in BodyPrayer - Prayers
of Joy
Mondays, April 19, 26; 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Drop in - Donations for the support of the Center
gratefully accepted
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Saturday, May 1, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Pre-Registration - $15.00
Mondays, May 3,
10, 17, 24, 31 - 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Drop in - Donations for the support of the Center
gratefully accepted
Franciscan Prayer with Lana Engler
Saturdays, May 15 & 22, 11:00 AM - 12;30 PM
Registration Requested
Donations
for the support of the Center
gratefully accepted
Tuesday, May 25th 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Previous SoulCollage
Experience Required
Pre-Registration - $15.00
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Individual Spiritual
Direction
available by appointment.
Call 916.718.4797 or e-mail our office for more information
Sliding scale is available
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Who are You, God, and Who am I?
Franciscan Living Urban Center for Spirituality is rooted in this fundamental question that transcends the boundaries of space, time, race, gender, and religious practice. Like St. Francis & St. Clare of Assisi and their early followers, we recognize our origins in the Holy One and our kinship with all creation. Together we strive for authenticity of spiritual practice that manifests in the ordinary course of our daily lives and relationships. Through the spirituality of Presence we touch the Sacred and come to know the blessing of who we are as an integral part of the web of life.
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 In the spirit
of Francis and Clare of Assisi and their early followers, we invite you to join us in observing Earth Day as a daily celebration of
our connection with Creation by considering the incredible network that sustains our life on
this planet. Some helpful ideas are contained in the excellent suggestions
in the Franciscan Action Network pamphlet "Ten Things You can do to Heal
the Earth."
As sisters and brothers with all of creation, let us continue to commit ourselves to simpler and more sustainable ways of Franciscan Living.
Blessings,
Margie Will, osf |
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