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      Here's what's happening  AROUND THE CIRCLE
 
 
In This Issue
Sundays
Mark Your Calendar
Circle News
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
* 
Gratitude
"In The Circle"
 at the bottom
of the page
 
* 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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"God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today.  Have you used one to say "thank you?" 
-- William A. Ward

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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  In the Celebration Circle we honor and nurture the Sacred in ourselves, each other, and all Creation.
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Thank you,
Gary O Smith,
for sharing
your beautiful photos.
 
 

GaryOPhoto Fall 2008 2

There is no perfect time to meditate.  There is only now.  And... now is a perfect time to meditate.  Of course, the chances are good that you are reading this e-newsletter at your computer.  And there's probably more stuff you'll be doing on-line after you finish with this - to say nothing of all those other tasks still waiting on your To-Do List after you log off.
 
So won't you take just a few moments to slow down from the inside out.  Maybe you already have a meditation practice, and this will just serve as a reminder.  Or perhaps it would be helpful to read the rest of this paragraph.  To allow your attention to move from your brain down into your heart.  Re-align your body and get into a comfortable posture, with your spine straight, but not stiff... Take a few slow, deep breaths...  Let your eyes soften and sink right through this computer screen, until the spot where they are focused is not in front of you, but Within you... in the center of your chest.  Feel yourSelf being blessed by your willingness to just rest here for a few minutes...  Nothing more; nothing less...  Simply rest, focusing your attention in your heart...  If you find your mind drifting off to other thoughts, memories or fantasies, simply notice, and bring your attention back to your breath, your heart.  And rest...  Then, whenever you're ready, take a few moments longer to float on a sea of gratitude, aware of the many gifts in your life, including this time you've just given yourself...   Ahhh...
 
I hope you found this to be helpful.  In any case, thanks for taking the time to read these words and considering my invitation.  May you, and All Beings, be blessed by your willingness to rest in an attitude of gratitude.
 
With love and wishes for a happy, healthy Thanksgiving holiday,
r sig 
PS: If you'd like additional support in meditating, you might consider visiting the home page of our new, improved website www.celebrationcircle.org and click on the brief guided meditation you'll find there.  As you read the remainder of this newsletter and go on with the rest of your day, please feel that you are being loved and supported on your unique spiritual path,  because you are!
Sundays

GaryOPhoto Fall 2008 5 

THIS SUNDAY
November 23rd
"In All Things Give Thanks"  

Rudolf invites you to join him in an "inner feast" of gratitude as we share some moving poems, prose, songs and meditations of thanksgiving.  With music by the Circle Singers, our wonderful a capella choir.   Plus, please plan to bring a dish and stay for our delicious Thanksgiving potluck lunch, served immediately afterwards.  The Circle will provide the turkey, plates and utensils - and we'll all bring the rest.  Hope you can be there!
 

NEXT SUNDAY
November 30th
"Bridging the Gap"
 
Rev. Bret Lortie, minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of SA comes across town to join Rudolf as they share their understanding of our essential nature.
 
Sunday Circle meets at 11:00 am
at the Jump Start Theater Located at
the Blue Star Arts Complex
Building B
In the heart of King William
(near the corner of Alamo and Probandt) 
Mark Your Calendar
 
COME GRIN WITH US! 
This Friday, November 21st, 9 pm, $5 cover charge. If you enjoyed the sparking music of Big Wide Grin last Sunday, you'll want to join us at the Cove this Friday to hear more of their great harmonies. You can even get your laundry done at the same time!  www.thecove.us/calendar/index.html

Quaker Meditation Space 4

Wednesday Evening Meditation Circle will not meet this week (November 26th).
We will gather again December 3rd at 7:30 pm at the Quaker Meeting House, 7052 N. Vandiver, San Antonio (at the corner of Eisenhauer Rd. approximately 1/2 mile west of Austin Hwy.) Rudolf leads these weekly sessions with a combination of guided and silent meditations, well-suited to experienced meditators and beginners alike. Love offernings are accepted and support the meditation circle's weekly use of this beautiful sacred space. 
 
 
** PLEASE NOTE that the meditation circle will not be meeting on Nov. 26, Dec. 24 or Dec. 31 this holiday season. 
 
December 21, Sunday, 5:30pm
"Underground Sounds" is a unique concert experience featuring the words and music of Rudolf Harst (vocals, guitar, flute, Tibetan bowls); with Paul Lewis (didgeridoo); Bill Colangelo (bass clarinet); and Carl Rush (percussion). The program blends an eclectic mix of contemporary acoustic music and seasonal songs, with World-Beat overtones, poetry, and meditation - all of which incorporate the extraordinary acoustic properties of the Queen's Throne cavern, located 100 feet under the earth's surface in The Cave Without a Name, 12 miles outside of Boerne. www.cavewithoutaname.com 
 
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance at the Lobby Shop on Sundays, or online by clicking here to purchase via PayPal on our new website. Tickets will also be available at the event ... and advance purchase is suggested, since seating is limited.     
 
Do you know why it is "The Cave Without a Name?" Years ago there was a contest to name the cave, and a young boy won ... saying it was too beautiful to name.


Feel free to call the Celebration Circle office, 210-533-6767, for additional information.
Circle News
Childrens Quilt HEART 2008 2 
We're delighted to welcome Jaden Alexander Longoria to the Celebration Circle family. He was born on Danielle & Alfred's wedding anniversary, October 29th, at 10:19 pm and was 8 lbs 9 oz and 21 healthy inches long. Love, love, love, love ... watch our Circle grow! 
 
*And ... for more news, you're invited to become a part of our online community.    You can make plans with others, let us know about your events, or just have a conversation with others from Celebration Circle. Join us at
groups.yahoo.com/group/celebrationcircle 
 
Also - You can help support Inner City Development in two ways: 
-- "HUNGER IS NOT A THANKSGIVING ISSUE: IT IS AN ISSUE 365 DAYS PER YEAR" ICD begins its Thanksgiving 365 this week. This project is an effort to raise all the money it takes to supply their Emergency Food Pantry with food for 365 days. They serve over 70,000 meals per year to people in crisis, serving the poorest area of BexarCounty.  They are asking for direct donations of any amount and they are looking for 30 people to raise $1,000 each and to fast until they raise that amount. Can you be one of those 30?  If so, call them at 224-7239. Students are asked to collect rice, beans and canned goods.  Checks can be made out to Inner City Development, 1300 Chihuahua St., San Antonio, TX 78207
 
-- Circle will also support the ICD CHRISTMAS TOY SALE, which is an attempt to deal with the issue of trying to maintain dignity of families on limited income in an effort to help them get toys for their children at Christmas at a price that is affordable. Many times families will spend money to provide something special at Christmas and then need help to pay bills and buy food in January.  Inner City collects new toys (traditional and non-violent) for a sale that happens on December 14. We will collect toys on upcoming Sundays in the Circle and assure that they are delivered prior to the sale. The toys are priced at 10% of what they would cost in the store. The toy sale usually serves about 1400 children and the money raised goes back into emergency services. If you are interested in helping with this project, please call Patti Radle or Rosa Lopez at 224-7239. 

We Are One

In the
Circle    
      Gratitude !
      For all that is ...
GaryOPhoto Fall 2008 1