"In every community there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart there is the power to do it."
-- Marianne Williamson
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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 latest offering of winter photos!
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"A new day. A defining moment." That's how Barack Obama's inauguration has been described again and again this week. And for good reason. For the first time in many years, there's a palpable feeling of widespread hope in the air. It doesn't seem political as much as it feels like there's a social, cultural and spiritual shift underway. And while there are still plenty of critics and nay-sayers, too, there also seems to be a critical mass of people like me and you, folks who are arriving at a deep-seated shift in how we see ourselves, each other and the planet, undergoing a fundamental change in emphasis from "me" to "we."
Our new President has clearly asked each of us to examine how we can contribute to this growing awareness, individually and collectively. I've given it a great deal of thought in recent days. Without getting too puffed up about it, I feel pretty sure that my work - and the larger work of the Celebration Circle - is very much in alignment with this shift. There's still a whole lot to learn and much more to be done. But at this "defining moment" in our culture, I honestly believe that the Circle's focus on finding ways to teach and learn that "We Are One" plays an integral role in this new consciousness. Yes, it's much easier to talk, sing and pray about this concept than it is to act on it - but that doesn't make it any less important to keep talking, singing and praying. And yet the burning question remains: what more can we do to help bring about this vital shift in consciousness and ground it in the nitty-gritty details of our daily lives?
As a father, husband, friend and artist, I choose to face my fears and embrace responsibility more fully, while learning to be more relaxed, too. And as Spiritual Director of Celebration Circle, I am choosing to present more Sunday morning services, classes and workshops focused on practical ways to apply spiritual principles to such personal, yet far-reaching interests as nutrition, health, child-rearing, financial planning and gardening. To help each other stay focused on the positive, emergent aspects of change even when we're surrounded by many tough challenges, hard choices and loud voices of doom-and-gloom. And to find service project (s) to benefit the larger community without biting off more than we can chew. How can we do all that in the coming year?
I don't pretend to know the answers. But I truly believe that they can and will emerge from our midst, if we let them. I also know that the Circle is celebrating it's 17th Birthday this week -- and that just reaching this milestone seems like a miracle. Like so many other "teenagers," the Circle has recently emerged from a couple of challenging years. We collectively began questioning our past, pulling away from our "parents", and wrestling with our identity while seeking to establish who, what and why we are as a community. But the good news is that we're not only surviving, we're thriving - and I think it's no coincidence that we're moving into this next stage of maturity as a spiritual community at precisely the same time that our country is entering this "defining moment."
What does all this mean? I don't claim to know that either. But I do know this is a mighty exciting time in the Circle. I'm glad to be sharing it with you, as we work (and play!) together to make a difference. I know we can. Yes we can!
With blessings and hopes of seeing you this Sunday (or soon),
 
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Sundays
THIS SUNDAY
January 25th
"The More the Merrier"
The Celebration Circle will be celebrating its 17th Birthday with a particularly upbeat service focused on the nature and necessity of spiritual community! Rudolf will be weaving his reflections with some great music from the Circle Singers and the Circle Band, featuring our dynamic new vocalist, Sarah Bading. Joining them will be Rick Henderson, a master of the sarod (ancient Indian stringed instrument), Peter Babcock, a nationally known washboard player, and the Astonishing Mr. Pitts, a marvelous magician/comedian. Talk about an eclectic morning!
We're also having a fabulous potluck lunch and birthday cake immediately afterwards, so be sure to whip up a batch of your favorite food to share, and join us in celebrating. The more the merrier!
NEXT SUNDAY
February 1st
"Expressive Art: Using Creativity to Explore Our Inner Worlds"
Our guest speaker, Dianne Monroe, joins forces with Rudolf to demonstrate how to use art and inner imagery for healing, self-discovery and transformation, based on extensive medical research into the mind-body connection. Dianne is a writer, photographer and certified Expressive Arts Facilitator who has trained therapists, counselors and teachers to integrate the arts into their work (www.diannemonroe.com)
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) |
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Mark Your Calendar
Wednesday Meditation Circle gathers 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 offerings are accepted and support the meditation circle's weekly use of the beautiful sacred space.
Feel free to call the Celebration Circle office, 210-533-6767, or visit our website www.celebrationcircle.org for additional information. |
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Community Notes
The Giving Circle is off to a great start, with 36 households committed to giving $39,000 in 2009. We are deeply grateful to all those who have made these commitments so far - and to all of those yet to come! It's not too late to sign up by clicking circle@celebrationcircle.org The Living Will Workshop was a great success last Saturday! Due to the extraordinary generosity of lawyer (and spiritual teacher), Michele Petty, a bunch of Circle folks were able to complete and notarize their end-of-life legal papers, and the Circle received $1,300 in donations. Thank you, Michele, Shawn and all involved. If you would like more info or have questions for Michele, check www.michelepetty.info The registration list for the Creative Expression workshop that artist Dianne Monroe will be leading on February 1st is completely full. There is some discussion of adding a second session later in the month, so let us know if you're interested by contacting us at circle@celebrationcircle.org We send best wishes to CJ Troilo, our excellent lead guitarist with the Circle Band, who is making great progress in recovering from last week's surgery for colon cancer. His prognosis is good, and we look forward to hearing him play in the Circle again sometime real soon. And our blessings to the family and friends of Jose "Tito" Cruz, who died surrounded by loved ones last Sunday, after a prolonged illness. His dry wit and artistry will be missed in the Circle. 
Our Inspiration Circle is growing. It's one of the many ways to be reminded daily that We Are One. If you would like to receive a daily e-mail from Celebration Circle, contact Susan Damon at circle4peace@yahoo.com and she'll add you to the e-mail list. You'll receive a brief thought/quote, sent to you each day, with love. | |
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