Sunday, October 2, 10:30 a.m.

Feast of St. Francis Sunday

"Exquisitely Interwoven Together: Honoring our Relationship with the Animal Kingdom"

Rev. Sue Van Dyke, Rev. Regina Maria Cross & Friends  

How better to honor St. Francis than to spend an hour contemplating how deeply we are interwoven with the animal kingdom. Through stories, music, video, sacred readings, and pictures we will explore the many ways that animals have contributed to our lives and how we in turn can bless them for their service. If you would like to have your animal companions honored during this service, please forward their name(s) and/ or digital pictures to registrar@sanctasophia.org. We would love to include them in our service, including a memorial section.

"Striving for Group Consciousness"

Sunday, October 16, 10:30 a.m.

"Figueira, Trigueirinho, and The Christ"

Rev. Carole W. Stephenson-Snell (Mensarah)  

The energy of Love is All there is. Many expressions of that energy exist in every plane and dimension of the cosmos. At this moment in timeless time, Figueira appears to be a focal point of one aspect of God that is manifesting in an expression. Here, through the work of Trigueirinho, appear Signs of The Christ that are, again, Calling Humanity to higher life. What are these Signs?

Communion: Pastor Banez & Rev. Stephenson-Snell
Hierarchy Meditation/Offertory Blessing: Rev. Steven Chase
Music Minister: Rev. Mary Jane Dicus 

Sunday, October 23, 10:30 a.m.

"Desire and Fear"

Rev. Bonita Plymale  

How much of our deep sense of self-worth is invested in the desire to be praised and the fear of being ridiculed? This morning we examine Mother Teresa's Prayer of Humility and consider what it tells us about living free. Does some fear in our personality call out to be confronted and renounced? Will eliminating this constraint allow room in our lives for something more joyful? Let's take this beautiful prayer home and use it as a tool for spiritual growth.

Sunday, October 30, 10:30 a.m.

"Saints, Souls & Samhain"

Rev. Tom Simota  

Impressions are strong this time of year when the veil between the worlds is thin. We shall explore the connections between All Saints Day, All Souls Day and Halloween, by looking at both historical and esoteric perspectives. This rich time of year offers us clues to what we are harvesting in our lives, where we are richly blessed, and what must transition. As Seekers on the Path, we are reminded that discovering a treat along the way is an extra bonus!

Save the date, tell your friends,

and plan to be there!

 CONNECT GROUPS  

October 6  

Prayer Shawl Group, First Thursday, Fellowship Hall, 7:00 p.m.

The prayer shawl group meets to knit and crochet shawls and lap blankets with prayers, love and good wishes for those who would benefit from these comfort items.

Once a year we gather these items at our November Sunday Blessing service and take them to nursing homes, oncology units and the like as our service work.

All are welcome to join us, beginners and advanced needle workers. We are interested in teaching those who wish to learn to crochet or knit.

October 11  

Monthly Wellness Center Healing Circle, Second Tuesday, Wellness Center, 7:00 p.m. (Follows 6:30 p.m. Full Moon of Libra Celebration in the Wellness Center)  

The Sparrow Hawk healers are hosting a monthly healing circle in the Wellness Center. Different healers will plan a new healing modality each month providing diverse experiences. All are welcome, so please join us.  

October 20 Cancelled this month.
Monthly Toning Healing Circle, Third Thursday, Sanctuary, 7:00 p.m. 

Those who participate in the toning circle come together for the purpose of experiencing the vibrational qualities of our crystal toning bowls, the healing power of chanting and the haunting sound of the free notes. Participants can choose to surround themselves with the energy of one individual toning device, or experience them all at once. Most importantly, the presence of each individual adds to the power of the group. All are invited to join in this experience.

October 23 

Orin Meditation Group, Fourth Sunday, Sanctuary, 1:00 p.m.

Join the meditation group that holds short group meditations guided by channeled visualizations and meditation from the Orin material. Rev. Maggie Webb Adams-Karjens from Iowa introduced this material to seven village folks about two years ago. The group believes these meditations have drawn the attention of those [in body and in spirit] who are in alignment with the higher plan by attracting people, resources and those with a servant heart to assist the journey of Light of Christ Community Church, Sancta Sophia Seminary and Sparrow Hawk Village.

If you are interested in meditating with a group of like-minded individuals, to add your positive energies to the healing and restoration of all levels of consciousness, humanity, Mother Earth and the solar systems beyond us -- come join us in body or in spirit. We welcome all to unite in our efforts to send out a positive, healing vibration into the ethers.

October 27  

Blessings of the Cosmos Group, Thursday, Sanctuary, 7:00 p.m.

Pastor Retha Banez invites all who would like to participate in a monthly group called "Blessings of the Cosmos," based on the Neil Douglas-Klotz Aramaic work highlighting nearly two dozen of Jesus' most powerful benedictions. His book reminds us that each one is a promise that "every person might become a son or daughter of God, living in wisdom and compassion, as Jesus did." Join Pastor Banez as she leads us through one of these powerful blessings each time we meet accompanied by a beautiful, guided body prayer. We are also working with and practicing the Aramaic Lord's Prayer.  

The Celestial Hierarchy of Libra

Libra by Johfra

The Celestial Hierarchy of Libra rules from Sep. 23 to Oct. 23. Under the influence of the Lords of Individuality, as this Hierarchy is known, each individual struggles to adjust to his/her own uniqueness. The Lords of Individuality encourage us to see our planet as unique and beautiful. Venus rules the influence flowing earthward through Libra, so harmony and beauty are of paramount importance. Every kingdom of nature is beautiful in its own way. The Lords support each spark of God-Consciousness, encouraging each to be the best it can be, and to know that all others rejoice in each spark's full expression.

The Lords of Individuality empower every soul to stand at a point of decisiveness. Sooner or later we each reach a moment of choosing between one path leading to purity, goodness, and birthing the Christ-Within, or the other leading to the "fall," or lack of fulfilling the human potential. Today it seems humanity stands collectively at that edge of decision.

The statue of Justice depicts a blindfolded person holding the balance scales -- the symbol of Libra. Swayed by neither preference nor prejudice, the wise one sees with clear inner vision the results of causation in succeeding cycles of rebirth. How very individual we are as we proceed on the path of learning through our selected experiences -- and how very much alike we are as we see humanity struggle repeatedly with the same issues.  

Adapted from The Book of Rituals--Personal and Planetary Transformation by Reverend Carol E. Parrish-Harra � 1990, IBS Press, Santa Monica, CA, & 1999, Sparrow Hawk Press, Tahlequah, OK.