Rev. Steven Chase Appointed President of Board 

Light of Christ Community Church is pleased to announce the appointment of Reverend Steven Chase to the office of President of the Board of Trustees. Replacing Rev. Helen Weiser as Interim President, Steven Chase was officially appointed on October 3, 2011.

Sunday, November 6, 10:30 a.m.

SSS Governors' Sunday

"Sunday Morning Live: Make a Joyful Noise!"

Pastor Retha Banez & Governors

Governors: Rev. Connie Swan, Rev. Sue Van Dyke, Rev. Bonita Plymale, Rev. Retha Banez and Rev. Mary Jane Dicus 

Many sacred texts refer to the Joy of the Soul that irradiates our lives. In celebration of that Joy, the Board of Governors (hopefully not to be referred to later as the Bored of Governors) dedicates this opening Sunday of the 30th annual Fall Conference to joyful praise for the grace and blessings that constantly flow from the Higher World. In trying times, in lessons learned, and in spaces of bounteous blessings, we have much for which to be thankful. Join us as we make harmonious "noise" together in honor of old friends gathered, new experiences to come, and the constant presence of the Holy in our lives.  

Sunday, November 13, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.
LCCC Trustee Sunday

"Here I Am, Lord"

Pastor Retha Banez & Trustees

Trustees: Rev. Cynthia McGinnis, John Banez, Rev. Patsy Fine, Rev. Steven Chase (not pictured), Rev. Katherine Zakutansky and Rev. Helen Weiser

For the ministers of LCCC, our closing Sunday of conference is always a time of re-commitment and re-dedication to the Christ, to humanity, and to the purpose in which each of us has been called. There is a wealth of experience, talent, and gifts among our ministers, practitioners, and congregants. This year, how may each of us offer ourselves in service in new and creative ways? In Genesis 46:2 it states: "And God spoke unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, "Jacob, Jacob!" And he said, "Here I am." May we too say, "Here I am." Between now and the closing Sunday of our 30th annual conference, let's ponder the following words to the hymn, Here I am, Lord, and bring your guidance to share.  

"Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord? 

I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart."

Sunday, November 20, 10:30 a.m.

Thanksgiving Sunday

Rev. Peggy Eaton

One step in our journey through the year is to examine our thoughts and feelings regarding our perception of our life circumstances. We seek out the areas of our lives that our Beloved Creator has abundantly provided, blessed, and created something out of nothing. This Sunday, we will be consciously making strings of gifts ... acknowledging, in thanksgiving, the countless and unseen ways we are blessed. Come join the creative fun! 

Officiator: Rev. Steven Chase

Communion: Rev. Peggy Eaton
Hierarchy Meditation/Offertory Blessing: Rev. Steven Chase
Music Minister: Rev. Mary Jane Dicus

Annual Blessing of the Prayer Shawls Ritual

within the Sunday Service  

Sunday, November 27, 10:30 a.m.

First Sunday of Advent

"Expectancy Abounds!"

Pastor Retha Banez & Rev. Tom Simota

             

Rev. Carol E. Parrish defines Advent as, "This commencement of the Christian year beginning four Sundays before Christmas day as we prepare to celebrate the historical birth of Jesus. We contemplate specific concepts weekly: 1) expectancy, 2) purification and preparation, 3) hope and joy, 4) identification, reminding us of humanity's long journey from awakening to awareness of the birth of the holy within. The Path of Initiation is the way to achieve God's Plan." In this 4-week period before Christmas, the Church celebrates the first coming of Christ and anticipates his second coming. Together we await the coming Light of the World and prepare for the birth of the Christ within each one of us.

View 2011 Conference Schedule

Save the date, tell your friends,

and plan to be there!

 CONNECT GROUPS  

November 3  

Prayer Shawl Group, First Thursday, Helena Messenger's Home,

6:00 p.m.

For comfort, the Prayer Shawl Group still sponsored by LCCC, has decided to hold their monthly gathering in Helena Messenger's home at a new time. The group meets to knit and crochet shawls and lap blankets with prayers, love and good wishes for those who would benefit from these comforting items.

Once a year on Thanksgiving Sunday, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, they bring these items to church to bless them in a special ritual during the church service. As their service work, the shawls and lap blankets are then delivered to nursing homes, oncology units and other locations in need.

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

Monthly Wellness Center Healing Circle, Second Tuesday, Wellness Center, 7:00 p.m. Canceled this month, due to Conference activities.

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.  

November 17

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.

November 27 

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.

November 29  

Blessings of the Cosmos Group, Tuesday, 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 Scorpio

Scorpio by Johfra

The Celestial Hierarchy of Scorpio rules from Oct. 23 to Nov. 22. Known as the Lords of Form, this hierarchy creates patterns we call cosmic thoughtforms. The Lords of Form help our souls perceive a plan, and then the Lords of Karma help us create the right placement, racial background, parents, social status, and other details that shape our personal learning situations. 

The Lords of Form challenge us to master our own thoughts, desires, and conflicts. As we see the forms we create, we understand how we can learn to master the mind in order to control and guide our thoughtforms. Part of the challenge presented by the Scorpio power is its intense desire nature. As passion (intensity) empowers thoughtforms, the soul learns to be mindful of its own ability (power) to create and transform. We learn to consider what we are mobilizing. To think before expressing allows us to make choices under the guidance of the conscious mind. Grasping this may be the first step in learning to understand the work of this hierarchy. 

We must learn to allow light to banish darkness, to change negatives into positives, to raise the basic nature into high consciousness. The ancient mantra, "Lead us, O Lord, from darkness to light, from the unreal to the real, from death to immortality, from chaos to beauty," is an appropriate prayer to the hierarchy of Scorpio to invoke assistance for transformation. 

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.