The spiritual leaders of SanTan Sun-area churches, temples, mosques and other religious and spiritual gathering places are invited to contribute their Spiritual Reflections in essay format by sending their thoughts, enlightening insights and other writings of a spiritual nature to news@santansun.com.
Be certain to put “Spiritual Reflections submission” in the subject line. Include your first and last name, title and facility name, address, phone number and website.
Spiritual Reflections are printed on a space-available basis, and submission does not guarantee print. The opinions represented in this column are those of the author and not that of the SanTan Sun News.
Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation meets second Friday
At 7:30 p.m. on the second Friday of each month, the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation, an established reform congregation, meets at the Sun Lakes Chapel. The service provides a great opportunity to meet new people, connect with Judaism and learn. Members of the congregation connect with new attendees, who are invited to be introduced at the service.
Oneg Shabbats, which provides the opportunity to meet new members, ask questions and learn more about the congregation, are held immediately after the service at Sun Lakes Country Club. Everyone is invited to attend.
SLIC will hold its annual Passover Seder at the Sun Lakes Country Club on Saturday, April 4. The event provides an opportunity to share Passover with friends and family
without having to cook. The cost is $40 per adult; $12 per child 4 to 12 years old and free for children 3 and younger. Rabbi Irwin Weiner will conduct the Seder. Everyone is welcome. Food will be catered by Heidi’s Events and Catering.
The Passover holiday is also called Spring Festival because it coincides with the start of the Israeli harvest season, celebrating spring and rebirth. Passover festivities are meant to evoke empathy for past suffering and encourage observers to strengthen Jewish culture and community.
Passover is observed on the 15th of Nissan on the Jewish lunar calendar, which usually occurs in April on the Gregorian calendar. The holiday stems from the religious story of the 10 plagues, in which God forced the Egyptian pharaoh to release the enslaved Jews by causing a series of
catastrophic events. For the final plague, God took the lives of the firstborn child in every family, including the Pharaoh’s son. However, the Angel of Death “passed over” the homes of the Jews, sparing their children from the deadly plague.
The holiday starts with a dinner ceremony, known as a Seder, and lasts eight days in Israel and seven days worldwide. Observers abstain from work at the beginning and end of Passover and temporarily remove all leavened bread from their diets, replacing it with an unleavened bread known as matzah. This important tradition honors the exiled Jews, who fled their homes so hastily that they could not allow their bread to rise properly.
Sisterhood to discuss lifestyle topics
Alternative treatments have gained acceptance as MDs have embraced and integrated approach to healing.
Dr. Martha Grout, the medical director of the Arizona Center for Advanced Medicine practice in Scottsdale, and nutritionist Shelley Heinley will speak about how to age well, to have a healthy life and how alternative healing methods
work with traditional western medicine to give patients the best treatment of both worlds.
The program will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 18, in the Chapel House at Sun Lakes.
Heinley has an MS in natural health and graduated with her MSNH specializing in nutrition. Grout has 25
years of emergency room experience and is the author of “An Alphabet of Good Health in a Sick World.” Copies of her book will be available.
As always, donations from Toys from the Heart are welcome. Send them to Phyllis, at 3495 E. Country Down Dr., Chandler, AZ, 85249.
‘Rockin’ Our Souls’ theme of Interfaith Music Festival
Lana Oyer, left, directs a rehearsal of the interdenominational chorus, which will perform at the Interfaith Music Festival on March 8. Submitted photo
“Rockin’ Our Souls” is the theme of the Sun Lakes Interfaith Music Festival’s 20th anniversary concert, which is scheduled for 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8, in the sanctuary of Sun Lakes United Methodist Church, 9248 E. Riggs Rd., Sun Lakes. The event benefits Neighbors Who Care.
Lana Oyer, Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation choir director, is coordinating the concert of instrumental
and vocal music, which will feature music rooted in gospel, spirituals or African entertainment.
The Chordaires and their select group, The Ambassadors, will perform in addition to the Sun Lakes churches and the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation choirs. The Chordaires is Sun Lakes’ Sweet Adelines chorus that is noted for their entertaining barbershop music shows.
Tickets are $5 and can be purchased
from Neighbors Who Care, Sun Lakes churches and choral groups, as well as at the door.
For more information about tickets, call the Neighbors Who Care office at (480) 895-7133 or Arnie Henden of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation at (480) 895-8851. Proceeds will benefit the programs of Neighbors Who Care, which provides services to Sun Lakes, Sun Bird, Springfield and South Chandler residents.
Shroud Encounter coming to St. Steven’s Catholic Church
Shroud Encounter will make a stop at St. Steven’s Catholic Church, 24927 S. Dobson Road, Sun Lakes at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 29. The $10 admission fee will be applied to the new sanctuary. A museum-quality, life-size replica of the Shroud of Turin will be on display. Shroud Encounter is a production of the Shroud of Turin Education Project and will be presented by international expert Russ Breault. The presentation is a fast moving, big screen experience using more than 200 images covering all aspects of Shroud research.
Breault has been featured in several national documentaries on CBS, History Channel and Discovery. He was interviewed last year for Good Morning America to discuss the latest research. Breault has presented at numerous
colleges and universities including Duke, Johns Hopkins, Penn State and many others.
For more information, visit www.shroudencounter.com.
The Shroud of Turin is the most analyzed artifact in the world. Yet, it remains a mystery. The 14-foot long linen cloth that has been in Turin, Italy for more than 400 years and bears the faint front and back image of a 5-foot 10-inch bearded, crucified man with apparent wounds and bloodstains that match the crucifixion account as recorded in the bible. Millions of people over the centuries have believed it to be the actual burial shroud of Jesus. The historical trail tracks back through Italy, France, Asia Minor (Turkey) and Mau, and it originated in the Middle East,
according to botanical evidence.
A team of scientists in 1981 concluded it was not the work of an artist. They found no visible trace of paint, pigment, dye or other artistic substances on the cloth. The blood is type AB with human DNA as determined in 1995. Skeptics have mounted numerous attempts to show how a medieval artist could have produced the image, but all have been inadequate to fully explain how it was formed. If the cloth indeed wrapped a corpse, there are no stains of body decomposition.
New chemical and mechanical tests published in 2013 by Italian scientists with Padua University indicate a date range of 280 BC to 220 AD.
The mystery continues. National Geographic called it “one of the most
perplexing enigmas of modern times.” Shroud Encounter will cover all aspects of the history, science, art and theories of how the image may have been formed.
SNOW DAY
There
A museum-quality, life-size replica of the Shroud of Turin will be on display. Submitted photo
Rummikub tourney hosted by Hadassah Devorah Chapter
The first Rummikub Tournament, a tile-based game for two to four players, is being held by the Hadassah Devorah Chapter on Sunday, March 15, at East Valley Jewish Community Center, 908 N. Alma School Dr., Chandler.
The afternoon of fun will begin with registration from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., followed by a buffet lunch from 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. Introduction to the
rules will begin at 12:45 p.m. and the tournament will be held at 1 p.m. The tournament will include prizes, raffles and a silent auction. It is $18 to register. Checks should be made payable to Devorah Chapter Hadassah and mailed to Scheck, 2600 E. Springfield Pl., Suite 4, Chandler, AZ 85286. Include an e-mail address with reservations.
Devotional Series starts March 10 at Chandler Presbyterian
Devotional Series through Lent is being hosted by Chandler Presbyterian Church in the church’s sanctuary, 1900 S. Arrowhead Dr., Chandler.
The Tuesday morning pilgrimage through Lent will demonstrate the Bible’s amazing capacity to guide, inspire and connect individuals to the source of all life and love at 11 a.m.
“Preparing Ourselves for the Journey— The Bible for Faith Formation” will be held on March 10; Learning to Stay on the Course—The Bible as Moral Compass” will be held on March 17 and “Keeping in Touch with Loved Ones—The Bible as Spiritual Experience” will be held on March 24.
Let the SanTan Sun News help you publicize your church or temple’s events and activities in the Spirituality section by emailing details to News@SanTanSun.com. Include a brief description of the event, times, days, dates, cost or free, if registration is required, venue, address, publishable phone number, website if applicable and contact information for verification purposes. We welcome photos, which must be 300 dpi JPEGs or taken on a digital camera on the “best” or “highest quality” setting. Information is due 10 days prior to publication date. Submission does not guarantee placement.
SUNDAY WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS
Call ahead to confirm information, as details occasionally change after print. If you have a recurring monthly support group or meeting you would like listed in Spiritual Connections, email complete details to News@SanTanSun.com.
A Matter of Balance
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Feb. 25
Free eight-week class presented by A.T. Still University designed to help older adults manage falls and increase activity levels.
Temple Beth Sholom of the East Valley 3400 N. Dobson Rd., Chandler Info: www.tbsev.org
The Art of Parenting
7:30 p.m. Mondays beginning Jan. 19
Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life 875 N. McClintock Dr., Chandler or 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays beginning Jan. 21 Chandler Jewish Community Center 908 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler
Six-session course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute and presented by Rabbi Deitsch of Chabad of the East Valley, designed to help parents at all levels of Jewish knowledge develop their own parenting philosophies and techniques. Cost is $99. Info: (480) 855-4333 or rabbi@ chabadcenter.com
Bible Study
Meets twice a month
Members of the Women’s Life Group study the Bible and discuss how the
lessons can relate to their lives.
Sun Lakes United Church Of Christ, Chandler
Info: Jan Olson at (480) 802-7457 or Joy King (480) 588-1882
Career Connectors
9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays
Nonprofit organization connecting professionals in career transition to highquality resources and hiring companies; each event includes professional career speakers with presentations on relevant job search topics, three to four hiring companies, networking, resume help, career coaches, LinkedIn coaches and business portraits.
Central Christian Church, Gilbert Campus/Student Center, 965 E. Germann Rd., Gilbert
Info: www.careerconnectors.org, (480) 442-5806
Christian Business Networking, TriCity Chapter—Chandler, Tempe, Mesa 7:15 a.m. Tuesdays
Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals. Crackers and Co. Café 535 W. Iron Ave., Mesa Info: Maia, (480) 425-0624, www. christianbusinessnetworking.com
Christian Business Networking, Chandler Bi-Monthly Chapter 7:30 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays each month
Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals.
Chandler Christian Church, Room C100 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler Info: Maia, (480) 425-0624, www. christianbusinessnetworking.com
Christian Business Networking, East Valley Chapter 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays
Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals.
Mission Church Seminar Room 4450 E. Elliot Rd., Gilbert Info: Maia, (480) 425-0624, www. christianbusinessnetworking.com
Celebrate Recovery Men’s Step Study 5:30 p.m. Sundays
Gender-specific accountability groups that meet for 28 weeks and use the eight recovery principles. CrossRoads Nazarene Church 2950 W. Ray Rd., Chandler Info: (480) 722-0700 or celebraterecovery@crnaz.com
East Valley JCC Parent & Child Playgroup
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Fridays Playgroup for parents with children ages 12 months to 2 1/2 years old.
East Valley JCC 908 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler Info: Emily Malin, (480) 897-0588, maline@evjcc.org
East Valley Jewish Couples Club Offers once-a-month social activities such as dining, movies and plays for Jewish couples in the 45- to 65-yearold age range.
Info: Melissa, (480) 785-0744, beadlover@cox.net
Empower Model for Men 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays The three-class series is taught by author Scott E. Clark and designed to offer practical wisdom and tools to help men shift into their higher consciousness, based on the seven-step empower model detailed in Clark’s book, “Empower Model for Men.” Cost is $85.
Unity of Chandler 325 N. Austin Dr., Chandler Info: (480) 792-1800.
WebXtra: For a complete list of Spiritual Connections, SanTan Sun area monthly support groups, study groups and spiritually stimulating meetings, visit SanTanSun.com and click on “Spirituality.”
