Living our dreams, connecting
BY OLIVIA VELOSO
“All our desires exist every moment we stand connected to God/the universe/ source in love and joy. Complete happiness comes to us naturally as we live our lives in harmony. We are all worthy to live our dreams. This is God’s plan for us.”
Olivia Veloso
Reiki master and teacher Chandler
Spiritual Reflections
Share your spiritual reflections...
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, and keep your articles around 200-300 words, or they may be edited for length. 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.
Sharing our humanity
BY BARBARA DILLARD
Our bodies were sprawled across the Honolulu Airport terminal like the contents of my suitcase upon our return. Most were wrapped in blankets, some propped up in chairs and still others curled up with family members on the floor. All fancy travel attire had long ago been reduced to comfort. There were no divisions of ethnicity, color or sex—only our joint humanity was on display.
We were in survival mode after our flight’s cancellation. Strangers talked with strangers while smiles, humor and helpful suggestions were exchanged.
Though accompanied by our own baggage—the kind we all have—we were way too tired for facades so outer coverings had given way to exhaustion hours earlier. All of us were “in the same boat.”
In a strange way, there was a sweetness to our predicament. Though each of us was traveling a different course, for those few hours, we shared that which makes us human. Sometimes, like amateur Houdinis, we try to escape this very thing that enables us to relate to others. We pretend to impress.
Author Madeleine L’Engle has said, “As Christians, we are meant to be not less human than other people but more human, just as Jesus of Nazareth was more human.” If God took on our humanity so that He could relate His Love to us, then how much more should we be willing to share in order to relate.
The same sun brightens our days, newborn babies make us smile and tragedy causes our collective hearts to ache. We are all as “one beggar offering another beggar a piece of bread.” If we forget that, we are in grave danger of losing the message of the gospel. For we come to God like the song says, “Just as I am.”
The more sensitive we are to our humanity, the more closely we can walk those dusty roads of life, sharing His Love with others.
Even when cancelled flights interrupt our lives.
Barbara Dillard Chandler Affiliated with Redemption Gateway Church in Mesa Unswervinglyheld.blogspot.com
SEPTEMBER 29TH THROUGH OCTOBER 20TH
SUNDAY WORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Sunday Mornings
Traditional Worship7:30 & 11:30 A.M.
Contemporary Worship8:50 & 10:10 A.M.
Sunday School8:50 & 10:10 A.M.
Adult Forum Bible Study8:50 A.M.
VUU musical festival celebrates American roots
Barbershop, early blues, Appalachian ballads and bluegrass music are all part of the Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation’s annual “Cabaret: A Night of American Roots” at 7 p.m., Sat., Sept. 28 at 6400 W. Del Rio St., south of Ray Road off McKemy Avenue, in Chandler.
SHOWING THEIR ROOTS: Special guests at this year’s VUU Cabaret are the Bad Cactus Brass Band, a New Orleans parade jazz band. Submitted photo
The yearly musical entertainment, open to the public, features talented VUU members performing in a variety show format, with the VUU choir singing “Good Old Way” from the movie “Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Special guests this year are the Bad Cactus Brass Band, a New Orleans Second Line street jazz band based in Phoenix. Founded and directed by Benjie Metzer, the new music director at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix, this music “promises to get people off their chairs and onto the dance floor,” says VUU Musical Director the Rev. Kellie Walker.
Advance tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for ages 12 and younger and $28 for families. Tickets purchased at the door are $12 for adults, $7 for ages 12 and younger and $30 for families. Tickets may be purchased at VUU after services on Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. or online at vuu.org. Beverages and dessert will be available for purchase.
To check out special guests Bad Cactus Brass Band, visit badcactusbrassband.com.
What it means to be ‘spiritual’
The VUU congregation is also hosting upcoming talks addressing what it means to make a spiritual journey, such as the upcoming “Spiritual, But Not That Interesting.”
“Many Unitarian Universalists and others call themselves ‘spiritual but not religious,’” says the Rev. Andy Burnette. “But is that claim really all that unique or helpful?”
“Spiritual, But Not That Interesting” will run Sept. 22 and 23. The adult choir will sing Sept. 22.
LGBT rights, issues discussed
The Rev. Terry Sims will visit Sept. 28 and 29 for his talk “Anybody You Want to Be.”
“There has been so much progress on equal rights for LGBT people recently that we might be tempted to think full equality is inevitable,” says Sims. “But we know that is not true. As religious people, how can we best continue the conversation with fair-minded people who still struggle to accept variations in the modes of being human?”
The VUU congregation provides a welcoming diverse community that nurtures each person’s lifelong spiritual journey. The church strives to create a place of peace and celebration and works for social justice and sustainable living. Within this liberal religion, VUU members seek to create lives of integrity, service and joy.
For information about VUU, call 480-8994249, check out the Facebook page at facebook. com/ValleyUU or visit vuu.org.
Temple welcomes guests
Temple Havurat Emet of Sun Lakes welcomes new visitors, now that the high holy days are over and it’s time to settle into a “winter routine.” With other area temples raising yearly dues, this smaller group without a building (or building fund) might be a way to keep your costs down and also meet some new like-minded people. The close community of members meets at the Lecky Center at the Robson Branch Library, 9330 E. Riggs Rd., Sun Lakes.
Temple Havurat Emet provides a friendly family atmosphere for monthly services, which are held on
Treasure sale, raffle at Chapel Center
The Sun Lakes Chapel Board is having its ninth annual Treasure Sale 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fri., Nov. 15 and Sat., Nov. 16 at the Chapel Center in Sun Lakes Country Club.
Also featured will be a restaurant and time share raffle, with a top prize of a one-week time share at the Sheraton Desert Oasis in Scottsdale. There will be at least 12 winners of multiple dinners for two.
The Treasure Sale will feature a wide selection of items from knickknacks to furniture, and welcomes all bargain hunters.
Items for donation are also requested for the Treasure Sale, and donors are asked to leave them in the back porch of the Chapel Center, or if they are too large to move, call Harold at 480-326-1299 and he will arrange help moving the items. Clothing, large televisions or other large electronics or appliances are not needed.
Entrants are also welcome for the third annual Restaurant Raffle with the addition of a grand prize of a one week time share in Scottsdale. The raffle has a first prize of dinner for two at seven different restaurants. Second prize is dinner for two at five different restaurants and third prize is dinner for two at four different restaurants. There are 12 prize winners in all. Raffle winners will be drawn at the treasure sale Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. Winners need not be present to win. Raffle tickets will be sold until noon Nov. 16.
Treasure Sale items are all donated by people in the greater Sun Lakes area. All the money from both of the events will go to support the Sun Lakes Chapel, which hosts four congregations: Sun Lakes Community Church, the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation, Sun Lakes Lutheran Church and the Sun Lakes United Church of Christ.
Participating restaurants are: Abuelo’s, Applebee’s, Black Angus, Blu Burger Grille, Buca di Beppo, Charleston’s, Chompie’s, Elephant Bar, Floridino, Iron Oaks, Keegan’s, Kona Grill, Majerle’s, Native New Yorker, Old Spaghetti Factory, Olive Garden, Pecan Grove, Red Robin, RigaTony’s, Sweet Tomatoes, Table 49, Tao Garden, Uncle Bear’s, Village Inn, Vinci Torio’s and possibly more.
Raffle tickets are $1, seven tickets for $5, 15 tickets for $10 or 35 tickets for $20, and may be purchased at Bashas’ on Riggs Road Oct. 12 and Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
the first Friday evening of each month. A second, “lay” service is held on the third Friday evening of each month, at the home of a temple member For more information, visit templehavuratemet.org.
Send us your church, temple events
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.
Sharing, confirming your faith
Chandler Christian Church wraps up its series TRUTH.Faith classes, a series of addressing doubts and having the courage to share your faith, at 6 p.m. Wed., Sept. 25. The meetings discuss how to share faith with confidence. For more information, check out chandlercc. org/truth-faith-2013.
Science and God’s word CCC’s It’s Creation Not Confusion Conference runs through Sun., Sept. 22. In a series of seminars led by Dr. Jonathan Safarti and Gary Bates, listen to a discussion about creation and science. To learn more, visit chandlercc.org/ creation-not-confusion.
CICM child sponsorships
If you picked up a card to sponsor a child from the Central India Christian Mission card this summer, please visit chandlercc.org/cicm-child-sponsorship.
Pregnancy Care Center banquet
The Pregnancy Care Center of Chandler will hold its annual fundraising banquet 6 p.m. Sat., Sept. 21 featuring guest speakers Chandler Councilwoman Nora Ellen and Arizona Sen. Steven Yarbrough.
The Pregnancy Care Center is a nonprofit Christian organization that assists women facing unplanned pregnancy. The center provides free services including pregnancy tests, counseling, referrals and resources as
well as ultrasounds. The center does not perform or refer for abortions. A key program at the center is the Parenting Program, which allows parents to learn the skills they need while earning credit toward new maternity and baby items from a boutique. The center is funded by businesses, churches and individuals in the Chandler community and is run primarily by volunteers. For more information, visit chandlercc.org.
Make a spiritual commitment to your child
Parents with young children who would like to pledge to raise their kids according to the principles of the Bible may attend family dedication services Sept. 21 and 22.
Chandler Christian Church is located at 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler.
SUNDAY
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.
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 in Chandler
Info: Jan Olson at 480-802-7457 or Joy King 480-588-1882
Celebrate Recovery
6-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays
Join in fellowship and celebrate God’s healing power in our lives through the 12 steps and Eight Recovery Principles. The group addresses all types of habits, hurts and hang-ups. Dinner at 6 p.m. followed by meetings at 6:30 p.m. Free childcare for children ages 12 and younger. CrossRoads Nazarene Church, Ministry Center Rooms 101-103 2950 W. Ray Rd., Chandler Info: 480-722-0700, crnaz.com
Celebrate Recovery
6 p.m. Fridays
For those with chemical dependencies or other issues. Dinner followed by
WebXtra:
meetings at 7 p.m. Dinner: $3 adult, $1 child. Free childcare for children ages 12 and younger.
Chandler Christian Church, Room B200 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler Info: 480-963-3997, chandlercc.org
Christian Business Networking Tri-City Chapter – Chandler, Tempe, Mesa 7:15 a.m. Tuesdays
Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals. Crackers & Co. Café 535 W. Iron Ave., Mesa Info: Maia, 480-425-0624, christianbusinessnetworking.com
Christian Business Networking, Chandler Bi-Monthly Chapter 7:30 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays of the month
Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals. Chandler Christian Church, Room B202 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler Info: Maia, 480-425-0624, christianbusinessnetworking.com
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.”
