January 2013 Opportunities in Spirituality

A new beginning - again.
The world did not end on December 21- a Mayan prediction or media hype?
Though the world did stop momentarily on December 14 for a grieving community and nation, wondering about the violence in us and among us that results so easily in the death of innocence.
The year dies away and a new year begins.
Out of the ashes comes new life in the legend of the phoenix.
The seed drops to the ground, dies and is buried, only to rise in new life.
Beneath winter's stillness, spring waits to burst.
Hope.

In hope that we might be alert, awake, attentive to the movement of Spirit and Life within us, The Center for Spirituality, Action, and Transformation offers these opportunities.  Attending to the inner spiritual journey is only valuable in the transforming ways we re-enter the shared journey within our communities and relationships with the world and the earth in which we live.
May we seek growth.
May we seek change, being renewed and transformed, day by day in body, mind, and spirit.
May our ongoing transformation participate in the hope for good for all the earth and all that fills it.  May the Spirit of Truth and Life and Love guide  and guard our hearts.

go to www.c-sat.net to register and 

for more information on location and cost

beginning JANUARY 2013

SMALL GROUPS

Benedictine Mornings (with women)

Begin a daily reading from Joan Chittister's book, A Spirituality for the 21st Century - The Rule of Benedict.  Consider how an ancient document may lend wisdom to your own communities; family, faith, work, friends.  Monthly prayer and reflection gatherings are held the last Saturday of each month, January - April.

Winter's Wisdom Listening Circle (limited to 10)

1st and 3rd Monday evenings, 7-8 p.m.  (January - March)

"The dead of winter" has something to teach us about our lives; stopping, waiting, the darkness, cold, dormant times.  In metaphor share reflection and conversation as we give attention to what may stir beneath our own winter spirits.

Immortal Diamond - In search of True Self  January 22

6:30-8:30 p.m.  Richard Rohr webcast replay 

LENT begin in February

Life's Journey - a Celtic look at the stages of life from birth - death.  (Tuesdays Feb 12-March 26)

A 7 week series of meditation and conversation using scripture and the insight from J.Philip Newell of the Iona Community and Ghost Ranch.

RETREATS

Come to the Quiet - Feb 1-2

Give time and attention and space for God in this 24 hour retreat in mid winter woodlands of The Hermitage.  Friday - Saturday, 5p.m.-5p.m. with guidance for receiving silence, some group conversation, and spiritual direction available.

MIDRASH - Practicing Resurrection   Saturday March 2 (10 a.m. - 3 p.m.)

A day of living with and into John 11 using the story telling version of Jewish Midrash; a means to wonder, ask question, imagine, and retell our own stories within the story.

go to www.c-sat.net and click on "opportunities" for more information

Making Peace - International Peace Day Opportunities

  BLESSED ARE THE MAKERS OF PEACE,

               THEY ARE KNOWN TO BE GOD'S CHILDREN 

The General Assembly of the United Nations has declared September 21 as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples. The 2012 theme:

Sustainable Peace…..From Sustainable Development…..For a Sustainable Future

IN GRAND RAPIDS:

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Peace Festival on Wealthy St., SE as part of the Eastown Fair.  Interactive experiences for families centered on the Seven Peace Principles.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

2:00 – 3:00 pm.  Interfaith Peace Service, Dominican Chapel Marywood.  This year, women of many faiths will speak on how their faith traditions instill values of peace in the community and home. 

Refreshments after the service in Dominican Center at Marywood.

         Saturday, September 22, 2012

Hands Across the Cities: Grand Rapids and Mizak, Haiti will be held at 11 Fuller Ave, SE. from 10 am-2pm. Grand Rapids artisans and justice workers will share practical ways to create peace through art and friendship.

 IN HOLLAND, MI

September 16 (Sunday) at 5:00 pm

         Smallenburg Park 16^th St and Fairbank/ Stadium Park

         bring a lawn chair, table service and dish to pass

     -Potluck Picnic and Presentations at Holland’s Peace Pole.

     -Bring a favorite poem/song/reading/or other presentation related to peace.

     -Beverages (water and lemonade) provided.

     -Cancelled if rains

September 27 (Thursday)   Beal Memorial Lecture

        7:00-9:00 PM at First United Methodist Church,

        Dr. Steven Bouma-Prediger, professor of religion at Hope College, 

        will be presenting the Beal Memorial

"Peacemaking in a Violent World: A Christian Perspective"

Jesus is called the Prince of Peace and yet many who claim to follow Jesus advocate war.  The early church embraced pacifism yet the church of the Middle Ages authorized crusades. What does it mean for a Christian to be a peacemaker?

Q & A and a fellowship time will follow. 27 local churches and organizations are joining as sponsors for this community event. Please bring your friends.

In MUSKEGON COUNTY:

   

    -  Women (and Men) in Black Vigil for Peace – every Friday 5:30 pm – 6 pm at the Montague Weathervane

   

   -  Pax Christi Peace Vigil every Saturday noon – 1 pm at the corner of Henry and Norton Avenues.

IN NEWAYGO 

Newaygo County People for Peace sponsor:

“Celebrate Peace Concert” Friday, Sept. 21 at the Black Box, Dogwood Center, 7:30 pm.  Remember the sell out peace concert NCPP sponsored in 2010?    Celebrate the International Day of Peace and the opening day of “30 Days of Peace 2012”.  Tickets are $12.50

“30 Days of Peace 2012” will be held Sept. 21 to Oct. 21 this fall.  

Summer's End - 2012

Nights are cooler.  Mornings are requiring long sleeves until the sun can warm the air and peek over the tree tops.  The sunlight's angle comes in slant.  Produce at the Farmer's Market has peeked, our feathered friends are changing their gowns and heading south, and beautiful Lake Michigan's temperature is dropping.  Where did the summer go? And so day light gives way to longer nights and summer gives way to autumn, seed time to harvest, and we recognize the daily shifts and move with them.  Its nature.  Its natural. We don't question or argue it.

                                                                                 Moonset photo by Mark Bush

So why are we so resistant to change in other dimensions of life?  Why does the unfolding and shifting within our own lives throw us out of sorts?  As much as we talk about change, encounter change, and remember the various ways we and our lives change all the time, still we resist it.  I wonder if we could receive earth's transformation as a gentle model for our own; letting go of what was in the hope of what will be.  I wonder if we could recognize that we are part of something much larger than we can imagine and yet know that our part in the unfolding is precious. I wonder if we could receive transition with a sense of adventure.  I wonder if we might anticipate and expect our own transformations in heart and mind as we allow ourselves to be formed by Life and all its fullness.  I wonder if we could see it all as sacred dance, every day and find hope alive in it.  I wonder how we might all find our way more gracefully trusting that God is the Holy Turner in whose change we are made whole.  (See and hear Canticle of the Turning on youtube.com or from GIA Publications, Inc.)

Summer Vacation 2012

Summer 2012 draws to a close and what a jam-packed few months this summer has been: graduation, wedding, birthdays, long holiday weekends, adventure trips with kids, shifts in summer work and residences, coming and going and family gatherings and the list goes on.  Here is a little insight regarding a portion of what the ministry through the Center for Spirituality, Action, and Transformation has looked like for me this summer.  (Contact - miriam@c-sat.org)

Gathering in Spirit,  a new venture in a worshiping community has met twice monthly over the summer and plans to continue through the autumn.  The Gathering arose from conversation with a few folks who were longing for a worshipful space and place that was less confining.  Along with the shared leadership of Jim DeGood, we were also interested in inviting those who have a deep faith but who have been turned away by or have tuned out of "church".  I will confess that my Reformed roots and training can't help but influence the emerging format of our Gathering even as we attempt to include wisdom and spiritual insight from wider bounds.  Jesus' life and engaging the scriptures that reveal God who is beyond naming invite us to listen to Spirit's wisdom opening us in new ways.  As Gathering in Spirit continues to evolve we welcome seekers, wonderers, and wanderers to join us for this meditative space to encounter God in worship.
(Gathering dates: Thursdays at 7PM, September 6 and 20, October 4 and 18, November 1 and 15.  Location:  at Mona Kai Club House in Muskegon)

Camp Sunshine is a camp for persons with developmental challenges, some also with physical challenges. Now in its 31st year, offering a camping experience that engages body, mind, and spirit in a welcoming, safe, fun-filled place, Sunshine is a sign of hope.  I am honored to follow in the legacy of Doc Van Hoeven and serve as spiritual director or chaplain at camp.  Our beloved campers are the teachers who rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep and live immediately in the moment. Camp Sunshine is a spiritual encounter for all the special friends who are part of it, seeing the sacred and holy in each face, each one being precious and beloved.   Camp lives  into the belief that "God loves EVERYBODY" and loves each one "just the way we are". 
(see www.campsunshine.info)

                              Herding "sheep" at Sunshine - not one lost as each one is precious


Discernment Group  Life changes, the earth shifts, and many things are called into question.  What a gift to be able to come alongside a small group of individuals who are intently listening for the movement of the Spirit.  What a gift to help process the questions, listen to fears, share in encouragement, and together come to a peace - recognizing that all is well and we reside in God's grace.  Thank you for the privilege to share the journeys!


Room for All - Although initially agreeing to be on the Board felt like something in which I had extra time to give and it was a way to stay connected to my denominational community, Room for All has and is becoming a vital part of ministry that includes my own journey in deep spirituality and action as it transforms me and hopefully my denomination, the Church, and the world in which we live.  Room for All (http://roomforall.com) was created by Reformed Church in American members whose desire is to advocate, educate, and support individuals a movement toward LGBTQ inclusion in the life of the church.  The end of August I was privileged to be trained to be a trainer for Building the Inclusive Church seminars, through the Institute for Welcoming Resources (www.welcomingresources.org/).    I am grateful for the gift of passionate and compassionate ecumenical partners whose joy, hope, and grace continue to move us toward God's gracious welcome for all.


I missed not spending more time on the beach, in the garden, and in my kayak.  It reminds me that our "muchness" takes us away from that which fills us.  I need to get outside!

Welcome

August 2012

Welcome to a new avenue of communication for 

The Center for Spirituality, Action, and Transformation.  

As we begin to use this new blog tool 

we invite you to offer responses and suggestions for opportunities 

that may help you or your community attend the spiritual journey.  

Watch here for news updates.

May the fullness of peace be yours in all ways.

Miriam Bush