JUST ONE DAY?

During this week our senses have been awakened to the sights and sounds that surround us in all of Creation.  Mid April is our remembrance of Earth.  I find it curious that we set aside ONE day to remember our Mother – just ONE?

I guess it is a lot like Mother’s Day.  How can I remember my Mother for just one day out of 365?  Well we know this is an absurd question and more absurd thought.  Mom is mom everyday.  And for those who are fortunate to have their mother alive and well, there is simply no way that One day a year would ever suffice for honoring.

My Mother died rather suddenly this past year and I have been living the grief that comes with losing a Mother who was also a best friend.  When I think about it, I think that the relationship is really very much the same with my Earth Mother. 

Every day I walk on her and depend upon her for food and shelter.  She supports me and makes me smile when I see the colorful blooms of spring and the vibrant little buds of red and green getting ready to burst. 

I peek out each night to watch the gorgeous black and white skunk who likes to feed after dark under the bird feeder.  Sometimes when he looks up I wave and smile.  He thanks me for the food by continuing to forage without a stinky display of power! 

Sometimes there’s a large bunny, sometimes a possum, sometimes a groundhog. I love to look out to see who is visiting each night.

I love Earth Mother.  I sing to her.  I go to the back yard and sit on my prayer bench and hold her in my heart. I face East and sing to the rising Sun.  I hug Grandfather tree and am so thankful for his energy and his protection.  And then the Wind comes and kisses me on the cheek and I smile a knowing smile.

If Earth Mother would die suddenly,  like my Biological Mother did,  I would have nothing left and neither would you.  Grief would never be sufficient for such a tragedy and yet we are some how allowing her to die bit by bit. 

One day out of 365 will never do.  We must honor and care for this Mother everyday of the year and show gratitude for all the myriad of blessings she provides without question.

At the end of this week we will share a Friday Gathering, April 24th, and recall what it means to not only honor Earth, but also to be a part of her.  For you and me to live vital lives requires that she be constantly nourished in vital ways. 

Question is:  How are we doing the other 364 days?

Coming Friday ?

Celebrate Spring - Wear something green or the color of spring flowers,

See you then,

Pastor Carol

THIRD FRIDAY GATHERINGS

The purpose of our Third Friday Gathering Study is to continually enhance our awe as we take in the knowings and the theories that science is currently pondering and with which science is perplexed.

The more we study the more we stretch our awareness of the tremendous wisdom in this Universe that we call “ours.”  These new understandings and in many instances the inability to understand stretches the Image of God that has been growing in us since birth.

This week we will be visiting with Albert Einstein and his dream of unifying the forces that underlie all phenomena in the physical universe.  We will be introduced to the concept of string theory as a possible unified theory- that all matter and forces are made of tiny strands of energy that vibrate in different patterns.

We will look at the history of science and some of the incidents where scientists have taken two seemingly separate theories and found them to be aspects of one theory – therefore, unified.

For me, the more I ponder what the minds of science are thinking about the greater my appreciation and awe of “God.”  Each of us has our own unique way of understanding “God” and none of us has the concept of “God” figured out.  If we did, “God” wouldn’t be “God”.  There are many names for this concept….just look in any scripture/sacred writing and you will discover many names for the Great One.  Coming together to ponder the questions/theories/new ways of understanding of Science is a wonderful opportunity to not only expand our exposure to these deep mysteries, but it is also an opportunity to share and wrestle with our ideas in a supportive circle of like minded seekers.

Come join us at “89 Hartford UCC” as we continue our adventure of becoming all that we were intended to be!

Carol Vaccariello, Pastor

“89 Hartford UCC”

JESUS CHRIST and the SUN DANCER

Good Friday 2015

Jesus Christ and the Sun Dancer:

When suffering is a choice…

Our Creation Spirituality based Spiritual Center, 89 Hartford UCC in Medina, Ohio created a most powerful Good Friday event including Native American teaching and practice.

It was so moving to consider suffering from two points of view: that of oppression and that of gift. 

In Christian teaching Jesus, the Christ, gave his life on a cross/tree for all of God’s children so that sins would be forgiven.

The Lakota (Sioux) and nearly all Plains Indians come together for their most important ceremony, the Sun Dance, during the summer months.  A large Cotton Wood Tree is selected, cut down, trimmed and brought to the center of the ritual space.  The Holy Men approach those who request to Sun Dance and pierce each side of their chests with a knife and then a Buffalo bone is inserted under the flesh. Next, the rawhide thongs are attached to the bone and tied to the tree in the center. Dancers pull themselves backwards, trying to tear their flesh and release themselves offering this gift of suffering for themselves and the good of the people.

Crucifixion/suffering continues today in the oppression of people and our Mother Earth. The GIFT of suffering also continues through selfless acts of love and compassion extended to all life as we know it.

Carol P. Vaccariello, D. Min.

*Resources

The Lakota People – 5:30 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3HpvJn9FSc

Native American Sundance 1:45 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvqQmTSDXtY

You Tube Sundance Documentary -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK4fCv5ekzI