REFLECTION: Friday Night Gatherings

I may have shared this before and maybe even once again before that….It happens every time we gather.  Whether for Medicine Wheel on the First Friday of the Month or Sacred Space on the 2^nd and 4^th Fridays or for the study of the Cosmos and the Christ on the 3^rd Friday – Doesn’t make any difference, it happens every single time.

We are all finished sharing food, fellowship, our lives and then our deep prayer moments through whatever topic or focus for the evening.  I hear it every single time.

Last Friday we had a first timer come and experience the Medicine Wheel and she said it in a new way.  So what is it that is said every single time…..

“That was the most meaningful time ever.”  Or, “I am so glad I found you.  I feel so good being with like-minded people who understand me and don’t judge my unique way of thinking and being.” Or, “That was so powerful!  I say it every time cause every time it feels more powerful than the last.”  Or, “This is why I keep coming back.”

It is a wonder to me to; the way Spirit shows up and turns us inside out and upside down.  We wander through songs and movements and deep silence and heartbeat drumming and always we come out the other end with deep sighs of:  “It doesn’t get any better than that.”  AND,  “It is so difficult to explain to others the MAGIC that happens when we come together.”  AND, “There are so many who could benefit from what happens here if they only knew.”

What we have discovered and what Friday’s spiritual seeker voiced…no one can tell you about it.  What happens here can’t be explained in words.  You wouldn’t believe a word of it anyway.  You simply need to come ONCE and find out for yourself if this is the place for you to connect with Spirit and others in a deep meaningful way….that just might be exactly what you have been missing and didn’t even know it.  What if, you came and you connected with Spirit in a way that changed your life?

Come on and give yourself the opportunity to say yes or no to your hungering soul.  I have never met a person who isn’t hungering..... Time to be fed???????

Pastor Carol

MEDICINE WHEEL GATHERINGS are SPECIAL!

Medicine Wheel Gatherings are special. 

We experience. We Pray.

We sing/chant and sometimes we dance.

We learn from the Wheel and through each other. 

At our First Friday Gathering on May 1, 2015 we were just three days from a Full Moon, so Grandmother Moon lit up the sky as we sat around the Wheel.

We began by feeling the energy of the Wheel before we opened the energetic space.  It was a deep learning to “feel” the difference in the energies outside and inside the circumference of the Wheel and then in the Innermost Circle with Creator.  Each of us “felt” differently. 

How awesome to discover again and again the uniqueness of each of us and our relationship to Earth and Cosmic forces.  It is a wonder to be Unique and One with our Cosmos at the same time!   Being here celebrating our presence at this Wheel deeply reinforces our Presence and our Oneness.

We open the Wheel with an invocation to the Seven Directions: East, South, West, North, Above, Below and Within. 

Immediately the sense of Community among ourselves and with all that is becomes heightened.  Singing new and old songs.  Continually learning new ways to bless each other and to be one in experience.

This evening we had a special privilege to participate in the blessing of four hand carved labyrinths of designed by Lori.  Lori selected the sacred reading that she shared while others held the Labyrinths and Pastor Carol moved sun-wise around the Wheel carrying the shell with the smoke of herbal smudge rising and blessing each Labyrinth. 

After the blessings we moved indoors to receive the teaching from Krista who is so full of deep knowing who shared about the Frogs Return Moon (April 20-May 20).  Krista taught about different types of frogs and we listened to each of their unique songs/sounds.  She also shared about the animal: Beaver, the flower: Blue Camas, the mineral: Chrysocolla. 

The day after our Gathering I went for a Contemplative Retreat Day at the Benedictine Monastery in Erie, PA.  I went for a solitary walk during lunch break and because of Krista’s teaching, for the first time ever, I recognized the Blue Camas…here is the picture of the Blue Camas…..Krista – did I get it right???

When we had absorbed Krista’s teaching we returned the Wheel outdoors to say goodnight the all the Cosmic Forces who had joined us in this time of prayer, praise and learning.  

Don't miss next month: FIRST FRIDAY GATHERING, June 5th!

We'll be learning about the Strong Sun Moon (which occurs 06/21-07/22)

If you arrive early – we share a light meal at 6:15 and begin our Gathering at 6:45 p.m.  We ask a monetary gift to help us provide the meal.

The  brother and sister birds are chirping and I think I heard one calling my name, so I am on my way outdoors to enjoy the cool breeze and the marvelous warmth of Brother Sun. 

May you allow the blessings of Cosmic Bounty fill you to overflowing encouraging you to share with others and with Mother Earth.

Pastor Carol