What’s Going on at the Church
EXTRA, EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT
Yes, it’s TRUE. Your session took a bold step and approved the installation of air conditioning in Davis Hall. This is indeed a costly project that is being funded by the investment funds and will improve our summer worship services as well as enable us to rent the hall during the hot months. The (4) mini-split units and condensers have been installed. The next phase is the electrical assessment to determine the safest and best way to provide power to the units.
We welcome donations to offset the cost of this project with much appreciation.
“Weighing Truth and Life”
The 10th step says, “Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted i. “ At first glance this sounds like a recap of the 4th and 5th steps; which called for the “moral inventory” and “admitting our faults to another person.” The problem with such an emphasis is it can lead to an unhealthy preoccupation with ourselves and our faults. God knows there is way too much guilt and shame-based religion. Richard Rohr offers a much more positive and evolved understanding of this step.
“I recommend viewing this step as an examination of consciousness, which feels to me much more fruitful. Consciousness is the subtle and all-embracing mystery within and between everything. It is not the seeing, but that which sees me seeing, and knows that I am knowing. It is a stepping back from our compulsiveness and attachment to ourselves. Author and psychologist Ken Wilber describes it as the simple feeling of “Being underneath all of our perceptions; that is simply always there.”
[In Buddhism and Christian monastic traditions this consciousness is the detachment from that can be reached through meditation. The shared spiritual detachment found in both traditions is known as Upekkha in Buddhism, and Apatheia or holy indifference in Christian monasticism. Both concepts mean letting go of preoccupation with the self, finding inner peace, and stopping the mind from reacting what is happening within and around us. Additionally in Christian thought, it frees the soul for prayer and direct experience of God.]
Rochard Rohr continues. “If obeyed, yes, obeyed (remember that this word also means to listen) consciousness will become a very wise teacher of soul wisdom and will teach us from deep within. Some call it the inner witness and this witness is what Christians have called the Holy Spirit. On one level, consciousness and the Holy Spirit can be thought of as the same thing, and it is always larger than us shared and even eternal.
Wisely step 10 does not emphasize a moral inventory which becomes too self-absorbed and self-critical, but speaks of a personal inventory which is simply about watching ourselves objectively, calmly and compassionately. From this positive and dignified position we can let go of and admit our wrongs. God forever sees and loves Christ in us. It’s we who doubt our identity as children of God. Whenever we do something destructive to ourselves or others we are at that moment unconscious, and especially of our identity. Loved and loving people are always highly conscious people. To love is to enter into full consciousness which is contemplative, non-dualistic, and includes everything. This is why we absolutely must love.”
Blessing and Peace, Ed
Looking to donate to our thrift sales?
If you have any furniture to donate, please take a photo of what you have and send the photos to office@1stpresrahway.org. At this time, we’re not accepting clothes or shoes.
Members usually work on Wednesday’s for our sales from 10:30 am -1:30 pm. If that’s not a convenient time for you to drop off donations, other arrangements can be made. Please email the church office and your request will be forwarded to the “sales crew” so they can respond to your inquiry.
As always, thank you to all who donate. Our sales have been a great success this year because of you!
Important Message from the USRC Board of Directors:
Please read these guidelines about Squier Hall and the formation of the USRC Board of Directors, who will be overseeing the groups meeting in Squier.
As part of the guidelines, please use this form if you have any concerns so that they can be addressed.
Interested in Getting Involved?
We have a lot of different ways for you to get involved – short-term projects, one-time opportunities, working with our livestream technology on Sundays, plus much more. Click on the button below to see what we have on our ‘volunteer wish list’. As more opportunities become available, we will be sure to update our listings.