Spiritual Awareness Community of the Cascades
Our Community in Action
"Simple Gifts of Kindness"
The program started with the Congregation sharing stories of 'Gifts of Kindness' they had given, received or witnessed.
Next was a 'Gifts of Kindness' meditation with music and famous quotes about giving; that led directly into a ritual where members gave the Gift of Prayer at the altar and lighted candles in honor of someone or themselves. As attendees left the altar they were given two roses and a purified and blessed quartz crystal.
Finally, attendees circled the altar in spiritual love and fellowship and honored and blessed the candles and their prayers. The MC then asked Spirit for blessings of those joined hand in hand in the Holy Circle.
One attendee, said it was the most beautiful church service she had ever attended.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The program started with the Congregation sharing stories of 'Gifts of Kindness' they had given, received or witnessed.
Next was a 'Gifts of Kindness' meditation with music and famous quotes about giving; that led directly into a ritual where members gave the Gift of Prayer at the altar and lighted candles in honor of someone or themselves. As attendees left the altar they were given two roses and a purified and blessed quartz crystal.
Finally, attendees circled the altar in spiritual love and fellowship and honored and blessed the candles and their prayers. The MC then asked Spirit for blessings of those joined hand in hand in the Holy Circle.
One attendee, said it was the most beautiful church service she had ever attended.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Exploring the spiritual commitment of our community."
On June 29, Steve led a series of exercises and explorations with the intention of getting more connected to our spiritual commitment. Together we raised our energy levels and awareness of connection to spirit. Then we identified some of what draws us together in our unique spiritual community.
Steve read this poem during the June 29 Sunday service and it was requested that he share it in writing with the community. His wife shared it with him.
God said no…
I asked God to take away my habit.
God said no.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said no.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said no.
Patience is a by-product of tribulations;
It isn’t granted, it’s learned.
I asked God to give me happiness.
God said no.
I give you blessings, happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said no.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said no.
You must grow on your own,
but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said no.
I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.
I asked God to help me LOVE others as much as God Loves me.
God said…Ahhh, finally you have the idea!
I would like to thank everyone who attended our Sunday service on June 29. We set out to explore our common bond in Spirituality, and our spiritual commitments. I enjoyed the sharing immensely and I wanted to capture the words and phrases that we discovered as we opened our hearts. I photographed the actual writings and then transcribed the words.
If someone asked me what the Spiritual Awareness Community was about, I would tell them it’s about a state of being that words can’t really do justice to, but I would offer them these words to get them as close as words can.
Words that describe what we feel when we are connected to Spirit:
Love (circled six times).
Peace (circled twice).
Unity (circled twice).
Focus
Grace
Compassion
Connection
Trinity
Overseer
Oneness
Moment
Wisdom
Teacher
Acceptance
Joy
Salvation
Unconditional
What being “Spiritual” means to us:
Seek the Lord humbly
We are all one.
Earth, self, universe.
I am part of God.
Blessings abound within us.
God is within you.
God is Love, therefore we are all Love.
Be nice to each other.
God/Love is in the midst of all situations and in all people.
All people have a direct connection to Spirit.
What we are committed to:
Being in Spiritual Community.
To remember to remember.
Spreading consciousness.
Eternal Love.
Being who/what I was born to be and giving my gift away.
To serenity within, and gifts of kindness.
Showing Love and compassion to all.
Unconditional kindness and compassion to all.
Leaving the world a better place.
Sharing Love and tolerance.
Being in Spirit and recognizing Spirit in everyone.
Being Love, seeing all, including myself, as Love, Spirit, Divine.
Unlimited expansion, freedom, limiting-less.
Being more connected to Spirit more of the time.
Learning from those who walk their truth.
Again, thank you all for sharing the greatest gift anyone can, which is the Spirit within you.
May you ever be in the light of Love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Holding Spiritual Vision and Purpose
Board of Trustees meets the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month
Board of Trustees meets the 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month
To propose an agenda item please contact the office
at least a week in advance of meeting.
Spiritual Awareness Community Team Includes:
Board of Trustees:
President: Pat Benage
Secretary: Steve Meyers
Treasurer: Linda Deppe
Members at Large: Don Lukinbeal, Michelle Wood, Mo Wheeler
Committees/Contacts:
Speaker Commitee: SAC board
Music: Christen Hawkins
Prayer Team: Laura Copper, Don Lukinbeal, Ariana Gold, Michelle Wood, Christen Hawkins, Ericka Sawyer
Sound: Don Lukinbeal, Pat Benage, Mo Wheeler
Administrative Assistant: Michelle Wood
Workshop and Seminar scheduling is done through the SAC office.
Call 388-3179 if you have a suggestion or a program you would like to present.
“We cannot awaken alone,”
Jack Kornfield
Thank you to all our dedicated and talented community members whose commitment turns our vision into action!
Jack Kornfield
Thank you to all our dedicated and talented community members whose commitment turns our vision into action!
