tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2595736732880331442024-03-13T06:57:32.758-07:00Progressive Christiansat BerkeleySarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-46513735846151915602011-12-02T11:34:00.000-08:002011-12-02T11:34:05.989-08:00Inspirational MusicThis past Wednesday, we all brought in songs we find inspirational - both hymns and more secular music - and discussed why we find these pieces of music to be so powerful. Listen to some of our favorite songs below!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/l5pHODK_6ls" width="560"></iframe>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-81733532712509531582011-11-17T18:21:00.000-08:002011-11-17T18:21:53.736-08:00Big QuestionsThis past Wednesday, members of our group submitted anonymous questions for discussion. This sparked some great conversation on a variety of topics. Here's a selection of the topics we discussed:<br />
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<i>What image(s) do you associate with God? Could you put a face to God?</i><br />
Some pictured nature, others a bright light, and others said that when they try to put a face to God, they often end up picturing Jesus.<br />
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<i>Would you prefer money for a housekeeper, cook, gardener, or personal secretary?</i><br />
It was interesting that many of us had an immediate and strong response, but it usually differed from person to person! <br />
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<i>What do you believe you need to accomplish or experience in order to be successful in life (for you personally, not for everyone in general)?</i><br />
Our answers varied quite a bit for this question, including having a career that allows one to provide for one's family, being able to fully experience emotions ranging from joy to grief, having children who grow up to be happy, living a life free of physical pain, and having a life that is full of love and service to others.<br />
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<i>Who has inspired you as a mentor and why?</i><br />
Our mentors included parents, pastors, and individuals we've met that inspired us to work for social justice and look at the world through a different lens. <br />
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<i>What does your perfect day look like?</i> <br />
Many of us mentioned that our perfect day would include some amount of spontaneity or surprise - it wouldn't all be planned. Some would spend the day in the Redwoods, and others at the beach. Our 'perfect' days often included time spent with loved ones, and definitely included lots of tasty food!<br />
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Other questions we discussed included the following - please feel free to share your thoughts on any of these in the comments!<br />
<ul><li><i>Is science or art more essential to humanity?</i></li>
<li><i>How do faith/integrity inform or affect the decision about what to focus on?</i></li>
<li><i>What do you like about life, the universe and everything? What do you not like? How much do you think about what you like vs. what you don't like? </i></li>
<li><i>If you could choose one super power, which one would it be? </i></li>
<li><i>After all the protests that have been taking place, do you agree with the protesters actions? The police's actions? What more do you think they should (or should not) be doing in regards to the protesters and the police?</i></li>
</ul>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-10794987141017858572011-11-16T08:55:00.000-08:002011-11-16T08:55:36.409-08:00Taize PhotosOne of the students from our Taize trip, Nina, recently posted these <a href="http://nktaize.tumblr.com/">photos from the trip</a> on her blog. Click through to enjoy all of the photos!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-npXmBrgbfnY/TsPpLUsWFfI/AAAAAAAAEq4/DNUBkF8_umg/s1600/tumblr_ljtbzd5Z6l1qj7jlmo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-npXmBrgbfnY/TsPpLUsWFfI/AAAAAAAAEq4/DNUBkF8_umg/s400/tumblr_ljtbzd5Z6l1qj7jlmo1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-37647222752676699402011-10-30T13:17:00.000-07:002011-10-30T13:17:33.608-07:00Día de los MuertosThis past Wednesday we celebrated the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with enchiladas, a beautiful altar created by a First Church member, and photos, mementos, and memories of loved ones who have passed away. Here's a photo of our altar:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TbQbjMNQ-rk/Tq2wsyxrCaI/AAAAAAAAEa8/6r3cON1P47Y/s1600/partay+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TbQbjMNQ-rk/Tq2wsyxrCaI/AAAAAAAAEa8/6r3cON1P47Y/s400/partay+024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-35165007576534148572011-10-26T09:00:00.000-07:002011-10-26T09:00:49.844-07:00Text Study and Meditation: Matthew 25:31-46This week Tinley led us in a text study of <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2025:31-46&version=NIV">Matthew 25:31-46</a>. After reading through the passage as a group, we discussed our reactions. One thing we all noticed is that we usually read the middle of this passage in church, but not the context of judgement on either end. We also recognized that one the one hand Jesus is giving us a very difficult task, but at the same time, on some level we all both pass and fail this test at different times in our lives. In reality, it's not so easy to separate every person into the two categories of goats and sheep. <br />
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We discussed the idea of heaven on earth or creating the kingdom of God on earth. Jesus is describing that kingdom, where we all feed each other, take care of each other, and love each other. Anytime you're serving someone who is in need, is lonely, or is separated from others, you're ultimately serving Jesus and leading a full life. This passage offers a more concrete way to interact with Jesus and put the love of God into empty places in the world. <br />
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After our discussion of the passage, Tinley led us in a guided meditation based on medieval mysticism. One recurring theme in the mystic tradition, especially in convents during the Middle Ages, was rituals surrounding food, the Eucharist, and figuratively consuming the word as food. In this tradition, Jesus was the word made flesh, so during fasting you would fill up on a word or the word that would sustain you until the end of the fast, which would always be broken with communion. The entire arc of the fast was looked at as a sustained communion with Jesus, first as a word and then as food. This mystic tradition produced a lot of visionary poetry from this practice that focuses on the permeability of word, flesh, and spirit in search of union with the divine (like Hildegard of Bingen or Catherine of Siena). The meditation, reprinted below, is based on this frame of simultaneous fullness and emptiness. <br />
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<i>Get comfortable, move around if you need to, close your eyes, and let’s start by just taking some deep breaths together. </i><br />
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<i>Now as you breathe, direct your breath to fill the different parts of your body, noticing how the breath enters and leaves each part, balancing between fullness and emptiness. Breathe into your stomach, breathe into your head, breathe through your arms and legs. Let the breath fill and empty smaller avenues, try to move your breath into your toes. The hairs on your head. Imagine each tiny capillary expanding with each molecule of oxygen. </i><br />
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<i>Now as you breathe, imagine your spirit being inflated and inspired with your body. Like your heart, beats a little faster each time you breathe in and a little slower each time you breathe out. Now shift your focus to those parts of your spirit where breath is not moving so freely. What in your spirit’s body remains unfilled even when you invite life in? Where is there a hunger? An emptiness? Sit with it for a moment, and see if you can put a word to that hunger. What is your spirit hungry for? Perhaps you can think of a word or two, or a phrase, or just a wordless feeling. Keep the word for your hunger with you. </i><br />
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<i>Now, invite God into your breath, breathe God into your spirit, and direct God’s love into that place that is feeling hungry, sick, imprisoned, thirsty, lonely, or naked. With each breath, imagine that place holding onto a bit more air, a bit more fullness. Let the divine spirit, who breathed into our nostrils the breath of life, fill up where there is emptiness, feed where there is hunger. Now if you can, give that breath a word…what is it that fills you? What sustains you? What is bread and breath of life to your hungry spirit? How are you fed? Let that word or phrase sit in that space, no longer empty, overflowing in fact. </i><br />
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<i>Imagine the your word bringing so much life that it pours out of your spirit and begins, glowing, to move out into the world. With each breath, let your fullness fill this room, move through the streets of Berkeley, across the bay and through California. Direct your spirit to the places in the world, near and far, where God is calling your heart to provide sustainance, both physical and spiritual. Think of that place, think of that person, think of that need. In the fullness of God’s love, how do you feed Jesus? What is the spiritual gift that you have been given to breathe the breath of life into empty places? Once again, let a word surface, the word that is in you that will sustain one part of the world, no matter how small. What word is your food to a hungry planet? Put that word out into the world on a prayer. </i><br />
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<i>Now, as we begin to come back from the parts of the world our mind has taken us back to this table, this community, gather your words. Remember where you are hungry, remember how you are filled, and remember how you provide food for others. </i>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-13189219086763790482011-10-17T15:55:00.000-07:002011-10-17T19:04:39.473-07:00Are we spending our time wisely?In a society that is constantly offering us many things to do and putting competing demands on our time, it can be hard to find time for the rest we need. We talked about the idea that time is a gift from God, and that he wants us to experience non-active periods - time to be with God, time for renewal, time to let down our guard and just be. It's challenging to find this time in our lives if we aren't conscious about making it happen. As one way to be more conscious of how we spend our time, we charted the ups and downs of one day from the past week to look at how we felt throughout the day, what was enriching to our spirits, and what experiences were a drain on our mental and physical resources.<br />
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For some, spending time with others correlated with "high" points, while for others time alone was more important. Some found transitions from one space to another the most difficult. We talked about what we would do with six extra hours in the day, and found it interesting that for most of us, these extra hours wouldn't necessarily improve our quality of life - it's more about taking the time we have and making the most of it. Finally, we discussed ways that we can make small changes to do just that - perhaps studying in a different place, leaving for class a few minutes earlier, getting to sleep at an earlier hour, or making an effort to connect with friends and loved ones. What can you do to improve the quality of the hours in your day and find quiet moments to connect with the holy?<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hXc9SJPadro/TpzegBmLgpI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/YzmSTTSxWjs/s1600/Scan+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hXc9SJPadro/TpzegBmLgpI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/YzmSTTSxWjs/s320/Scan+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-21225852035189823612011-10-11T22:33:00.000-07:002011-10-19T14:54:47.916-07:00Taize Service in Loper ChapelWe had a wonderful Taize service in Loper Chapel at First Church last Wednesday. Students and members of the congregation came together to share in an authentic Taize experience - singing, prayer, silence, and communion. Our next service will be November 2 (dessert reception at 7 pm and candlelight service at 7:30) - everyone is welcome! Here's a look at the beautiful altar that Tinley and Meredith created for us.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Jesus our joy, you want us to have hearts that are simple, a kind of springtime of the heart. And then the complications of existence do not paralyze us so much. You tell us: don’t worry; even if you have very little faith, I, Christ, am with you always.</i></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-86814734597569411212011-09-29T11:18:00.000-07:002011-09-29T11:18:32.682-07:00What food is at your table?Since this coming Sunday is Worldwide Communion, we dedicated this past Wednesday evening to discussing our experiences of communion as well as the role of table fellowship in our lives. After "checking in" by sharing some memorable meals from the past week, we took a look at the places in the Bible that discuss communion and offered our thoughts on these passages:<br />
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<i>Luke 22:17-20</i> <i>After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, <span class="woj">“Take this and divide it among you.</span> <span class="woj">For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”</span> And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, <span class="woj">“This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”</span> In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, <span class="woj">“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="woj">Mark 14:22-25 </span>While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, <span class="woj">“Take it; this is my body.”</span> Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it.<span class="woj"> “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,”</span> he said to them. <span class="woj">“Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”</span></i> <br />
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<i><span class="woj">Matthew 26:26-28</span></i> <i>While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, <span class="woj">“Take and eat; this is my body.”</span> Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, <span class="woj">“Drink from it, all of you.</span> <span class="woj"> This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.</span></i><br />
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<i><span class="woj">1 Corinthians 11:23-25 </span>For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, <span class="woj">“This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”</span> In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, <span class="woj">“This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”</span></i><br />
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<b><span class="woj">Some of our reflections:</span></b><br />
<span class="woj">--Surprised at the absence of "bread of life/cup of blessing" language used in UCC communion.</span><br />
<span class="woj">--Surprised at so little variation, unlike many stories in the Gospels</span><br />
<span class="woj">--Interested in the wording of "covenant" versus "new covenant."</span><br />
<span class="woj">--"Do this in remembrance of me" is only present in some of the texts but is important to UCC theology of communion.</span><i><span class="woj"> </span></i><br />
<i><span class="woj">--</span></i><span class="woj">Jesus is inviting everyone to eat at his table and everyone is encouraged to remember him when eating.</span><br />
<span class="woj">--The command to "do this" is non-specific. Especially in 1 Cor, it's not the drinking itself but something you do while drinking. Instead of just referring to communion, could be referring to sacrificing yourself for others like Jesus.</span><br />
<span class="woj">--Strange that this is a ritual in church since in the text it seems like it should be a practice at any meal.</span><br />
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<b><span class="woj">Our conversation then shifted to reflections on what communion means to us personally. Some of our thoughts are noted below - please feel free to add your own in the comments!</span></b><br />
<span class="woj">--For one person, communion was very meaningful as a child - tasting something made the experience more intense. Now, not believing in the meaning behind the ritual, it is more confusing.</span><br />
<span class="woj">--We talked about the very particular tastes of communion and how they vary from church to church with the different breads and wines/juices that are used. It's the only time you experience that particular combination of flavors.</span><br />
<span class="woj">--Jesus is spiritual sustenance, and communion is symbolic of that sustenance so that we can go out and be sustained to be his servant in the world.</span><br />
<span class="woj">--For those of us who've had the opportunity to hand out communion at church, it's interesting to see the different reactions people have when receiving communion.</span><br />
<span class="woj">--Symbolism and ritual are important to the experience; tapping into a history of symbolism in Western culture of the goblet, chalice, etc.</span><br />
<span class="woj">--We compared the individual and communal aspects of communion as practiced today. Sometimes it can feel more personal, just you and the bread/wine. Or, it can be more communal sustenance. </span><br />
<span class="woj">--One person shared a particularly powerful communion experience at Civic Center BART on Sunday mornings.</span><br />
<span class="woj">--We're on a journey with Jesus and this is one way that our lives can intersect.</span><br />
<span class="woj">--In our culture, it's easy to just go off on your own and do your own thing. Communion is a reminder that Christ calls us to be in community with each other, even those we might not naturally be friends with. We're constantly called to remember Jesus's life and our discipleship to bring about the kingdom of God.</span><br />
<span class="woj">--With World Communion Sunday coming up, we thought about how we can all gather at the same table and be in fellowship with each other in a more global sense.</span><br />
<i><span class="woj"> </span></i>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-57213662686256892032011-09-22T20:41:00.000-07:002011-09-29T10:46:31.306-07:00Many Rooms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjpSlB_e9rM/ToSuaOmIEsI/AAAAAAAAD9k/OewZaOegLEI/s1600/IMG_1020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjpSlB_e9rM/ToSuaOmIEsI/AAAAAAAAD9k/OewZaOegLEI/s400/IMG_1020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bwd9ScMwd4U/ToSuVQ3rPQI/AAAAAAAAD9g/1-BVBQpqSqk/s1600/IMG_1016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bwd9ScMwd4U/ToSuVQ3rPQI/AAAAAAAAD9g/1-BVBQpqSqk/s320/IMG_1016.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><i>John 14:2</i><br />
<i>My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?</i><br />
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On Wednesday, the group talked about what this passage meant to them. Most said that "rooms" to them meant that God made space for everyone, whether physically, theologically, or in the way you relate to God. We then made pictures on the various rooms that we spend time in. It was fun to see the incredibly varied ideas, and how we relate to God in each of these spaces. The list included the room that nature sometimes folds us into, a minivan, and ugly but comfortable furniture. :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zSSJwA6_Vw/ToSu3XdJBbI/AAAAAAAAD90/WLNR6IsmbLE/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9zSSJwA6_Vw/ToSu3XdJBbI/AAAAAAAAD90/WLNR6IsmbLE/s400/IMG_1026.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02019507865240303623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-70448993428745889502011-08-24T22:05:00.001-07:002011-08-27T23:29:51.627-07:00Reconnecting and Reflecting<b><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">At our first gathering after the summer break, Shelly led us through a "poem" writing exercise that enabled us to reflect on what happened in our lives this summer and envision what life this fall will be like. Below are excerpts from each of us!
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<br />We also enjoyed a food meditation on a strawberry which means we ate one strawberry very slowly and intentionally. We reflected on each sense and how that helped us experience the strawberry fully. Shelly reminded us to savor all that we experienced this summer just as we were able to savor that one strawberry. We were also reminded to fully experience everything we will encounter this fall no matter how busy we get. When life seems to be passing quickly, stop and check in with each sense.
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<br />I am from...</b>
<br />summer thunderstorms and fireflies
<br />my tiny kitchen
<br />sunny and spicy food
<br />baby noises
<br />a big, wobbly, mellow, creaky house full of raggedy chairs and books and cookies and the occasional flea
<br />tarantulas
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<br /><b>I am from...</b>
<br />"Avash!"
<br /><b> </b>"Words are hard."
<br />"I love you."
<br />"Hella angry!"
<br />"Fabulous!"
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<br /><b>I am from...</b>
<br />Anja and Amanda
<br />My amazing staff
<br />Raquel, Valeria, y Gustavo
<br />Julian, Jen, and Michael
<br />Anna, Mom, Dad, and Tim
<br />Jeff, Sebastian, Mirabelle, and Ethan
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<br /><b>I will experience...</b>
<br />sunrise
<br /><b> </b>coffee!
<br />art class
<br />my computer's fan
<br />60 unfamiliar faces
<br />that wonderful gym smell
<br />beauty
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<br /><b>I will experience...</b>
<br />New and old housemates
<br /><b> </b>Barenblatt
<br />Old and new friends
<br />German and Art instructors
<br />A professor with questionable fashion sense
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<br /><b>I am hoping...</b>
<br />swimming
<br /><b> </b>learning
<br />to read hundreds of books
<br />be close to my desk
<br />energetic and empowered
<br />academic triumph
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<br /><b>I invite God...</b>
<br />to bring compassion into both peace and chaos
<br />to give me strength
<br />to heal broken communities
<br />to make himself felt in my life
<br />to help me make it to worship every Sunday<b> </b> Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-81359701303942255322011-08-16T16:14:00.000-07:002011-08-24T23:13:58.867-07:00Welcome to Fall 2011<div class="MsoNormal" style=";font-family:";"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=250440441654397"><span style="font-size:small;"><b>Weekly Wednesday Dinner and Program - Resumes August 24</b></span></a></div><div style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Free fabulous food, caring friends and opportunities for spiritual exploration, service and text study. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome. </span></b></span></div><div style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;"><b>When:</b> 6:30-8:30 pm</span></div><div style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;"><b>Where:</b> Durant House, 2330 Durant Ave – below Dana, across from the Berkeley Free Clinic – enter from the back of the house</span></div><div style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;"><b>Upcoming Themes</b></span></div><div style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;">August 24 - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=250440441654397">Reconnect and Reflect</a></span></div><div style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;">August 31 - Text Study – Who do you say that I am? asks Jesus</span></div><div style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;">September 7 - <a href="http://taize.fr/"> Taize</a> Worship and Spiritual Pilgrimage</span></div><div style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;">
<br /><b>Welcome Student Worship - Sunday, August 28</b></span></div><div style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.fccb.org/">First Congregational Church of Berkeley, United Church of Christ </a></span></div><div style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;">LGBT inclusive and affirming congregation</span></div><div style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;">Be inspired and supported by our intergenerational, progressive Christian community. A great place to call home while studying in Berkeley.
<br /><b>When: </b>10-11 am</span></div><div style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" face=""" style=";"><span style="font-size:small;"><b>Where: </b>Brick church on Dana btwn Durant and Channing (FCCB)/across from Unit 3, enter from Dana
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<br /><b>Welcome Student Brunch - Sunday, August 28</b>
<br />Enjoy delicious food while meeting Progressive Christians at Berkeley - share tips on Berkeley life, get info on service opps, trips and weekly program. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome.
<br /><b>When: </b>11:15 am - 12:30 pm</span></div><div style=";font-family:";"><span style="font-size:small;"> <b>Where: </b>Durant House, 2330 Durant Ave – below Dana, across from the Berkeley Free Clinic – enter from the back of the house</span></div>Shelly Dieterlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01734515592173520471noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-12366055400320664312011-02-04T12:58:00.000-08:002011-02-04T12:58:50.810-08:00Creating a Sacred Space in the Student LifeI've been slacking on getting up blog posts, but no more! :) Two weeks ago, we shared what it means to create a sacred space in our lives during what can often be crazy and stressful semesters. Then, we pulled out lots of art supplies to create mini-altars to put in dorm rooms, in bedrooms, or on desks. Here are a couple of examples of what we made:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TUxnG9JKaWI/AAAAAAAABzE/UNQY-L8TtqY/s1600/tortilla+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TUxnG9JKaWI/AAAAAAAABzE/UNQY-L8TtqY/s320/tortilla+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TUxnxGZ024I/AAAAAAAABzM/nIv2EANheTQ/s1600/tortilla+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TUxnxGZ024I/AAAAAAAABzM/nIv2EANheTQ/s320/tortilla+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Then, this past week we shared important moments in our spiritual journeys. It was so interesting to hear all the different ways the individuals in our group got to where they are today in terms of their relationship with God. Feel free to share your thoughts on either sacred spaces or your own spiritual journey in the comments below.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-5358283562372516072010-12-12T18:37:00.000-08:002010-12-12T18:37:45.623-08:00Merry Christmas from Progressive Christians at Berkeley!This past week we made Christmas cookies at our Wednesday meeting and each got to take home a box of delicious goodies. We made snickerdoodles, frosted sugar cookies, and peppermint buttercreams. It was a great way to relax and get in a Christmas mood in the middle of RRR week!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TQWFJ34UzHI/AAAAAAAABxE/wjEFmZFpFZA/s1600/35470_10150116412725449_699105448_7820859_2808913_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TQWFJ34UzHI/AAAAAAAABxE/wjEFmZFpFZA/s400/35470_10150116412725449_699105448_7820859_2808913_n.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Zainab and Cassie mix up the batter for snickerdoodles.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TQWFg1KpTHI/AAAAAAAABxI/N6-Ea2Yxy6A/s1600/nina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TQWFg1KpTHI/AAAAAAAABxI/N6-Ea2Yxy6A/s400/nina.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Nina models a snowman puppet.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TQWF263rLYI/AAAAAAAABxM/ShHFrePudyY/s1600/sean+and+davy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TQWF263rLYI/AAAAAAAABxM/ShHFrePudyY/s400/sean+and+davy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Sean and Davy cut out sugar cookies.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TQWGP1vc1bI/AAAAAAAABxQ/2UNaaIcvGWE/s1600/brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TQWGP1vc1bI/AAAAAAAABxQ/2UNaaIcvGWE/s400/brown.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Brown makes peppermint buttercreams.</i><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TQWGxHYR3PI/AAAAAAAABxU/5J4lFzITnpI/s1600/group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TQWGxHYR3PI/AAAAAAAABxU/5J4lFzITnpI/s400/group.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i>The gang displaying all our cookie tins!</i></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-32870353726293405772010-11-04T10:34:00.000-07:002010-11-04T10:34:21.589-07:00Is Your Calling Calling?Last night, Shelly led us in a discussion about <i>vocation</i>, which she defined using Frederick Buechner's evocative words: "The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet." Even though vocation can be difficult to pin down and is something that can evolve and shift throughout life, this was a valuable evening to think about where we are right now in terms of our vocation. We first talked about our field of study and why we chose to focus on that area. Then, we identified moments earlier in life that may have led us to be interested in that field. Finally, we wrote about what our own "deep gladness" is with regard to what we have chosen to study and how that connects to a "deep hunger" or need in the world.<br />
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If you like, post your (current and ever-evolving!) vocation statement in the comments, either based on what we talked about on Wednesday or your own thoughts on the issue.<br />
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Finally, a brief plug for <a href="http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=112010172195080&index=1">Experience Islam Month</a>, which is happening right now at Cal. In particular, a group from Progressive Christians will be attending the Hijabi Monologues, which is happening this Friday at 6 pm in Pauley Ballroom.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-12724581618840472552010-10-26T12:20:00.000-07:002010-10-26T18:28:57.876-07:00Adam and Eve: Comparing the Muslim and Christian storiesLast Wednesday, Zainab led us in a discussion of the Muslim story of Adam and Eve, which we compared with the Christian version. <i> </i>Some of the verses we discussed are printed below; we also looked at verses 15:28-15:43 and a few other verses.<i> </i><br />
<blockquote><i>From the Qur'an, verses 2:30-2:39</i><br />
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Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said: "Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood? - whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?" he said: "I know what ye know not."<br />
And He taught Adam the nature of all things: then He placed them before the angels, and said: "Tell me the nature of these if ye are right."<br />
They said: "Glory to Thee, of knowledge We have none, save what Thou Hast taught us: In truth it is Thou Who art perfect in knowledge and wisdom."<br />
He said: "O Adam! Tell them their natures." When he had told them, Allah said: "Did I not tell you that I know the secrets of heaven and earth, and I know what ye reveal and what ye conceal?"<br />
And behold, We said to the angels: "Bow down to Adam" and they bowed down. Not so Iblis: he refused and was haughty: He was of those who reject Faith.<br />
We said: "O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden; and eat of the bountiful things therein as (where and when) ye will; but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression.'<br />
Then did Satan make them slip from the (garden), and get them out of the state (of felicity) in which they had been. We said: "Get ye down, all (ye people), with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling-place and your means of livelihood - for a time."<br />
Then learnt Adam from his Lord words of inspiration, and his Lord Turned toward him; for He is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.<br />
We said: "Get ye down from here; and if, as is sure, there comes to you Guidance from me, whosoever follows My guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.<br />
"But those who reject Faith and belie Our Signs, they shall be companions of the Fire; they shall abide by them."</blockquote>We had a fascinating and illuminating discussion comparing this story to the Christian version. In particular, it was interesting to contrast the Christian idea of original sin to the Muslim view, that everyone has an inherently good nature but it just gets disturbed here on earth or we "forget" about that nature. Here are some of our thoughts, and feel free to leave any additional comments below:<br />
<ul><li>This is a story of hope - regardless of whether the fall from grace in the Adam and Even story is the result of sin or forgetfulness, humans can still continue to do good and receive forgiveness and God's love and grace.</li>
<li>A powerful expression of our relationship with God...a reminder that we were created to be in an intimate relationship with God.</li>
<li>In both versions, there is a feeling of the legitimacy of man's struggle between doing what's aligned with God and doing what we've learned from the world...and there's always a balance between those two aspects.</li>
<li>We were struck by the similarities between the two stories, particularly in regard to the common idea that Christianity and Islam are very different and cannot be reconciled. While there's a lot to be learned from the differences between the stories, there's also a lot to be gained from the commonalities - that God created us.</li>
<li>Good to remember the concept and understanding of God as home, respite, hope, and merciful.</li>
<li>The idea of forgetfulness rather than a focus on sin facilitates forgiveness.</li>
<li>We also discussed a different interpretation of the Christan story as one of coming of age and choosing wisdom over innocence, rather than one of a fall from grace.</li>
</ul>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-52777560210967732032010-10-18T12:33:00.000-07:002010-10-20T23:10:57.086-07:00Taize Details and ApplicationJust a reminder that the deadline for Taize applications is October 29 at 4 pm. You can download the application and flyer through the links below. We will also be holding an additional information session on October 24 at 4:30 pm at <b>Westminster House </b>- if you're interested in the trip or would just like to know more, please come by and check it out! <br />
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B1y3LDYRkqElYWFlZDZmZTctMmJhNy00MTJmLWJkYjYtMTZhMWM1YmM4YTY5&hl=en&authkey=CN3hoaMH">Taize Application</a><br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B1y3LDYRkqElOWRiYTFjMWUtY2MxMi00MGVjLTg4YmUtMjI5YWMzMDcwM2M4&hl=en&authkey=CMDh3e0C">Taize Flyer</a><br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B1y3LDYRkqElOGMwZGJmMjMtZjMxNy00MzBjLTk2MWItOTVkNzU3Yzk0ZjM2&hl=en&authkey=CJeC_5kC">October 24 Info Session</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/10/TaizePrayer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/10/TaizePrayer.jpg" /></a></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-90540196219287174982010-10-12T21:39:00.000-07:002010-10-12T21:39:44.112-07:00An Evening of PrayerThis past Wednesday, I got the opportunity to lead the group in a discussion about prayer. We discussed our past experiences with different kinds of prayer, and then read prayers in a variety of styles. Then, we turned out the lights, lit candles, and spent some time writing our own prayers. Some of our prayers are shared below.<br />
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Holy One<br />
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I’m so grateful that I have tasted, seen, delighted and been dependent on your presence. But these days I feel blind and bland, ignorant and mindless. Forgive God for I long to be energized, to be connected, to be loving. I want my will to be what creates harmony, that brings affirmation, acceptance and authenticity. I want to feel. I want to bee. I want to serve. May my hands be your hands. My eyes your eyes. My heart your heart. Meet me, mold me, shape me to be the fully alive child you have created me to be.<br />
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Dear God,<br />
I want to have the completely generous spirit of Jesus, even though part of me is skeptical, like that's so unrealistic. Which of course it is, and that's the point.<br />
Give me the ability to work toward unrealistic and unattainable goals because they're too beautiful to give up on. And forgive my cynicism (that says, what's the point of praying for the world - if it were going to work, maybe it would have worked by now).<br />
So, even if I don't totally believe it:<br />
Be with those who are suffering, and ease it.<br />
Melt hearts that are hard and full of hatred, especially those in positions of power<br />
Let your divine presence fill up the world with something holy and good<br />
Sometimes I feel like the only thing that will "save the world" is a miracle, and so I'll pray for one. <br />
Amen<br />
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Fear Not<br />
as I am here,<br />
My blessed child...<br />
You are not alone.<br />
I will be here to guard you and protect you,<br />
Wherever you are,<br />
throughout the passing of time.<br />
Amen.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-85564901990115408812010-10-08T00:51:00.000-07:002010-10-11T23:34:04.290-07:00Drumming Circle<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-VJGi3b_lLs/TLQAXAMUAVI/AAAAAAAAAA8/TVRIaafkJeA/s1600/Drumming+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 154px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-VJGi3b_lLs/TLQAXAMUAVI/AAAAAAAAAA8/TVRIaafkJeA/s200/Drumming+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527043037879075154" /></a><br />On Wednesday the 29th, a few of us gathered for a drumming circle. We sat outside in the increasing darkness and many of us commented on the meditative aspect of getting into the rhythm.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-VJGi3b_lLs/TLQAW3ug0qI/AAAAAAAAAA0/x3eccrr2W6g/s1600/Drumming+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_-VJGi3b_lLs/TLQAW3ug0qI/AAAAAAAAAA0/x3eccrr2W6g/s200/Drumming+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527043035606602402" /></a><br />Although it was sometimes difficult to stay with the beat, it almost creates a metaphor for school or spiritual troubles: When things get too crazy, calm down, stop for a bit, find the beat again, and get back in rhythm.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-VJGi3b_lLs/TLQAW907ToI/AAAAAAAAAAs/4YIlW6JkTJQ/s1600/Drumming+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 154px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_-VJGi3b_lLs/TLQAW907ToI/AAAAAAAAAAs/4YIlW6JkTJQ/s200/Drumming+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527043037244116610" /></a>Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02019507865240303623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-22154600896546511462010-09-23T20:50:00.000-07:002010-10-18T12:24:34.077-07:00Spring Break Trip to Taize, FranceLast night, we got to experience a mini Taize service in Loper chapel, and also learned about the upcoming spring break trip to Taize that will be sponsored by Progressive Christians at Berkeley, First Congregational Church at Berkeley, and Wesley House and Campus Center. The estimated total cost for the trip is $1300, but we will be doing fund-raising so that the cost to students should be $200. Learn more about the Taize community <a href="http://www.taize.fr/">here</a>, and <a href="mailto:sdieterle@fccb.org">email Shelly</a> for more information and to obtain an application. The application is due at 4 pm on October 29.Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-19940960147923922012010-09-16T19:02:00.000-07:002010-09-16T19:43:23.622-07:00Watercolors!On Wednesday night, we had fun painting with watercolors; we felt so young at heart! Each of us shared a story which celebrated our gifts, and others painted a picture of what our story sounded like to them. In a society where we so often self-deprecate, it was positive and encouraging to remember that we each bring something special to the table. The paintings were so pretty! but we forgot a camera, so unfortunately can't post them.Cassiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02019507865240303623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-5281834600654551312010-09-13T11:23:00.000-07:002010-09-13T11:23:10.689-07:00"Field Trip" to Glide Memorial in San Francisco<div style="text-align: left;">This Sunday, we all got up early to take BART into the city to volunteer at <a href="http://www.glide.org/">Glide Memorial Church</a> and share in their wonderful Sunday morning service. We bagged 700 lunches for their <a href="http://www.glide.org/">free meals program</a>, and then enjoyed amazing music and an inspirational message at their 11 am celebration.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TI5nkFeTpzI/AAAAAAAABvo/UXOB5J3QowY/s1600/amanda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <br />
<img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TI5nkFeTpzI/AAAAAAAABvo/UXOB5J3QowY/s320/amanda.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Amanda, Brittany, and another volunteer make ham sandwiches.</i><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TI5nuJRSgBI/AAAAAAAABwI/J0GLoAI215o/s1600/saras.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TI5nuJRSgBI/AAAAAAAABwI/J0GLoAI215o/s320/saras.jpg" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Sara had peanut butter sandwich duty.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TI5nmitJkVI/AAAAAAAABvw/xnHm88bVUlY/s1600/cassie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <br />
<img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TI5nmitJkVI/AAAAAAAABvw/xnHm88bVUlY/s320/cassie.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>So many sandwiches! Cassie mans the bagging area.</i><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TI5npoWqt-I/AAAAAAAABv4/2BlReeOh418/s1600/aline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TI5npoWqt-I/AAAAAAAABv4/2BlReeOh418/s320/aline.jpg" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Aline and Allan filling up bagged lunches with granola bars.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TI5nrwwZtII/AAAAAAAABwA/3ts6VI0FzLc/s1600/sean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <br />
<img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TI5nrwwZtII/AAAAAAAABwA/3ts6VI0FzLc/s320/sean.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: black;">Sean counts out how many lunches we've made so far...</span></i> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TI5nxkTEDbI/AAAAAAAABwQ/b-TTkv_49E8/s1600/celebration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TI5nxkTEDbI/AAAAAAAABwQ/b-TTkv_49E8/s320/celebration.jpg" /></a><br />
<i>In the sanctuary, waiting for the celebration to begin!</i></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-38873673142122608392010-09-09T10:59:00.000-07:002010-09-09T11:00:01.989-07:00The 8 Points of Progressive ChristianityYesterday for our Wednesday meeting, we discussed the <a href="http://www.tcpc.org/about/8points.cfm">8 points of Progressive Christianity</a>, developed by the <a href="http://www.tcpc.org/">Center for Progressive Christianity</a>. These points really spoke to us, with one person commenting: "I've never been able to look at a religious doctrine and say...wow, that's me!" I think we all now feel better able to discuss our faith with others who might wonder what progressive Christianity is all about and why we feel drawn to this particular faith tradition. The 8 points are listed below, along with a sampling of some highlights from our discussion. Feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments!<br />
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<b>By calling ourselves progressive, we mean we are Christians who...</b><br />
<br />
1. Have found an approach to God through the life and teachings of Jesus.<br />
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<i>We liked that this point emphasizes that there is no "right" way to worship - everyone must interpret the teachings of Jesus for themselves. We also appreciated the emphasis on the life and teachings of Jesus, rather than his death.</i><br />
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2. Recognize the faithfulness of other people who have other names for the way to God's realm, and acknowledge that their ways are true for them, as our ways are true for us.<br />
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<i>Truly engaging in interfaith dialog with others with a fully open heart can be a scary thing, since it can make us question our beliefs. At the same time, we both value this questioning and realize that the willingness to enter into these discussions demonstrates faithfulness in that we aren't so afraid of losing our beliefs that we're unwilling to learn from the beliefs of others. Many of us saw this interfaith dialog as central to our faith experience.</i><br />
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3. Understand the sharing of bread and wine in Jesus's name to be a representation of an ancient vision of God's feast for all peoples.<br />
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<i>Some of use talked about the fact that, even as Christians, we would be denied communion at some churches. We appreciate the fact that this point emphasizes the idea that <b>everyone</b> is welcome at God's table, and that one doesn't have to subscribe to a certain religion to share a meal and be part of a community. We also preferred this type of symbolism (stated at FCCB as "the bread of life and the cup of blessing") to the body/blood imagery that is often used.</i><br />
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4. Invite all people to participate in our community and worship life without insisting that they become like us in order to be acceptable (including but not limited to):<br />
<br />
believers and agnostics,<br />
conventional Christians and questioning skeptics,<br />
women and men,<br />
those of all sexual orientations and gender identities,<br />
those of all races and cultures,<br />
those of all classes and abilities,<br />
those who hope for a better world and those who have lost hope<br />
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<i>We saw this point as ultimately being a challenge to fully welcome all people with open arms, and to not try and push our faith onto other people.</i><br />
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5. Know that the way we behave toward one another and toward other people is the fullest expression of what we believe.<br />
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<i>People can easily go to church but miss the point of going out and helping others as Jesus would have. We need to act out what Jesus taught us, bringing our faith into the real world and into all our actions.</i><br />
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6. Find more grace in the search for understanding than we do in dogmatic certainty - more value in questioning than in absolutes.<br />
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<i>This was difficult for some, because we sometimes just want answers! At the same time, though, we realize that there may not be answers out there (or at least, we haven't found them yet), but that doesn't mean there isn't value in the search. There is a leap of faith involved in a commitment to uncertainty. As one person put it, "I like grappling with things more than certainty."</i><br />
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7. Form ourselves into communities dedicated to equipping one another for the work we feel called to do: striving for peace and justice among all people, protecting and restoring the integrity of all God's creation, and bringing hope to those Jesus called the least of his sisters and brothers<br />
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<i>We saw helping the disadvantaged as central to our faith, giving it a connection to the real world. The phrase "least of his sisters and brothers" really spoke to us, emphasizing the challenge to treat strangers as if they really are part of our families. We also saw this point as focusing not only on each person's individual mission ("the work we feel called to do") but also on community support ("equipping one another") in this difficult task.</i><br />
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8. Recognize that being followers of Jesus is costly, and entails selfless love, conscientious resistance to evil, and renunciation of privilege.<br />
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<i>Being a progressive Christian requires a lot of courage. All of these points are truly challenging, which is not often acknowledged by some churches. Actually putting our faith into practice is not an easy thing, but this struggle is part of what makes our faith meaningful. We also discussed the need to consider the privilege that comes from being able to call ourselves Christian in our society.</i>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-18398060966312187722010-09-03T10:36:00.000-07:002010-09-03T10:37:42.936-07:00Walking the LabyrinthThis Wednesday, our group walked FCCB's portable labyrinth in Loper Chapel. The chapel was lit with candles and filled with beautiful music; this was truly a spiritual retreat in the middle of a busy first week of classes at Cal.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TIExO6nWlUI/AAAAAAAABvE/wPUXquAHXtU/s1600/labyrinth+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TIExO6nWlUI/AAAAAAAABvE/wPUXquAHXtU/s400/labyrinth+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>FCCB's seven circuit labyrinth provides the opportunity to take a long journey in a small space. We left the "chatter" in our minds on cards at the altar at the opening of the labyrinth, and then meditated once we reached the center.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TIExuoQF3uI/AAAAAAAABvM/eGZE8anofAY/s1600/labyrinth+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Yn4j4ftA5pE/TIExuoQF3uI/AAAAAAAABvM/eGZE8anofAY/s400/labyrinth+2.jpg" width="398" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Our group this Wednesday, after dinner and before heading over to Loper Chapel.</i></div>Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-19056157352517813522010-08-29T18:15:00.000-07:002010-08-29T18:16:43.194-07:00A Progressive Interpretation of John 3:16<div style="text-align: center;"><b>For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)</b></div><br />
This passage is sometimes used to justify a message against non-Christians, but we used it as a starting point for a discussion about the importance of religious diversity at our first dinner and fellowship of the semester. Below are some of our thoughts on the different translations of the verse that we read. Please click through to read each of the translations, and feel free to share your own thoughts in the comments. <br />
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A. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%203:16&version=MSG">The Message Version</a>:<br />
1. This translation seems to focus more on "this life" as opposed to a "next life." <br />
2. The phrase "by believing in him (in Jesus)" we are invited to ask ourselves, "What does Jesus represent? Love and compassion." Thus, if anyone believes in that (love and compassion), they can have a "whole and lasting life." <br />
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B. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%203:16&version=AMP">Amplified Bible</a>:<br />
1. "God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that he [even] "gave up" His only begotten. . ." What does it mean to say that God "gave up?" <br />
2. By adding adjectives to the phrase, "so that whoever believes" such as "trusts in, clings to, relies on," this translation opens up more options than just belief--more than dogma.<br />
3. In the phrase "shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost)" the inclusion of the words "be lost" makes it easy for humans to relate because we have all felt lost from time to time.<br />
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C. <a href="http://www.lotusfertility.com/Unity_loved_Diversity.html">Based on Aramaic Text</a>:<br />
1. The words "unity" and "diversity" in referring to the relationship in and among the divine attributes makes this translation wide open for inclusion of other faith traditions.<br />
2. The phrase stating that Jesus, a child of Unity, was "fulfilled in all its aspects of self," is provocative on many levels--humans are invited into a state of fulfillment of self.<br />
3. Similarly, humans are invited into "the same confidence in their own fulfillment" as Jesus, a child of Unity.<br />
4. The phrase "continue, from world to world," is reminiscent of the Buddhist tradition and/or reincarnation.<br />
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To sum up our discoveries of the text study on John 3:16, one might say:<br />
1. "Those who believe in love and compassion will have a whole and lasting life."<br />
2. "Jesus is a child of Unity who loves Diversity."Sarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-259573673288033144.post-618473880433682832010-08-29T14:24:00.000-07:002010-08-29T14:25:05.988-07:00Favorite Berkeley SpotsToday at our student lunch, we shared our favorite hangouts in Berkeley and the Bay Area. Feel free to share your own favorites in the comments.<br />
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<b>Food</b><br />
<a href="http://cheeseboardcollective.coop/">Cheeseboard</a><br />
<b> </b><a href="http://www.joshu-ya.com/">Joshu-ya Sushi</a><br />
<a href="http://www.montereymarket.com/">Monterey Market</a><br />
<a href="http://www.berkeleybowl.com/">Berkeley Bowl</a><br />
<a href="http://www.lafarine.com/">La Farine</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bakesalebetty.com/">Bakesale Betty</a><br />
<a href="http://remedyoakland.com/">Remedy</a><br />
<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/urban-turban-berkeley-2">Urban Turban</a><br />
<a href="http://www.chezpanisse.com/intro.php">Chez Panisse</a><br />
<a href="http://www.liaisonbistro.com/">Bistro Liason</a><br />
<a href="http://www.elmwoodcafe.com/">Elmwood Cafe</a><br />
<a href="http://www.nabolombakery.com/">Nabolom Bakery</a><br />
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<b>Study Spots</b><br />
<a href="http://wesleyhouseberkeley.org/">Wesley House and Campus Center</a><br />
<a href="http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM45X2_Stephens_Hall_University_of_California_Berkeley">Graduate Lounge in Stephens Hall</a><br />
<a href="http://www.gtu.edu/library/">Graduate Theological Union Library</a><br />
<a href="http://asuc.berkeley.edu/asinside.aspx?uid=38">Eschelman Library</a><br />
<a href="http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/doemoff/morrison/">Morrison Library</a><br />
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<b>Entertainment</b><br />
<a href="http://lawrencehallofscience.org/">Lawrence Hall of Science</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ebparks.org/parks/tilden">Tilden Park</a><br />
<a href="http://www.mip.berkeley.edu/mip/collections/collections.html">Campus Museums</a><br />
<a href="http://www.calacademy.org/">California Academy of Sciences</a><br />
Walk to the top of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coit_Tower">Coit Tower</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/">Ferry Building</a><br />
Farmers' Markets in <a href="http://www.ecologycenter.org/bfm/">Berkeley</a>, <a href="http://sanfrancisco.about.com/od/fooddrink/ss/sffarmersmarket.htm">San Francisco</a>, and <a href="http://www.yelp.com/c/oakland/farmersmarket">Oakland</a><br />
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<b>Academic/Student Life Tips</b><br />
Go to office hours<br />
Take classes you enjoy<br />
Join a co-op<br />
Get out of Berkeley and make friends outside the university<br />
Get to know GSI's and professorsSarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09287787218950604688noreply@blogger.com0