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"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist
them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things
flow naturally forward in whatever way they like."
~ Lao Tzu
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October 16, 10:30 a.m.: "The Third Source: Is Wisdom More Important than Knowledge" Rev. Alex Holt
This Source reminds us that wisdom is a powerful component of our spiritual development. How can the Third Source help that process?
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October 24, 10:30 a.m.: "The Politics of God" Rev. David Bloom
Does God care who wins elections? If so, what would be the criteria for God's judgment? Or, can we even conjecture that there is a God that is conscious of human behavior and therefore interested in affecting it...or even able to? A favorite speaker at Westside, Rev. Bloom is an American Baptist minister with more than thirty years of ecumenical leadership experience in Seattle on social justice
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Podcasts of many past sermons are available on our website
www.wsuu.org.
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Minister's Musings Among the Mountains - Rev. Alex Holt
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At long last the final thirty days of this endless 2016 American election cycle have arrived. The bruises and poisons of this year have come into sharp contrast to what we would prefer to look like in the mirror of the world. I am currently in Providence, Rhode Island at a meeting with other UU Interim Ministers and UUA staff as we plan our annual Interim Guild meeting this next spring. Someone yesterday mentioned how hard it was to do ministry in a world that was getting worse day by day.
I disagreed. Despite all the terrible stories, the election, the anger and fury and fear; despite the wars, hurricanes, starvation and so much more, I do believe the world is getting better even while it seems to be getting worse.
Liberal religious values can be leading edge both inside the walls of our congregations and beyond those walls in the larger community. Such values of bearing witness and learning from our own places of vulnerability can be powerful.
This coming Sunday we will still talk about the virtues and gifts of the Third Source that speaks to wisdom from the world's religious traditions. However, wisdom can take many forms. Conventional wisdom can become outdated and harmful to people. Subversive wisdom can then begin to create a new 'conventional' wisdom model over time.
How might conventional and subversive wisdom apply today in America? The harsh and degrading language of this election driven by Mr. Trump but also others is especially focused on what is inappropriately called "locker room talk". One can see on Facebook some powerful discussions by women, people of color, those in the glbtq community and others. They are talking honestly about their places of pain and vulnerability. What I would like to ask is whether Westside UU Congregation could be a safe place for women and others to share their experiences of pain without judgement or interruption? This isn't something we could do after a Sunday service on short notice. It would take more time and planning but I think might be useful especially if there's an anti-feminist backlash after this election is done.
The world can be healed but groups like you are the ones who can lead the way. Can we be those who help create a new model of wisdom based on subversive wisdom of 21st century ethical values?
What do you think?
Hope to see you on Sunday.
Alex
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I will be at Vajrapani Institute this coming week (October 16-23) in the Santa Cruz mountains of California to attend an annual retreat on addiction and recovery led by Buddhist teacher Kevin Griffin. I will deliberately not have access to any cell phone or computer equipment to connect to the outside world this coming week. Shannon in the office, as well as Chaplain Mark, will have the contact number at Vajrapani Institute as well as an emergency contact number for the teachers. This second trip will be my final trip out of state until January.
The first regular Buddhist meditation weekly gathering will be on Wednesday October 26 at 7 pm in the social hall. All those who wish to participate are most welcome in this open group. Please enter the church via the social hall door to the parking lot. If you have to come in a bit late that's fine but please try to be quiet as you come in. Any questions: contact me at
revalexholt@gmail.com or text 864-508-6836.
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Liquid Spirit - Tracy Burrows, WSUU President
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Wow. This past weekend, I had the privilege to attend the annual Westside UU annual music retreat on Vashon Island. This year's format was a bit different from past retreats in that anyone with an interest in our congregation's music was invited to attend. The experience was inspiring, challenging and tons of fun. Bert Gulhaagen taught a variety of singing classes and Janet Sweet and John Britt led yoga, eurythmics, songwriting, and African drums seminars.
We shared thoughts about the meaning of music in our lives and in the life of our congregation. In our experience on Sunday mornings, the words spoken from the pulpit can express a certain range of ideas and emotions. For many of us, music moves us emotionally and spiritually in ways that words alone cannot. When our services are at their best, the spoken word and music combine to deliver a powerful, transformational message.
A huge thank you to Bert, Janet, John and everyone who made this retreat possible. I hope to see many more members and friends there next year for a weekend of music and fellowship. If I can sing and hang with the choir, then so can you!
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From the Worship Council:
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| The Worship Council held its Fall Retreat on October 1. At this all-day meeting, we had the time to do long-range planning of the worship program for the entirety of the church year, including how to incorporate more thematic sermon series, such as Rev. Alex is doing on the Six Sources of Unitarian Universalism. We also reviewed the complex array of roles and responsibilities that are needed to create the Sunday services every week.
Rev. Alex offered his thoughts and reflections on our standard order of service, based on his time in the pulpit thus far, but also from the weeks in July and August when he was here as a "visitor." The Council and Minister agreed that no major changes to the order of service would be made this year, unless they would clearly enhance the experience for members and visitors on Sunday morning.
In this category, on Rev. Alex's recommendation, as of October 9 we moved away from the "Community Sing" at the end of the service, in favor of an instrumental Postlude. From his time as a visitor, Rev. Alex observed that it was difficult for him to determine when the service was really over, when it was OK to leave, because we had a communal element after the 5-Fold Amen.
The Council acknowledged that a number of members have enjoyed coming up front to join the musicians for some energetic singing to close out the morning. But we concurred that this activity has created confusion as to when the service is actually concluded; in effect, it divides the room at the very time that members would have an opportunity re-engage with visitors and newcomers. Including an instrumental Postlude, however, also allows for those who want to sit and listen to a closing musical element.
Please offer any questions or thoughts to Rev. Alex, Chaplain Mark, or any member of the Worship Council.
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| White Center Food Bank Senior Thursday Coffee: For over two years, Theresa McCormick and Mary Anne Massie, Regina Brennan and Jane Trestrail have provided coffee, tea, and cookies to seniors coming to the White Center Food Bank to pick up food on senior Thursdays. Each team of two takes one Thursday per month. The first and second Thursdays are covered by WSUU, and another church takes the third Thursday. We are looking for a couple of volunteers to take the fourth Thursday, or to serve as alternates. Contact Regina Brennan: rmbrennan@comcast.net |
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Our Coffee Hour Needs Goodies!
- Love to bake but don't want all the goodies lying around?
- Have extra snacks leftover from a meeting or party?
- Want to try that new vegan chocolate cupcake recipe but don't know who would eat them all?
- Decided to go gluten free and need to get rid of those crackers?
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We need regular donations of goodies (crackers, fruit, veggies, cookies, etc.) for our coffee hour. Please contact Wendy Swyt at wendyswyt@yahoo.com if you'd be willing to bring in treats for coffee hour after the service. Thank you!
If you are not a baker but willing to donate a little time once every couple months to volunteer for coffee hour setup or cleanup, we need you too! Contact wendyswyt@yahoo.com for that as well.
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Call for Photos: In Memoriam Tribute on October 30:
Each Fall we put aside time during a Sunday service to offer a photo tribute of our beloved family members and friends, including pets, who have passed during the year. If you have lost a loved one this past year and would like to have their photo included in a projected visual display during the service on October 30, please forward an electronic photograph to Shannon Day at
office@wsuu.org
. Include their name and relationship to you. Please do so by Monday, Oct 24.
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Path to Membership Series Announced!
Interested in joining Westside? Contact our Membership Chair, Laura White, to learn about our new three-part series which provides information on Unitarian Universalism and Westside UU, as well as meeting members and leaders of Westside.
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Partner Church Christmas Card Signing: That time of year again!! We invite each of you to write a brief note on a card to be sent to our Unitarian partners in Torockoszentgyorgy (TSG), Transylvania, Romania. (Unitarians of Westside and TSG have been partners since 1993). The families would love to have you include a photo or your self, or family, or kids - your photo would them to make a real connection. After their Christmas service each year one of our cards is given to each member after they file past Rev. Emese Finta and the Church board President. You will find cards are on the Partner Church table in the social hall after service beginning October 16th to November 20th. Help to bridge the gap of miles and friendship between Seattle and Romania.
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2017 Calendars for our Partner Church friends in Transylvania: If you have been getting calendars, note pads & even shopping bags in the mail and want to part with them, we are collecting them to send to our Unitarian Partners. The deadline to bring them to church will be the end of October so our mailing will get to Romania in time for Christmas. Leave them in the office or bring them to the Partner Church table at social hour. Many thank you's from WSUUC & ESUC TSGMT - (Torockoszentgyorgy Ministerial Team.) Jennifer & Molly Slatkin, Cliff Houlihan, Gary & Joaan Gertig, Ginger Brewer, Paul Buehrens & Julie Gerrard
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News From the Minister Search Team
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WSUU Minister Search Team
We Want to Hear From YOU!
October 15th 10:30 - Noon
or
October 23rd 1 pm - 2:30 pm
in the Social Hall
Every Westside UU Community member is encouraged to attend a
Cottage Meeting.
- Be inspired as you share your vision with others with a commitment to the church.
- Give thoughtful input on what qualities you would like to see in our new minister.
- Ask questions and learn more about the next steps in the minister search process.
**Childcare Provided!**
To
RSVP, sign up at church (Minister Search Team Table at Coffee Hour) or call the church office: 206-935-0418.
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BEYOND CATEGORICAL THINKING (BCT)
Saturday, November 5th, 9 am - 1 pm
Don't miss this critical opportunity to participate in the minister search process!
Come and join the conversations that will consider the hopes, expectations, and concerns you have for a new minister, and explore how thinking stereotypically about people sometimes interferes with choosing the best candidate. Our special guest and UUA BCT trainer, Mr. Jo Victoria will lead this 3-hour Saturday morning workshop, which is highly recommended for all congregations in search. Jo will also preach on Sunday, November 6
th
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Lunch and childcare will be provided on Saturday. Sign up now!
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You're invited to a Luncheon & Fashion Show featuring
"Holiday Fashions through the Decades" ('20's -'70's)!
As you know, the West Seattle Garden Club supported us last year at our spring Garden Fair. Now we have the opportunity to return the favor, increase WSUU's visibility in the community and have an enjoyable afternoon all at the low price of $15 including lunch!
The show will feature authentic clothing and accessories donated from Children's Hospital's fabulous vintage clothing collection! The Garden Club hopes to raise enough money to provide two $1,000 scholarships to needy students in South Seattle Community College's horticulture and landscape design programs.
The luncheon and show will take place November 10, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm at the West Seattle Fauntleroy Church, 9140 California Ave. SW. Interested in attending? Contact: Alice Britt at
alicebritt@comcast.net or 206 323 3062 by
FRIDAY, OCT. 21.
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Plant for the Planet Academy Comes to Westside!
Sat. Oct. 29 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Westside Social Hall
Do you know a young person who is concerned about climate change? At this free day-long workshop, 50 students (ages 8-14) will learn how they can take action to protect and heal our environment, as part of Plant For The Planet - an international group of 34,000+ young people worldwide who are planting trees and leading communities to solve the climate crisis now. At the Academy, students will learn how to present information to others about the science of climate change and ways to take positive action - both as individuals and as communities. Students will use hands-on activities to teach one another about climate science, how to plant a tree, how to give a climate presentation, and they will make plans with other ambassadors to engage our community on climate solutions. The upcoming Plant for the Planet Academy will culminate in an educational and moving slideshow presentation for families and the public, as the world's newest Ambassadors for Climate Justice share what they have learned from each other and make their commitments to plant and speak for the trees, and for our environment! To learn more, watch "Now We Children Save the World"Â on youtube.
FREE to all students ages 9 - 14 includes snacks, t-shirt and book "Tree By Tree"
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Mouth-Watering Pies Coming Soon!
Friends of the WSUU music program are baking a wide assortment of delicious pies for you to purchase in support of the wonderful music we experience on Sunday mornings. Please bring a few dollars and your appetite to coffee hour on Sunday, November 6th.
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Young Adult Con: There will be a young adult (ages 19 - 35) con on October 28-30 at Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Tacoma. Information can be found here:
https://sites.google.com/site/pnwuuya/
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Save these Dates!
Beyond Categorical Thinking Workshop: November 5
Mary's Place Rotating Night Center Hosting: November 1 - 8
Holiday Art and Craft Sale: December 10
Annual Auction: February 4
Seabeck Family Retreat: May 5-7
Garden and Art Fair: May 6 & 7
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Be one of our volunteer hosts at
Mary's Place Rotating Night Shelter
Westside UU is again partnering with Peace Lutheran Church, located at 39th & Thistle in West Seattle, to host families as part of Mary's Place Rotating Night Shelter from the evening of
November 1 to the morning of November 8.
Peace Lutheran provides the space at their church, and Westside provides the volunteers.
Mary's Place is a shelter temporarily located in North Seattle that helps homeless women and children get their lives back on track. Because of the high numbers of women with children who need the services provided by Mary's Place, a number of congregations in Seattle host five families for at least one week per quarter in their church buildings. We still NEED volunteers, whose duties will include:
* Providing light dinner for about 14 homeless women and children.
* Hosting evening activities, which can include reading to the kids, homework help, or just sitting with the families.
* Overnight hosting includes spending the night in a private space at Peace Lutheran and setting up a quick pick-up breakfast in the morning with items provided by Peace Lutheran.
* One or two people to drive the Mary's Place van on Saturday & Sunday morning and evening, Nov. 6th & 7th. (Phil Mariconda has volunteered to do this!)
Because some changes have been made in our hosting duties, there will be a required training for all volunteers on these dates:
Saturday, October 22nd 10:00 - 11:00 in the Fireside Room
Sunday, October 30th 12:00 - 1:00 after service in the Fireside Room
Sign up on Sundays after church at our Social Justice: Community Service Programs table in the social hall. Or email Regina Brennan at: rmbrennan@comcast.net
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New Resources for Our Environmental Justice News at Westside
There is so much happening with our very active Environmental Justice Group that it is dif
ficult to include it all in eNews.
Please take advantage of the
se new tools to keep informed and share ideas...
- Click here to view the Environmental Justice Calendar of Events
The Environmental Justice Committee meets monthly on the Third Sunday at Noon in the Sanctuary. If you have questions or are interested in joining our mailing list please send an email to Anne Miller:
climate.wsuu@gmail.com
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For information about Recipients of our Sunday Morning Plate Collection click here.
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Common Quest - Adult Religious Exploration
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Our Fall 2016 Common Quest Catalog Has Arrived!
Click the link below to see the complete brochure of adult religious education offerings.
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Civil Rights History - Illustrated Talk and Discussion with Steve Graves: Sunday, Oct. 16, 1:00-3:00 in Westside's Social Hall The leader of this session will discuss three areas and types of Civil Rights effort in the 1960s: 1. CORE's voter registration in Louisiana, 2. Selma to Montgomery 54-mile march for Voting Rights bill, and 3. Chicago marches for open housing. He will share his experiences, show pictures from that time, and lead a discussion.
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| Sing Like Pete Seeger Liked: Sunday, Nov. 6 1:00-3:00 Sanctuary: In 2014 Pete Seeger left us with the legacy to "Keep on singing!" Rick Harlan keeps Pete's sing along spirit going with a selection of social justice and fun songs that he leads with a natural ease, getting everybody singing, at least a bit. He says, "To me it sounds wonderfully full-bodied when not everyone is quite on pitch. Pete called that Harmony!" Lyrics are provided. This event is open to the community, so, Invite your friends for a great and meaningful time singing together. Don't miss it! |
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Religious Exploration for Children and Youth
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Card Decks for RE Class Activity: Do you have old card decks with missing cards you no longer use? We need them! Please donate card decks to RE! We need 20 decks by October 30! There will be a donation basket for the cards on the RE table in the Social Hall. Thank you!
OLD White Sheets Needed! Do you have a clean old white sheet? We will be making Prayer Flags in early November. Please donate your old, clean white sheets! Thank you!!
Interested in teaching in RE? Please let Cynthia, Director of Religious Exploration know if you want to be in Westside's pool of RE teachers! Each class has a team of four teachers or more so your rotation into the teaching schedule could be as little as once a month!
Books for 2-3 Year Olds: We're looking for books in good condition for our Story Time class! Please drop them off in the office. Thank you!
Questions about RE? Please contact Cynthia Westby, Director of Religious Exploration if you have questions or want to discuss the RE Program. The RE Council and Cynthia will be scheduling "meet and greet" opportunities on October 23rd and November 20th in the Social Hall after service. Please join us!
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Do you want to know what's happening in our vibrant RE programs? Click
here
to read about RE Program News and Events (
www.wsuu.org/re_news
)
If you are a parent, teacher, RE volunteer, or would just like to be included in the
weekly RE news that is emailed on Fridays, please contact our Director of Religious Exploration, Cynthia Westby
dre@wsuu.org).
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Joys Sorrows and Gratitude
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- Following successful shoulder replacement surgery, Carolyn Matthews has been released from the hospital and is convalescing at the home of Candy Sullivan. Our best wishes to Carolyn for a smooth and speedy recovery.
- Linda Tally continues to recover well from challenges associated with eye surgery. Linda expresses her sincere gratitude to all those who sent their well wishes and provided support in a variety of ways. Continued best wishes to Linda.
- Congratulations to Viv and John Monahan on their 28th Wedding Anniversary. We wish John and Viv many wonderful years ahead.
- And happy birthday and best wishes to members Robert Pacht, Guy Whitmore, and to our director of Religious Exploration, Cynthia Westby. May your year ahead be all you would want.
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Westside's Pastoral Associates:
Westside has continued to grow in a variety of ways over the past several years. With that growth comes a need for increased attention to the pastoral needs of our members. To help address those needs three of our members have completed training as Pastoral Associates and are now available to serve our members and friends,along with our Chaplain, Mark Newton. They are: John Britt, Marie Hoover, and Fred Matthews.
Requests for pastoral support may be made by email at
pastoralteam@wsuu.org
or directly with an Associate on Sunday mornings.
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Westside Helping Hands:
We never know when we will need a helping hand. We may have surgeries, illnesses, or accidents. We may have lost a loved one or may be overwhelmed with the birth of a child. There are many reasons we might need a little support. Our newly developing care team, Westside Helping Hands, is forming a friendly database with the names of people who are willing to offer their support once in a while. Today we are inviting people to sign up if you are able to prepare a meal for members and friends in need. Please email
Vivecamonahan@gmail.com
. Many Thanks!
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WSUU Covenant Groups:
The five Westside Covenant Groups held their first meetings this last week with many longtime members as well as new friends of WSUU participating. The groups meet the 2nd and 4th weeks of the month, two in the morning and three in the evening. Part of our Covenant with our larger community is to always have an open chair for someone new to join one of our groups. If you think you might be interested, please contact Patti McCall at pattimccall@seanet.com.
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WSUU Women:
The next Saturday meeting will be on October 22nd at 10am at a member's home. Please contact Candy Sullivan for more details at
candacesullivan@comcast.net
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The Thursday meeting in November will be on the 10th at 7pm in the Fireside Room. Watch out for more details to follow.
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Partner Church Ministry Team: Meetings are 1st Sunday of the month, 12:15-1:15, Westside north classroom, lower level. We build and maintain cross culture friendships through on-going communication with our Unitarian Partner Congregation in Transylvania. We are doing this through Pilgrimages/exchanges, emails, cell phone & skype calls, and now pen pal letters with interested kids. We welcome all who are interested in knowing more. Visit our Partner Church table during social hour the 2nd & 3rd Sundays or pop in on our meetings.
www.UUPCC.org for the international partner program. For Westside -
jcslatkin@comcast.net
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The Spiritual Study Group meets the 4th Thursday of the month, from
7:00-9:00 PM in the Westside Social Hall, from September thru May. Our October meeting is
Thursday, October 27. You don't need to sign up, (or even have read the chapters!) just come, everyone is welcome! For our October meeting, we will be reading chapters 3 & 4, (only 56 pages,) of a groundbreaking book, much beloved by both hippies & beatniks:
The Book- On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are by Alan Watts. It is inexpensive on the web & by using the following link you can read it for free:
We focus on in-depth discussion, with a particular focus on the relevance to our lives. We are genuine and relaxed and often have a bit of fun. We hope you will join us and share your spiritual adventures! For information contact Cynthia Townsend at
cynthiastownsend@gmail.com
or
(206)-261-5141
.
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Men's Group:
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior: 2nd and 4th Tuesday nights,
7 - 9 p.m. Westside Social Hall.
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. Join the Men's Group for an evening of grounding, which starts with a short meditation. "We check in by describing our time since we last met. Then we share stories: we tell about experiences with facing success and difficulty; stories of new starts, work, travel, health-care, and creative expression. These are the beginnings of personal histories. They are the age-old tradition around the campfire."
Contact Richard Clark:
richard@secondroot.org
.
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FREE: Two Brighton bamboo occasional chairs with matching table. Good quality, good condition. And 17 lbs. of recorder music! If interested, email
daleandsandy@yahoo.com.
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Home for Rent: short or long term. Fauntleroy. Magnificent water views. Two bedrooms, remodeled kitchen and baths. two decks. two sunrooms. More. Partially furnished.
swimswimjohn@gmail.com
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