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"Friluftsliv," "Shinrin Yoku"
These were the answers to the question. A friend had just asked me what I did to stay centered and grounded. I knew what I wanted to say but could not remember the words. I said that my soul was renewed, that my spirit was refreshed, and that my batteries were recharged by being outdoors. I told him that for me daily dog walks were a sort of living rosary - a moving meditation, experience of quiet, and a time of prayer.
I have long been aware that if I have a day off or want to spend special time with my family, my first choice is to go on a hike or hop in a boat. I knew that the American Heart Association had shown that walking lowered high cholesterol and high blood pressure and decreased the risk of diabetes. I had read that scientists at Stanford had shown that being in nature reduced depression. My personal experience had shown that the spiritual benefits were equally strong. What I was missing was the vocabulary to describe what was going on.
Not long ago, I discovered two words that fit perfectly. Friluftsliv is a Norwegian word that describes a spiritual connectedness with the environment and a way of life based on the idea that returning to nature is to return home. The BBC describes Friluftsliv as somewhere between a hearty pastime and a state religion in Norway. Shinrin Yoku is Japanese for "Forest Bathing," a sort of mindfulness meditation in the woods that is the source of spiritual refreshment and connection. It is said to produce many health effects, including building the immune system. Those who want to use Shinrin Yoku to help others can even get certified as "forest therapy guides." Imagine that. In learning these words, I not only found affirmation of my spiritual practices, I also found a possible job in retirement!
These are anxious times, when things change markedly from day to day. What keeps you grounded and centered? What feeds your soul and reconnects your spirit God? If I had remembered the words, I would have answered these questions saying Friluftsliv or Shinrin Yoku - time with nature, and time in nature with God. What would you have said yourself?
Dean Shambaugh
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Mandala Journaling Tomorrow
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The First Mandala Journaling Group will meet on Saturday, January 28 from 9-11 am. There is a $5 materials donation. Contact Linda Carleton at 504-4628 for more information.
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Annual Meeting & Potluck Luncheon
this Sunday at 11:30 am
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The Annual Meeting will be held after the 10am service this Sunday, January 29. We'll start at 11:30 with a potluck luncheon in the chapel followed by the annual meeting, which will include elections and an Appreciative Inquiry/Visioning process. For those in need of childcare, the nursery will be open during the meeting. Please join us.
Nominations for election:
For Senior warden (a second two-year term): George Cooper For Vestry (a three-year term): Georgia Bancroft, Michael Brennan, Michael Courts.
For Delegate to the Diocesan Convention in October (first five are delegates, the others are alternates. Note that in previous years, most alternates have served): Sam Allen, Lisle Blind, Donna Bolden, George Cooper, Fred Fowler, Carter Jedry-Irvin, Misha Pride, Jack Swanton.
As always, additional nominations may be made from the floor.
Read the Annual Report (including the 2017 budget) on the
cathedral's website.
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Financial Peace University is Back!
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On Thursday night, the PBS Newshour had a segment entitled "Broke Baby Boomers," which included interview with the author of the book "Fifty-Five, Unemployed, and Faking Normal," a tragic story of people who appear to have everything together but for whom, in terms of finances, everything is falling apart. This can be for couples or individuals of any age. If this is you or someone you know, Financial Peace University might help. Financial Peace University is not about bigger issues or structural causes of poverty or justice. It is about practical, on the ground, basics of personal financial management, about regaining control of money, and about doing so in the framework of Christian values. Though the more evangelical style and theology of Financial Peace University may not your usual cup of tea, Dave Ramsey uses them to present otherwise dry material in a captivating and entertaining way. In the words of one couple, "Financial Peace University saved our marriage." Another person said "It changed my life." Why not give it a try?
This program will meet Sunday's from 9-9:45 beginning 02/05. Nursery care will be provided for young children. Registration information to follow.
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Choral Evensong, February 5 at 4:00 pm
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Join Albert Melton and the Cathedral Choir on Sunday, February 5 for Choral Evensong.
The service will include choral music of Johannes Eccard, C. Hylton Stewart and Philip Radcliffe, sung by the Cathedral Choir. While admission is free, voluntary donations are gladly accepted.
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Happy Valentine's Day
The popular annual Valentine Cookie Walk fundraiser will be held on February 12 at 11:30 am in the upper Hall. This event is sponsored by the Kneeler & Knitters Guild. Come fill your Valentine box with delicious homemade cookies, candy, cupcakes & gluten-free and nut-free sweets. A Valentine box will be $8 each. We ask you to donate your labeled sweets on Friday Feb. 10 in the church office or on Feb. 12 in the upper hall. The proceeds will be donated to St. Luke general fund and Haiti Recovery Fund. For More Information, call Jeri Edgar at 799-3061 |
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Twilight in the Chapel Potluck
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Share Your Vision!
Join us for a potluck supper and discussion about the Sunday 5:15pm service.
Twilight in the Chapel is about to embark upon a new chapter with expanded musical offerings.
Please join us for services at 5:15 on February 5th followed by a potluck supper in the upper hall. Share your vision and help us discern a future for a revitalized Twilight service.
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Weekly Child Care:
Our nursery (adjacent to the Upper Parish Hall) is available for children 4 years old and under from 9:45 am to 11:45am on Sundays.
Sunday School for pre-K-5th grade is from 9:45 to 10:30 (with the children rejoining their parents at the Peace). Swing by any time after 9:45.
Youth Group for middle and high schoolers is from 11:30-12:30 every week. . All young people in grades 6-12 are invited to attend.
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Sundays:
07:30 am (Chapel)
10:00 am (Nave)
4:00 pm (Nave) - Evensong on 1st Sundays
5:15 pm (Chapel)
Our Sunday 10 am services are livestreamed on our website.
Remember, the office is closed on Mondays.
Tuesdays:
12:10 pm:
Worship (Chapel)
Wednesdays:
5:45 pm: Taize or
Contemplative Prayer
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Spiritual Formation
for Adults
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The Explorers
are reading Chapters 5 & 6 of Dignity by Anne Hicks, an exploration of the foundations for building and maintaining relationships, both interpersonal and international.
Join us for animated conversation. We meet from 8:45 to 9:45 in the Chapter Room. New members always welcome.
Heart of the Matter
will explore religious belief through the work of Joseph Campbell each week. It's a great place for those seeking new ways of understanding their relationship with their faith. Join us in Classroom 8 on Sundays from 8:45-9:45
am.
Dwelling on the Word is on winter break.
The Tuesday Bible Study
and brown bag lunch continues each week after the 12:10 service.
The Thursday evening Theological Study group
is studying the ethical imperatives warranted by natural theology. Can nature really tell us something about ethical behavior? Is the atom really different now than what we learned in school? A study paper by Dr. Hanson is available for preparatory reading. We meet in the Chapter Room from 7 'til 9 pm.
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If you lost your pledge card or need stewardship information, click here! We need to have the information in as soon as possible in order to prepare our 2017 budget. Thank you!
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| Lukulele's Meet February 6 at 7:00 pm |
The Lukuleles are a loose-knit group of ukulele players and those who wish to be. All ages and skill levels are welcome, including those who have never played a ukulele. Because February is the month of valentines, our gathering will include lots of lovey-dovey songs.
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Faith in Action: Maine Advocacy Days
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Discover how voices of faith can make a difference in the public square. Mark your calendars for March 27 & 28.
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