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| Strengthening our Spirit in September! |
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The winds of change have begun to blow...can you feel it? In the DC area, September made quite a statement on her very first day that things are now not what they were 24 hours before. The weight of the heavy and heated summer air dissipated overnight, no match for the bold and brisk breezes that swooped in and announced, "Here we go, kids. Buck up!"
Well, that's how it felt to me anyway. I did indeed experience a metaphorical shift in the atmosphere with our sudden and specific weather change. For our fellow Beings living in Houston and along the Texas Coast, dramatic shifts in both their atmosphere and their lives have been all-too-literal. Throughout the last week, we have watched in horror as nature's mighty force pummeled a city and its people with relentless rains, unfathomable floodwaters, and heartbreaking aftermath.
And now, we all watch in awe as humanity's shining light reveals itself through so many inspirational stories of courage, compassion, determination, resilience and love. These stories, if we allow them, can be transformative for us -- especially at such a seemingly volatile and divisive time in our world. They aren't just stories about how the people in Texas are steadfastly facing challenges caused by a catastrophic weather event. They also are stories that reveal a true
hope for all humanity. They are stories that show we CAN, as a species, remember and express our humanity when our humanity's survival is threatened by a force SEEMINGLY greater than us. We CAN, as a species, come through for ourselves! We CAN, as a species, discover that there IS no force outside of us that is stronger than the human bond that comes from within and unites all of us.
So let us pray for the people of Texas (and everywhere), who have experienced incomprehensible loss -- that they may have faith and fortitude in rebuilding, restoring and renewing their lives. And let us pray for the rest of the world (including ourselves), that this expression of the best of humanity provides an enduring indication of our inherent Good Nature, as well as offers a blueprint for aligning with our Good -- or "God" Nature through
individual
experiences, to greaten and expand that
collective
experience of our "God" Nature.
In the poem Love After Love by Derek Wolcott, which I read at last week's Sunday Service as part of my homily, the speaker urges all of us to "feast on life." What powerful advice, especially when the world has us swirling in circumstances that, at first look, seem more like table scraps than a feast.
But we know better. Let us help those who need us. Let us love our Self and love our gift of Life. Let's not just read stories that offer hope for humanity. Let us BE hope for humanity NOW.
That's when we are really and truly feasting on life!
So please be sure to check out the announcements below -- as well as our
online calendar of events and our
Facebook event listings -- for all the opportunities coming up this week, and this month, at our Spiritual Home to help US be the best of ourselves.
My Love, and my Hope --
Rev. Rob Banaszak
Pastor, Institute for Spiritual Development, Washington, D.C.
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Family Fellowship Fiesta &
Spanish Language Metaphysical Service
Sunday, September 3, 2017
Between the 11 a.m. regular service and the 1:30 p.m. Spanish Language Metaphysical Service
Love offering & pot luck dishes suggested
We are kicking off the Fall in a most fun way! Before our regular monthly Spanish Language Metaphysical Service on Sunday, September 3, we are going to turn our regular fellowship hour into a Family Fellowship Fiesta!
You can stick around after our regular 11 a.m. service on that day, or come a bit earlier for our Spanish Metaphysical Service, and enjoy some fun fiesta foods with some fabulous friends old and new.
And, since we extended our EMPANADAS FOR EVERYONE SALE one more week, this is also LAST CHANCE TO PLACE YOUR ORDER, lovingly-prepared by our Latin-food-loving members and congregants.
There's still time!
Just click on the order form below or see Rev. Martha Saenz at ISD tomorrow -- and make sure you don't miss out on these deliciously doughy delights!
Delivery will be NEXT Sunday, September 10.
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With Rev. Rob Banaszak
Wednesday, September 6, 2017, 7:30 p.m.
Love Offering Suggested
Join us as we unwind and unplug from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives. We'll take a mini-journey into the stillness together, where we can relax and "just be."
We'll explore several meditation modalities, including guided meditations, chanting meditations, silent meditations and more! Participants are invited to share and lead their own favorite meditation technique in our loosely-structured, sacred and fun time together.
Please arrive no later than 7:30 p.m. so as not to disturb the stillness and energy of the group.
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Psychic Development Circle
With Lyriel Claire
Thursdays
September 7, 14, 21, 28, 2017,
7:30 p.m.
Cost:
$100 members
$120 non-members
Do you have psychic ability?
Have you had psychic development classes at ISD or elsewhere but have been longing to hone your skills?
Then come join the Circle!
We are holding a four-session Psychic Development Circle that is sure to fine tune the skills you have already tapped into.
Your psychic ability will blossom as you learn to develop and expand it in the unique setting of a small but highly energized group dynamic. You'll have ample opportunity to practice and hone your skills through a variety of exercises. Class size is limited.***
Reserve your place by using the paypal form below
today to register.
Please contact Lyriel Claire (lyriel.claire@gmail.com) if you have any questions about the class.
***PLEASE NOTE: Because of the nature of this class, participants must commit to all classes and be able to arrive on time. Pre-registration and pre-payment is required; no refunds.
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Embracing the Healer Within
With Matthew Tolford,
Rose Stafiej & Rev. Rob Banaszak
Tuesdays
September 12, 19, 25, 2017,
7:30 p.m.
Cost:
$ 25 members
$ 30 non-members
(Discount if all classes paid in full before start of first class)
Did you know that you are, and have always been, a healer?
Did you know that you send healing energy out all the time, whether you know it or not? And that IT WORKS?
Each one of us has the power to tap into Divine Source to heal, restore and energize! Join us for three interactive, experiential sessions as we:
- "de-mystify" some basic energy healing concepts that we may have heard being used at ISD-DC or other spiritual centers
- explore the ways we have been sharing our innate healing energy all our lives, and
- discover tools we can use to consciously apply our healing energy in our everyday lives to help heal ourselves and others, even if we have never had a formal healing class before.
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An Intuitive Evening: the ISD Psychic Fair
Saturday, September 9, 2017,
Schedule:
- 6:00 p.m. - Doors Open.
- 6:30 p.m. - Appointment scheduling begins (first come, first-served)
- 7:00 p.m. - Readings begin.
Our bi-monthly ISD-DC signature event.
Meet with ISD's gifted psychic practitioners and mediums as they connect with Spirit and provide individual intuitive readings of insight, guidance, and inspiration. Choose from a variety of reading methods such as Tarot, Astrology, Billets, Palmistry, Psychometry, and more.
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Soul Injury Awareness Movie & Discussion
With Rev. John Drinkard,
ISD-Sparta
Sunday, September 10, 2017
1 p.m.
Cost:
$25 members / $30 non-members
This loving event will show how soulfully wounded people can love, forgive, and trust themselves to navigate in the world again. Rev. John Drinkard, minister with our sister church ISD-Sparta, will be our guest homilist for the Sunday Service. After the service, Rev. John will screen a very special movie and moderate a supportive discussion to help to create a safe haven where people can re-own and re-home the parts of themselves that may still be carrying unmourned grief or unforgiven guilt or shame.
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Retreat 2018: To Cruise or Not to Cruise?
The Institute for Spiritual Development -- recently co-hosting with Takoma Metaphysical Chapel -- continues our twenty-five year tradition of Annual Retreats. As a dramatic departure for 2018, we are considering combining the Annual Retreat with a cruise. Your input and interest are vital to moving forward with this idea.
The estimated cost for the combined cruise and retreat would be around $800/900.
This is based on a five day cruise which includes your shared cabin, all meals, entertainment, ship amenities and off ship ports of call.
An installment payment schedule will be arranged for those desiring to pay over a period of time.
This is not a commitment, but your input is vital to our decision to move forward.
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