November - December 2011

Advent ~ The Season of Light

The advent wreath originated with the ancient Celtic people of Germany and Scandinavia. The worship practices of these tribes were tied to the rhythms of the earth, with the sun holding a central place of importance as the Celts prayed for the sun’s return with its life-giving light, warmth and reassurance that Spring would come.

November 27 – Advent – Preparing the Way

All things begin in the dark as the ancient sages knew. The day began in the middle of the night for many ancient cultures, and still does at midnight. So too does the birth of the light begin at the darkest time of year. Advent is an ancient season of acknowledging the coming Light, the birth of the divine child.

For us it means the growing awareness of the eternal light within ourselves – that spark of divine spirit within the consciousness of all. Advent is also traditionally a season of preparation, and we join that tradition this week by preparing a way for conscious birth of the divine light within us.

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December 4 – The Spiral Dance of the Year

If we observe carefully, we notice that life moves in a spiral motion. The earth circles round the sun, which spins like the galaxy in a great spiral dance, and is revealed in the whorls of hair on an infant’s crown.

From seashells to sunflowers to the ribbon of DNA in every cell, all of life unfolds as a spiral. Today we notice the cycle of our lives, and honor the wisdom of our ancestors, as we celebrate the end of the year and the advent of the light.

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December 11 – Becoming Radically Present in Your Own Life – with Cathy Pfeil, RScP

Ernest Holmes wrote “Spirituality is natural goodness. God is not a person; God is a presence personified in us. Spirituality is not a thing; it is the atmosphere of God's Presence, goodness, truth, and beauty.”

It is through spiritual practice that we become present within the Presence. This within itself is radical. So why do we hang out so much of our time in the past and the future? How can we make the move into Radical Presence? Join Cathy Pfeil, RScP in a heart-opening opportunity to let go of the past and pull ourselves back from the future so we can be in the moment.

Cathy is a founding member of the Olympia Center and is currently a UCSL ministerial student in the Holmes Institute of Consciousness Studies.

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December 18 – Welcoming the Light ~ the Burning Bowl

At this time of year, with the winter solstice this week, we are reminded to awaken out of the trance of our past and into the light within us. As our solar star begins its return in the northern hemisphere we let go of what is passing away in our lives –that which no longer serves us – and turn to the depth of silence within, the eternal light at the center of our soul.

We will have two special additions to our regular service:

• Burning bowl ritual. As we open to the new year of light dawning in our community, our world, and reflected in our own lives, we let go of the past year (decade, century) as we prepare for the solar return of 2012.  We use special "flash" paper as regular paper would set off the sprinklers.
• Blessing of the prayer shawls. The shawls, created so lovingly by the Prayer Shawl Ministry, are displayed near the altar and the congregants gather in blessing the shawls with love and healing.

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Saturday, Dec. 24 - 4:20 p.m. ~ Christmas Eve Service

All are welcome for this very special service to celebrate the season. Music, candlelight, and a joyful spirit set the tone for our last service of 2011, as Rev. Libby shares metaphysical insights into the Christmas story.

The Center for Spiritual Living Community Choir has a special program of seasonal music in store for you.

No service Christmas day.

Children are welcome if they are attentive and engaged in the service. The regular Children's Program will not be available today.

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