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faith & spirituality
For many people, the cold tenets of science are inadequate for describing the fire of life. With faith, there are things unseen but undeniably sensed, unquantifiable but wholly substantial, unprovable but entirely real. Faith can be a light that shines in the darkness and illuminates the universe as it really exists, under the artificial constructs placed upon it by our brains. Where science is silent, spirituality makes a joyful noise. There are many Faiths. The Rainbow Family of the Tribes is one place where many faiths can be found living harmoniously together. For more information about the history of Rainbow Gatherings, and about the Rainbow Way... striving for a more harmonious way of autonomously working toward healing ourselves & the planet... go to: www.welcomehome.org To find out where gatherings are in the Pacific Northwest and portland/eugene monthly potlucks, call the Northwest Lightline at: (503) 727-2498.
From the open publishing newswire:
February 16, 2011 Portland Oregon Press Conference by religious community opposing outrageous bloated military budget and inhumane cuts in social service in the recent Obama Budget for 2012.Religious Leaders Speak Out Against Obama's 012 Budget Clergy from various Portland denominations each spoke briefly, condemning the U.S. misplaced priorities and blatant disregard for human life worldwide. First to speak was Rev. Bill sinkford, Senior Minister of First Unitarian Church; The Reverend was followed by Rabbi Joseph Wolf of the Havurah Shalom Community; Mark Knudson, Senior Minister of Augustana Lutheran Church; and Lynne Smouse-Lopez, Senior Pastor at Ainsworth United Church of Christ. Fundamental to the Press Conference was a long graphic demonstrating the values inherent in the 2012 budget. Taking up over half of the graphic was a large red area portraying the 59% of the budget reserved for military spending. At the other end of the graphic were the various other areas of expenditures provided for in the budget: 6% for Health and Human Service; 6% for Transportation; 4% to the States; 4% for Education; 4% for Other Programs; 3% for Department of Homeland Security; 3% for Housing and Urban Development; 2% for Justice; 2% for Agriculture; 1% for NASA; 1% for Energy(excludes nuclear weapons program); 1% Labor; 1% Treasury; 1% Interior; 1%Interior; 1% Environmental Protection Agency; 1% Commerce. The opinion came through loud and clear from all who spoke that the U.S. is not fulfilling it's democratic obligations to it's citizens and also is a force encouraging and fostering violence world wide.
From the open publishing newswire:
One individual's right thinking and revolutionary morally courageous action can profoundly change events and has changed history.
Misfit Moses with the speech impediment, a fugitive wanted for murder, member of a slave colony, a lonely shepherd, almost murdered in infancy, distrusted or resented by all sides, boldly faced his greatest fears and demanded freedom to worship his God, and after a lot of plagues, finally, the thousands of intimidated, self-centered slaves moved in mass from all they found comfortable and familiar for the scary and hard unknown wilderness. After forty years the survivors outgrew the slave mentality. The most powerful military empire, wealthiest global trading center, most advanced technology, most sophisticated culture and enforced religion was not strong enough to defeat this one man and those he led to freedom.
From the open publishing newswire:
Conservative Portland Catholic Archbishop John Vlazny recently attended the right-to-life protest at Pionner Square against women's rights with 7,000 other conservatives. Since then, he gave a series of talks at Beaverton's Lady of Peace retreat center on job openings in the Catholic Church and conservative Catholic values.
From the open publishing newswire:
WHAT: Summer Solstice-Energy Circle for Tre
WHEN: June 20th, Friday @ 5:30PM WHERE: Top of Mt.Tabor WHY: This has been a really long road for Tre and he could really use our love, light, and healing energy. Tre is aware this is happening and he will be receiving the energy at 5:45pm. If you cannot make it to Mt. Tabor, please still send him positive energy at 5:45pm wherever you are. Summer officially begins wuth the Summer Solstice on Friday, June 20 at 4:59pm. Sol + stice derives from a combination of Latin words meaning "sun" + "to stand still." As the days lengthen, the sun rises higher and higher until it seems to stand still in the sky. As a major celestial event, the Summer Solstice results in the longest day and the shortest night of the year. The Northern Hemisphere celebrates in June, but the people on the Southern half of the earth have their longest summer day in December. The Summer Solstice represent a new beginning. It is time for purification, and renewal of the self. A time to release the sadness, fears, and pains from your life. It is time to celebrate the joy, warmth, and laughter of summer. A time for purification and renewed energy. A time to celebrate the fullness of life and the power of the sun. A time to heal mother earth, heal yourself, and heal Tre. *NAMASTE* ~Blessed Be~
From the open publishing newswire:
She leads me
The madness surrounds me. Wild, crazed, violent madmen, berserkers of greed, power and blood lust continue their antediluvian creed of slash, loot, rape and burn. Taking my hand, She leads carefully through forgotten forests into the highlands of an unfamiliar youth. Here, underneath the gentle music of dragonfly wings lives the cool still waters of remembrance. ..... NOTE: Be sure to read the rest of this poem in the "Read More" link.
From the open publishing newswire:
I pass by this field every day on my way home. It's not important which one it is, it could be any field. It's a rolling, green pasture, sprinkled with spring flowers and bursting with rich, green grasses. There's a pear tree out in the middle, and a stream running through it. On one side, it runs along the river, and often geese gaggle along the shore, haughtily daring anyone to come too close. This time of the year, there are often eagles sitting in the trees near the shore. This is a beautiful and blessed place. But the most conspicuous residents are the cows.
Large, quiet, soft-eyed cows graze the grasses, blink somberly at the geese, and gaze into the fragrant, green light of spring. Heady, heavy thoughts are obviously on their minds. Joyful, spindly-legged calves trot along beside them now, their noses wet with the dew of new life, their eyes full of the wonder of a new day. I love these cows. The mothers and their babies gather in soft communion in the shade of the pear tree, and down along the coolness of the shallow stream. Wisdom and strength reverberate through the bones and hides of these ancient mothers' sturdy bodies, while joy and faith and exuberance ring out from their leaping, wide-eyed progeny.
From the open publishing newswire:
Horrible title to have to read today of all days, I know. I've debated long and hard about whether to share this, believe me...
Today is Mother' Day. It is also 15 years to the day of my mother's suicide. I do not offer this bit of information to prompt sympathy or to wrap a cloak of sadness over anyone's day. I do offer this because I have learned first hand how important it is to cherish and embrace the precious gift of time. I also offer this as evidence that it is possible to overcome the most unexpected tragedies and go on to live a life of balance and intent. And maybe I also offer this because there are a couple of people in my life who I love dearly who are struggling to understand why horrible shit has embraced them in the darkest of clouds...
From the open publishing newswire:
Tomorrow is Easter, a day to celebrate the turning of the wheel, from decay to resurrection, from winter to spring, from death to life. And in a fitting salute to this ancient Pagan (yes! Pagan!) holiday, the runs are here: The salmon are pulsing through the river again. Life comes surging into the world again with the spring. And with it come the sea lions, gliding through the water with the salmon, as they have for thousands of years.
I can hear them from my window here, barking and trumpeting from the waters as they lounge along the shore, as they gleefully swirl through the water, as they break the grey-green, splashing surface with their whiskered, dog-like faces. I counted four of them this morning, as I walked along the shore. This is good. This is how the spring goddess comes dancing back into the world: She comes with bright blossoms and soft petals and perfumed air. She comes with singing birds and unfurling fronds and awakening earth. And, here in Cascadia, she comes with the salmon and the sea lion.
From the open publishing newswire:
I often wonder why any nation would choose war over peace, seems like choosing between chaos and being more human than our parents. It would seem that war would be the exception. The fact that we are at war more often that at peace would indicate a serious flaw in our humanism or that which make us human...
You feed the poor, help the sick, visit the jails and smile at a person who asks you for help. When you help someone ask only that they repay you by helping the next person who may ask them for help. I always try to remember to say that when someone says thanks to me for some favor---it could cause a small revolution...
From the open publishing newswire:
The autumn equinox turned the skies nearly a month ago now. Even then, the dry, yellowed grasses waved impassively in the still, warm air. The leaves, while glowing here and there with color, tended to crackle and fall from branches before lighting up the woods. The parched earth gave no indication that the summer had ended. Even the hazy yellow light hung in the air, rather than the crisp, golden light of fall. And we waited, and the world lazily waited. But now, it's autumn.
The first rains came trickling down some days back, and the slugs awakened. The first few wooly bears grubbed across the sun-warmed roadways shortly after. The crickets began chirping in the meadows, and the buzzing, droning, flying things of summer began seeking shelter. Ladybugs and boxelders began appearing on my windows yesterday, searching for the ways inside that all these old houses graciously provide for them. They will climb inside and gather together in great knots, somewhere out of sight, until the spring comes around again. And for now, they will sleep awhile.
From the open publishing newswire:
My preferred way of being in the world is optimistic but I have really been struggling these past few weeks. It becomes too easy to see the glass half empty and its contents pain and suffering. The world events easily challenge my basic sense of human decency. But yesterday was such an extraordinary day in Olympia that I am once again seeing the glass filled with light and hope. I headed downtown. As I crossed over the 5th avenue bridge, the salmon were running and the seals were there too. I attended the weekly peace vigil at Sylvester Park at noon. Normally, there is a just a handful of people. Yesterday, the Japanese Peace Delegation joined, bringing their truth about the horrors of war to Olympia. Buddhists who traveled down from Seattle, whose drumming and chanting called for peace in the world, joined us. Early that evening, the Citizen's Movement to Impeach Bush/Cheney held an informational meeting on How to Impeach a President. About twenty people came to the library to learn more. People are angry at what is happening to this country and the abuses of the President and Vice President.
From the open publishing newswire:
With congressional races heating up in Oregon and around the country, there is a lot of pressure for candidates to "look more religious," or to "talk more about faith." Meanwhile religious leaders want to help get out the vote, but need help navigating the fine line
How can the often divisive use of religion in politics be harnessed instead to promote diversity and strengthen our democracy? The Interfaith Alliance is dedicated to providing the very answers to that question. The Interfaith Alliance is kicking off it's One Nation, Many Faiths, Vote 2006 program in Portland on August 23, 2006 at The Benson Hotel located at 309 SW Broadway. There will be issue trainings and skills building workshops as well as an evening town hall meeting to teach activists, religious leaders and candidates the skills they need to challenge religious political extremism, encourage civic participation, and promote religious liberty. related: Fast For Peace Unites Religious and Secular Peace Groups | Interfaith Alliance | portland indymedia faith and spirituality page
From the open publishing newswire:
2006 is the 50th year that the Methodist denomination has been ordaining women to full elder clergy positions. On Sunday, Rev. Jeanne Knepper led her North Portland congregation in a special service remembering the struggle to win this access. Members of the University Park United Methodist Church read from transcripts of the May 7, 1956, meeting of the Methodist "General Conference" during which the vote and deliberations took place. The readers spoke not only the remarks, but also the names and jurisdictions of the speakers, as is tradition in Methodist governance, giving the remembrance a very personal feel. Rev. Knepper tied the excerpts together with historical details -- including the ironic selection of the hymn that convened the session as it prepared to vote: "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind." University Park United Methodist Church | UMC Resources for 50 Years of Women Clergy | UM Reconciling Ministries Network | NW Community of Welcoming Congregations |
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