Newsletter Fall & Winter
This week's readings remind us that the time for
"good works" is now....here in this life.
Now is the time to move out from our own self-centeredness and
notice those in need in our midst, and certainly in today's world, we
have the opportunity to be mindful of and to act on the needs of people
around the world. I
remember as a child the dinnertime admonition:
"there are children in China starving".
Like most children, I wondered why we didn't just send our food
off to them, then.....particularly if it was food I preferred not care
to eat. Television and the
internet have put �faces�
on those imagined starving children, and as we now know,
they exist here in this country as well as around the world.
Yet, in today's world the needs and our knowledge
of them are growing; and often I think leave us with a sense of
"helplessness"...."what can I do?"
The realities of war in our world, and the suffering that
imposes on those around the globe, not to mention the fiscal
consequences of war which are borne primarily by those most in need
deepen our questions and can increase our sense of helplessness.
Below are 3 of opportunities to
take action that may be of interest to you.
We encourage you to consider 'acting' now....lest you find too
close an association with the unfortunate character in this Sunday's
gospel.
FROM CONQUEST TO COMMUNITY ~ FROM VIOLENCE TO REVERENCE
~ MAKE PEACE IN IRAQ
The Tent of Abraham, Hagar and Sarah,
a group of Jews, Christians and Muslims have been meeting for 5 years to
heal broken relationships in the Abrahamic family. This year when many
major feasts of the various communities are coinciding in October
Americans of all faiths are being
asked to join in a fast from dawn to dusk on Monday, October 8,
to bring renewal and empowerment of fasting to bear on healing
ourselves.
Why?
This war must end!
We must end the shattering of Iraqi and American lives by offering
American generosity and support - but not control - for international
and nongovernmental efforts to assist Iraqis in making peace and
rebuilding their country, while swiftly and safely bringing home all
American troops.
Just as Isaiah called the
People Israel to hear the Yom Kippur fast as God's call to feed the
hungry, just as
Jesus fasted in the
wilderness, just as Christians
through Lenten fasting and
Muslims through Ramadan fasting
have focused on spiritual
transformation, just as
Mahatma Gandhi, Cesar Chavez and others drew on fasting to
change the course of history, so we
call on all our communities of faith to draw now on fasting as a path
toward inner spiritual transformation and outward social transformation.
American culture, society, and
policy are addicted to violence at home and overseas. The day we
officially call "Columbus Day" is overlaid with a history of violence
and conquest. In our time, the hope of a decent future is endangered by
an unnecessary, morally abhorrent, and disastrous war.
Ending this war can become
the first step toward a policy that embodies a deeper, broader sense of
generosity and community at home and in the world.
This fall, in an unusual convergence, many of our faith traditions share
a season of sacred self-assessment and self-transformation. This holy
season includes the month of Ramadan and the Night of Power (Islam); the
High Holy Days and Sukkoth (Judaism); the Feast Day of Francis of Assisi
and Worldwide Communion Sunday (Christianity), Pavarana / Sangha Day
(Buddhism) and Mahatma Gandhi's birthday. Some communities of the
First Nations have already begun to observe Columbus Day itself with
practices that transform its meaning.
Since each of our traditions recognizes the power of fasting as a
spiritual discipline, we call on all people of faith to join in a fast
from dawn to dusk on Monday, October
8.
By turning away, even for a day, from filling ourselves
We more easily open our souls to the
One,
Our hearts to compassion, our minds to wisdom,
And our hands to
acts of peace.
As you are able thank you for considering entering into this fast.
New England Mobilization to End the War in Iraq
Saturday
~ October 27 ~ Rally at 12:00 Noon
~
Boston Common
~
Followed by a March at 2:00 PM
On Saturday, October 27th, people from all walks of life will gather in
Boston for a massive New England regional demonstration, part of a
nationally coordinated day of protest against the war in Iraq called by
United for Peace and Justice. Regional demonstrations will be held in 10
cities around the country. The New England event will start with a rally
at the Boston Common bandstand starting at Noon, followed by a march
from 2:00 to 3:00 PM.
Organizations across the region are working to build the October 27th
mobilization. Please join us! We the People must end this war! Together
we can build a social movement that can stop this war and shift the
political agenda in this country to further global justice and fund
human needs.
Bring All The Troops Home Now!
End All Funding for the Iraq War Now!
Support Our Communities, Fund Human Needs!
No Attack on Iran!
Stop the Attacks on Civil Liberties, Defend Human Rights!
The death total of American servicemen and women has reached 3800.
This week 18 Americans were killed in action, and 301 Iraqi men,
women and children died in war related injuries.
Help Build a Dam in Africa!
One of our community members, Louise Doyle (mother, grandmother, nurse,
and portrayer of Mary of Magdala) recently participated in a triathlon (awesome,
Louise!!) to raise funds for the building of a dam in the
village of Baraboulé Burkina Faso, Africa.
Louise visited Burkina Faso 3 summers ago, and personally
witnessed their extreme need for water and the reality of children dying
on a daily basis from dehydration.
A young friend of Louise�s, Bryan Chambers, is a Peace Corp
volunteer there and working tirelessly to be sure this dam is built.
Please check Bryan�s website to learn more:
www.bryinburkina.blogspot.com.
Louise writes: �Any
donation, kind thoughts, positive affirmations and prayers are welcome
and fully appreciated. 100% of the money is going to Bryan for the
building of the dam. The
total
cost
of the dam is $23,000, as of now.�
All donations can be made out to: Bridge to Africa, c/o Walter
Chambers,5 Robin hood Road, Tyngsboro MA
01879
If you are seeking a community of faith where you
can grow in your relationship with God and celebrate the unique your
unique gifts and those of all who attend, we invite you to come and
celebrate with the Spirit of Life Community.
We are an open, inclusive and interactive community, that gathers
for Eucharist every Sunday evening at 5:00pm. All are truly welcome.
In keeping with our
custom, 15% of Spirit of Life Community's offertory gift is sent to a
designated charity. Our
gift this quarter will be sent to Madre, an organization which provides
care and support to women and children in Iraq.
For more about the work of Madre, visit Madre.org/sister/Iraq.
Please come and celebrate
your life and care for God's people with us.
Feel free to contact us for further information.
Wishing you Spirit-filled
Blessings
of Peace!
Recent News Letters From Spirit of Life Friends.
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