Larry Alderink will explore how Buddhists achieve peace of mind without the assistance of a savior or a god. Dr. Alderink is Professor of Religion at Concordia College and was a recipient of two Bush Fellowships, among other honors. He currently teaches courses in eastern religion and philosophy.
The teen youth group will be having a Stone Soup Lunch fundraiser after the service.
How do we heal a world filled with oppression and evil? What can one person to do to improve her or his life and the lives of those nearby? Whether the oppression is sexism, racism, heterosexism and homophobia, ableism, ageism, each of us can do something. But what? Maybe you need a little magic. This service will explore how to work to end oppression and how to create the magic that will do it. The sermon title comes from the children's book of the same name, written by Cynthia Rylant.
This intergenerational service marks the changing of the season, with singing and readings from the children and youth that recognize the changes that strike us in weather, emotions and spirit at this time of year. Also included will be a story from Bill Thomas, as some of the kids insisted on a reprise of "Snowbound in North Dakota."
A reflective ritual for all ages will mark this year's Winter Solstice intergenerational program. We will honor the longest night with an eclectic earth-based ceremony and welcome the returning sun with song. (Note for those with environmental sensitivities, we will use a fog machine in a brief segment of the service.)
The "Course in Miracles" came as a direct result of two individuals who were fed up and tired of how they were relating to and treating not only each other, but their colleagues as well. They joined together as one mind with one purpose, that of finding another way. They were given this other way through the Course, the goal of which is peace. The message of the "Course in Miracles" can be summed up simply by this:
"Nothing Real can be threatened"
"Nothing unreal exists"
"Herein lies the Peace of God"
*No religious education will be held these dates, childcare available for those under 5.