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One woman's eyes
Three things I'm learning in the midst of this worldwide crisis...
Before I get into what I'm learning, first I want to say I'm very happy to welcome Elise home after a wonderfully happy time visiting children and grandchildren back East. After a few days of appropriate transitioning, yesterday was the first time in 37 days that we held each other's hands. We are safe and healthy, and we think about you and pray for your health and safety. Please let us know how we can
serve you. And please keep in touch with each other. That is so, so important.
So what am I learning? These days I'm learning to appreciate people's eyes. It has been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. With so many people donning protective masks, I find it is more important and interesting than ever to make good eye contact. There is so much to see and look for in the expressions of the eyes - cheerfulness or worry, energy or apathy, pride or frustration. There seems
to be a heightened sense of need to see each other, whether in person or online. It is fascinating to focus on what each other's eyes say.
I'm learning what great potential each of us has to connect in meaningful ways in spite of mandates about physical distancing. In fact, it's a testament to everyone's heart hunger for connection that we have become resourceful about staying "in touch" even at more than two arms lengths away from one another. In the context of Sunrise Chapel, I'm grateful for the love, energy, and time that our recently
revived "Care Team" has put into making phone calls with many people listed in our church directory. I'm delighted with the small groups that meet on Zoom on Sunday after church and during the week. Each of these is a precious moment of connection.
I'm learning to be patient with learning curves. As one friend says, "Nobody really knows what they're doing. We're all making it up as we go." It's so important to adjust to changing circumstances and to be open and responsive as the world and each individual figures out how to accommodate and move forward. Although the Lord doesn't will anything bad to happen, it is part of the Divine plan for us to discover the goodness
and truth that is always present even during crises.
What are YOU learning? Jot me a note. I'd LOVE to hear!
With love and respect,
Nathan
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What's new for this Sunday's worship service?
See below for a preview.
Join a 30-minute Weekday Meditation Group on Zoom
Each of these meetings is precious. Five days a week. 9:00-9:30 am Arizona time. Each meeting is led by a different facilitator: I lead on Monday. The structure is simple and satisfying:
Begin with How are you?
Then the facilitator introduces a brief quotation from the Word to start the meditation time.
Next, 4-5 minutes of meditation, followed by reflections and closing thoughts.
Bam! Refreshed! And ready for the rest of the day!
Consider trying it out! Find the Zoom link below in the "Online Resources" section.
Two new Spiritual Growth Groups on Zoom
Thank you to Frank Rose and co-host Judith Keane and also to Kelly Woofenden for launching two new spiritual growth groups about forgiveness. One is on Wednesday evening and the other on Sunday morning. They are both full and active and going well. It's so heartwarming to have people gathering virtually to work on their spiritual growth. Thank you one and all for doing this important
work.
With love and respect and prayers for everyone's well-being, physically and spiritually,
Nathan
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What's new for this Sunday's Worship service?
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Continuing to improve our livestreaming
I'm happy to say the video quality of our livestream was a lot brighter last week, thanks to adjusting our new camera's position and settings and improving the lighting. I'm also pleased that the audio quality was better, and it will be even better this Sunday after doing some significant troubleshooting and corrections during the week. Thank you for your support and patience. And thank you to those who provided feedback. It's all helpful.
Also, after last week's first experiment with using our keyboardist's piano recording, Mariana and Pablo are working together again to improve the musical offerings this week. She will record her keyboard part at home so that Pablo can then play along with it live, in person.
Livestreaming links for our You Tube channel
See below for the You Tube link or click here. You can also find it easily on the home page of our website sunrisechapel.org
Please note: If you subscribe to our You Tube channel and turn on notifications for the channel, you should automatically get an alert when the service goes live. (In order to subscribe and get notifications, just sign up for a free account with You Tube.)
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Photo: ZOOM logo
After church, Zoom at Noon this Sunday
I will do another Zoom call at noon for anyone who wants to hop on and check in. It's casual and a nice follow-up to the worship service. Here are the instructions:
AFTER the service ends, we will take a little break. Get a snack, if you want.
Then at NOON, join the Zoom meeting with either the link or the phone-in instructions below.
To join the Zoom meeting, click on this link at NOON:
https://zoom.us/j/414341900
If you need the Meeting ID, it is: 414 341 900
If you ONLY want to call in (without your computer or video), use one of these phone numbers and follow the prompts. You will have to enter the Meeting ID. You will be able to listen and talk (but you won’t see anyone and no one will see you).
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 414 341 900
A note about managing Zoom security
For the sake of security, last week I added a "waiting room" feature to our Zoom call. When you join the meeting, you will enter this "waiting room" until I as the leader "let you in". Also, as the meeting manager, I can block or turn off video or audio if necessary.
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Tomorrow is World Labyrinth Day
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I like to think of walking a labyrinth as prayer in motion
World Labyrinth Day is the FIRST Saturday of May every year. People the world around walk labyrinths for personal and global peace as well as for many other healing reasons. Whatever the time zone, some people “Walk as One at 1 pm.” Others choose a different time in order to avoid a crowd. This year, labyrinths are open and available, especially outdoors, as long as people observe appropriate CoViD-19
physical distancing and other health mandates.
Walk for these blessed reasons tomorrow, wherever you are, with love and intention, healing ourselves and the world. The Sunrise Chapel labyrinth we built in Tucson is listed on the World Labyrinth Locator. Find one there, or walk a known familiar path in your area, knowing that peace and unity are achievable in every way, in every heart.
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Photo: laptop + coffee
Weekday Meditation (9:00-9:30 am MT) This is the link for the Monday meditation that I lead, but it is also the same link for the rest of the weekdays, led by other folks. Try it! You might like it!
ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES:
New Church Vineyard (This is a RICH source of KID-ORIENTED content for all sorts of stories from the Bible and the teachings of Swedenborg. Use this for family worship and for "Sunday school" type activities to enhance your spiritual lives at home.)
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Care Calls - Phone a Friend!
It is so heartwarming to hear from a variety of people how much it means to be talking on the phone these days. For those initiating phone calls, they say it is so helpful just to reach out and check in. For those who are receiving them, I hear over and over how grateful they are.
Thank you to a number of people who have organically grown our Care Team and who are taking time to stay in touch.
There's nothing like having a good, old-fashioned friendly phone call. I encourage you to keep it up. If you need new contact information for someone, let me know, and I'll do my best to provide it.
FINAL REQUEST FOR UPDATES
Is your Sunrise Chapel directory listing up-to-date?
I'm updating our phone and address directory. There are quite a few updates, since it is over 10 months old. Do you have any changes for me to include? Please let me know ASAP. You can email or text or call me with any updates or preferences. ~Nathan
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Your church home for partnering with the Lord and each other in the practice of cultivating spiritual growth and choosing heavenly joy
www.sunrisechapel.org
nathan@sunrisechapel.org Office 520-298-1245
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