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Growing flowers
What are your CoViD-19 blessings?
I went to the dentist today for a routine cleaning and checkup. I felt very safe. One of the blessings of CoViD-19 is how people are finding creative ways to implement new features and gizmos and routines to protect everyone's health. This dentist's office has invested a lot of time, energy, and money into new safety equipment and protocols. I feel grateful about that!
I don't mean to minimize the real threat of this virus. It has done so much damage, and we need to be vigilant in protecting ourselves. But it's so easy to complain about the inconvenience and discomfort of wearing a mask or practicing physical distancing. Imagine, instead, how much more enjoyable our conversation might be - and how much less anxiety we would feel - if we spent more time and
attention affirming the good things people are learning or doing during this pandemic?
For example, many of my colleagues have really put a ton more effort over the past six months into improving livestreaming and video options for church services. I love tuning in to my friends' broadcasts to connect and learn from them. For me and Sunrise Chapel, it hasn't always been easy or smooth, but it's been a team effort with volunteers stepping up to learn more about the sound booth, new
software and equipment, and new roles, such as a separate camera operator. Our musicians have also had to stretch and grow their skills. And we have more improvements in the works. Thank you to everyone for your help and support.
What is one of YOUR coronavirus blessings? What good are you noticing? I'd love to hear from you!
Church Service this Sunday, September 6
The Human Need for Growth + HOLY SUPPER
Speaking of learning and improving, this Sunday's topic is another basic human need - for growing. This is not just a physical need. It's especially psychological and spiritual. Growth starts at conception and continues throughout life in this world and into the next. After all, God creates us to live forever, and life wouldn't be very meaningful if it didn't include improving, developing, and
maturing.
Please join me this Sunday at 11 o'clock on YouTube or in person at the Chapel (see guidelines below).
This Sunday will be our 26th church service in the era of CoViD-19.
This means we have been dealing with this virus in our midst for half a year. As usual, I will be focusing on the livestream participants. However, as community spread of the virus decreases, I invite you to attend in person under the guidelines below. There's room in the main Chapel for 15-20 people. You are also welcome to view the monitor in Friendship Hall. If you prefer, you can gather in one of
our outdoor spaces and connect to our livestream on your phone or tablet.
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Oh, and Happy Labor Day weekend!
With love and respect and prayers for everyone's well-being, physically and spiritually,
Nathan
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This Sunday - Holy Supper in person and "online"
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Once again, as I did on July 19, I will offer the Holy Supper at the end of this Sunday's church service. This is in keeping with our routine of offering the Holy Supper every other month on the first Sunday. I invite you to participate either in person in the Chapel or in Friendship Hall or at home with your own bread and wine or suitable
substitutes.
If you come to the Chapel in person and wish to take the Holy Supper this Sunday, it will be available in individual servings placed at least six feet apart. If you prefer, you can "bring your own" and take it at your seat.
About the physical elements:
The bread we use at the Chapel is unleavened bread lovingly homemade by a volunteer using only flour, olive oil, salt, and water, then baked. The wine is a simple red wine, generally unfortified, and we also offer grape juice as an alternative for those who cannot have wine.
About the spiritual elements:
The spirit of the sacrament is even more important than the physical elements. It is an opportunity to think about the spiritual equivalent of healthy eating and drinking. Taking in bread is like assimilating and deeply digesting the Lord's love and kindness. Drinking wine (or a suitable alternative) is like accepting the Lord's truth and wisdom with the intention of having it change our
minds.
What about preparation ahead of time?
It is certainly helpful do a little mental preparation ahead of time, but not crucial. The most important part - even if spontaneously during the service - is to turn to the Lord in humility, praying for inspiration and motivation to be open to the Lord's loving and wise influence.
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Photo: Nathan on ZOOM
After a brief check-in, I'll share the task for the week from the sermon and invite anyone to share any intentions for working on that task (or any task for that matter) during the coming week.
For me this will enhance the message to hear from others about how you might “practice what is preached.” It's also a way of making our thinking visible and our understanding more clear.
Everyone welcome, even if you haven't participated yet! I miss our social gatherings in Friendship Hall after church. This is a casual time to "check in" with some friends and have informal conversation. It's fun to see each other and say hello. You can pop in for a bit and leave whenever you need to.
To join the Zoom meeting, click on this link at NOON
If this link doesn't work for you, go to Zoom.us and enter these credentials for the meeting:
Meeting ID: 949 4617 0443
Password: 05152020 (hint: the numerical date for May 15, 2020)
If you ONLY want to call in (without your computer or video), use one of these phone numbers and follow the prompts. You may have to enter the Meeting ID and the password. You will be able to listen and talk (but you won’t see anyone and no one will see you).
346 248 7799 US (Houston)
669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
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Last Sunday's Task - The Human Need for Love and Connection
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Guidelines for "soft" reopening for in-person church activities
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Doors into the chapel
This Sunday, I continue to welcome you in person with caution
I welcome anyone to attend in person who feels safe within the guidelines outlined below. I also realize that most people will not attend in person, yet, so I'm glad when I "see" you participating through the livestream option! Please use the YouTube chat feature to "check in" and let your church family know you care about our faith community.
We have space for at least 15-20 people in the seating area of the Chapel. There is also the "overflow" room to view the TV monitor in Friendship Hall. Recently, the maximum number of people in person has been 8 so there is plenty of room to be together and to social distance.
Specific guidelines for in-person attendance
I believe following these guidelines is also in keeping with the Golden Rule.
1. Stay safe while being kind and respectful. If you attend, observe the guidelines. If you are uncomfortable for any reason, please take care of yourself first; feel free to leave without any negative judgments.
2. Do not attend in person if you are sick, or if you are concerned about getting sick, or if you are at high risk. Instead, please continue to participate remotely.
3. As a community of people who love and respect each other, wearing a face covering is a community service to protect each other, especially the vulnerable. Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth. Please bring your own face covering (mask, scarf, bandana, etc). A face covering will be provided if you forget to bring your own.
4. Practice social distancing while on the church property (inside buildings and outside) including friendly no-touch greetings.
5. We will limit our number of participants in the main seating area of the Chapel to 20. Members of the same family may sit together.
6. On entering and leaving the buildings, please wash hands with soap or use hand sanitizer (provided in the lobby).
During the church service:
• I will wear a mask before and after the service and while I am singing. I will remove my mask for prayers, the children's talk, the readings, and the sermon, with the understanding that the closest participants will be over 8 feet away from me.
• Sanitary wipes will be available for individuals to wipe down chairs and surfaces they use.
• Bathroom use will be limited to one person at a time, using only the main bathrooms at the entrance to Friendship Hall.
• No printed bulletins or songbooks. Instead, song lyrics are projected on the monitor and announcements will either be projected or verbal.
Please, let me know whatever you think. It's good to hear from as many people as possible. I'm doing the best I can, and I don't want to put any volunteers or visitors in any unsafe positions. I appreciate your help and patience!
Looking forward to your participation either in person or online!
Nathan
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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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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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