"Create in me a clean heart, O God." Psalm 51:10
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What if we each regarded each other as a beautiful work of heart?
When the prophet Samuel was asked to anoint a new king after Saul, God told him not to be swayed by outward appearances or height because "the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
These days, with the current CoViD pandemic, new efforts to face racism, uncertainty about elections, and plenty of personal challenges, it's easy to get caught up and distracted - even distraught - by the hubbub of outward appearances and heightened worries.
But the Lord wants us to look deeper. Into our hearts. Into others' hearts.
Of course, not just medically although that is important. Symbolically. Just as "heart and soul" go together, it's really important to invite the Lord to help us look at the heart of our soul. And how we can open our hearts more to what is Divine?
The physical heart gets us up and running in this world, but its maintenance plan eventually runs out. We need to trade it in for a new model - one that works in a different dimension. The Psalmist invites us to pray for the Lord to give each of us a "clean heart," a heart that is open to and receptive of spiritual life so that we can survive and thrive on that level all the time, no matter
what's going on in this flawed body and world.
This Sunday let's explore the beautiful and rich correspondence between our natural heart and our spiritual love that keeps us going.
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This Sunday will be our 30th church service in the era of CoViD-19.
Last Sunday we had 13 people in person for the church service, including the 5 people "on duty" (2 musicians, 2 sound/camera tech peeps, 1 minister). We have room for you! In addition to the Chapel space, there are other areas where you can participate in person and socially distanced.
Outdoor Option
Something NEW - The closed-circuit monitor in Friendship Hall can be turned so that it can be viewed from outside on the patio in the shade. This is yet another option for in-person participation.
Please join your church family this Sunday at 11 o'clock either on YouTube or in person at the Chapel (with the guidelines below).
With love and respect and prayers for everyone's well-being, physically and spiritually,
Nathan
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Photo of a young Frank Rose at a church camp
on the Isle of Wight in the English Channel (circa the 1960s)
Frank sends his love and good wishes. He has a congenital condition - pancytopenia - which continues to make him physically weaker. On September 13, he decided to go on home hospice where he can continue to be in the comfort of home with Louise, visiting family members, occasional visitors, and where his care team can assist with his physical needs. Fortunately he is sharp as a tack,
relatively free from discomfort, and enjoying the preciousness of each moment as much as possible - from his bed.
He loves getting messages either by email or regular letters or cards. When he's up to it, he loves a brief phone chat. Call their landline. If you need contact information or a church directory or any other details, contact me or Elise.
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An upcoming new small group offering
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Sunrise Chapel is participating in a new series called Resilience!
Starting the week of October 18, this is a 5-week small group experience similar to the annual Journey Programs we do each year. Nathan will launch it with a sermon series on October 18. Each Sunday will introduce the topic of the week whether you participate in a group or do the tasks on your own. The final Sunday will be November 15th (in time for our annual Thanksgiving service the following Sunday).
Small groups (either online or in-person) will be delving into the material that can be accessed online or from self-printed copies.
Groups
Our weekly Women’s Group will begin the series in person at Sunrise Chapel on Thursday, October 22 at 7 PM led by various group members.
Nathan will also lead a group, time and "place" (online or in-person) to be determined.
And we are looking for other group leaders to help as many people as possible join in at different times.
Tip for forming a group:
Decide when is a good day and time for YOU to do the course; then find one other person interested in doing the course at the same time as you. Then invite others or let Elise or me know your schedule. We can then promote it with others.
Here is some background information from the authors of this program:
We invite you to join a small group to support well-being, health and resilience in this challenging time.
Life is filled with ups and downs. We need resilience. Sometimes resilience is small (making it through the day), sometimes resilience is big after a major life event (illness, trauma, job loss, relationship ending, grief etc).
We need resilience in our relationships and in our lives. Resilience is about claiming our agency - that we are powerful - and it's also about finding solidarity with others, knowing others who have had setbacks and kept going.
The small group experiences will explore practices of resilience enlivened by an ancient sacred text (portions of the Joseph story from Genesis) and supported by scientific data.
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Current Local Community Transmission Data Update
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In this brief video, Dr. Cullen looks at a series of graphs provided by the University of Arizona, some of which show recent age-specific covid data.
The graphic is similar to the one I shared last week, but it points to the You Tube update for Wednesday, Sept. 30. Click on the image to go to the You Tube video or click on this link: https://youtu.be/4QX3aWfVWWo
This You Tube channel is a great local resource without the hype and politicization that comes through most media outlets.
~Nathan
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Graphic: How to join a ZOOM meeting
Hey, church family!
Do you miss our get togethers in Friendship Hall? I do! But there is still a neat and fun way of connecting in spite of CoViD. You can check in and visit at noon on Zoom.
Everyone welcome, even if you haven't participated yet! 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/join and enter these credentials for the meeting:
Meeting ID: 949 4617 0443
Password: 05152020 (hint: the numerical date for May 15, 2020)
Looking forward to seeing you!
Nathan
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Here is a reminder of last Sunday's task for the week. Sometimes I think it's curious that I spend so much time rehearsing things from the past and worrying about the future instead of appreciating the present moment. I need this reminder as much as anyone!
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Guidelines for reopening for in-person church activities
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Brand new lighting in our gazebo, with thanks for installation help from Ken Lee and Elise
This photo is of the Women's Group "birthday party" last night - the first time the Women's Group has met in person since the beginning of March
Last Sunday a few more people "braved" the in-person church service and said they felt safe and happy to return!
We had 13 people in person! I welcome anyone to attend in person who feels safe within the guidelines outlined below. I also realize that many 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 20 people in the seating area of the Chapel. There are also the "overflow" rooms to view the TV monitor in the Vestry (off the front lobby) and in Friendship Hall.
Specific guidelines for in-person attendance
1. Stay safe while being kind and respectful. 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. 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 and buildings) including friendly no-touch greetings.
5. On entering and leaving the buildings, please wash hands with soap or use hand sanitizer (provided in the lobby).
During the church service:
• I wear a mask before and after the service and while I am singing. I remove my mask for prayers, the children's talk, the readings, and the sermon, with the understanding that the closest participants are over 8 feet away from me.
• Sanitary wipes are available for individuals to wipe down chairs and surfaces they use.
• Bathroom use is 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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