Deepening Community:

Change is upon us.   Whether we like it or not, it is here. We can balk and resist, but it will do no one any good. What is one solution to the challenges ahead of us? For me, it is to deepen our sense of community. When times are tough, there are always hidden treasures to be found. We have recently completed a Service dedicated to recognizing the “treasure” hidden in trauma (“From Trauma to Treasure”).

We can use the environmental/economic/political challenges of our times to propel us forward, to develop ourselves in new ways, not only to better manage what lies ahead, but to grow in ways which will forever enhance the quality of our lives. Perhaps we can comfort one another, cheer one another on, offer help in different ways, offer our heart’s compassion, encouragement and even share skills with each other. Perhaps our simple presence with each other is enough!

Safety, Belonging, Community as Circle and Intimacy are the topics we will cover this month, as we encourage everyone to consider deepening community, not only amongst our Church community, but in other communities we are involved with as well.

It is up to us to create the future we want for ourselves.   Isolation or intimacy, separation or oneness? What will we choose? Can we make this planet a thriving healthy one through individual plans and gains, or do we need to learn to consider each other in a caring communal global plan?

Please join us as we explore community, what it means, what we need to do to make it happen for us, and to develop deeper connections within our Community of Conscious Living.

Cedona Holly,  Spiritual Directions Committee

Sunday Service Schedule for September

Theme:  Deepening Community

September 5 Safety in Community

Moderator- Marvelous Trudeau

Meditator- TBA

Panel – Paul Monfette & Marvelous Trudeau

Sept.12th Community as Circle

Moderator- Joyanna Wilkinson

Meditator- Norm Smookler

Speaker – Andre Spencer

Sept.19th Community Service:  Sense of Belonging

Panel - Spiritual Directions Committee  (Pass the mic)
Moderator – June Swadron

Meditation – Marie Logan

Sept. 26th Community Service:  Invitation to Intimacy

Moderator –  Deborah Hawkey

Meditation – Laura Lane

Clothing Exchange

A fundraiser for the Church of Truth

– Community of Conscious Living

(111 Superior Street)

Clear Some Clutter in Your Clothes Closet

and Discover Great New Finds For Your Wardrobe

Cash Donation to the Church Welcome

Donation of Used Clothing in Good Shape

(* Clean * All Buttons * Intact * No Rips, Tears or Stains)

Sunday, June 27^th

12:30 p.m.

Queries to Patti at (250) 385-0941 or Linda at (250) 380-6383

[Donations Can be Placed in Quiet Room Behind Dividers]

Leftover Clothing will be donated to agencies in need.

Summer Solstice has been celebrated in many cultures over the centuries and is associated with such common themes as Fullness, Manifestation, Balance, Coming into the Light.

This is the time when we see what has come forth from the seeds planted in, and nurtured through, the dream-womb of winter and quickened by spring’s luscious dance of life.

Yet this is a time of a new story unfolding in the history of life on earth. It is a time of planetary change, of challenge, and, what some call, the birth of the Universal Human. The new story is emerging and we are part of that Great Unfolding.

This Solstice celebration will reflect some of the diversity of ways that we are naming and engaging the heart of this journey, as we soulfully seek to manifest new ways of being on this precious planet.

Joy Emmanuel will be coordinating the evening and joined by Betsy Nuse, Libby Seabrook, Gertie Jocksch, and others.

Bio for Joy Emmanuel:  Joy  is a Transformational Coach, Adult Educator, Organizational Developer, and Community Animator.  Joy offers transformational change programs for individuals and groups of all sizes and hosts one-day retreats with a focus on Spiritual Awakening. In the fall of 2009, Joy was privileged to do a training program with Joanna Macy.  She is also active in the Victoria Transition Town initiative – a global grassroots movement around creating a post-oil dependent society.

Church of Truth, Community of Conscious Living

Wednesday, June 23 – 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

111 Superior Street

Everyone Welcome

Free or By donation

CHURCH OF TRUTH, COMMUNITY OF CONSCIOUS LIVING

TALENT SHOW

COME ONE – COME ALL!

When:  Saturday May 1^st, 7 pm

Where: Church of Truth

111 Superior Street

FOOD!  FUN!  FANTASTICALLY TALENTED PEOPLE!!!

$10.00 DONATION SUGGESTED

OR WHATEVER YOU CAN AFFORD

SUGGESTIONS FOR PERFORMERS

- Readings – five minutes.  Please, don’t read anything too serious.

If you have more to share, come back again later.

- Comedians, you’re the funny bone of our show, but please time your

acts.  Keep within ten minutes.

- Skits – preferably ten minutes – fifteen at most.  Please time!

- Singers – preferably two songs.  Could be one more if you’re a band and include an audience singalong.

- Dancers – five minutes.  Come back for second act later if desired.

- Instrumentalists – ditto.

As you can see the suggested guidelines are a little different from the ten minutes allotted across-the-board in the past.  My aim this year is to improve the flow of the show; to make our program more interesting and varied for our audience; and for us to put on THE BEST SHOW EVER!!!!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

- to take donations at the door & pass out programs

- to make coffee & serve goodies at intermission

- to help with sound & ‘techie’ stuff

- to help with clean-up

Call Ella Brown  at 250- 477-2022 or e-mail at ella_dean@shaw.ca.

Church of Truth, Community of Conscious Living Talent Show PROGRAMME

MOVIE NIGHT:  Amal
Friday March  12
Church of Truth, Community of Conscious Living
Movie  starts at 7:00 p.m.
Everyone Welcome!
By donation

About Amal:

Autorickshaw driver Amal is content with the small but vital role he serves—driving customers around New Delhi as quickly and safely as possible. But his sense of duty is tested by an eccentric, aging billionaire, who, moved by Amal’s humility, bequeaths him his entire estate before passing away. With only one month to discover and claim the inheritance, Amal’s struggles with duty and wealth are threatened by all those around him—from a young injured beggar girl and a lovely store merchant, to the danger of the old man’s upper-caste friends and siblings, all seeking to claim their share of the riches.

Filmed on location in New Delhi, India, this modern day fable asks the important question of what success means to each individual and ultimately reveals that the poorest of men are sometimes the richest

Amazon. ca Reviews:

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful: Marny’s review, Jan 13 2009 By Marny – See all my reviews This is a superb film with outstanding acting by both newcomers and Indian vets – at least two of whom you should recognize if you have seen other Indian films. The setting is New Delhi and the film explores the world of that city along with lives of the film’s characters. You are taken on an emotional journey and the surprise ending will cause you to question your moral values.

honest, beautiful and a breath of fresh air, Jan 28 2009 By cori lee – See all my reviews This film is a fantastic example of what a Canadian movie can be – an amazing story, subtle yet powerful direction, and beautifully shot not to mention the stellar performances by both Canadian and Indian actors. A sincere joy to watch – cannot wait to see what comes next from this team.

Bio for Nancy Watters:

Chant master Nancy Watters, MA, is founding director of Sacred World Song , a network of people from many spiritual paths who practice the ancient art of devotional, communal chant. She’s been passionately pursuing the study of chant for over a decade, learning first-hand from Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Indigenous peoples, Jews and Sufis. She is an ardent Bahá’í who strives to create bridges of love between people of diverse faiths.

The Mystic Spiral

A Joyful Journey of Chant, Dance… and More

Join in a joyous fusion of music and movement inspired by various spiritual traditions.

On February 21st and thereafter the 3rd Sunday of each month, we will be either

chanting, dancing, toning, singing, and/or moving in the service of raising the vibration of

universal consciousness.

Help create a safe environment to nourish the spirit.

No experience needed, just an open heart and adventurous spirit.

On February 21^st,  Khrystie Phoenix leads “Dances of Universal Peace.”

2-4  p.m.

Church of Truth, Community of Conscious Living

For more information: Patti Huot 250-385-0941

By donation

The Mystic Spiral

A Joyful Journey of Chant, Dance… and More

Join in a joyous fusion of music and movement inspired by various spiritual traditions.

Beginning this January 17th and thereafter the 3rd Sunday of each month, we will be either

chanting, dancing, toning, singing, and/or moving in the service of raising the vibration of

universal consciousness.

Help create a safe environment to nourish the spirit.

No experience needed, just an open heart and adventurous spirit.

On January 17^th,Tracy Deobald will lead Sacred Circle Dancing and Chanting

2-4  p.m.

Church of Truth, Community of Conscious Living

For more information: Patti Huot 250-385-0941

By donation

Bio For Tracy Deobald:

Tracy Deobald first discovered Sacred Circle Dancing at a women’s gathering 11 years ago and it has been an important part of her spiritual practice ever since. She enjoys the fullness of life, spending her days dancing, singing, reading, walking, meditating, enjoying family and friends, and looking for more joyful ways to celebrate life. As a lifelong teacher and learner, she has a keen interest in helping others develop spiritually. Tracy is new to Victoria, having moved from Regina  last fall, and she is enjoying her discovery of the West Coast. She is a recent graduate of the Community Choir Leadership Training Program developed by Shivon Robinsong and Denis Donnelly of the Getting’ Higher Choir, and will be sharing the facilitation of the Victoria Circle Dancing group this winter.

MOVIE NIGHT -  The Shift, with Wayne Dyer.
Friday January 22
arrive at 6:30 for (potluck) refreshments and conversation
movie at 7:00 followed by discussion
by donation

Best-Selling Author and Renowned Spiritual Teacher, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer,
Presents His First Feature Film—The Shift (formerly titled Ambition to Meaning).
The Shift

What is The Shift? It’s the story of the most important moment of your life—when you stop striving and start arriving! It’s the choice you make to move toward a life that gathers up the pieces of your best, most fulfilled, most loving self. It’s the moment when you start living a life rich with meaning and begin playing the music you came here to play! Are you ready to make the shift that changes everything? When will you find the joy, the peace, and the love that you came here to give and to receive?

In this inspiring new movie, you’ll enjoy an engaging, heartwarming and humorous tale of transformation on vacation. You’ll marvel at the beauty of the windswept ocean scenery. Share the characters’ delight as they receive the most precious
gift—permission to follow their hearts. Hear Wayne say, “Don’t die with your music still in you” and see everyone set free to join the orchestra!

Join Wayne Dyer and a star-studded cast for a story that will capture your imagination and send you on your own quest for a life of meaning and purpose. In The Shift, we share the stories of three modern lives in crisis—a young mother who nurtures everyone but herself, an overachieving husband who has forgotten what love means, and a moviemaker desperate for the opportunity that will make him worthy in his own eyes. Every life has a turning point, a shift, a choice to make about what
really matters.

Early in life, we follow the path mapped out by ego, a path of ambition, competition, and striving. When midlife dawns, we too often find ourselves stranded in a lonely and desolate place we never intended to visit.  Our feelings of sadness and frustration tell us we took a wrong turn. Like a shift in the wind or a change in the tide, the yearning we feel at midlife is a call to renewal. The Shift shows us the path home, the path to rediscovering our true self, our purpose, and the life of meaning that is our true calling.

“When you get it—that you don’t do things because of what somebody else is going to do for you, but you do them because you’re living your life’s purpose—you can light up the whole world with that kind of love. That’s how it works for me.” — Wayne Dyer

“From the moment I began watching the movie until the very end, I was just in tears. I was blown away by the story, and I’m so excited for people to be able to see this film.” —Cheryl Richardson

“The Shift is a movie that touches your soul. Michael Goorjian has directed a visually beautiful movie with stirring music. Wayne Dyer’s message lingers with you long after the final credits.   I loved it.” — Louise L. Hay