This Month's Talks

Resting in the Grace of God, I Know that All Is Well

Nov. 8: Here and Now, No Struggles, No Guilt or Burdens

Rev. Dia Lynn

After an intense year of disturbing news and events, many of us feel worn down and in need of rest and regeneration. This Sunday we will remember the power of our spiritual identities and set an intention to heal ourselves in body, mind, and emotion. Then, together, we will extend a blessing of grace to those who are most in need, demonstrating the power of creative living. We are a force for light and love and transformation for our community and our planet.

Bio: Dia Lynn, having been raised Protestant Christian, began studying metaphysics and eastern religions in the 1970’s. She took Religious Science instruction Pacific Coast Church/ Seminary, then received Masters and Doctorate degrees in Religious Studies from Emerson Institute. She was ordained by Rev. Dr. Bill Little at Center for Spiritual Awakening in Pacific Grove, CA in 2010.

Nov. 15: Receiving, and Giving, Grace

Rev. Jerry Troyer

What do you think of when you hear the word "grace?” Traditional Christianity has one definition, often having to do with God bestowing blessings even when blessings seem undeserved. But consider that grace is actually another word for the normal and natural functioning of the Universe—the never ending “miracles,” the “God-winks,” the divine coincidences, the breathtaking experiences of unconditional love that we receive. When we allow ourselves to clearly see, we recognize those moments of grace throughout our days. But life includes so many experiences of giving and receiving, including grace—so as we are willing to receive, we must also be willing to give. Because if we are the essence and experience of Spirit, and we are, then so is everyone else.

Nov. 22: Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste...Finding GRACE in anxiety, fear, anger, stress, and despair

Mark Scow

We are living in challenging times. It’s human to get caught up in the angst and foreboding!

SO…how can we find GRACE in this “seeming” apocalyptic setting? Let’s explore this together.

Nov. 29: Grateful for the Continuing Grace of God

Rev. Jean Sweet

Now that the turkey coma is in the past, have you chosen to make gratitude and thanksgiving a habitual practice? Gratitude connects you to Source faster than any other principle besides love. The outside world is created from your inner stability and serenity. Being grateful for everything allows you to rest in the Breath of God and know that all is well.

Family Promise Update

My dear volunteers,

Our rotation starts November 9th. As you know, the families are now sleeping at First Christian Church and are eating all their meals at the Day Center. Volunteers are working around that.

LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN HELP

HCCL is responsible for preparing one meal (this can be a simple casserole – salads, side dishes, desserts are optional). It needs to be delivered to the Day Center between 1 and 2 PM on Monday, November 9th. The meals need to be divided into 2 disposable pans, each serving about 5 people, and include instructions on baking or reheating. We can call ahead and leave the meal on a table just outside the Day Center door so that no physical contact will be necessary. St John’s Lutheran will deliver meals on Wednesday and Friday.

We will get a grocery list of food the families want to prepare themselves for breakfasts, lunches, and the remaining dinners. Shari Copenhaver has generously provided the Day Center grocery list food in the past and has already volunteered to provide the food next month. However, since the families are preparing more food at the Day Center, the grocery list will be longer. If anyone can donate additional money for groceries, please let me know. I am willing to make the grocery run.

We are also responsible for providing 2 overnight hosts on Monday November 9, and 2 overnight hosts on Tuesday November 10th. Each overnight host will have their own room with bed, WIFI ,and sanitizing materials. Hosts arrive at 7:30 PM and families arrive by 10 PM. Masks are required for everyone when not in their rooms. Families know that failure to wear a mask will result in expulsion from the program.

Family Promise of Helena continues to provide services during the pandemic, although many Family Promise programs around the country have had to shut their doors. Gratitude is due to Mary Larsen with First Christian Church and their willingness to figure out ways to keep families and volunteers safe. The Family Promise director and family advocate have been working with other agencies to provide help for as many families as possible. There is very little housing available and it will become even scarcer with the winter weather.

As always, I appreciate your willing hearts. Let me know how you can help,

Catherine

New Vision Prayer: Invite Our New Minister

In this moment now, I recognize that I AM a conscious living expression of my Source.

My mind is a part of the Mind of God,

which is Intelligent, All-Powerful,

and Infinitely Creative.

I know that my consciousness is an attractive force,
and that all my prayers are answered.

I am so grateful that our spiritual community is blessed with everything that we need

to prosper and thrive.

HCCL is now welcoming the perfect minister into our life and community.

This deeply spiritual light-hearted person is
ready to be adopted and loved, as we open our hearts
to their presence.

I am grateful for the complete demonstration of
our community's co-vision.

I surrender this prayer back into the Mind of God,
knowing it is done.

I am excited for HCCL! And so it is. Amen.

RECYCLING

As we have been sheltering in place, we have had many reminders about how precious our earth is. The hope is that you are buried in recyclable material now. Keep it up! There's always enough room and time to sort everything out. More importantly, we've had time to consider how much plastic we use and how unnecessary much of it is.

Rev. Jean is still saving bottle caps to fuel her big vision. Which ones? Any bottle cap you would throw in the trash, such as vitamin bottle caps, water bottle caps, prescription bottle caps, milk carton caps, you get the idea. Please collect them in a cardboard box and bring the full box to Rev. Jean.

PLEASE DO NOT bring the caps in a plastic bag, as we are eliminating the use of plastic.

Take a moment to thank Dianne Nickman, our "Recycle Queen," who takes our plastic, glass, paper, and cardboard to the transfer station every month.

A Prayer to Humankind

O Humankind, are we not all brothers and sisters,

are we not the grandchildren of the Great Mystery?

Do we not all want to love and be loved, to work

and to play, to sing and dance together?

But we live with fear. Fear that is hate,

fear that is ambition, competition, aggression,

fear that is loneliness, anger, bitterness, cruelty,

fear that is mistrust. envy. greed. vanity. . . and yet

fear is only twisted love, love turned back

upon itself, devouring itself, hating itself,

love that was denied, love that was rejected
. . . and love.

Hear my heart's prayer, O Humankind,
trust in love, don't be afraid. I love you
as I love life, I love myself, please
love me too, love yourself, for perfect love,
as a wise one said, casts out all fear.
If we are to live, there is no other choice,
for love is life believing in itself.

- Manitongquat

Helena Church of Conscious Living