Embracing the Divine, HCCL honors all spiritual paths and traditions.

We are a FORCE for Good in our community, our world, and beyond.

We are celebrating freedom this month, a Principle of God that has great spiritual meaning and potential. When we exercise the the Principle of Freedom, we do not mean "freedom from something." We are empowered to employ the ideal of freedom to do something. To create, to grow, to accept a Higher Good for all beings.

If God is anything, God is Freedom. This freedom is expressed as the cosmos, as silky fur, as blue eyes, as spiny starfish, as the complexity of a computer.

Nothing can restrict, limit, or censor the perfect action of God, when we get out of our own way.

The Principle of Freedom is a universal law, meaning that it cannot be compromised, changed, or corrupted despite what our minds imagine. Fear is not a part of Freedom, nor is lack consciousness.

Freedom is the joy of life living itself without restriction! Let freedom ring!

This Month's Talks

Celebrating Freedom

July 4: America: A Work in Progress

The Very Rev. Stephen Brehe

Rev. Stephen will give a presentation about America from Jefferson to King in word and song.

Bio: Rev. Stephen Brehe is the retired Dean of St. Peter's Cathedral in Helena, which is "Episcopalize" for pastor of a cathedral. I came to Montana in late 1991 and served for 19 years as pastor. Jackie and their sons arrived on New Year's Eve 1991. The boys were enrolled at Hawthorne Elementary School where Dr. Deb Jacobsen was in her first year as principal.

Before seminary Dr. Brehe was the religion reporter for the St. Louis Globe-Democrat. He jokes that journalism drove him to God. After seminary in the Chicago area, he was ordained to the priesthood in 1980 and served churches in Chicago, Grand Rapids, Minneapolis and Helena. After stepping down from daily ministry in 2010, he began writing about the intersection of religion and society for the Helena Independent Record. He currently works with a colleague to introduce a program called the "Way of Love" to Montana Episcopalians. He also teaches deacon candidates in the Diocese of Montana.

July 11: Let Freedom Ring! Church Grand Reopening!

Rev. Jean Sweet

Just talking about the principle of Freedom is a wonderful experience. It opens our minds and hearts to understand what Freedom really means and what it offers to us. We immediately experience more Freedom in our lives; energetically, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.

Awakened people who understand freedom have the potential to allow all experiences to grace their lives. By exercising free choice, we can use that ability to ignite the Highest Good for all beings.

Join us for the Dr. Charles Geddes Reception immediately following service

Come and meet this delightful new presence in our midst! Light refreshments will be provided.

July 18: The Freedom of Spiritual Practice

Rev. Orlinda Worthington

A spiritual practice is any activity one engages in with reverence for the Sacred.

For all of us sometimes and some of us all the time, daily spiritual practice can feel confining. But have you thought of spiritual practice as freedom? We’ll take a short quiz to help find what spiritual practice is right for you and what type of practice you may benefit from most. We’ll also explore a few spiritual practices and how they can enhance our connection with one another and release inner freedom.

July 25: From Prison – to Prism – A Choice

Rev. Dr. Charles Geddes

Dr. Charles will be sharing Inspiration from a recent talk by Rev Cynthia James, referencing her Five Portals to Freedom. He will help us remember that we are all here to see that authentic freedom and opportunity is here for all. Equality, without exception, is our intention for future generations in celebrating the Freedom we have today.

We are very blessed to have the President of the Board of the Big Sky Retreat, Dr. Charles Geddes, living in our community! He has arranged the following offer:
2021 HOLIDAY WEEKEND RETREAT ONLY program, $350 to register. Program for Montana participants includes:

Arrive Saturday, 9/4, stay through evening presentation on Monday, 9/6
All weekend/holiday retreat programs
Dinner on Saturday and lunch on Monday.

Single sessions are $50/session and won't include meals.
Other meals and lodging are separate. Visit the website to register and for full information about lodging options in the area.

Donations

FINANCIAL UPDATE:

We gratefully announce that HCCL is operating in the black. We will continue to prosper, thanks to our shared vision: the thriving of our spiritual community.

Don't forget that you can donate through PayPal no matter where you are in the world! It is
completely safe and easy. Try it, you'll like it!

(no PayPal account required)

DONATE NOW

A Note From Your Treasurer
I need your assistance to correctly process the money you send to HCCL.
When you send or drop off a check to HCCL, please follow these instructions. If it is not designated, your payment is marked as a general contribution.

Fill out the “For” line so it can be properly credited.
Mark it Donation/Contribution/Tithe, Class or Workshop title, Auction/Raffle, etc.
Send an email to hcclspirit@yahoo.com to be properly tracked for the different classes, workshops, etc.
If you are registering for an event, contact Dr. Deb who is tracking events and activities.

When you pay via PayPal using the Donate Now button follow these instructions.

If you are making a general contribution, follow the prompts in the page.
If you are registering for a class or workshop, such as Rev Jean’s Journaling Voyage, please click the Classes tab at the top and read the instructions for notifying the event leader, and then process your payment.
To use PayPal for other activities, such as the raffle fundraiser, start on the Newsletter tab and read the instructions there, then process your payment.

Following these instructions helps me keep your payments credited to the proper account.
Thank you for your help, and may you have an abundant and fulfilling New Year in 2021.

Family Promise Update

Dear Ones,

We are scheduled to provide meals to the Day Center and overnight hosts at First Christian Church for August 9-11.

The next rotation is October 11-13, returning to St. John's Lutheran. Dinner hosts are needed for all three days, no special training required. Overnight hosts needed for Oct. 11 and 12. Overnight hosts must have attended 1-hour training. If you enjoy meeting the families, pleases consider hosting dinner. All the adult guests have been vaccinated for Covid 19.

The two active families currently in the program have three young children between them. The parents need help with child care 2-3 hours at the Day Center during overlapping work shifts. Times are TBD, but if you can volunteer, let Catherine know, and someone will contact you to discuss the need.

Seven families whose Covid relief and stimulus benefits ended on June 27 are on the waiting list to pass the background check. Family Promise National Org. granted our local chapter $10k, and the Gianforte Foundation provided $12.7k to help with housing assistance and to avoid eviction.

With no fund-raising events during the pandemic, Family Promise is now considering a "Sweet & Savory Taste Treat" event. The volunteer opportunity will be to make and package homemade snacks to sell at the event. Consider whether you could participate by making a snack. More details to follow.

As always, thank you for making a difference in the lives of area families in need.

With love and gratitude,

Catherine

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.

Community

All are welcome to join the Masterfully Mindful support group!

This group has been meeting weekly since September 2014. It provides a way to check in with others, set intentions, and share how your week has gone. The group provides a safe place for you to share honestly and without judgement. The meeting opens with a guided meditation, and closes with spiritual mind treatment.

Join now if you are experiencing loneliness and isolation from COVID restrictions or other causes. You are so welcome.

We meet via Zoom from 12:30 - 2 p.m. on Wednesdays. To join, send an email to Rev. Jean at jeansfamily6@yahoo.com.

Meditation

The path forward may sometimes be unclear.

And it may be messy.

But the shared heart is calling,

and we have an opportunity to make lasting shifts toward love and justice in our world.

Kristi Nelson

Love and joy come to you,

And to you your family, too,

And God bless you, and send you

A Happy New Year,

And God send you a Happy New Year.

Your HCCL Board

Helena Church of Conscious Living