Citylights Community

Hello Lights,

Last Saturday, Jan 21, we began talking about friendship but the deft mind of Rev. Vince Anderson and courageous heart of Sarah Edwards took us off the maps into some refreshingly deep theology of the nature of God.  We closed our glorious heresy session close to the floor, to where God and dirt are, a fitting place for any talk about lofty topics.  Thank you Vince and Sarah!  You blessed us!

This coming Saturday, Jan 28, we are starting our new series “Meeting Jesus for the First Time Again.” We all know about Jesus, some of us too much.  For the next several months we will try to unlearn the meaning of some of the texts, hear from diverse set of voices, and engage our hearts, minds, and bodies in the exploration. Our guest speakers will be Peter Rollins, Bo Eberle, Bowie Snodgrass, Stephen Phelps, Amichai Lau-Lavie and several others (up-to-date-info will be available on the calendar tab of this website).  BRING YOUR FRIENDS!  We will start this Saturday with “Meeting Jesus for the First Time Again (Part 1): Learning to Love Well.” I will share my story of waking up to Jesus 10 years after I was baptized.  Karen, Tanja, and Sarah E. will provide music and worship components for the service!

Our retreat/getaway has been moved to February 24-26 and we are booked and getting overbooked!  If you are stil interested, please contact Rosemary ASAP at rosechun(at)yahoo.com). IMPORTANT:  We regret, but we will NOT be able to organize the worship service in NYC on Feb 25.  Those of you who have to stay in, this might be your day to take a break from religion and spend a day with God, after sleeping in!

We are organizing a Yoga class as a part of our morning. Right now we are negotiating the space and time issues without our great hosts, Quaker Center.  The plan is to start in February. More info to follow.  Here is a message from our instructor Carmen Rusu:

During a Citylights retreat last year, Samir invited me to teach a Yoga class. This was an eye-opening experience for me. I realized how much joy Yoga can bring, both to my students and to me, as the instructor. That was when I decided to delve deeper into the study of Yoga. Now, one year later, here I am, just having completed 200 hour level Yoga training and fully certified as a teacher. What initially started out as a pure physical exercise has turned into a journey of self discovery and celebration of life. I want to thank the Citylights community for all the amazing support you’ve given me along the way. As an offering to my community, I would now like to use my newly acquired skills to teach a Yoga class every Saturday before the Citylights service (for example from 9:30 to 10:30). It will be geared to beginners but I will offer modifications for every level, so that all the participants can benefit from it. I will emphasize not only the mastery of asanas (the physical poses), but also pranayama (breath control) and meditation. In addition, together we will look for the ways to integrate what we learn with our Christian story, practices, and theology. At this point, please let me know (carpathian_air(at)yahoo.com) if you are interested, so that Samir and I can explore the issues of space, timing, storage, possible small costs and other logistics. I would be very honored to share a part of this wonderful journey with you! Namaste!

Sabbath can’t come too soon,

Samir Selmanovic, Coordinator, Citylights Community

Hello Lights,

Last Saturday, Jan 14, our guest speaker Doug Pagitt took us on a journey of church history and it was illuminating. Fortunately, Doug is an author of many irreverent godly books and a radio host of “Radio that is now quite right” and you can learn more at www.dougpagitt.com.  I was thinking it would be good for us to read his Community In an Inventive Age together and discuss, so if any one of you feels good Lord’s call to organize and facilitate the discussion, please let me know.

Our retreat/getaway has been moved to February 24-26 and we are booked and getting overbooked!  If you are stil interested, please contact Rosemary ASAP at rosechun(at)yahoo.com). IMPORTANT:  We regret, but we will NOT be able to organize the worship service in NYC on Feb 25.  Those of you who have to stay in, this might be your day to take a break from religion and spend a day with God, after sleeping in!

This coming Saturday, Jan 21, Rev. Vince Anderson will help us think through what little else in life can compare, “I Have Called You Friends.” This will be Take 2, since last time we attempted this topic (On Jan 7) we had exorcism experience instead .  Here is a blurb from the Rev:

January is a tough month. The feast of Christmas is over. Family relationships have leveled out from the drama of the holiday season and we find ourselves almost shocked by the amount of time we have on our hands. We no longer have the endless stream of parties, gift wrapping, food prep. The social obligations have slowed, and we are left by ourselves with a few trinkets that are not as shinny and beautiful as they were on Christmas morning. It is in this moment that we yearn for our friends. We talk about friendship, but what is it really? C.S. Lewis said that , “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.” Jesus said, “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” We will look at these quotes and others in an attempt to understand why friendship is an important part of our spiritual life. Come prepared with you own stories of friendship to share.

We are organizing a Yoga class as a part of our morning. Right now we are negotiating the space and time issues without our great hosts, Quaker Center.  The plan is to start in February. More info to follow.  Here is a message from our instructor Carmen Rusu:

During a Citylights retreat last year, Samir invited me to teach a Yoga class. This was an eye-opening experience for me. I realized how much joy Yoga can bring, both to my students and to me, as the instructor. That was when I decided to delve deeper into the study of Yoga. Now, one year later, here I am, just having completed 200 hour level Yoga training and fully certified as a teacher. What initially started out as a pure physical exercise has turned into a journey of self discovery and celebration of life. I want to thank the Citylights community for all the amazing support you’ve given me along the way. As an offering to my community, I would now like to use my newly acquired skills to teach a Yoga class every Saturday before the Citylights service (for example from 9:30 to 10:30). It will be geared to beginners but I will offer modifications for every level, so that all the participants can benefit from it. I will emphasize not only the mastery of asanas (the physical poses), but also pranayama (breath control) and meditation. In addition, together we will look for the ways to integrate what we learn with our Christian story, practices, and theology. At this point, please let me know (carpathian_air(at)yahoo.com) if you are interested, so that Samir and I can explore the issues of space, timing, storage, possible small costs and other logistics. I would be very honored to share a part of this wonderful journey with you! Namaste!

Sabbath can’t come too soon,

Samir Selmanovic, Coordinator, Citylights Community

Hello Lights,

Most urgently, IT IS TIME TO DECIDE! The date for our retreat/getaway has been moved to February 24-26 and Rosemary is in the final phase of making a deal for the lodging.  So, please listen up and respond promptly, thank you!  If you are thinking to miss this, you are not thinking.

Hello Citylighters,

Last Saturday, Jan 7, the plan was for Rev. Vince Anderson to help us think through the meaning of friendship in the Bible times and today, “I Have Called You Friends.”  What happened instead was a an enactment of what friends are for. As I was introducing the service, I broke out in hives (allergic reaction to some expired German vegan spread I ate 10 min prior).  I don’t know what was wrong with it (either “expired,” or “German vegan” – it could go either way), and long story short, I fainted, then projectile vomited, then was taken by the paramedics to ER to Beth Israel.  All is fine now.  Thank you friends for all of your forbearance!

I am all giddy with expectation! This coming Saturday, Jan 14, our guest speaker will be Doug Pagitt! Doug is the one that back in the days came up with the phrase “emerging church” and “emergent” and has been a pastor of us pastors who went of the reservation, or to put it more politely, off the maps.  Author of many irreverent godly books, one of the three most interesting speakers I have ever heard in my life (he was better then, now he is too polished), a radio host, and a big walking heart.  We call him Duke!  Here is more: http://dougpagitt.com/ He will talk about “Spirituality In an Inventive Age,” then we will discuss, plus plenty of great music, liturgy, and no vomiting this time.

Breakfast at 10:45, service at 11:15. Please don’t come late, don’t come on time, come early.

We are organizing a Yoga class as a part of our morning. Right now we are negotiating the space and time issues without our great hosts, Quaker Center.  The plan is to start in February. More info to follow.  Here is a message from our instructor Carmen Rusu:

During a Citylights retreat last year, Samir invited me to teach a Yoga class. This was an eye-opening experience for me. I realized how much joy Yoga can bring, both to my students and to me, as the instructor. That was when I decided to delve deeper into the study of Yoga. Now, one year later, here I am, just having completed 200 hour level Yoga training and fully certified as a teacher. What initially started out as a pure physical exercise has turned into a journey of self discovery and celebration of life. I want to thank the Citylights community for all the amazing support you’ve given me along the way. As an offering to my community, I would now like to use my newly acquired skills to teach a Yoga class every Saturday before the Citylights service (for example from 9:30 to 10:30). It will be geared to beginners but I will offer modifications for every level, so that all the participants can benefit from it. I will emphasize not only the mastery of asanas (the physical poses), but also pranayama (breath control) and meditation. In addition, together we will look for the ways to integrate what we learn with our Christian story, practices, and theology. At this point, please let me know (carpathian_air(at)yahoo.com) if you are interested, so that Samir and I can explore the issues of space, timing, storage, possible small costs and other logistics. I would be very honored to share a part of this wonderful journey with you! Namaste!

Sabbath can’t come too soon,

Samir Selmanovic, Coordinator, Citylights Community

Our Retreat/Getaway scheduled on Jan 21 is postponed to a date in February or March. We are exploring several options and need to book by the end of this week. Stay tuned!

Hello Lights,

After two weeks of meeting in the Selmanovic apartment we are back to our regular meeting place. Those of you who may be joining us for the first time, please click on the map on this website.

Last Saturday, Dec 31, Elisa and Carmen led us in thinking about cleansing and hoping. It was one crowded place, as we shared potluck and stories.

This coming Saturday, Jan 7, Rev. Vince Anderson will help us think through what little else in life can compare, “I Have Called You Friends.” Here is a blurb from the Rev:

Our guest speaker next week, Jan 14, will be Great Duke Doug Pagitt!

We are organizing a Yoga class as a part of our morning. Right now we are negotiating the space and time issues without our great hosts, Quaker Center.  The plan is to start in February. More info to follow.  Here is a message from our instructor Carmen Rusu:

During a Citylights retreat last year, Samir invited me to teach a Yoga class. This was an eye-opening experience for me. I realized how much joy Yoga can bring, both to my students and to me, as the instructor. That was when I decided to delve deeper into the study of Yoga. Now, one year later, here I am, just having completed 200 hour level Yoga training and fully certified as a teacher. What initially started out as a pure physical exercise has turned into a journey of self discovery and celebration of life. I want to thank the Citylights community for all the amazing support you’ve given me along the way. As an offering to my community, I would now like to use my newly acquired skills to teach a Yoga class every Saturday before the Citylights service (for example from 9:30 to 10:30). It will be geared to beginners but I will offer modifications for every level, so that all the participants can benefit from it. I will emphasize not only the mastery of asanas (the physical poses), but also pranayama (breath control) and meditation. In addition, together we will look for the ways to integrate what we learn with our Christian story, practices, and theology. At this point, please let me know (carpathian_air(at)yahoo.com) if you are interested, so that Samir and I can explore the issues of space, timing, storage, possible small costs and other logistics. I would be very honored to share a part of this wonderful journey with you! Namaste!

Sabbath can’t come too soon,

Samir Selmanovic, Coordinator, Citylights Community

On Dec 31, our regular meeting place in Quaker Center will not be available. We will meet at Selmanovic apartment at 11am (the service will start at 11:30, no breakfast, service followed with potluck.  Please let Samir know what you are going to bring: samirselmanovicnyc(at)gmail.com. Thanks.

Hello Lights,

Last Saturday, Dec 24, we reflected on magic in our lives, “Waiting for a Miracle (Part 4):  Magic of Christianity.” Our special guest was Nadia Banna, taking us through Debussy’s magical love story with her flute.

This coming Saturday, Dec 31, we will gather again at Selmanovic apartment.  Welcome back to several of you who have been traveling and missing Christmas in New York City. Happy New Year to all of you still traveling.  We will be reflecting on “Leaving 2011 Behind.” Elisa and Carmen will lead our discussion.  Our Rev. Vince is back!  No breakfast. Come at 11am. Service starts at 11:30. Bring something for the potluck afterwards.

We are planning a Citylights Getaway (not a retreat!) for the weekend of Jan 21. Put it in your calendar.

We are organizing a Yoga class as a part of our morning. Right now we are negotiating the space and time issues without our great hosts, Quaker Center.  The plan is to start in January. More info to follow.  Here is a message from our instructor Carmen Rusu:

During a Citylights retreat last year, Samir invited me to teach a Yoga class. This was an eye-opening experience for me. I realized how much joy Yoga can bring, both to my students and to me, as the instructor. That was when I decided to delve deeper into the study of Yoga. Now, one year later, here I am, just having completed 200 hour level Yoga training and fully certified as a teacher. What initially started out as a pure physical exercise has turned into a journey of self discovery and celebration of life. I want to thank the Citylights community for all the amazing support you’ve given me along the way. As an offering to my community, I would now like to use my newly acquired skills to teach a Yoga class every Saturday before the Citylights service (for example from 9:30 to 10:30). It will be geared to beginners but I will offer modifications for every level, so that all the participants can benefit from it. I will emphasize not only the mastery of asanas (the physical poses), but also pranayama (breath control) and meditation. In addition, together we will look for the ways to integrate what we learn with our Christian story, practices, and theology. At this point, please let me know (carpathian_air(at)yahoo.com) if you are interested, so that Samir and I can explore the issues of space, timing, storage, possible small costs and other logistics. I would be very honored to share a part of this wonderful journey with you! Namaste!

Sabbath can’t come too soon,

Samir Selmanovic, Coordinator, Citylights Community

Urgent and important: Dec 24 change of venue! We have just received information that on Dec 24 (as well as on Dec 31), our regular meeting place in Quaker Center will not be available. We will meet at Selmanovic apartment both of those Saturdays at 11am (the service will start at 11:30, no breakfast, service followed with potluck.  Please let Samir know what you are going to bring: samirselmanovicnyc(at)gmail.com.

Hello Lights,

Advent is the time to unclutter your life! This Sabbath, sort through your paper and digital files to delete, shred, recycle. Here is the plan we have been following:

Note: Don’t let the daunting amount of work discourage you.  Even 15 min of cleansing every week will do good to your soul!

Last Saturday, Dec 17, Ashley Curl knocked our socks of with 17 min. of silence!  And wonderful reflection about our inner and communal lives.  Danja and Sarah treated us with a song that will ring in our ears for a long long time “Aren’t you going to come along? Aren’t you going to fight? Aren’t you going to hold your hands up to the light?”  We followed up the service with a great showing (Citylights Choir!) for caroling with Russell at Cabrini Center, follow up with ice cream at Big Gay Ice Cream shop!

Our Advent Series will continue this coming Saturday, Dec 24, with “Waiting for a Miracle (Part 4):  Magic of Christianity.” I will be talking about Christianity as magic, more particularly, magic of Christmas.  Are our beliefs crazy? Is magic a necessary ingredient of a good life?   Does everyone have to smoke something?  If so, what was Jesus smoking?

We are planning a Citylights Getaway (not a retreat!) for the weekend of Jan 21. Put it in your calendar.

We are organizing a Yoga class as a part of our morning. Right now we are negotiating the space and time issues without our great hosts, Quaker Center.  The plan is to start in January. More info to follow.  Here is a message from our instructor Carmen Rusu:

During a Citylights retreat last year, Samir invited me to teach a Yoga class. This was an eye-opening experience for me. I realized how much joy Yoga can bring, both to my students and to me, as the instructor. That was when I decided to delve deeper into the study of Yoga. Now, one year later, here I am, just having completed 200 hour level Yoga training and fully certified as a teacher. What initially started out as a pure physical exercise has turned into a journey of self discovery and celebration of life. I want to thank the Citylights community for all the amazing support you’ve given me along the way. As an offering to my community, I would now like to use my newly acquired skills to teach a Yoga class every Saturday before the Citylights service (for example from 9:30 to 10:30). It will be geared to beginners but I will offer modifications for every level, so that all the participants can benefit from it. I will emphasize not only the mastery of asanas (the physical poses), but also pranayama (breath control) and meditation. In addition, together we will look for the ways to integrate what we learn with our Christian story, practices, and theology. At this point, please let me know (carpathian_air(at)yahoo.com) if you are interested, so that Samir and I can explore the issues of space, timing, storage, possible small costs and other logistics. I would be very honored to share a part of this wonderful journey with you! Namaste!

Sabbath can’t come too soon,

Samir Selmanovic, Coordinator, Citylights Community

NOTE:  Dec 31 service will NOT be at Quaker Center.  We will meet at Selmanovic apartment. Plan on a Potluck to say thank you and good riddance to the Old Year!

Hello Lights,

Advent is the time to unclutter your life! This Sabbath, bring stuff from you closets and kitchen/pantry you don’t really need. Perhaps Friday night would be a great time to celebrate Advent and ritually pile up what’s unnecessary, put it in bags and place next to you door to take with you to Citylights. Here is the plan:

Note: Don’t let the daunting amount of work discourage you.  Even 15 min of cleansing every week will do good to your soul!

Our Advent Series will continue this coming Saturday, Dec 17. Ashley Curl and Co. (Ben and Anne Marie Thow from Down Under and Allison Burtch from Brooklyn!) will lead us in “Waiting for a Miracle (Part 3):  Imagination Recovery.” Come for attunement of our waiting for the multiple miracles to occur in our lives, in our world and in our communities. Our longing, nervousness, hesitation, awkwardness, sadness, heartwrenching, pain, and aches can recover our imagination.  Sounds great huh?

Join us for Triple C–Citylights Christmas Caroling! This is a great tradition started eight years ago by two of our founding members (Eunice Delgado and Dunja Pechstein).  Tradition must go on! Where: Cabrini Center for Nursing, 542 E.5th Street (near Avenue B). When: Saturday, 12/17/11, meet at Cabrini at 3:30 pm (will finish by 5:30 pm). If you can join us at Citylights that morning, we’ll walk over and have lunch in the area before caroling.

We are planning a Citylights Getaway (not a retreat!) for the weekend of Jan 21. Put it in your calendar.

We are organizing a Yoga class as a part of our morning. Right now we are negotiating the space and time issues without our great hosts, Quaker Center.  The plan is to start in January. More info to follow.  Here is a message from our instructor Carmen Rusu:

During a Citylights retreat last year, Samir invited me to teach a Yoga class. This was an eye-opening experience for me. I realized how much joy Yoga can bring, both to my students and to me, as the instructor. That was when I decided to delve deeper into the study of Yoga. Now, one year later, here I am, just having completed 200 hour level Yoga training and fully certified as a teacher. What initially started out as a pure physical exercise has turned into a journey of self discovery and celebration of life. I want to thank the Citylights community for all the amazing support you’ve given me along the way. As an offering to my community, I would now like to use my newly acquired skills to teach a Yoga class every Saturday before the Citylights service (for example from 9:30 to 10:30). It will be geared to beginners but I will offer modifications for every level, so that all the participants can benefit from it. I will emphasize not only the mastery of asanas (the physical poses), but also pranayama (breath control) and meditation. In addition, together we will look for the ways to integrate what we learn with our Christian story, practices, and theology. At this point, please let me know (carpathian_air(at)yahoo.com) if you are interested, so that Samir and I can explore the issues of space, timing, storage, possible small costs and other logistics. I would be very honored to share a part of this wonderful journey with you! Namaste!

Sabbath can’t come too soon,

Samir Selmanovic, Coordinator, Citylights Community

Hello Lights,

Vince is recovering slowly but steadily.  He still cannot tackle stairs to use subway, but by the mid to late January he will be as good as new. Many thanks to all of you who have visited our Rev. this week and brought food or hugs, stayed for a bit to listen to his amazing records, and for other ways you delivered God’s love.

Now is the time to unclutter your life! This Sabbath, bring books and media you don’t really need. Perhaps Friday night would be a great time to celebrate Advent and ritually pile up what’s unnecessary, put it in bags and place next to you door to take with you to Citylights. Here is the plan:

Note: Don’t let the daunting amount of work discourage you.  Even 15 min of cleansing every week will do good to your soul!

Our Advent Series will continue this coming Saturday, Dec 10.

I will talk about the end times in “Waiting for a Miracle (Part 2):  The Beginning Is Near.” What are the “end times”?  How do we get ready?  What has waiting for God to do with the present? And most importantly, why should we all get out there, step on a soapbox and tell everyone about it!  Come and get hyped about the eternal now.

Don’t forget Parang Christmas Beverage ‘n’ Cookie Contest Birthday, Dec 11, 4:30pmat the home of Sarah and Kevin Edwards!  Please RSVP with Sarah.

Join us for Triple C–Citylights Christmas Caroling!

This is a great tradition started eight years ago by two of our founding members (Eunice Delgado and Dunja Pechstein).  Tradition must go on!
Where: Cabrini Center for Nursing, 542 E.5th Street (near Avenue B).
When: Saturday, 12/17/11, meet at Cabrini at 3:30 pm (will finish by 5:30 pm).
If you can join us at Citylights that morning, we’ll walk over and have lunch in the area before caroling.

We are planning a Citylights Getaway (not a retreat!) for the weekend of Jan 21. Put it in your calendar.

We are organizing a Yoga class as a part of our morning. Right now we are negotiating the space and time issues without our great hosts, Quaker Center.  The plan is to start in January. More info to follow.  Here is a message from our instructor Carmen Rusu:

During a Citylights retreat last year, Samir invited me to teach a Yoga class. This was an eye-opening experience for me. I realized how much joy Yoga can bring, both to my students and to me, as the instructor. That was when I decided to delve deeper into the study of Yoga. Now, one year later, here I am, just having completed 200 hour level Yoga training and fully certified as a teacher. What initially started out as a pure physical exercise has turned into a journey of self discovery and celebration of life.

I want to thank the Citylights community for all the amazing support you’ve given me along the way. As an offering to my community, I would now like to use my newly acquired skills to teach a Yoga class every Saturday before the Citylights service (for example from 9:30 to 10:30). It will be geared to beginners but I will offer modifications for every level, so that all the participants can benefit from it. I will emphasize not only the mastery of asanas (the physical poses), but also pranayama (breath control) and meditation.

In addition, together we will look for the ways to integrate what we learn with our Christian story, practices, and theology. At this point, please let me know (carpathian_air(at)yahoo.com) if you are interested, so that Samir and I can explore the issues of space, timing, storage, possible small costs and other logistics. I would be very honored to share a part of this wonderful journey with you! Namaste!

Sabbath can’t come too soon,

Samir Selmanovic, Coordinator, Citylights Community

Hello Lights,

Our beloved Reverend Vince has broken a bone in his ankle, pinched his nerve, bed-ridden, home alone for most of the day, and he is–get this–waiting for a boot in the freakin’ mail!!!  It is pretty bad situation, and time to spring into action lights!   If you are eager to organize us for next 10 days, that would be awesome.  Let me know.  Each volunteer can cook a meal (amount: for three people) and we can figure out how to deliver, perhaps every other day. Visits would be great during the day or early evening.  Also flowers, music, hugs, kisses, movies, cards, balloons, are welcome!

Many thanks to Marciana Popescu, Russell Chin, Rosemary Poblacion, and Vesna Selmanovic for signing up to bring breakfasts in December.  And much gratitude to Allison Burtch, Karen Ong, Sarah Edwards, and Vesna Selmanovic for taking time and effort to prepare something for Give and Take in December.

We have completed our series on “Sex, Gender, and Power.” As an afterglow of our learning experience, here is a message I have received from Madelyn who led us to begin understanding transgender experience:

Dear Samir and Citylights,

I had an amazing time seeing you all and spending the day with you on Saturday. I felt deeper connection with your group than any time previously. Thank you for creating a space where it was okay for me to be me. I wasn’t the only trans person who felt comfortable in that space either, and I am sure we won’t be the last. Thank you for creating the beautiful space you have, and for extending an invitation to me.

Love, Madelyn

Our Advent Series begins this coming Saturday, Dec 3. with Allison Burtch, “Waiting for a Miracle (Part 1): Our Narrative and God’s Counter-Narrative.”

IMPORTANT! This Advent Season we would all like to embody the season with our actions. Here is an idea from Russell Chin, “I was thinking about some of our Advent discussions last year and had the idea of a four week home ‘cure’ in preparation for Christmas. I like the idea of clearing stuff away to make room for Christ–mass and I think this would be more fun to do with others!” Let’s all participate.  Here is the plan:

Note: Don’t let the daunting amount of work discourage you.  Even 15 min of cleansing every week will do good to your soul!

We are planning a Citylights Getaway (not a retreat!) for the weekend of Jan 21. Put it in your calendar.

We are organizing a Yoga class as a part of our morning. Right now we are negotiating the space and time issues without our great hosts, Quaker Center.  The plan is to start in January. More info to follow.  Here is a message from our instructor Carmen Rusu:

During a Citylights retreat last year, Samir invited me to teach a Yoga class. This was an eye-opening experience for me. I realized how much joy Yoga can bring, both to my students and to me, as the instructor. That was when I decided to delve deeper into the study of Yoga. Now, one year later, here I am, just having completed 200 hour level Yoga training and fully certified as a teacher. What initially started out as a pure physical exercise has turned into a journey of self discovery and celebration of life.

I want to thank the Citylights community for all the amazing support you’ve given me along the way. As an offering to my community, I would now like to use my newly acquired skills to teach a Yoga class every Saturday before the Citylights service (for example from 9:30 to 10:30). It will be geared to beginners but I will offer modifications for every level, so that all the participants can benefit from it. I will emphasize not only the mastery of asanas (the physical poses), but also pranayama (breath control) and meditation.

In addition, together we will look for the ways to integrate what we learn with our Christian story, practices, and theology. At this point, please let me know (carpathian_air(at)yahoo.com) if you are interested, so that Samir and I can explore the issues of space, timing, storage, possible small costs and other logistics. I would be very honored to share a part of this wonderful journey with you! Namaste!

Sabbath can’t come too soon,

Samir Selmanovic, Coordinator, Citylights Community

Hello Lights,

Thank you.

Thank you for all you have been doing to help our community live and love well.

Safe travels and blessings to those traveling. Those of you who are staying in the city and have RSVPd for the Thanksgiving dinner, see you on Thursday, 4pm, at McCashes residence at 220 W. 148th Unit 4L New York, NY 10039.  We will miss those of you who are traveling.

This Saturday, November 26, will be all about “Gladness” with one of our favorite priestesses Sarah Edwards. We start as usual, with breakfast at 10:45. Buggels are coming too!

We have completed our series on “Sex, Gender, and Power.” Our Advent Series will begin Dec 3.

We are planning a Citylights Getaway (not a retreat!) for the weekend of Jan 21. Put it in your calendar.

We are organizing a Yoga class as a part of our morning. Right now we are negotiating the space and time issues without our great hosts, Quaker Center.  The plan is to start in January.  Here is a message from our instructor Carmen Rusu:

During a Citylights retreat last year, Samir invited me to teach a Yoga class. This was an eye-opening experience for me. I realized how much joy Yoga can bring, both to my students and to me, as the instructor. That was when I decided to delve deeper into the study of Yoga. Now, one year later, here I am, just having completed 200 hour level Yoga training and fully certified as a teacher. What initially started out as a pure physical exercise has turned into a journey of self discovery and celebration of life.

I want to thank the Citylights community for all the amazing support you’ve given me along the way. As an offering to my community, I would now like to use my newly acquired skills to teach a Yoga class every Saturday before the Citylights service (for example from 9:30 to 10:30). It will be geared to beginners but I will offer modifications for every level, so that all the participants can benefit from it. I will emphasize not only the mastery of asanas (the physical poses), but also pranayama (breath control) and meditation.

In addition, together we will look for the ways to integrate what we learn with our Christian story, practices, and theology. At this point, please let me know (carpathian_air(at)yahoo.com) if you are interested, so that Samir and I can explore the issues of space, timing, storage, possible small costs and other logistics. I would be very honored to share a part of this wonderful journey with you! Namaste!

Sabbath can’t come too soon,

Samir Selmanovic, Coordinator, Citylights Community