Citylights Community

Hello Lights,

Last Sabbath, Feb 21, our body/mind/spirit teacher Carmen Rusu guided us through an experience of understanding our own journeys, “All Theology is Biography:  Show and Tell.” Thank you all for participating, slowing down the pace of your soul and then taking time to create life journey pieces.

This coming Sabbath, April 28 our preacher will be our wonderfully contrarian preacher/theologian Bo Eberle from the Union Theological Seminary. We will continue on our topici of Meeting Jesus for the First Time Again, and here is his deal for this Saturday:

“Which One of These Things Doesn’t Belong: Rereading the Most Confusing Parables of Jesus”
Looking at the parable of the talents in Matthew 25 and Luke 19 as well as the Parable of the Wedding Feast in Matthew 22 which are both a little strange in that they’ve both been appropriated like all other parables about the Kingdom. Yet, these two specifically end with either slaughtering the unfaithful (Talent parable) or sending people off to “hell” (the wedding feast). Rereading these two parables anew may shed some new light on what Jesus actually meant, which is more subtle and subversive than we have traditionally understood.

Sarah McCash will host, Rev. Vince is back, Tanja will give and we will take, and Ashley will share a poem, a delight all the way around!

Following week,  May 5, we will have a special service, in the Battery Park. NO SERVICE IN QUAKER CENTER ON MAY 5.

“The Labyrinth in Battery Park: a Sabbath of Walking and Eating.” We’ll meet in Battery Park in lower Manhattan for walking prayer/meditation, followed by a picnic lunch. Come enjoy the mystery of this little known labyrinth and the emergence of springtime. Topped with “Singing with Finland Girls!”  More details forthcoming.

Our next Leadership Team meeting will be May 3, Thursday, 6-8 pm at Cosi’s just South of Union Sq.

Yoga Class update:  Still waiting for a response from Quaker brethren regarding the use of space.

Facebook Group update:  Bo and I are lazy bums and have not done it yet.

I have registered! Wild Goose Festival in North Carolina is June 21-24 and it is time to meet with our sister communities from all over the country! And it’s time to register!  Also subscribe to the updates.  This year, we expect 3000 people, twice the size, twice the fun!  Go to: www.wildgoosefestival.org Check out the new video! Here is the mission statement which I am proud to have participated in creating over a long walk on the streets of D.C.

The Wild Goose is a Celtic metaphor for the Holy Spirit. We are followers of Jesus creating a festival of justice, spirituality, music and the arts. The festival is rooted in the Christian tradition and therefore open to all regardless of belief, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, denomination or religious affiliation. In adopting the image of the Wild Goose we recognize that in the current climate of religious, social and political cynicism, embracing the creative and open nature of our faith is perhaps our greatest asset for re-building and strengthening our relationships with each other, with our enemies, with our stories, our texts, and the earth. In that spirit, in a festive setting, and in the context of meaningful, respectful, and sustained relationships, we invite you to create with us!

Sabbath can’t come too soon,

Samir Selmanovic, Coordinator, Citylights Community