Citylights Community

Note: NO SERVICE IN QUAKER CENTER ON MAY 5.  See below for a different location.

Hello Lights,

First the BIG NEWS:  Teofil Kojic joined the existence on April 28 at 12:17pm.  It was 7lb 11oz of sheer joy.  Big family is doing splendid.  We are organizing Meals on Wheels for the next 3 weeks, please stay tuned.  Congratulations to moms, pops, and two brothers!  And many blessing to the little Godlover Kojic!

Last Sabbath, April 28, Bo Eberle took us through some disturbing details of couple of parables and in the process turned over decades of our taken-for-granted interpretations.  Rev. Vince took us by the through some Christian hymns helping us see with new eyes.  And Ashley went blue.

This coming Sabbath,  May 5, we will meet in the Battery Park at 11:30am. Here is the message from our host for the day Ashley Curl.

Join Citylights for morning prayer/meditation in the Labyrinth of Contemplation in Battery Park followed by singing and a picnic lunch. Bring a blanket or easy chair to sit on and food to share. We will meet inside the labyrinth fence (see directions below) — I, Ashley Curl (small blonde) will be standing outside the space and will hang a sign that says “citylights” for ease of finding! It’s a bit of a mystery location, but have fun with it!

There are many ways of approaching a labyrinth: I encourage you participate this online labyrinth: http://www.labyrinth.org.uk/ (click the online labyrinth on the left hand side) to prepare for the event. I will provide paper finger labyrinths as well as some written materials to help guide our time. I’ll give a short talk at 11:30 am on how you may want to engage the labyrinth, and after that will be available for any questions as you read, finger labyrinth, or walk.

We will finish the labyrinth portion of the morning at 12:15 with singing led by Tanja and couple of more of her friends from Finland, before we break for lunch.

In case of rain, we’ll still meet for the labyrinth — just bring an umbrella! And we will meet for picnic in one of the covered public spaces in Battery Park (will email morning of with eating location if this is the case.)

Directions to Labyrinth:

4/5 to Bowling Green Station
When exiting the station walk west along Battery Place, as you reach West Street turn left into the park. You are now walking due south with park benches on your right. Just as the benches end there is a black wrought iron fence with a open gate, this is the entrance to the labyrinth. Walk right in.

1 to South Ferry Station.
Exit the station and walk north on State Street until you arrive at Battery Place, turn left.  Walk west along Battery Place, and when you reach West Street turn left into the park. You are now walking due south with park benches on your right. Just as the benches end there is a black wrought iron fence with a open gate, this is the entrance to the labyrinth. Walk right in.

Take off your shoes, cuz this ground is holy,

ashley

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 still 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