What’s Happening in the Sanctuary Sunday, February 18, 2024

All Times are Eastern Standard Time – See links below to join us in the Sanctuary

9:30 am – Contemplating Poetry Using Lectio Divina with Rev. Susan Telford
Rev. Susan Telford will be guiding us in learning the contemplative practice of Lectio Divina using poetry.

In each session, Susan will read a poem, drawing from a wide range of poets, including Rumi, Hafiz, David Whyte, Mary Oliver, John O’Donohue, and many others (including her own work), then guide participants through the four steps of Lectio Divina.

Susan shares that this direct practice is a beautiful way to connect with Inner Wisdom and obtain clarity.

10:15 am – Weekly Gathering – Rev. Anne Blanchard
Topic: “ From Claiming to Clarity: Recognizing the Rejection Program.”

Description: Rev. Anne will look at the ego’s fundamental movement as a big fat “no!” to what is.  A primary source of suffering for humans is identifying with the “no”, as the “no”, with thoughts which say things like, “I hate when this happens”, “I can’t stand that/them”, “oh no, not that!”.  We can only free ourselves from this often unconscious, highly conditioned reactive “no!” – the rejection program –  if we actually see it.  For the one who wills to live from unity consciousness, gaining familiarity with this programmed reactive mechanism is imperative.  Join Anne Blanchard as she shares her journey from conditioned claiming of the “no!” to the clarity that this is indeed a program, and thus can be let go.

Reading:  Sami Ross will read excerpts from Nisargadatta Maharaj, ‘I Am That’, Chapter 3, “The Living Present”.

11:30 am –Weekly Fellowship Time – Rev. Tawonda Chase
This is the time when Awakening Together fellowships as a community. We share what is on our hearts and minds from the recent homily or anything else that is truly inspiring us.

12:00 pm – Giving Up Kate! – Rev. Kate Brennan
Rev. Kate reads and shares her journal, contemplation, and experience of applying the teachings of Gentle Healing.

12:30 pm – God Through Audz – Audrey Whitehead
Join Audsie for her program ‘God through Audz’ as she reads and contemplates from Guiding Ollie Through “A Course in Miracles” Book One. It is directed and compiled by Rev. Devan Jesse Byrne. Experience the teachings of the first 60 Workbook Lessons of A Course in Miracles in a crisp, new, and child-like way.

1:00 pm – Sacred Inquiry – Rev. Shawna Summers
Rev. Shawna demonstrates the art of Sacred Inquiry in real-time. Join her as she follows the guidance, questioning each layer that the thinking mind throws at her in an attempt to hide the wisdom that is Inherent in us all. She is learning to go deeper into beginners’ mind with humble and honest curiosity. This is an evolving process, as she learns to feel for the vibrational level of each thought, exposing the source. She invites all listening to join her in their own Inquiry to experience the strength of this powerful spiritual practice. The original inspiration for this half-hour came from Adyashanti’s book ‘Sacred Inquiry’.

1:30 pm – Freedom Practice Sangha – Facilitated by Rev. Kate Brennan

Following the recent Awakening Together online retreats it has become clear that many feel called to dive into intensive follow-up work. While the practice of unearthing and looking directly at our individual beliefs is primarily solitary in nature, we all recognize that the sharing of that work with others who are undergoing the same process can be enormously beneficial and supportive. This is a time of sharing our inquiries, insights and challenges, listening to others, or just knowing that we are in community, as we find that undefended place within ourselves that longs to be free.

2:30 pm – Live Satsang with Keith Kavanaugh
Please join Keith Kavanagh who will be our guest for today’s Satsang. Keith will be interviewed by Julie Butler and Anja Janssen, LIVE at 2:30 – 4:00 pm ET/12:30 –  2:00 pm MT. For those that can’t make the live Satsang, a recording will be played tonight at 7:30 – 9:00 pm ET/ 5:30 – 7:00 pm MT.

Here’s more information about Keith Kavanagh:
Keith first heard of A Course In Miracles 30 years ago in a talk by Wayne Dyer where the Course was quoted and he has been reading it ever since. Life took a turn just over a decade ago when a crippling Generalized Anxiety Disorder took hold of his life for 8 years, effectively reducing it to a half-life. It culminated in a rock bottom point of readiness to devote himself to the Course in earnest.

Through his devoted practice, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder disappeared and he started having awakening and Oneness experiences. Keith was asked to share his experience in two podcast talks and from that, there was a large number of requests for more teachings.

This was to birth the “A Course In Miracles with Keith” Facebook group, Zoom Meetings, YouTube Channel  “A Course In Miracles with Keith”, Podcast, and, eventually, private mentoring.

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Awakening Together Radio Off-Air During Break