Newsletter
July 10, 2020
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For your prayer and reflection this week:
The wind is often used as a metaphor for Spirit,
for it “blows where it will.”
We cannot control the wind,
but we can tune in with its rhythms,
and cooperate with it.
Just like a sailor on the sea who uses the wind beneficially,
so we can cooperate
with where the Spirit is blowing now.
First, we must pay attention.
The wind of the Spirit is subtle,
found in the depths of stillness
in our own hearts.
As we tune in with which ways the wind is blowing,
it is then up to us
if we cooperate with it or not.
Too many of us are fighting against the rhythm of the wind,
rowing upstream (to use another metaphor).
When we surrender to the power of the wind,
then we can add its power to our own.
Of course, whatever power we have
is not ours to begin with.
All is God’s.
The real question is
whether we are fully accessing the divine power within
that flows through our veins,
enlightening us with vitality,
energizing us with will,
inspiring us ever more fully
in the direction of truth and love.
When we imagine that whatever power we possess is our own,
we remain under the grips of the ego.
The spiritual journey is the process of surrendering the ego-
I, me, mine-
into the hands of the eternal “I am,”
so that all our power can be used in the service of love
and not of selfish gain.
So long as we remain attached to the little ego,
our directionality remains contractive.
The more we tune into the power and potentiality of Spirit within us
and within all beings;
all life,
the more our directionality becomes expansive-
because all beings are ablaze
with the Presence of the Divine.
In this expansiveness,
love is not something we must become,
it is what we are.
Friends, this Sunday is our fourth "Faith and Film" event (which we've been doing twice a year). We'll be watching and discussing "The Boy Who Harnassed the Wind." We'll gather together on Zoom at 4:30pm, then watch the movie separately through Netflix, and finally come back together on the same Zoom link at 6:30pm to discuss the movie. If you don’t have Netflix online, let me (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Dawn (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) know so we can help you get a month free in order for you to watch the movie with us!
My spouse LaToya and I are expecting a child later this month. When baby is born, I will be away on parental leave for Agape. Dawn Sorensen will be taking on extra ministerial responsibilities while I am on leave. Agape is in good hands with Dawn, who has been Agape's Minister of Outreach and Intergenerational Programs for three and a half years. When I am on parental leave later this month and during August and September,please direct any pastoral needs or questions about our Agape Community directly to Dawn (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or call or text Dawn at this number, 857-636-9248). I will, literally, have my hands full :)
I may join virtual meditations, services, or events as time and new baby allows, but just as a participant, not in a pastoral leadership capacity. During my parental leave I will not be responding to emails. I am thankful that Agape is in the trusted hands of Dawn and our leadership team! There are exciting new events planned this summer, listed below and at our website.
Our Agape Vision Partner Rachel Downs, a gifted teacher, continues to share with our Agape children some stories she has recorded this summer. Thank you Rachel! Here is the third installment of Read Alouds for our Agape Kids Corner.
Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1epVPXLPvrK4NhgrNjVMPhKHpuacvQUmc/view?usp=sharing
I am Love: A Book of Compassion
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-sOyc91erVqSF6zdQnkiMS9ZCrmyAmE-/view?usp=sharing
I look forward to seeing you for "Faith and Film" this Sunday at 4:30pm!
With you today in tuning in to the Spirit, who is present and working in the here and now of our lives and communities,
Matt
Agape Virtual Events (and Resources), open to ALL:
Faith and Film: “The Boy Who Harnassed the Wind”
Sunday, July 12 at 4:30pm
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/2043377541
We will be having a short Zoom gathering time together at 4:30pm, then watch the movie separately through Netflix, and finally come back together through Zoom at 6:30pm to discuss. If you don’t have Netflix online, let Matt (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Dawn (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) know so we can help you get a month free in order for you to watch the movie with us!
Let's Meditate Together!
Every other Thursday night starting in July.
Thursday July 23rd
Thursdays August 6th & August 20th
Thursdays September 3rd & September 17th
7:15-7:45pm: Virtually via Zoom (login info below)
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/2043377541
Join us to fill your cup with various meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative practices. All are welcome. Led by Rev. Matt Carriker and Agape leaders.
Sunday, August 2- A Virtual Picnic: Food as a Spiritual Practice!
4:30pm via Zoom
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/2043377541
Sunday, August 23- Agape Regathering Virtual Service
4:30pm via Zoom
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/2043377541
Sunday, September 13- Agape Messy Church
4:30pm via Zoom
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/2043377541
Sunday, September 27- Agape Virtual Service
4:30pm via Zoom
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/2043377541
Racial Justice and Black Lives Matter Resources
Find a list of books and online resources at this link.
New Agape upcoming events posted here: http://www.agapewaltham.org/getinvolved/upcoming
www.agapewaltham.org
(This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 774-270-2185).
Agape upcoming events and directions: http://www.agapewaltham.org/getinvolved/upcoming
www.agapewaltham.org
(This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 774-270-2185).
Offering Love, Breakfast and Support to those in Need in Waltham
Life for folks sleeping outside and in the shelters has changed considerably in this pandemic. Chaplains on the Way continues to raise support to cover emergency costs for those in need in this pandemic. More information is at this link, and you can Donate here!”
Agape upcoming events and directions: http://www.agapewaltham.org/getinvolved/upcoming
www.agapewaltham.org
(This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 774-270-2185).
To make a love donation to support the unfoldment of Agape's vision in the world of living and spreading unconditional love, you can donate at the link below, or checks can be made out to "MACUCC" with "Agape" in the memo line (and mailed to 106 Stearns Hill Rd., Waltham, MA 02451).
https://macucc-reg.brtapp.com/Agape
Instructions for Joining our Virtual Zoom Gatherings:
Mobile Device (iPhone, iPad, Android phone, Android tablet)
First, visit your app store to download the Zoom app. Its logo is a blue background with a white camera image on it. Just before the start time click here to automatically open the meeting in your app: https://brandeis.zoom.us/j/5628480180
Computer (Windows or Mac, Desktop or Laptop)
Click this link: https://brandeis.zoom.us/j/5628480180 before the meeting. A few of these tutorial videos may help: Joining a Meeting, Testing your Audio, Managing Controls in the Meeting
Telephone (audio only)
Mobile phone: click 1 312 626 6799, 5628480180#
Land line: Dial 1- 312 626 6799. When prompted for the Meeting ID, enter 5628480180 followed by the pound key (#).
Agape upcoming events and directions are at this link: http://www.agapewaltham.org/getinvolved/upcoming
www.agapewaltham.org
(This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 774-270-2185).
If you would like to make a love donation to support the unfoldment of Agape's vision in the world of living and spreading unconditional love, you can do so at the link below, or checks can be made out to "MACUCC" with "Agape" in the memo line (and mailed to 106 Stearns Hill Rd., Waltham, MA 02451).
https://macucc-reg.brtapp.com/Agape