Ministerial Miscellany Dec. 2023  

Love your life, every little bit.

Ever since the onset of the pandemic, when my few in-person contacts with people included the necessity of going to the grocery store.  I have been considering the opportunity to go grocery shopping as a “therapeutic” event, one that I will consciously use to give myself a sense of joy and wonder. You know what? That’s what usually happens!  I continue to make each mundane task a special event for awareness. 

Last week at the grocery store, I walked in with 6 bottles to recycle. I noticed a line of trash bins, one of which had a large white bag with red Coke cans in it. I thought, “Surely this store takes Coke cans”.  I started having trouble feeding the cans into the machine, evidently I was not the only one, considering I had just found them all in the trash. Another woman was also having trouble and I was able to help her. Eventually all the cans went in, mine and hers.  I made a surprise $5 on that trip. It just takes an uplifting attitude, a desire to have fun wherever we are, whomever we are with, and to remember that Life is truly a gift in so many ways!

Showing up for events at Interfaith offers everyone a gift. Check out these many wonderful opportunities in December. More information at: https://interfaithspirit.org.

• Saturday, Dec. 9th, 7 PM Cafe 704 with Peter Madcat Ruth, Emmy winning harmonica player, John Churchville, Tabla percussionist & special guest Ki5, vocalist, writer and producer. Tickets (In Person & on Zoom): $10.  
• ALSO: Artisan 704 presents a special Holiday Gift Sale of crafts, jewelry, chocolate truffles and more. The sale will begin at 6 PM prior to the Cafe 704 and continue on Sunday Dec. 10th following the Sunday Celebration Service at 12:15 PM.
• Wednesday, Dec. 13th, 7 PM, Community Sing with Matt Watroba.  We circle up and sing  all our favorite old songs together! Donations most welcome!
• Saturday, Dec. 16th, 7 PM, Drummunity! Drum circle with Lori Fithian. Donations welcome!
• Thursday, Dec. 21st, 7 PM, Solstice Sing Along led by Jean Chorazyczewski, Lori Fithian, Eric & Mary Fithian, Linda Teaman, Tom Voiles & Friends. FREE 
• Sunday, Dec. 24th, 5:30 PM Finger Foods Potluck followed by 7 PM Christmas Eve Candle Lighting service led by Rev. David Bell. 
• Sunday, Dec. 31, 7 AM World Peace Meditation led by Janet Somalinog & Craig Harvey, followed by Breakfast at Mark’s Midtown Coney Island, then back to the Center for our Annual Burning Bowl Ceremony led by Rev. Lyriel Claire.

                     Many Blessings and Merry Christmas,      Annie

Ministerial Miscellany Oct. 2023

       Last month, on September 10th, I was very gratified to be host to Marianne Williamson at our Interfaith center. It was an opportunity to welcome many people who otherwise may never have known about our community. To those of you who were not there, we had 178 attending in person and 54 on Zoom, our largest ever crowd for a Sunday morning service. It was indeed a wonder how we pulled it off, and I want to thank everyone who worked so hard to do the cleanup and painting, bring delicious treats, and help in every way possible. I am especially grateful to Delyth Balmer who coordinated us all for 2 weeks.

       I was fairly nervous that day in the role of Service Leader, but I do believe in taking on challenges, because by pushing ourselves a little extra we gain strength and resilience. When it was all over, I felt that I had gained a boost in my self-confidence. I am also very grateful to Marianne Williamson, who, as an extraordinary Spiritual teacher, is calling us forth to put our spiritual beliefs into action and serve humanity in whatever way we may be inspired to do. 

      Have a great month, and join us at Interfaith for our classes, discussion groups, and these special events:  (see our website at https//:interfaithspirit.org for more details)

• Saturday, Oct. 7th, 12-6 PM for a “Spectacular 25th Anniversary Picnic-Potluck “ at Montibeller Park Pavilion, on Ellsworth near Carpenter, Ypsilanti, MI 48197.  (the Pavilion has heat if we need it) Sign up at the center for food and volunteer tasks. 
• Saturday, Oct. 14th, 7-9 PM Cafe 704 – Paul Vornhagen and Aron Kaufman, in person and on Zoom. tickets $10.00
• Sunday, Oct. 15th, 1-3 PM Quarterly Conversation in Community (QCC) Lunch at 12:30, by donation. At this meeting, we share our ideas, concerns, and desires for the future of our community.
• Saturday, Oct. 28th, 7-9 PM Full Moon Kirtan with Chaitanya Trevor Eller by donation.

Blessings,   Annie

When I was in Chicago 2 weeks ago for the Parliament of World Religions, one thing that surprised me was the huge number of spiritual groups and communities, including many seminaries, that almost seemed like separate Religions on their own, and yet were obviously part of larger groups as well. Some examples of these which I would like to find out more about are ProSocial Spirituality (with Wayne Teasdale’s work), Greenfaith, a movement for climate justice, and Passageways to Elderhood Alliance.  To me there was an acknowledgement that we are all part of one human family expressing our spirituality in different ways, getting together to share ideas that may not ever be shared as directly-face to face- at any other time. People were very welcoming to one another, openly sharing what beliefs and expressions were working for their spiritual and physical lives. It was especially interesting to meet people from all over the world.

I was glad that the sharing was in the spirit of Interfaith, and that this word was used widely, along with Interspiritual. The program book states that the “Parliament seeks to promote interreligious harmony, rather than unity”.  This approach respects each tradition as it is. I felt this was very much in line with our belief here at the Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth.

The first Parliament in 1893 in Chicago is considered to be the founding event of the movement toward Interfaith, gathering people of Eastern and Western spiritual traditions.  It took another 100 years for the second Parliament to convene in 1993. This 9^th Parliament of the World’s Religions held in Chicago welcomed 7000+ attendees from 95 countries, representing 210 traditions.

The theme of this meeting was “A Call to Conscience, A Call to Action”. The vision of the Parliament of the World’s Religions is a just, peaceful, and sustainable world. I will share much more about the parliament later.

There are some really great events coming up for our spiritual community. You will find more details on our website: https://interfaithspirit.org.  

September 9^th, 7-9 pm, Cafe 704 features the Celtic group Nutshell, featuring 6 voices with many instruments including Linda Teaman, Tom Voiles, Glenn Simon, Susie Lorand, Josh Burdick and John Lloyd.  

September 10th, Marianne Williamson will deliver a message entitled “The Spirit of America” at our Sunday Service. Come early for a good seat. 

Sending Blessings for a great month,   Annie

Be willing to be Foolish

I ran across a wonderful quote from the Greek Philosopher Epictetus “If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish with regard to external things“. Or as Swami Beyondananda puts it: “attain Fool Realization”.        Remember, no one is thinking about us after their initial reaction. They are thinking of the next best thing about themselves. We might as well surrender, it can happen again and again as our spiritual being explores being human. When we are willing to seem foolish, we don’t have to pretend to be perfect any more. What a relief!  Nor are we so concerned about what other people might think about us.  It is interesting, like I said, they are not thinking about us.

When we are not concerned or afraid to be laughed at we will experience more trust and peace in just being ourselves. Laughter is our own best remedy for all kinds of embarrassment. Comedians make a living at this! Part of me has always wanted to be a stand up comedian,  and sometimes I already am. The older I get, the more mistakes I make, so the easier it is to make people laugh. And it makes life a whole lot more fun for me too!  

Each of us is  the light of the world, no matter what we  think.  We  each have our own angel of Love who knows for us, nothing else matters.

Our angels will be gathering with us for events at Interfaith. More information is always on our website: interfaithspirit.org. 

One last Drum and Dance Jam for the year with Curtis Glatter, drummer extraordinaire is happening on Saturday, August 5, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.  Donations gratefully accepted. Drums available at the Center or bring your own.

Cafe 704 on Saturday, August 12, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. features the Kozora Quartet: “Global Fusion music” Ken Kozora: Composer, Bass Guitar, Synth, Percussion, Dulcimer, Paul Vornhagen: Sax, Flute, Clarinet, Robert Spalding Newcomb: Guitar, Sitar composition and Enrique “Kito” Pardo: Drum Set. Tickets $10.00 in person at the door or via livestream on Zoom. Go to https://interfaithspirit.org/cafe-704-coffeehouse/ for more info or to purchase tickets for Zoom.

Enjoy the beautiful weather.  Enjoy being everything you are.

Blessings,

Annie

“As Good as it Gets”

The other morning I was standing in my kitchen making tea for myself as I do every morning and a really good feeling came over me. I said to myself, “This is as good as it gets”. This is hardly a feeling I would expect on an ordinary morning when the dirty dishes are sitting in the sink, the floor beneath my bare feet is scattered with bits of dirt from the garden outside and the cats are demanding to be fed.  

It is helpful to me to think that if the small stuff, like making tea in the morning is for you not as good as it gets, then the big things, like a vacation in Northern Michigan, a visit to the Tulip Festival, or a great deal on a new car are not going to be as good as it gets either. Several things are happening when a feeling like this occurs. I like to think that if we are able to just be in the present moment, then all events and all experiences can be as good as it gets. Of course, in our time and space, they may not appear to be.

On those rare occasions, when we are in the present moment, all else has to fall away. All judgment has to fall away and all of our fears fall away. I think that all of our dreams and desires also fall away.  It is rare for us to allow that to happen, but this is where true freedom lies. We crave freedom, but usually not enough to let go of all that we hold dear, even for a few moments.

There are events coming up at Interfaith where you will have the opportunity to find that this is as good as it gets. Our Sunday services oftentimes guide us to make that shift in consciousness with a variety of musicians and speakers.  Check our website interfaithspirit.org for more information on all of our classes and events.

Saturday, July 8th at 7PM is Cafe 704, featuring PATH (Scott McWhinney, Chris Hedly and Tim Prosser) and Folk Song Jam Along (Lori Fithian, Jean Chorazyczewski and Eric & Mary Fithian. Bring your voices, drums and folky instruments to join in the fun! The musicians are offering their talents as a special fund-raising event with all proceeds benefiting the Interfaith Center for Spiritual Growth. Tickets are $10.00, join us in person at Interfaith or on Zoom.

Many Blessings,  Annie

Ministerial Miscellany May 2023       Sometimes I Wonder

As the end of every month approaches and the deadline for Ministerial Miscellany, I am looking around and listening for ideas that I care about and ones that move me. I heard the word WONDER on NPR today. I love that word, and I love how I feel when I experience wonder: an unexpected thrill of the awareness of something new and different.

Should we worry that our life of habits and our work stiffles wonder? It can, but wonder, like many things, is a child of our thoughts; and part of that child that is still within every adult eagerly awaiting release and expression. The appearance of wonder in our experience is itself a habit that can be cultivated. I think it takes a conscious decision to see our world with eyes of wonder, because the world has decided that we must know about all the things that are going wrong. A life of wonder is outside that box.

I suggest: be aware of choosing to do something different, no matter how little, every day. Listen to and watch as Nature changes every day. Learn something new. Anything. It is so easy when we have inexpensive or free apps on our phones for identifying trees and weeds and flowers and birds. WOW. That is Wonder.

We can wonder what there is to do at Interfaith. Lots!  Check the website: interfaithspirit.org. Layla keeps us up to date on all the workshops, classes and special events. Every Sunday you will find an insert in the bulletin with all of this information as well.

Coming up for Cafe 704, Sat. May 13th at 7PM will be Spirit Singing Band, especially wonderful if you like to sing along to the simple songs they teach us.

On May 24th at 7PM Matt Watroba will lead a community sing. He brings songbooks with 1200 songs. Talk about wonder! I wonder if I can sing that one?  It’s worth a try, and it is worth the good mood we achieve together. The event is free but donations are encouraged and appreciated. 

On the 1st Saturday is our Drum and Dance Jam, May 6, June 3 and Aug 5 at  7:30 pm, in person, led by drummer Curtis Glatter. 

 I look forward with wonder to seeing you at Interfaith.  Blessings,   Annie

Ministerial Miscellany April 2023     Spring Cleaning??

Anyone ever heard of Spring Cleaning?  Well, let’s take that to another level!  I think more than we need to clean our houses, we need to refresh our minds.  We need to reach out from the daily chatter(clutter) to remember that the words we mumble to ourselves all day to ourselves are the words that are creating our future.  If we haven’t realized (in our minds and hearts) what we want now, we may never find it.  We are pretty creative, (I know we all have heard this before)..

Unfortunately we are not usually aware of what we say to ourselves all day,  so first we can be aware of what we are thinking and feeling.  How are you feeling right now:  good? Not so good?  Great!!? How you feel at any moment is a great window into your life.  Decide to feel better than you may think things really are.  I am sure that I do not have all the information I need to make any judgments whatsoever, so my next best thought might be: I am the one who decides and I might as well like what I am creating. At any moment, I can choose to feel better.

Sometimes it is easier to be happier when spring finally comes and here at Interfaith in April there are soo many interesting and delightful things to do, in person and by Zoom.  See lots of information on our website: interfaithspirit.org.

• Sunday, April 2nd is our annual meeting and Board election.  It will be over by the time you read this. I hope you were able to attend this very important Interfaith community gathering.
• Sunday, April 9, we will have an Easter Potluck after the service. Bring a dish to share.
• Saturday, April 8th is Cafe 704 with Marlena Studer and a group of musicians and dancers in the style of the Roaring 20’s known as the Speak-Easy Sisters and the Gin-Joint Jammers!  They will teach us how to dance!  Information and tickets on our website.
• Sunday, April 16th, Fritz Sauer is our guest speaker and he will be presenting a two part workshop on April 16th and April 22. The focus is teaching us how to manage stress. I have been in classes with Fritz, and the techniques are very simple, easy to learn, life changing practices. More information will be available soon.
• Wednesday, April 26 come and sing with Matt Watroba at 7PM at the Center.. This is our 3rd Community sing, everybody I have talked to loves it.
• Saturday, April 29th, last but not least, is our 25th Anniversary Silver Ball! We are almost at capacity, so please respond to your invitation if you have not done so, and if you didn’t receive an invitation, text Delyth at 734-657-5384. This event will have music by Peter Madcat Ruth and C.A.R.M.A. 

I will see you at many of these events.  Many Blessings,    Annie

Ministerial Miscellany February 2023    Are you curious?

Have you ever thought about how being curious can change and uplift your day? Probably not. I think I am curious, but do not “use” it often enough. This possibility is one thing I brought home from our last Sunday service. Whenever I am the speaker, I am always fascinated by what other participants bring to augment my ideas. What others offer to read and say will invariably be the perfect complement to any talk I give.  

I seem to spend much time thinking about and “working on” solving my problems. I also spend a lot of time avoiding solving my problems. We all have challenges in life, big ones and little ones. I am interested in finding more peace around each one.  Imagine they are already solved and waiting for me to catch up with that reality. Our friend Barbara Brodsky from Deep Spring Center for Meditation and Spiritual Inquiry sends me a quote from Aaron every day. This week she speaks of facing her challenges and asks: “Where is love in this moment? How do I best bring it forth?”  I recommend that we relax, watch, and trust the deep rhythms of our lives. 

I also highly recommend you attend our musical events this month. Bring your friends to Cafe 704 on Feb. 11th at 7 p.m. to see and hear and dance to Ajde Aman. This group features Douglas Lane Allen, Abby Alwin, Alex Sobolev, and others “playing the folk melodies and oddly danceable rhythms of South Eastern Europe”. For more information  visit our website at interfaithspirit.org. Artisan 704 will also be there with handmade craft and art items for sale. On Wednesday, Feb. 14th at 7 p.m. join the Community Sing with Matt Watroba at the Interfaith Center. Be sure to check our website for many study groups and activities to stimulate your spiritual curiosities.

Blessings to All,    Annie

November 2022 ~ Ministerial Miscellany    DO YOU HAVE TIME?

As the months move into Fall, I start thinking more about time. I am less comfortable in Nature as her energy moves into contraction. It is easy to watch negativity creep into my thoughts. I imagine it happens to many of us as the days become darker and the air becomes colder. I start to appreciate the sunshine more and more. I begin this waiting game every year, and I say to myself “Bring it on, the sooner winter comes, the sooner it goes”. Nevertheless, winter will stay long enough to greatly interfere with my plans for my life. This time of year is a good time to remember and renew our spiritual practices. In the summer, without the challenges, I let my practices lapse. Challenges are here to keep us strong and resilient. Change is pretty constant.

Sometimes I do remember that every one of us are timeless and eternal beings. We are blessed beyond our knowing. We are never alone. I personally believe that we are surrounded by angels who are helping us navigate our complicated world with love and creativity. One of my favorite practices is to do breathing exercises every day. I am aware that even just a few deep cleansing breaths can make me feel better, more hopeful, whole and complete.

After two years of no potlucks we are happy to say we will have a Thanksgiving Day Potluck gathering this year on Nov. 24th. Come at 12:30 with a dish to share and we will eat at 1PM. You can follow this link mealtrain.com/4mo252 to tell us what you plan on bringing, or just let Delyth know via email at delyth.balmer@interfaithspirit.org. You are also welcome to bring board games and any other activities to play after dinner. All are welcome, bring your family, friends and neighbors.

This month Cafe 704 is featuring Jean Wilson and Friends on Nov. 12th. 7-9 p.m. https://interfaithspirit.org/cafe-704-coffeehouse/ Join us in person or on zoom. And be sure to check our website to see all the events and classes that are happening.

Blessings, Annie