Meditation Opportunities

Thursday evenings at First Presbyterian  

We will meet for meditation on all Thursdays in April and May from 7:00 – 9:00 pm in the fellowship hall. Our format for the first hour is two 20-minute periods of sitting in silence with a 10 minute walking meditation in between.  For the second hour, we are doing a contemplative listening book reading.  We are currently reading short sections from a book by Pema Chodron, The Pocket Pema Chodron.                                                         

April Retreat Day

Saturday April 30, 2016

9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Fellowship Hall

Death Makes Life Possible 

Death is something that most people fear and don’t want to think about. But is it possible that facing our mortality can inspire us to live our lives more fully?

This month we have a guest presenter, Delana Schneider, who will lead our conversation and show the film “Death Makes Life Possible”. The film follows cultural anthropologist and scientist Marilyn Schlitz, Ph.D., as she explores the mysteries of life and death from a variety of perspectives and world traditions. Sparked by her own near death experience as a teenager, Schlitz has been delving into the nature of consciousness and death for the past three decades.

The film looks at how popular culture deals with the ever-present fear many have about our own mortality. Interviews with mental health experts, cultural leaders, and scientists explore the meaning of death and how we can learn to live without fear. The interviews and evidence presented are interwoven with personal stories of people facing their own death as well as those who report encounters beyond death. The narrative is illustrated with vivid imagery.

Please join us for meditation at 9:00 am, the film presentation at 10:30 am, and the discussion to follow. You are welcome to come to all or part of the day.

Coffee, tea and refreshments will be provided.  A freewill offering will be available.

For further information call Janet Hoffman at 484-1686 or E-mail hoffmanjms@gmail.com.

Upcoming Events

Ongoing                                Hei’s Tai Chi class at Oldemeyer

Center Tue/Thur at 10:30 am

Mondays 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm

June 25                                 Silent Retreat Day         9 – 3pm

July 30                                  Poetry Retreat Day        9 – 1pm

October 22                          Silent Retreat Day         9 – 3pm

In closing, 

As the rain and the snow

come down from heaven,

and do not return to it

without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,

but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

You will go out in joy

and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and hills

will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field

will clap their hands

Isaiah 55: 10 – 12