Hi Friends – We begin Our 14th Year of The Human & the Holy (H&H) this Sunday. Here’s what people are saying about H&H. If you or someone you know may be interested in joining us, see the information below. We love new faces (to complement our old faces).
A SPIRITUAL FORMATION COMMUNITY
From the Inside Out: Living a Significant Life
WHAT IS THE HUMAN & THE HOLY (H&H)? H&H is a continually evolving community of adults who come together once a month from September to May to explore the deeper meanings and implications of Jesus’ invitation to abundant life and to encourage one another to live lives of contemplative awareness and compassionate action. Each gathering will include most of the following movements: simple ritual, circle dance as prayer and celebration, lectio poetica, art as meditation, contemplative silence and reflection, deep listening and reverent dialogue in companion circles, and a thoughtful presentation.
WHAT BRINGS YOU TOGETHER? H&H has three primary goals: (1) to encourage adult seekers and practitioners of faith to move beyond the rudiments of religion and to go deeper in their understanding and lived experience of a Christian spirituality that is contemplatively awake and prophetically responsible; (2) to create a community of spiritual practice and mutual care united by the common desire to listen and respond more fully to the presence of God in their lives and in the world today; and (3) to support each other in ongoing personal transformation while encouraging each other to practice tangible ways of participating in the dream of God and the well-being of the earth.
WHO COMES TO H&H? While grounded in the life and teachings of Jesus, H&H is inclusive in spirit and progressive in perspective, honoring and welcoming both Christians and those walking other spiritual paths. Like you, we are both overwhelmingly ordinary and astoundingly extraordinary. All genuine seekers, apprentices, and artisans of faith are welcome as we strive to honor each person’s sacred journey regardless of race, creed, age, gender, or sexual orientation.
WHAT DO YOU VALUE? Over the years we have grown in our appreciation of genuine, reverent dialogue, striving to listen as much as we talk. We value deep questions more than stock answers, the silence and the struggles from which they emerge, laughter as well as tears, shared stories along with shared concern, and faith that connects prayer and action. We tend to understand faith less as assent to propositions than as an unfolding mystery and a chosen way of being in a world both filled with heartache and dipped in grace.
WHERE AND WHEN DO YOU MEET? We meet the 3rd Sunday of the month*, Sept. – May, from 1:30–5:00pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 242 E. Alvarado St., Pomona, CA 91767 *(NOTE WELL: The one exception will be our gathering in April which will be on April 9th since Easter is the 3rd Sunday.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN 2016-2017? Our theme this year is From the Inside Out: Living a Significant Life. The late Henri Nouwen writes, “Our true identity is hidden in the center of our being. Even though we have to live in the world, to participate in it, suffer in it, and enjoy it, we must live from the center of our being, where our identity is defined by God, not others. Living in the center brings us not only into the center of ourself and the center of God, but also into the center of humanity.” This year each monthly gathering will focus on a theme integral to living a substantive and significant life. One that stretches forth from the deepest, divine core of our being, then blossoms and bears fruit for others.
OUR SPIRITUAL GUIDE
Dan Miller is a writer, teacher, and spiritual guide. He received M.Div. and Th.M. degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from the Claremont School of Theology. Dan’s commitment is to help persons and communities weave lives of spiritual depth that tend to the four strands of a holistic spirituality: self, others, nature, and the divine.
REGISTERING for the entire series is encouraged. For information and questions regarding cost, payment plans, etc., contact: Jean Yesthal at 626-964-5861 or at j.ajayesthal4@verizon.net