This summer Not Church is offering two uplifting programs to foster introspection and self-awareness.

Enneagram

On July 11th, Martina will lead an introduction to Enneagram…a map for understanding ourselves and others. It helps us understand why people do what they do. You can learn about this powerful personal tool for transformation and meet the participants in the year-round ongoing community Enneagram group.

The program will be held at the Bajamar Clubhouse from 11am – 1pm.

Contact Anna with any questions.

Meditation Experience

This half-day silent meditation experience is open to beginners who wish to explore meditation and will give regular practitioners an opportunity to deepen their practice.

Nadine and Ron will lead several meditations of various types and lengths including a walking meditation. The program will conclude with a silent potluck lunch and a question and answer period.

The program will be held at Bajamar at 9:30 am to 1 pm. Contact Nadine with any questions.

No Charge

As always there’s no charge for Not Church regular gatherings or special summer programs. If you feel appreciation and would like to make a contribution…terrific!

Many of you probably don’t even know that there’s a specially made wooden box for contributions, if you’d like to make them. Sometimes we even forget to bring it, and if you knew about it you may have forgotten to use it.

Now it has a big sign that says “Appreciation, ” and we’re going to set it on a stool so you can find it and pass right by it on your way out. It says appreciation because, to me, that’s what it is.

When you think about Not Church, if you feel gratitude or appreciation for it and you’d like to express that appreciation in the form of money, please do.

The money goes for a few expenses like the website, but most of it is for our Spiritual Director Erin. She formed Not Church and has been its leadership and Spiritual center going into this 9^th year!

Some of you probably remember that she used to be paid by the Presbyterian Church, but their leadership and projects have changed and she no longer has any income or benefits from them. Many of us do things, but we’re so lucky to have a professional speaker and director to provide great ideas and what we provide will be the only compensation she’ll get for this. Let us know if you have other ideas too.

Sounds like she’s fine with all of it and you’ll do what feels good to you!

We thought we would try something new — a singing meditation together. Here is a recording of Simple Gifts prepared by Eli Gaianoand me. Live with this lovely song, sing along the next few days and let’s all raise our voices together at Poco Cielo on May 12th at 10 am… Lyrics follow and are embedded in the youtube link. See you then!

Lyrics for Simple Gifts by Joseph Brackett (1797- 1882)

‘Tis the gift to be simple
‘Tis the gift to be free
‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be
And when we find ourselves in the place just right
T’will be in the valley of love and delight

When true simplicity is gained
To bow and to bend, we shall not be ashamed
To turn, turn, will be our delight
‘Til by turning, turning, we come round right