July Decisions

Good morning, coexisters,

As you know we had two meetings this month to reorganize. On July 16th, three of us (the old reliables) met and decided to read Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, and Love for our meeting on August 2oth at the Greenlife Grocery balcony. We will meet at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the book. We decided to meet the third Wednesday of each month for a book discussion. I have several recommendations from that meeting for future books but would like more before I put out a list for the next six months.

Last night, two oldies and one newbie met and had a good talk. Two book recommendations came from this meeting, one about our founding fathers and how the concept of separation of church and state came about. I am very interesting, as you know, about this subject, so expect that book to be on the list for September or October. : )

I am designating the 2nd Wednesday of the month for discussion of spiritual/religious issues and the 3rd Wednesday for book discussions. If you send me ideas to discuss as well as books to discuss, I will put out a schedule for both within the next three or four days.

I want to update my mailing list, so please send me email if you want to continue to receive my email or if you want to be removed from my list.

I am anxious to hear from each of you.
Peace,
Donna

July 16 news

Dear friends,

I apologize for too many days of no posts. As you can see from the picture here, I have been adopted by a sweet little dickens of a kitten. I have been trying to find a good home for her, since the elderly, both feline and human, in the household cannot keep up with her curiosity. I took her to the McKamey Center but could not get an appointment until August 5th. I hope poor Kiki and Sammy "survive" until then.

Anyway, I look forward to meeting with all who can make it this evening. REMINDER: Greenlife Grocery on Manufacturers RD at 6:00 pm. to discuss books and faith and spirituality and whatever comes up. We will be on the balcony.

Peace,
Donna

Topics for July 16th

Good morning, friends,

I would like to propose the following for our gathering next Wednesday: talk about what we are currently reading and reviews of each, "separation of church and state" and how it relates to us as Americans. The second is personal for me. Last Sunday the elder presiding at the Lord's Table gave what I feel is a speech on nationalism instead of the Words of Institution that normally is given. I was so disturbed by this that I didn't meditate with the bread and cup as I normally do. I would like to discuss this incident in the context of "separation of church and state."

Peace,

Donna

Revamping Coexist Club

Hello, lovely people,

I hope your summer is going well for each one of you. I have revamped the club and hope you will participate. I am setting meetings for the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. I hope to have several people meeting to talk about serious issues facing our world and ways we can individually and as a club make this world of ours a better place. We will discuss, debate, question books we've read as well as articles we've read and conversations we've had.

Our first meeting will take place next Wednesday, July 16th, at Greenlife Grocery on Manufacturers RD. I will be there around 6:30 p.m. to eat and will be there as long as people want to talk.

Hope to see each of you there any second and/or fourth Wednesday of the month.

RSVP with items to discuss or suggestions to make.

Looking forward to seeing you,

Donna

What do you think of this contribution?

Dear beautiful people,

First order of business is another apology from me. I cannot meet this Sunday because I am staying with Wal-Mart -- story too long to relate now -- and the schedule has been set through April 18th. We will meet on the last two Sundays of the month, April 2oth and 27th, to finish our discussion of A New Earth. We will meet at 6:30 at the church, unless someone has an offer to meet at a better location. Ashland Terrace's chaotic construction has made it to the church and how to get there is confusing to many. Please let me know if you have an alternative. Bonnie has suggested the balcony at Greenlife Grocery where she has met with groups. She says it is quiet and would not prevent anyone from expressing viewpoints.

Bonnie and I met a new group member last night and had an enjoyable and meaningful chat and sharing of a meal. Thank you to Susana and Bonnie for both.

Susan has forwarded the following to me to post and I would love to read your comments on this address and email:

I am sending this to your because I have had my head in the sand and did not realize what was going on around me. I had no idea about Oprah's Church and the power she has to influence. As a Christian I believe we need to pray that people's eyes are opened.
Peace Be with You
Lynn


Please go to the site below. This is scarey. Those of us who know Who our belief & faith rests on, should be putting on our armor and begin to fight against this. Please pray with me that we won't just accept this as another looney idea, because Oprah has alot of power and influence, unfortunately. Please pray with me that God will handle this and guide us to do what He wills to defeat the enemy.


Please watch this video about a church that is growing by the millions.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=JW4LLwkgmqA

Peace today as we remember Dr. King,
Donna

Meetings

Good morning, good people,

I need to catch you up on upcoming meetings: Thursday, April 3rd (not 4th) will be our next meeting. I have one new member that I know will be joining us, and I hope others as well. I consider this a "catch up" meeting. We will meet the following days in April as well: Sunday, April 6th and 20th, and Monday, April 28th to wrap up A New Earth's discussion. All times will be 6:30 pm. I hope more of you can join us for the Sunday discussions.

I would like to use April 3rd as a "learn to blog/post/comment" lesson (hoping Bonnie will teach us that evening) and to set our new book for May. Please let me know if you have additional book suggestions.

Have a fully aware week,

Donna

Successful Second Sitting

Wow! What a wonderful second discussion we had last evening! I so wish the rest of you had been there to share. Personally, I felt growth in myself as a result of last night's sharing of the truths in A New Earth. Below are just a few of the truths covered last night.

*I am -- not I am teacher or guilty or a good/bad parent -- simply, I am.

*Awareness leads to acceptance, acceptance leads to action.

*We are one with ALL in the universe.

*Those of us who are ready for awareness and apply it, are helped when challenges are present; therefore, strong presence works.

*Ego is present in the shy as well as the arrogant; it is inferior as well as superior.

*The main focus must be in doing NOW; that's where the passion and deep joy is.

There was a question about one of Tolle's statements:

After a while, you lose the joy of life. If you spend five years of stress and finally you achieve what you wanted, is that worth it?

So I am going to make this our next blog discussion question. Please post your comments here.