Friday, December 23, 2016

Happy Holidays


Star service, 12-11-16



From all of us at STAR
 to all of you, 

May your holiday season
 be one of

Peace

Joy

Love



Sunday, November 27, 2016


Tranquility with Tea Service

Please join us 
Sunday Evening, November 27th 
at 6:00 pm


Tranquility With Tea
a service devoted to quieting minds, opening hearts, soothing souls
   
*First Sunday in Advent*

The Advent Adventure – When Mary Becomes Cosmic

At this time each year, like Mary, we begin our journey of grace by saying “yes” to a divine calling – inviting us to take that first step, again. 

We might be surprised to realize that this Advent journey of grace is actually the journey of our lifetimes!  As part of the service, everyone will receive the symbol of pilgrimage to carry during the journey this year.

The color associated with Advent and with Mary is Blue … won’t you wear something Blue, bring along a Friend and join us?

A portion of the offering collected that evening has been designated for Safe Homes-Rape Crisis – in Spartanburg.

In the Fellowship Hall
At Central United Methodist Church
233 North Church Street
Spartanburg, South Carolina
Sacred Traditions And Rituals
a call to connection
Honoring Truth Tellers

a service and candlelight vigil devoted to reflecting the truth


Sunday Evening, November 13th
6:00 pm

Join us for the third of our three-year rotating tradition of ‘Honoring’ services. 
As our services on the second Sunday each November, Honor Mystics & Prophets and Honor Heretics, this is the year we Honor Truth Tellers. 

What is truth?  How do we define it?
Where do we find it?
What is our responsibility? 
How do we get into the habit of truth-telling?
Who are those who reflect the Truth?

We welcome Fayssoux Mclean & Randy Foster who will highlight our exploration of these questions with special music and Sylvie Parris who will share her creatively poetic words.

Then … we will be invited to light a candle identifying a Truth Teller and signifying our commitment to doing the same & to being one, too.

Please bring along a Friend or two and join us for this special moment-in-time!

Central United Methodist Church
Fellowship Hall
233 North Church Street
Spartanburg, South Carolina 29306


Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Sacred Traditions And Rituals
a call to connection

Please Don’t Forget
The Final Event in Our Wisdom Connection 2016 Weekend


Exploring The Drum Time and Dream Time
Tranquility With Tea
a service devoted to quieting minds, opening hearts, soothing souls
October 23rd   
at Six o’clock in the Evening
Reflection on Renewal and Reacquainting with the Lost Traditions of Drumming
Created and Offered by Bruce Silverman
Our time together will offer an opportunity to join together in prayerful meditation and reflection centering on a symbol, idea, reflection or need. 
Incorporated into the service are contemplative prayers & silence; music & chants as well as sharing a sweet and a sip of bitter green tea – a sign of harmony & balance … both necessary for quieting minds, opening hearts and soothing souls.
Bruce Silverman is a transpersonal counselor, musician, ritual maker and dream instructor in the San Francisco Bay area, where he has taught at numerous institutions of higher learning.  His approach to healing bridges ancient traditions with modern psycho-spiritual group work and community celebration.   
BRING ALONG A FRIEND OR TWO AND, IF YOU HAVE ONE – A SMALL DRUM OR SHAKER.
AFTER THE SERVICE STAY AWHILE TO SHARE REFRESHMENTS& FELLOWSHIP!
In the Fellowship Hall – 6:00 pm
At Central United Methodist Church
233 North Church Street
Spartanburg, South Carolina

Thursday, September 1, 2016

2016 Labyrinth Weekend Event


A Time for Peace and Healing: Three Days of Prayer, Meditation and Reflection
 
 
Friday Evening – 9th  
Walking The Labyrinth By Candlelight
With Music Provided by Kathy Q. & Friends
Harp, Dulcimer, Violin and Classical Guitar
6:30 – 9:00 pm 
Saturday Afternoon – 10th 
Walking The Labyrinth By Daylight
Noon – 4:00 pm
Sunday Evening – 9/11/16
15 Years:  Taking Time And Creating Space For Peace And Healing
a service devoted to being peacemakers and healers
6:00 pm
 
Our gathering will provide a Sacred Space to commemorate the tragedy we encountered 15 years ago and the “peacelessness” that continues to confront our lives and our world today. 
Together, as part of the service, we will experience an intentional sharing of our peacemaking and healing energy creating a moment-in-time to locate that Center of Peace within ourselves. 
We will Hear the prayers from Labyrinth Pilgrims, left on the altars throughout the weekend.  Then, we will create Prayer Ribbons of Peace as reminders that, indeed, peace and healing begins with me! 
We Look Forward To Seeing You at the Labyrinth and at the Service
Central United Methodist Church
Fellowship Hall
233 North Church Street
Spartanburg, South Carolina 29306

Thursday, August 11, 2016

The Kingdom of God Is Who WE Are!

Please Don’t Forget To Join Us …
Sunday Evening August 14th at 6:00 pm
 
The Kingdom of God Is Who WE Are!
a service devoted to dancing our prayers 
 
 
(Cross-stitch art by Jim Bowlin)
 
 
For the last service of 2015-16 year, we welcome back our friend, Theresa Horton,
who will guide us in offering our prayers through both voice and movement. 
 
As part of the evening, we will celebrate the
Life and Gifts of Our Very Special Friend, Jim Bowlin.  
Jim was a dedicated and faithful member of our S.T.A.R. community for many years
 and his presence in our sacred circle will be greatly missed.    
After the service, please stay awhile and share Refreshments and Fellowship
 meeting Theresa, sharing memories about Jim and together blessing what was in this past year – and what will be for the coming year!    
 
We Look Forward To Seeing You Sunday Evening! 
Central United Methodist Church
Fellowship Hall
233 North Church Street
Spartanburg, South Carolina 29306

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Reflection on Creative Energy

A Special Summer Invitation To…

Tranquility With Tea
a service devoted to quieting minds, opening hearts, soothing souls

July 10th  

at Six o’clock in the Evening


Reflection on Creative Energy

*QUESTION*

What do a musician, poet, arranger of flowers, wood carver, jewelry designer and others share in common

Creativity Energy is the energy that offers hope, provides color for an otherwise drab existence, fashions something beautiful out of nearly nothing, places a song in our heart, moves us through vibration, encourages us to smile and laugh.

It often happens when we least expect it and in ways we could hardly imagine.  But when it does, Creative Energy touches our hearts, our souls, our minds and our imaginations – every inch of our being!

Our service will be an invitation to reflect on and experience the sacred and divine of Creative Energy … which energizes us to hum in unison and in harmony with God’s humming.

*ANSWER*

BRING ALONG A FRIEND OR TWO AND SHARE WITH US … 

A Smorgasbord of Creative Delights

In the Fellowship Hall – 6:00 pm
At Central United Methodist Church
233 North Church Street
Spartanburg, South Carolina

A portion of the offering collected is designated for  – Hatcher Garden in Spartanburg, honoring a place bursting with Creative Energy that is shared with the entire community


Thursday, June 9, 2016

Meeting Our Neighbors, Again, for the First Time

 

A service devoted to the sights, sounds, tastes of our neighbors


Who are our ‘newest’ southern neighbors?  How will we find their country after so many years of separation?  What could we possibly have to share with one another?  They are so close and yet, still so far. 
Sometimes it is hard to imagine what Cuba and the Cubans could be like now.  It has been so many years.  And, despite the fast paced world we find ourselves negotiating, it is not the same world our neighbors have shared.
 Isabel Forbes – an artist, Lindsay Moore – a creative artist, Betsy Bragg – a retired teacher and Molly Wilkes – a retired United Methodist minister will all share their encounters on recent pilgrimages to Cuba. 
 Through words, photographs and paintings we will experience Cubans and their Cuba.  
In addition to these vignettes, our service will reflect the music and dance of the culture as well as the tastes associated with our neighbors – as we share a bit of a Fiesta … Refreshments and Fellowship immediately following the service.

We look forward to seeing you Sunday evening!

Central United Methodist Church
Fellowship Hall
233 North Church Street

Spartanburg, South Carolina 29306

Thursday, May 12, 2016

. Reflection on Finding Our Shadow Side


Tranquility With Tea
a service devoted to quieting minds, opening hearts, soothing souls
May 22nd
at Six o’clock in the Evening


Reflection on Finding Our Shadow Side

Our Meditation and Prayerful Contemplation has been created and will be offered by
David Heatherly and Andy Crosland

Our Shadow is some aspect of ourselves that we have pushed down or denied about ourselves … leaving us unconscious about the existence of it.

As long as our Shadow stays hidden within us, we will find negative and positive traits in other people, races, cultures and countries … but we will miss them as part of ourselves.
 Through Art and an exercise of Meditation, David and Andy will share with us an opportunity to uncover our Shadow … then resultantly and paradoxically find the Light that is hidden within us.
David is a therapist in Spartanburg, long time member of S.T.A.R. and currently serves as Chairman of the S.T.A.R. Board. Andy is retired from USC-Upstate, now teaches Spiritual Direction with the Haden Institute in Hendersonville and serves as a member of the S.T.A.R. Board.     
A portion of the offering collected is designated for the National Alliance On Mental Illness – a grassroots mental health education and advocacy organization offering support for millions of Americans affected by mental illness – honoring David and Andy for sharing their creative energy with us. 
  
BRING ALONG A FRIEND OR TWO AND JOIN US!         


In the Fellowship Hall – 6:00 pm
At Central United Methodist Church
233 North Church Street

Spartanburg, South Carolina



Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Reflection on The Creation: Awe and Gratitude

 
You Are Invited to Join Us in Celebration of
EARTH DAY - 2016
April 24th
at Six o’clock in the Evening

Tranquility With Tea
a service devoted to quieting minds, opening hearts, soothing souls
 
Reflection on The Creation:  Awe and Gratitude

Our Meditation and Prayerful Contemplation has been created and will be offered by
Gardener Extraordinaire Steve Willis

We will mark the occasion of Earth Day with a celebration of God’s wondrous creation. 
As Matthew Fox has often mentioned in his writing and lectures on Creation Spirituality – “Awe, wonder, mystery and gratitude are at the root of religious experience.”
This experience will explore how a sense of spiritual gratitude stems from a sense of spiritual awe and how the very first prayer was likely not “Gimme” but “WOW!”
Steve is a member of the S.T.A.R. Board and has delighted us with several reflections on Creation. He is retired from teaching horticulture to special education students and now spends much of his time tending his large ornamental garden – which he has graciously shared with us … except in the winter, when he frequently chases snow to the mountains of North Carolina!
A portion of the offering collected is designated for S.P.A.C.E. – honoring Steve for sharing his creative energy with us.

PLEASE BRING ALONG A FRIEND OR TWO …   
 
In the Fellowship Hall – 6:00 pm
At Central United Methodist Church
233 North Church Street
Spartanburg, South Carolina

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

The Gospel And Blue Grass


The Gospel And Blue Grass
a service devoted to listening and hearing
 
Blue Grass and Gospel Music comes from the country and a place of spontaneity.  It has the ability to create ‘trance like’ or ‘in-the-moment’ experiences.
We will welcome back
Byron McCane & Friends
For an evening of rhythm, singing, foot-stomping and hand-clapping 
Byron teaches religion at Wofford College.  He does field archeology in Israel during the summer and his pastime & meditation time include playing guitar … specifically Blue Grass music!  
So, why not bring along a Friend or two and join us … We look forward to seeing you! 
Central United Methodist Church
Fellowship Hall
233 North Church Street
Spartanburg, South Carolina 29306
 

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Reflection: Stations of the Resurrection.. Journey Into Joy

You Are Invited to Join Us on March 27th
at Six o’clock
for an Easter Evening Service

Inline image 1 
Tranquility With Tea
a service devoted to quieting minds, opening hearts, soothing souls

Reflection
Stations of the Resurrection … Journey Into Joy

The Service will offer an opportunity to stop, breathe deeply and think about the meaning of Easter in our lives as we gather to better understand Easter as not just one day, but a season.     
And, the Easter season has great significance for our lives, sending us on a journey …
A JOURNEY INTO JOY!
 This Journey leads us to a time of renewal and time to focus on recapturing the energy, grace, and potential available to all of us as we move toward our own resurrection …
our own season of transformation … filled with surprising moments of  Joy

Won’t you begin this Joyful Journey with us?

Our reflection has been created and will be offered by Kay Foster and The Rev’d Franklin Dotts

Kay is retired from practicing dental hygiene, finding S.T.A.R. around that same time and appreciating it as an authentic blessing.  She enjoys traveling as way to recognize and experience our common human spirit.  Currently, Kay is reading and exploring the ideas offered by Richard Rohr.

Franklin is a retired United Methodist minister who served for 23 years at the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville, TN, developing Sunday school curriculum resources for the denomination.  He has been a member of the S.T.A.R. community since the first service and is currently serving on the Board and Executive Committee. 


A portion of the offering collection is designated for the S.P.I.H.N. in Spartanburg
honoring Kay and Franklin for sharing their creative energy with us.

Don’t Miss This Wonderful Experience … We Look Forward to Seeing You!


Thursday, February 25, 2016


Inline image 1


Meditation With A Potter
Don’t Forget to Bring Along a Friend or Two and Join Us …
Sunday Evening, February 28 at 6:00 pm
Tranquility With Tea
a service devoted to quieting minds, opening hearts, soothing souls

As part of the service, our senses will share the excitement of an age old creative process with the earth … as we meditate with clay.   We will have an opportunity to touch ancient 1500 CE Galilean potsherds from an archaeological dig at Huqoq – 5 miles from Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene, on the Sea of Galilee.  And, put our fingers in the ridges made by human hands in that day, visualizing that scene and the pot that was made.   

Our reflection has been created and will be offered by 
Patsy Simmons and Nancy Williamson.
Patsy has been a potter for 13 years and is addicted to the meditation of centering and creating from clay.  Nancy has a degree in ceramics from the University of Georgia. She has been teaching pottery classes for 20 years and is the Immediate Past Chair for the Hub City Empty Bowls Soup Event. 


A portion of the offering collection is designated for the Hub City Empty Bowls in Spartanburg
honoring Patsy and Nancy for sharing their creative energy with us.


Don’t Miss This Wonderful Experience and We Look Forward to Seeing You …