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- Written by: Editor
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Local author and mindfulness meditation teacher JoAnn Saccato will be speaking at Unity Church on Sunday, March 9.
The service will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the church, located at 15898 Kugleman Drive in Lower Lake.
The topic of Saccato's talk will be “Companioning the Sacred Journey: Incorporating Our Spiritual Practice in Our Day to Day Lives.”
Saccato, a native of Lake County, will share the story of how her book, “Companioning the Sacred Journey: A Guide to Creating a Compassionate Container for Your Spiritual Practice,” came about and how the simple tools of journaling, mindfulness and affirmation can make a profound impact on our lives.
She also will share about her 10 years living in a "chop wood, carry water" voluntary simplicity fashion in a single room cabin in the oak woodlands of Lake County with her dog (now deceased), Shyla.
"It was a profound 10-year journey that afforded the time and space for a deeper spiritual inquiry," said Saccato, who now lives in the Cobb Mountain area. "Many of the tools I write about were incorporated in my day to day life while living at the cabin and have proved time and again to be the source of more meaning, value, joy and authenticity in my life."
Saccato extracted the primary tools from the book and created a five-week online tele-course and free in-person two-hour mini-courses.
"With as wonderful as reading about my journey and these tools is, to incorporate a daily practice from just reading is really challenging. It's much easier with the support of a teacher and a community," Saccato explained. "The participants in the tele-course are reporting deeper clarity, more authenticity and a more joyful way of being. And, they appreciated both the personal contact the free mini-courses offer and the long term support while in their own day-to-day routine that the five-week tele-course offers."
Saccato also offers one-on-one companioning for those that are interested in taking their spiritual or life inquiry on a deeper level and offers a complimentary half hour exploratory session for those curious.
Saccato's books can be purchased at bookstores throughout Lake County or online at www.amazon.com .
For more information on Saccato, her book, courses, consulting services and other upcoming engagements, visit www.companioningthesacredjourney.com or call 707-350-1719.
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- Written by: Editor
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Church Women United will hold a special human rights celebration on Friday, March 7.
The event, “Through God Our Hands Can Protect,” will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Clearlake Oaks Methodist Church, 12487 The Plaza.
Church Women United’s 2014 theme is, “We are in God’s hands and we are God’s hands.”
Church Women United is an Ecumenical Group of women who come together three to five times a year to celebrate life and teach one another how we can help to change the world.
They ask each group to bring a salad and a dessert to feed at least eight and the main dish is provided by the hosting church.
The Clearlake Oaks United Methodist Women will be providing the main dish and presenting the program.
Please call Ceva at 707-264-9362 with how many are attending from your group
Bring a friend and come enjoy the great fellowship, food and program.
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- Written by: Darla Lewis
UPPER LAKE, Calif. – Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count).
The congregation at the United Methodist Church in Upper Lake will mark the beginning of Lent on Wednesday, March 5, at 7 p.m. with an Ash Wednesday service.
The church is located at 604 Clover Valley Road, on the corner of Clover Valley Road and First Street.
Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline.
Ash Wednesday is a wake-up call that hits us squarely between the eyes, forcing us to face mortality and sinfulness.
We hear Scripture readings that are urgent and vivid and during the service the minister will lightly rub the sign of the cross with ashes onto the foreheads of worshipers which symbolizes Christ’s death and resurrection.
The act of imposing ashes on our heads indicates our mortality and our sorrow for our sins. However, as the followers of Christianity, we know that Christ died on the cross to redeem us, so we are granted eternal life in heaven. Marking the cross on a believer’s forehead symbolizes this belief.
On Ash Wednesday we come to church to pray, and to ask God’s forgiveness. We have 40 precious days to open ourselves up most particularly to God, to examine ourselves in the presence of the one who created us, knows us, and loves us.
The Lenten journey with its climax in Holy Week with Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter, is about participating in the journey with Jesus from birth to his death and resurrection. This path may mean for some of us that we need to rid specific things in our lives.
The season of Epiphany will end on March 2 just as it began with a shining star. Join us for our Transfiguration of the Lord Service as we go, like Peter, James and John and follow Jesus up the mountain to the height where we see Him as He really is. By Him and with Him and in Him the glory of God shines.
Another article will appear regarding our Holy Week schedule, April 13 through April 19. The public is invited to all services. Our regular Sunday worship is at 11:00 a.m. Our motto is “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors.”
Darla Lewis chairs the worship team at the Upper Lake Community United Methodist Church.
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- Written by: Editor
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Unitarian Universalist Community of Lake County (UUCLC) has announced the launch of its “Share-the-Plate” program.
In keeping with its mission to “make a difference in our lives, our community, and our world,” the UUCLC will give 50 percent of the cash offerings collected for one month to a local nonprofit organization.
The nonprofit will demonstrate a commitment to community social action which aligns with that of the UUCLC.
The Share-the-Plate program will provide an opportunity for the congregation to learn more about local nonprofits while also contributing financial support.
The first recipient was the Lake County Literacy Coalition in the month of January.
Nonprofit organizations can request an application by calling 707-587-4243.
The applications will be reviewed, with one nonprofit selected each quarter for the Share-the-Plate program.
The UUCLC holds church services on Sundays at 11 a.m. at 3810 Main St. in Kelseyville.
All are welcome.