Spirituality

Fr. Glenn: Finding The Vineyard

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By Fr. Glenn Jones

So … Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (commonly a.k.a., “RBG”) finally succumbed to the cancer that’s been plaguing her for so long; may she rest in peace. No matter what political flavor you might ascribe to, you certainly can’t fault her dedication. Lots of people say that they want to “die in harness”, but she fought and did it. But, inevitably … we’re in store for an even more “interesting” time in the political arena just before the election … much like a tornado adds “interest” to a thunderstorm.

We all have an instinctive fear of death … the great unknown. “What’s it like?” Read More

La Vista Church: Time To Think About Halloween Already?

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A pile of pumpkins. Courtesy/La Vista Church 

La Vista Church News:

La Vista Church of Nazarene in White Rock is looking forward to serving the community with a fun Special Needs/Food Allergy Friendly event this Halloween, but is asking for deciding how to best do that to make sure everyone stays safe.

Anyone with a family member of any age who would benefit from a low sensory or Teal Pumpkin Halloween event, please help by filling out this 2 question survey about your preferences for a Halloween event.

Thank you! Read More

Rosh Hashanah Jewish New Year Begins At Sundown Today

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Rosh Hashanah feasts traditionally include round challah bread (studded with raisins) and apples dipped in honey, as well as other foods that symbolize wishes for a sweet year. Courtesy/chabad.org

Rosh Hashanah News:

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. It is the birthday of the universe, the day G‑d created Adam and Eve, and it’s celebrated as the head of the Jewish year. It is a day of judgment and coronation of G‑d as king.

Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on the eve of Tishrei 1 (Sept. 18, 2020) and ends after nightfall on Tishrei 2 (Sept. 20, 2020).

The central observance of Rosh Hashanah is blowing Read More

Jewish Life In New Mexico And Beyond: A Mosaic Of Stories

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NMJHS News:

SANTA FE — “Jewish Life in New Mexico and Beyond: A Mosaic of Stories” is the New Mexico Jewish Historical Society’s theme for its virtual 2020 fall conference Oct. 24-25.

Both Saturday and Sunday 2-4:30 p.m. Zoom.com programs will feature two sessions each day, led by noted New Mexicans.

Zoom pre-registration will be required. Contact: admin@nmjhs.org or call (505).348.4471. The Oct. 24 program includes in Session 1: “The Spanish Flu Epidemic in N.M. and the role of Rabbi Bergman”, led by Naomi Sandweiss and Richard Melzer, followed by Session 2, “The Jewish Catskills: Read More

Father Theophan: Nuance

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‘Something as simple as a coffee mug has so many elements that need attention.’ Created by Fr. Theophan

By Father Theophan
Saint Job of Pochaiv Orthodox Church
Los Alamos

It really is the little things that make all the difference. Something as simple as a coffee mug has so many elements that need attention.

How big should it be; how much should it hold? Shape, lip, thickness, and weight? Handle or no? If handle, then is it rolled, molded, pulled, or carved? And all the questions of shape and harmony with the body of the mug arise. The iterations are nigh unto endless.

The wrong diameter, rough lip, or

Read More

Fr. Glenn: That Most Difficult Of Virtues

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By Fr. Glenn Jones

Have you ever wondered why the 10 Commandments had to be … well, commandments? After all, even if the atheist omits the first ones concerning God, the others common-sensically speak to honor and integrity, not to mention facilitating a peaceful society. And yet … selfishness gains the upper hand and we loose the reins of the passions, the Commandments become just “good advice” … not really binding, but lovely ideas. Well … good luck with that; even the secular world condemns those who transgress the last seven.

And yet … there is one commandment of Jesus not called Read More

Shop On The Corner Welcomes Customers Wednesday

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Masked shoppers look for bargains Wednesday at Shop on the Corner at TOTH. Courtesy/TOTH

TOTH News:

Shop on the Corner, the thrift store at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church, had a “soft opening” Wednesday and welcomed six shoppers at a time into the store. The United Church thrift store also opened its doors.

There was no publicity prior to these openings as this was a test run for how to reopen after a hiatus due to the pandemic.

The Shop will be open again 8:30 a.m. to noon on the fourth Wednesday of the month (Sept. 23) and again the second and fourth Wednesdays in October, after which Read More

Father Theophan: Hidden Faults

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Broken pottery. Courtesy/Father Theophan

By FATHER THEOPHAN
Rector of Saint Job of Pochaiv Orthodox Church

If you want to start a fight among normally calm and grounded potters, just ask what makes pots explode in the kiln.

The choices are, for the most part, moisture, or air bubbles. Lines will be drawn, arguments will be composed, and chaos will ensue. Whatever we have been taught, we will defend almost to the death.

When a pot is fired, the first thing that happens as it is heated, is the mechanically combined water is driven off. We all remember that water boils at about 212° Fahrenheit. So around Read More