So how’s ‘community’ experienced at Aptos churches & coffee houses?

The most important things in life, as you know,  cannot be bought and one of those is a sense of  ‘community’.   People experience   ‘community’ variously – one way is by participating in  a church.

Another way  is by   going to a coffee house with  or without  friends. So how is ‘community’ experienced variously in Aptos ?  How’s   it working or not working where you live and work?

Churches — which typically meet once a week — are one way people experience  ‘community’. Below are 3 examples of how ‘community’ is  currently celebrated variously by  three Aptos, CA churches. Some ways work better than others at creating   ‘community’.

1)    In some churches, people attending   services  look  like masked bandits,  everyone  stays  carefully 6′ apart and most   leave   the premises  as soon  as services are over. No singing and no touching or hugging others is encouraged.

2)  Church attendees connect only  via the Internet  with  Zoom type meetings offered.  All in-person church related meetings which existed prior to the pandemic have been cancelled.

3) Some thing  different from the above two.      Some  people wear masks   and most  do  not.  Plenty of chit chat and  ‘how are you?’ conversation afterwards  with flexible  social distancing.  Things sort of start on time with considerable attention to the needs of children.   People recognize and welcome each other by name.    Lots of families  are present  with lots of children interacting  informally.  Consideration is given about   issues related to  the pandemic with few hard and fixed rules.

Resurrection Catholic  fits into category #1.    In-person services continue at  Resurrection Catholic in Aptos, CA.  Resurrection Catholic now   goes out of doors to celebrate community,    It  celebrates services outdoors   during the week (Tues. -Fri at 10 am) and also   out of doors on weekends (Sat at 5  pm and Sun. 10:15 am).  You can also attend services from home via Zoom or YouTube.   Important:  For in-person services,  be sure to bring and use your mask at Resurrection;  you may have difficulty knowing who is standing 6 feet away from you. People leave services without much chit chat. You need to make a reservations ahead of time to attend Sat. 5 pm and Sun. 10:15 services.  Click the link in the paragraph above for reservations.

St. John’s Episcopal  fits into category #2.   There’s still no in-person services held  by the  Episcopalians in Aptos, CA.    Located across Highway #1 off State Beach Drive (next to the new skateboard park in Aptos) , the Episcopalians offer   Zoom services only   to create ‘community’.  For their most recent Zoom service, click HERE.    There’s no mention in  St. John’s most recent e-news   when in-person community services  will occur.  No in-person meetings of any kind are happening currently.  Mother Tracy puts out a weekly email concerning worship services for the coming week.

Trinity Covenant Church (TCC)   fits into category #3.     Trinity Covenant  offers several  ways to connect on Sundays either  in-person  or  via Zoom on the internet.  Trinity Covenant,  located just off highway #1 and Seascape Blvd,  holds  weekly  service on Sundays at 10 AM.

Services ‘sort of’ start on time. Cars and people float  into the church  parking lot and building with the service largely starting  close to  10 AM.     Well behaved children get up during the service to get paper, pencils and crayons.    People  sit  (some wear masks, many do not)  either  inside the   building,  outside at patio tables, in their cars in the parking lot or hear the service from home via Zoom.  There’s live music  with singing and  Troy Martin, the pastor,  preaches from a raised area  in the auditorium.   Families sit together (lots of children)  with substantial social distancing in between families.    People ‘say hi’ and chat informally   after services.  Newcomers are recognized and welcomed readily.   A number of  church families  recently  returned from time together at Big Sur, CA.

And what about  how ‘community’ as experience in  coffee houses in Aptos?  Pacific Coffee Roasting Co comes first to mind with Norma Jean’s Coffee a close second.  Yes there are plenty of other coffee houses.

The Pacific Coffee Roasting House keeps all things flexible.  There are a few tables inside.  You used to be able to bring your own mug and now you cannot.  You have to wear a mask inside but not outside on the patio.   Located near the Aptos library, next door to Frank’s Pharmacy  and within walking distance of a Best Western motel, you will hear various languages spoken on the patio outside Pacific Coffee Roasting Co.   Most people do not wear masks as they share conversation, food and company. With a Zamian’s restaurant a stone’s throw away the patio area attracts people throughout the day.  It’s a popular place in Aptos, CA  to experience ‘a sense of community’ without masks.

written by Cameron Jackson    DrCameronJackson@gmail.com

 

 

 

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ZOOM & Tune In at Resurrection Church 11 am Friday for Holy Hour

Stations of the Cross 

How to use ZOOM easy!   Try it out!   This is an invite from Resurrection Church in Aptos for their Holy Hour  4/3/2000:

“We invite you to join us tomorrow morning (Friday) at 11 am for our live-stream Holy Hour (Exposition and Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament) and Stations of the Cross with Women on The Way of the Cross.

“It will also be recorded and be put on our website so you can watch and pray at your convenience if you can’t join us at 11 am.

“To join the Holy Hour, click this link a little before 11 am on Friday morning: Resurrection Holy Hour   If asked, enter Meeting ID # 263-332-736 (no dashes).

If you’ve downloaded the app to your phone or tablet, simply select “Join a Meeting” and enter the Meeting ID# 263-332-736 (no dashes).

If you wish to join by any telephone to listen to the Holy Hour, call 1-669-900-6833 (a San Jose number) and when prompted, Meeting ID # 263-332-736 (no dashes).

Click this link to view and/or download the worship aid for the Holy Hour. Holy Hour Worship Aid

If you don’t want to print it out, you can open it in one window and still have the video stream open in another window, then you can look at the worship aid when needed.

For those of you who are new to Zoom, please read the instructions below to help you with the proper “Zoom Etiquette” for being a good “Zoom Neighbor”!

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One, two, three — 3 spiritual exercises how to converse with God?

Spiritual exercises?  How to converse with God?    How can you expand your daily  consciousness of God,  who is in all and all present.

Catholic priest  Father Larry   learned after the death of his wife Joan nineteen years ago how much he needed God as his Friend, the same way  as Abraham was God’s friend.

“But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend. ( Isaiah 41:8).

Says Father Larry:  There’s one, two three spiritual exercises you can do daily,  which take about 5 or so  minutes a day.   These spiritual exercises are a way of expanding your consciousness of God who is in all and all present.

At the  ‘Last Chance Cafe’ 7/28/2019   (6 pm Sunday  Mass at Resurrection Catholic Community in Aptos, CA)   Father Larry  said:

1) Think back over the last 24 hours for an interaction or event  that went well in your life. Re-experience those moments and hold them in your consciousness.  Then,  give thanks to God for those moments and event.

2) Next.  Now think back over the last 24 hours for an interaction, project  or event that did not go well. This time think how  it might have gone better and replay in your  consciousness how it might have gone.  And now, ask God  for grace that next time that it will go better.

3) Think ahead to the next 24 hours.  Think about what might happen in the next 24 hours,  about up-coming   projects, events or interactions which you think will occur.   Pick a particular  possible event.  And ask God for strength and wisdom as you experience that up-coming event or interaction.

That’s the One, Two , Three spiritual exercises you can utilize to expand your consciousness of God as your Friend and Companion on the Way.  Thank  Father Larry  of Resurrection Catholic Community, for these suggestions.

written by Cameron Jackson   7/29/2019      JAJ48@aol.com

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China mutilates Chinese who practice spirituality of tolerance, compassion & truthfulness

Spirituality is a ‘no-no’ in China.  What happens  in China to those who practice  meditation and  spirituality exercises aka Falun Gong, exercises which  encourage  tolerance, compassion and truthfulness?

The China government  mutilates Chinese who practice Falun Gong with forced organ transplants.  This has gone on for years.

Let’s ask our Democrat Presidential hopefuls  — Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris –  what they will do about China’s harvesting of organs.  These are real victims who have suffered death and mutilation for their beliefs.

Ms.  Lin, Miss World Canada 2015,  writes in the WSJ,  “How I learned to Stop Hating Faln Gong.

A more apt title is why Ms.Lin stopped hating Falun Gong, a form of   Chinese spiritual meditation  exercises.

At age 13,  Ms. Lin emigrated with her mother to Canada where her mother gave her a flyer  uncensored information about Falun Gong.  Information opened  Ms. Lin’s  eyes.  What she learned:

The Chinese government  routinely mutilate  the dead bodies of   practitioners of Faln Gong.  Persons who practise  Chinese spirituality meditation aka Falun Gong exercises  are the   main source  of 60,000 to 90,000 forced organ transplants   each year.  The U.K-based China Tribune reported this in June, 2019.

__________________

Aptos Psychologist: ‘Racism!’ is all over the U.S. mainstream media. That word has become meaningless the way it’s thrown around.    Look at the world and the dastardly things that governments such as China  do to their citizens.

 

 

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Aptos, CA: This is a church, oops no steeple, open it up and LOTS of people? Yep. Lots of kids. www.tccsantacruz.org

Lots of kids and parents flow at Trinity Covenant Church in Aptos, CA.  Spirituality & HealingSundays 10 AM and all ages Sunday School at 9 AM.

For more info go  www.tccsantacruz.org 

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many churches: how & why “church” with St. John’s Episcopal & others in Aptos CA?

Many churches: How & why “church” with St. John’s Episcopal & others in Aptos, CA?

Come & participate re future of St. John’s on  Sundays at 9:15.

Let’s have fun ….

Some reasons to “church””   1) so women do not wear hajib — which according to the Muslim “bible” prevents rape & sexual assault.  Well, you probably can wear hajib at St. John’s and other churches.  What think?    DrCameronjackson@gmail.com

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Catholic Church cover up of sexual abuse & how change church culture?

Catholic  church clericalism cover up of sexual abuse — what laity can do?

“As Christians our faith is  in a person, Jesus Christ, not in an institution.” says Fr. Larry at Resurrection Catholic Community on 8/26/2018.

As a response to the recent information  of cover up of abuse by the Catholic Church [of 1,000 children by 300 Catholic priests over 70 years]   the  laity/ people in the congregation  may simply  walk away.

Fr. Larry suggests that every parish start a conversation to purify the Church.

The Church must be accountable to the People he says.   Fr. Larry suggests ways how to confront clericalism and  “demand a place at the Table of Authority…”

Lately, Pope Francis has gotten criticism concerning the church’s handling of sexual abuse.

written  8/26/2018 by Cameron Jackson   drcameronjackson@gmail.com

 

 

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Easter Resurrection in Aptos CA? What’s politically correct in churches these days?

Easter in Aptos CA

April 1, 2018 Easter Resurrection of Jesus Christ  in Aptos CA means …  Oh Lord what does it mean?

What’s politically correct spoken from the pulpit?

Try the Wall Street Journal’s story titled The Easter Effect and How it Changed the World  for a good read  ….

What about that supernatural stuff?   Did  Jesus Christ  –crucified, tortured and hung from a cross –  really  rise from the dead?

Or  is Easter just  about sharing eggs and  going to the  beach? Sharing time with people?  Beer and bongo drums?

What’s politically correct  for Aptos CA  churches to talk about?

Here’s what persons heard from the pulpit attending Resurrection Catholic Community 3/31/18   and Christ Lutheran Church 4/1/18   in Aptos, CA:

 

A 3/31/2018  8 PM  Catholic service in Aptos, CA:    Two people were “first time visitors”  at the Easter service at the church.    The large  church of 400-600  was three quarters filled.    The service was a familiar one.  Candles lit by a fire with procession.  The Word spoken including a homily by the priest.

The priest told his Easter story of  a resurrection moment.    As a young priest ( he had been  two years a priest) in order to meet families in the Diocese he walked about  2 hours across  the Philippine Islands  in 100 degree humidity. He was sent out ‘two by two’ without taking food, clothing or provisions. That was back  in 2004.

It was very hot and the priest   was quite tired from the  two hour journey when he arrived.    When  he arrived he  was graciously welcomed to a small home by a husband and wife in their late 70’s.

The woman welcoming him  — with  a hug which is rarely done in the Philippine  culture (they shake hands)  — and she  said it was the most important moment in her life;   this was the first time a priest had entered her home.

This was  was a ‘resurrection’  moment   for the priest.   The woman’s words inspired him.  He was no longer tired and exhausted.     He experienced God’s love through other people.   Walking two hours  home afterwards he was not tired.

Take away from the sermon at Resurrection Catholic Community:     When you get discouraged or depressed, think of ‘resurrection’ moments  in your own life said the  priest. Think of moments of great joy, peace and love that come through the connections and experiences you share with other people. You have your stories of resurrection to share.

 

What people heard at Christ Lutheran Church April 1, 2018  could  be titled   The Power of Assumptions.

You can hear the sermon  via YouTube.  When it’s available a link will be included to it here.

Can people make changes from the bottom up  instead of top down? The sermon mentioned   Rosa Parks ( 1960s black civil rights) and the Florida students ( 17 students killed by a former student) as examples of people who   make change from the bottom up….

Refugee Resettlement is front and center in the Easter bulletin for Christ Lutheran April 1, 2018:

Per the bulletin, this year’s Easter offering at Christ Lutheran Church in Aptos CA  goes to the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) which “has helped over 500,000 refugees”.

Given that the news  April  1, 2018 1 is that  1,200   refugees from Honduras are currently  walking through Mexico to claim refugee status in the USA,  the church bulletin’s info on Lutheran Immigration and Regufee Service (LIRS) is interesting.

Refugee Resettlement Watch (RRW)  follows closely the 9 main agencies that resettle people, one of which is LIRS.  In 2006 the American taxpayers paid 97% of all the costs incurred by LIRS [18.6 million of the 20.9 million].  Taxpayers also paid roughly 97% of all costs encourage by agencies that do resettlement for the Catholic church and the Episcopal church.

The former CEO for LIRS Linda Hartke  was paid a $300,000. package until she was fired by the LIRS board for a variety of reasons.

A wrong assumption?

 Maybe the Take Away is that an assumption  that non-profits such as  Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS)   need your money may not   be true.

LIRS is more a quasi-governmental agency and only gets a pittance from individuals and churches for its support.

That’s according to Refugee Resettlement Watch.

Aptos Psychologist thoughts:  

By the year 300 or so roughly a quarter of the Roman Empire became Christian.

As portrayed in the gospels, Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.  No one saw ‘this private act’ done by God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Later, Jesus appeared to  multiple people in many situations  yet those people initially did not recognize Christ.  Mary Magdalene did not recognize him until he called her by name.  Christ told her not to touch him as he was not yet raised.    Doors and windows  were locked and Christ showed up.

So what is the   Easter Resurrection? Simple but not simple.

Read the  gospels for yourself.  Read those stories  and let God speak to you directly. The Wall Street Journal article mentioned above  [The Easter Effect…]  is a good start for thinking about the Christian faith.

written by DrCameronJackson@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Firenze Sage: symbols of red and green ,… and blue and white … are symbols that offend …?

blue and white colors of Hanukkah ….

College news:  Happy Holidays still  OK?    –  but  not  Merry Christmas

red and green colors of Christmas ….

or reference to  the Jewish celebration of  Hanukkah?   Just now  a retraction by that college –  just before Christmas. 

Hot off the press:  The University of Minnesota  retracts  a document that restricted staff use of Christmas decorations on campus.

In a memo sent by the University of Minnesota earlier this month, staff was told that Santa and Christmas tree decorations were “not appropriate” for campus buildings.

In general, the following are not appropriate for gatherings and displays at this time of year since they typically represent specific religious iconography: Santa Claus, Angels, Christmas trees, Star of Bethlehem, Dreidels, Nativity scene, bows/wrapped gifts. Menorah, Bells, Doves, Red and Green or Blue and White/Silver decoration themes (red and green are representative of the Christian tradition as blue and white/silver are for Jewish Hanukkah that is also celebrated at this time of year).

The memo asked university staffers to consider using “neutral-themed” decorations when decking out their campus space.

In a comment to Campus Reform, the University of Minnesota claims that the memo was merely advisory rather than an enforced policy…

Firenze Sage:     Ebeneezer lives!

https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=four+more+obama+years

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Share children’s books with Soledad Prison?

 

Do you have some children books? Want to share with families at Soledad Prison?

Do you have a few  children’s books that might wing their way towards Soledad Prison?  A great way for families to relate is sharing a book with a child.

This is  written by Pastor Dale Sollom-Brotherton  from the December Newsletter from Christ Lutheran Church, Aptos:

“Melanie Larson is developing a project to provide new children’s books for prisoners and their
families at Soledad Prison. She is working with prison officials and a local high school teacher
who has been meeting with prisoners for the past four years.

“Here’s what one prisoner  wrote recently:
When reading The Grapes of Wrath two years ago at Soledad Prison, one of the inmates,
referring to the Joad’s plight from the dustbowl, said, “You know, when I killed that man, I put
his entire family in an emotional desert for the rest of their lives. I can’t make up for it, but let
me at least try to make my life meaningful to others.”

“This is why we go inside the prison. Deep connection and possibility.

“Using children’s books expands this effort to include the families of prisoners.

If you’d like todonate a book or two please bring it/them to the church office and leave in the box on the
desk. Or, give Melanie a call.

“I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was
in prison and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:36)

__________________

Comment:   Resurrection Catholic Community, the  Catholic church in Aptos,  sends a bus or two down to Soledad Prison  each years so that children can visit their parents.  Maybe some children’s books could also  be on that bus?  Sharing a book is a great way for a family to relate.               Licensed Psychologist  Cameron Jackson    PSY14762 

Monerey Bay Forum

127 Jewell Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
United States (US)
Phone: 831 688 6002
Fax: 831 688 7717
Email: jaj48@aol.com

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