Solace EMC Inc. News

Queer Spirit

Penny Davis — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:06:43 GMT

The way of Word

Penny Davis — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:05:00 GMT

THE WAY OF WORD

Overview

The way of the word leads to life changing “ah hah!” moments. This involves building an intellectual framework that is meaningful and engaging in dialogue that is influential and life changing.

Why practice this spirituality

To become “enlightened” and to live from a meaningful and coherent belief framework that influences and changes lives for good. The way of the word offers:

•• Enlightenment and deep conviction
•• Understanding of God’s love
•• Life giving dialogue and persuasion
•• Transformation through knowledge
•• A clear pathway via study and learning
•• Enables courageous actions
•• Enables a civilisation to rise to new heights
•• Defines meaning and hope

Challenges

•• Oppressive, manipulative propaganda if wrongly used

•• Has justified all manner of evil actions

•• Right beliefs alone often seen as the main “action” of true piety.

A person who practices the Way of Transformation will probably do some of the following things:

•• Commit to the hard work of study

•• Give time for deep reflection

•• Seek to put into practice what they are learning.

•• Put themselves in new and challenging environments, always being open to a new experience or different perspective.

•• Be more attracted to understanding different perspectives rather than debate or defend or impose their own position.

Jesus

Jesus serves as a good model in this spirituality. Recognised as a “good teacher” he employed an apprentice model of passing on learning - that is, modeling the life transformation that he invited people into. In the Gospels we see times of Jesus explaining things through story, reflecting on everyday aspects of life, and listening to questions. Jesus himself was a learner - first in the carpentry trade and then in the Jewish religious schools. He is an example of someone who continually sought to pass on his learning with the aim of deep personal and communal transformation.

Bible

•• The bible itself
•• The bible on this topic:
•o “Revelation” such as covenant and gospel
•o Prophetic words
•o Wisdom/Sophia
•o The incarnate word
•o The Acts of the Apostles
•o Transformation via the renewing of the mind

Other places to begin exploring the Way of the word:

•• Ambrose of Milan (337-397)

•• Martin Luther (1483-1546)

•• C.S Lewis (1898-1963)

•• “Streams of Living Water”, R. Foster

•• TED.com

•• The works of Brian McLaren, N.T Wright and other theologians

•• Theological Colleges such as Tabor College, Whitely & United Theological College etc

•• Wikipedia articles

•• Explorefaith.org

Spiritual Practices:

•• listening to inspiring teaching, preaching and sharing

•• Developing your own words that are truthful about your experience of God

•• Study - bible, theology, doctrines

•• Academia -formal and informal

•• Reading

•• Meditating on ideas

•• Journaling

•• Building a belief system

•• Lectio divina

•• Conversion and submission

•• Dialogue

•• Persuasion, rhetoric and debate

•• Story telling

•• Podcasts/Blog reading

The way of the Everyday

Penny Davis — Thu, 16 May 2013 21:03:29 GMT

The way of the Everyday

Overview

The Way of the Everyday is about acknowledging that God is both above all things and in all things - it is about living with spirit made real in matter. It is about finding God notoriously active in the everyday.

Why practice this spirituality?

It may enable you to find deep meaning and mystery in the mundane. It makes the ordinary sacred and invites us to make holy all aspects of life. We experience ourselves as a temple of God and agents for grace, love and justice in daily matters.

Challenges

It might lead us to confuse creation and God (idolatry and pantheism). It might mean we distrust “revelation” or other more “transcendent” spiritual traditions.

Biblical foundations for the way of the Everyday

•• Jewish worldview (OT)
•• Creation accounts
•• Wisdom literature (psalms, proverbs, Ecclesiastes, lamentations, song of Solomon)
•• Incarnation of the word in Human form
•• Second half of Paul’s epistles (esp. Galatians, Colossians, and Ephesians)

Jesus

Although proclaimed a king in his time, Jesus lived a very ordinary life. Born in a manger, learning the trade of carpentry, dying on a cross - all these are contrary to the views of what a king and god should do and be. Ironically it was this connection to the everyday that hindered many people recognizing Jesus as the son of God.

A person who practices the Way of the Everyday will probably do some of the following things:

•- Acknowledge that God is a part of all aspects of their day.

•- See their workplace as a place to live out their spirituality.

•- Describe their life and faith story the same way, using the same kinds of words, regardless of who they were talking with.

•- Be regarded by others as living well, fueled by meaning

•- Have some lovely routines and rituals as part of everyday life

Spiritual Practices

•• Mindfully walking with God in all things
•• WWJD
•• Awareness Examen and reflective exercises
•• Journaling
•• Gratitude and happiness exercises
•• Mundane activities with a Holy attitude
•• Creating everyday rituals
•• Finding God in creation
•• Everyday Prayers

Other places to begin exploring the Way of the Everyday:

•- Streams of living water” by R Foster Chapter

•- Remaking handbook published by Solace

•- Everyday practices stored at the Solace venue

•- http://www.embody.co.uk

The Way of Contemplation

Penny Davis — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:28:03 GMT

THE WAY OF CONTEMPLATION

Overview

The way of contemplation is about making space in our lives to reflect, hear God, and be ready to respond more thoughtfully in the world. The way of Contemplation can often be accused of being escapist, but the aim of contemplation is becoming present. It may lead to intimate experiences of God’s love and gifts. It will enable greater knowledge of self, others, God and the world. It will mature and grow your inner being; it will also enable you to authentically live a more purposeful life through mindfulness.

Challenges

The way of Contemplation can be more challenging for some personalities. People can fall into traps to legalism or formulas. It can become escapist or foster self-absorption if done without guides or in absolute isolation all the time. Western culture is very connected, distracted & busy which can be a challenge to switching off and taking time to contemplate.

Biblical Foundations for Contemplation

•· Elijah and the still small voice (1Kings 19)

•· Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10)

•· Creation and God's rest

•· Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Jesus

Jesus serves as a good model in this spiritual tradition; in Gethsemane we see Jesus keenly aware of what was happening around him, and although faced with the option of running away from it, he prayed which grounded him in who he was and what he was supposed to be doing, which enabled him to stay in the situation.

A person who practices the Way of Contemplation will probably do some of the following things:

•· Know how they can “retreat” in order that they engage more.

•· Regularly do activities that create mindfulness or lead to feeling “connected”

•· May have mystical experiences

•· Will be able to give their word and keep it.

•· Will be known as a peaceful person, not scattered or inconsistent.

Spiritual practices in the way of Contemplation:

•· Silent & Centering prayer

•· Liturgical prayer

•· Activity-based contemplation

•· Mediation on a word, sung chants, breathing

•· “Hands to work and hearts to God” prayers

•· Retreats

•· Spiritual direction

•· Mindfulness practices

•· Body movement prayers

•· Lectio Divina

•· Awareness Examin

•· Working with stuff: reflecting, candles, newspapers, play dough, stones, poems, Leunig etc

Other places to explore this Way:

•· Campion Retreat Centre, Kew

•· Wellspring, Ashburton

•· “Streams of Living Water”, R. Foster

•· “Remaking” handbook published by Solace

•· Contemplative practices stored at the Solace venue

Reources Page

Penny Davis — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 02:12:25 GMT

Resources Information

SOLACE Resources are accessible for free by anyone. You will need to log in to access them though. If you aren't already a member, you can sign up for free membership to the site which will give you access to these resources.

If you are already a member, log in using the login box to the lower left. If you want to create a membership, follow this link MEMBERSHIP

We have Spiritual Practices, liturgies and our 7 ways Stuff on the Resources page with more being added weekly! Make sure you check back regularly :)

The 7 Ways Introduction

Penny Davis — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 01:11:56 GMT

The Seven Ways

Traditions founded on Jesus teachings and developed in the early Church are full of depth and variety that can help any of us journey with spiritual wholeness. Spiritual wholeness can be the foundation for a satisfying and remarkable life. Below is a summary of the “7 Ways”; a framework SOLACE use to organise Christian Traditions and some of the Spiritual Practices that can help you develop in those areas.

The Way of…	Recent example	Description	Possible Practices
Seeking the Spirit	John Wimber Quakers	Accesses mystery to focus on lived experience.	Silence, singing, prayer
Word	C.S. Lewis Marcus Borg	Engaging ideas with the goal of change and transformation.	Study, debate
Justice	Desmond Tutu Mother Teresa	Compassion for the community, the individual and the environment.	Activism, service
Contemplation	Henri Nouwen	Self-aware to engage with life around us and the transcendent.	Meditation,
Everyday	T.S. Eliot Isaac Newton	Acknowledging God above and in all things.	Journaling, observation
Relating	M. Scott Peck	Wholeness in human relationships.	Hospitality, friendship
Wholeness	Dietrich Bonhoffer	Focuses on a good way to live.	Slow food, prophetic engagement

A Seeking Process

•1. Learn some more about the options – look up some of the people or ideas on this handout.

•2. Imagine yourself with a healthy spiritual life, what does it look like?

•3. What’s the simplest thing you could do right away to start the journey towards a healthy spiritual life?

For more information, contact someone at Solace www.solacechurch.org.au Solace is an emerging missional network and community whose vision is to see a future where all people in Australia have a rich and satisfying spiritual journey.

Sunday Stuff :)

Penny Davis — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 03:42:23 GMT

Sunday Stuff is back this weekend after the school holiday break.

Last week we had a great working bee at 751 where lots of work was done & we had fun along the way. Thank you so much to those who could make it & all the work you did! Our façade had water damage & has been stripped back ready for a new look... keep an eye out :)

Mel J is on well deserved leave in term 2 so she can focus on her heavy university load. I will be organising kids stuff and Paul T will be organising toddlers.

This term the Primary kids are working on a multimedia project based on the good Samaritan story. The Toddlers are looking at God's great world and the Adults & Tweens are going to be working through the 7 ways. The 7 ways are traditions or spirituality's that can be found in different forms of Christianity. Come along and learn what they are, find out where you sit naturally and do some practices from each of the ways.

Tweens are joining the adults time as we workshop through the 7 ways, they will have Paul T working with them. The first Sunday of the month, the tweens will go to Red Rooster to do their own exploration. They also have a movie night and city adventure booked in this term. Fliers and information will be going out to the Tweens soon.

I hope you are well & look forward to seeing you soon.

Penny :)

Coordinating Pastor

Contemplation Space @ 751

Penny Davis — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 03:41:25 GMT

The Contemplation space upstairs at 751 has been refurbished with funds raised used to purchase large floor cushions, furniture, fixtures and art. Make sure you have a look next time you are in.

Food Donations for Asylum Seeker Resource Centre

Penny Davis — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 21:07:33 GMT

We are collecting food & other stuff to be donated to The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), Australia’s largest aid and advocacy organisation for asylum seekers which provides an entire week’s groceries to over 150 families every week. Most have no work rights and receive no welfare. They have no income! Over half of this food is donated by people like you! SOLACE will be dropping off our stuff as it builds up to the Alphington Community Centre which is now an official drop off point for ASRC food collections (2 Kelvin Rd, Alphington 94997227).

You can drop stuff to 751 during Sunday Stuff, Tuesday Stuff or alternatively call Penny on 0421902279 to organise another time.

Items needed:

•· MYKI cards
•· Phone cards
•· Gift cards
•· Tinned fish
•· Dried fruit
•· Long life UHT milk
•· Tomato paste
•· Biscuits
•· Spices
•· Tinned fruit
•· Tinned veg
•· Nuts
•· Cereal
•· Tea/Coffee
•· Soap
•· Shaving stuff
•· Pads and tampons
•· Shampoo/Conditioner
•· Dishwashing detergent
•· Toothbrush/toothpaste
•· Toilet paper
•· Washing powder
•· Other non-perishables also welcomed (but please not baked beans, tinned spaghetti or tinned soup please).
•· Fresh Food can be dropped off directly to Alphington Community Centre on Thursday morning between 10am – noon.

Cool pop-up-church event at the Melbourne food & wine festival run by St Kilda Bapt Youth!

Penny Davis — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 15:40:10 GMT

http://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/event-calendar/skys-heaven-to-earth-4111

10 to 14 year olds Beach Day

Olivia MacLean — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 22:46:27 GMT

Tween Beach Day on 16th February 2013 9am to 4:30pm

Parents drop off and pick up “tweens” from 751 Heidelberg Rd, Alphington at those times. You must be between 10 and 14 years old.
We will visit Williamstown Esplanade Beach and the Botanical Gardens and the day will involve some crazy fun games, food, beach time (whether that’s lazing, playing or swimming), a small vision quest and time for reflection.
Cost: $20 per person per day as able.
Pack: drink bottle and lunch, sunscreen, insect repellent, swimmers, towel, hat and other sunblock clothes, $20 discretionary spending money and a journal (if you have one.) Please RSVP for travel purposes and permissions.

Special Announcement - Solace Director Resigns

Olivia MacLean — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 19:14:17 GMT

The Solace Director has submitted her resignation.

Hopefully all Solace friends, members and supporters will receive a posted letter today (or Tuesday), and/or an email.

To see more and for full copies of these letters please go to our new web page "intentional period -information" by clicking on this menu item just to the left of this page.

Paul and Penny -published authors for this years' Easter Journey

Olivia MacLean — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 21:42:42 GMT

A good resource for prayer this Lent (the Easter Journey) has just been published and includes a reflection each from our very own Penny Davis and Paul Toms. Congratulations guys!!

Check it out at:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/271608

where you can buy a traditional tree book or any kind of e-book.

It is based on the traditional daily prayer book with supplied prayers and a short reflection. It is local (Australia and New Zealand). Support yourself and this great ideas this Easter.

Liv says "I have already bought one!!! it took less than 5 minutes (to order and download), and cost less than $5. Now for less than 5 minutes each day of the Easter Journey i could put something good into my life."

Paul and Penny -published authors for this years' Easter Journey

Olivia MacLean — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 21:42:56 GMT

A good resource for prayer this Lent (the Easter Journey) has just been published and includes a reflection each from our very own Penny Davis and Paul Toms. Congratulations guys!!

Check it out at:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/271608

where you can buy a traditional tree book or any kind of e-book.

It is based on the traditional daily prayer book with supplied prayers and a short reflection. It is local (Australia and New Zealand). Support yourself and this great ideas this Easter.

Sunday Stuff Email :)

Penny Davis — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 01:39:44 GMT

Hi Sunday Stuff'ers

Hope your Christmas & New Years were lovely.

We are still on a break from meeting on Sundays & will be back on the 3rd February once the school term commences. This break from our usual gatherings is a fantastic opportunity to introduce some of the fabulous Spiritual practices we have been doing into our day to day lives.

We have had two new additions to the SOLACE community since we last met together. Paul and Amber had their daughter Yarra arrive on Christmas evening. Kirsten and Adrian had their daughter Eleanor early on the 12th January. Both families are doing well :)

Some people are going to be cooking a meal for them starting February. If you would like to provide a meal for them, let me know.

The first Tweenie event for 2013 is on Sat feb 16. Liv is taking the crew to the beach for the day. Meet at Solace 751 at 9am, More info to come.

Sunday Stuff people are are going away for the weekend on 1st March in Sorrento. Make sure you block the date out to be there. I'll get the rego information out soon, but for now you can follow the link below to rsvp on facebook.

I hope you are doing well & able to get some down time as the year kicks off. Let me know if you want to catch up for a cuppa or kids play date, i have lots of time :)

Penny

Sunday Stuff Pastor

Update your details on the database?

Wine Fundraiser

Sunday Stuff Weekend Away

March 1st-3rd

www.solacechurch.org.au

http://www.solacechurch.org.au/events?eventId=597575&EventViewMode=EventDetails

https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/256830781110716/?fref=ts

End of Year Dinner -online registration

Olivia MacLean — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:53:48 GMT

Come and celebrate the end of another fabulous year with the SOLACE crew!

Thanks to all those who have already indicated their attendance. You don't need to do anything more unless you want to register here and pre-pay.

There will be plenty of drinks, yummy food & great company :)
Food starts from 6pm, and we will make sure there is still food left at 8pm for late comers.

Short speeches around 7pm

Doors open at 5pm so families (and others) are welcome early.
751 Heidelberg Rd, Alphington

DVD's on in the upstairs room from about 6:45pm for children.

$15 adult, $5 child (for all food and drinks).

Pay now online or RSVP to Olivia (or at the facebook page) and pay on the night.

Christmas Drinking orders now being taken!!

Olivia MacLean — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 15:49:14 GMT

Ensure your Christmas tipple is top class and purchase a dozen of the Solace fundraiser wines.

This Summer we are offering four excellent wines. You can purchase a four-pack (one of each) or a dozen (three of each).

A dozen costs $160 and a four-pack costs $55. To order a four pack please go to the event with that name.

Boxes of a dozen or more can be delivered anywhere up to thirty minutes from Alphington.

Smaller orders will need to be picked up from the Solace venue (751 Heidelberg Rd, Alphington) from Friday Dec 21st.

Olivia is particularly excited about the wines on offer this year, they are of an even higher standard showing age and complexity. If you paid $20 per bottle you'd still think you had got a great bargain!

The four wines are:

Dr Suess Chardonnay
(2010 Red Hill Chardonnay)
Not in a minute, not in an hour.

Not in the garage, not in the shower.

Yes with my friends, at the end of the day,

I like this Christmas Chardonnay

Safety Blanket Sauvignon Blanc
(2012 Marlbourgh Sauvignon Blanc)
- your comfort during the family reunion season

Jolly Red Rascal
(2005 Rutherglen Shiraz Durif)
- a festive shiraz as big as the guy in the suit

Call a Cab Cabernet
(2009 Currency Creek Cabernet Sauvignon)
- stay safe on the roads this Christmas

Great for christmas day, perfect for summer get togethers and great gifts!!! (yes! everything but the free steak knives)

please enjoy responsibly.

If you have any trouble ordering via this website please call Olivia on 0425 768 441 to register your order.

This website does not sell products but sells events. There are two "events" created for this christmas wine fundraiser. One involves purchases by the dozen, the other is by the four pack. You "register" and this buys you one unit (either a dozen or a four-pack). At each "event" you can buy as many of that one unit as you like but unfortunately you need to register for the other event to purchase wine in that size allocation.

To order more than one unit (a dozen or a four-pack) please click on the "guest" button. Each guest added is one more lot of that wine. So to buy 3 dozen, register at the event "Christmas wine fund raiser by the dozen" and then add 2 guests.

please go to our events page

www.solacechurch.org.au/events

Creation

Paul Toms — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 20:28:42 GMT

The creation stories in Genesis have caused much controversy over the years and have been used to justify actions that many find abhorrent.

So why should we bother with them?

Because they are stories that offer so much to our understanding of God, ourselves and the world in which we live.

For a helpful and inspiring way to approach them check this link out.

youtube.com/watch?v=5bKa92eLkQM

Confirming the mega marvellous Cameron Semmens!

Olivia MacLean — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 02:14:21 GMT

Yep! we got him!

the world's best spiritually imbued, whimsical and profound performance poet Cameron Semmens will be the main event at the 10-14 year olds gathering on Saturday night.

come and join the tribe!

5:30-9pm, sat oct 6th, 751 heidelberg rd, alphington.

bad luck if you are an oldie!!!!

are you aged 10 to 14 years old?...or know someone who is?

Olivia MacLean — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 18:11:56 GMT

Our next event is Saturday Oct 6th

5:30pm to 9pm

751 Heidelberg Rd, Alphington

walk the prayer labyrinth, question mark, have fun, eat great food and more.

see you there