Sacred Traditions And Rituals a call to connection
Since 1997, Sacred Traditions And Rituals has been gathering as an inclusive worshipping community. As a ministry of community, S.T.A.R. reaches out by calling to connection all who seek the Holy and the Sacred through the wisdom of other faith traditions while celebrating their own faith and spirituality.
Led by an ordained member of the clergy, members are encouraged to participate in the leadership of rituals influenced by Creation Spirituality — including music, art, dance, drama, prayerful contemplation, poetry, and prose.
As a caring and compassionate community, S.T.A.R. participates in service and mission efforts and addresses environmental concerns — in the local and broader community. A large share of each month’s offering is designated for outreach, particularly the Sack-Gift-Collection, items given for special community projects.
Hosted by Central United Methodist Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Sacred Traditions And Rituals welcomes everyone, regardless of faith background, spiritual preference, or involvement in another denomination.
For S.T.A.R.'s website go to:
Led by an ordained member of the clergy, members are encouraged to participate in the leadership of rituals influenced by Creation Spirituality — including music, art, dance, drama, prayerful contemplation, poetry, and prose.
As a caring and compassionate community, S.T.A.R. participates in service and mission efforts and addresses environmental concerns — in the local and broader community. A large share of each month’s offering is designated for outreach, particularly the Sack-Gift-Collection, items given for special community projects.
Hosted by Central United Methodist Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Sacred Traditions And Rituals welcomes everyone, regardless of faith background, spiritual preference, or involvement in another denomination.
For S.T.A.R.'s website go to:
Sacred Traditions And Rituals
a service devoted to quieting minds, opening hearts, soothing souls
Reflection: The Practice of Living with Flowers
Once again, and by overwhelming popular request . . . Steve Willis will help us experience how flowers and the arrangement of Ikebana are transformed into the poetic language of the heart. If you haven't experienced this service, please make plans to join us and if you have . . . you know just how magical this evening will be for everyone!
Ikebana is an ancient Japanese art that has it's origin in Buddhism. It is the practice of arranging flowers or plant materials in silence, in a way that encourages us to pause, think and create . . . as part of a contemplative meditation.
Unlike conventional flower arrangements, which emphasize the color and bloom of different types of flowers set in a vase, Ikebana pays attention to the overall line and form of all plant material used and emphasizes minimalism and asymmetry.
As a spiritual art, Ikebana is guided by a deeper philosophy of bringing the sacred relationship between nature and humanity together in a flower pot. Requiring more effort and intent than cramming a bunch of your grandmother's daisies into a vase, the disciplined art form of Ikebana symbolizes the joining of heaven, earth, and humanity.
Our Prayerful Meditation and Contemplation will be created and offered by Steve Willis. He is a retired teacher of horticulture to special education students, now spending much of his time tending his large ornamental garden. Steve is a long-time member of the S.T.A.R. community, having served on the Board and now serves on the Executive Committee.
A portion of the offering collected is designated for the - Compassion Fund of the Spartanburg Interfaith Alliance - honoring Steve for sharing his creative energy with us.
Fellowship Hall *Central United Methodist Church * 233 North Church Street * Spartanburg * South Carolina * 29306
** Tranquility With Tea—A service devoted to quieting minds, opening hearts, soothing souls … joining together in prayerful meditation and reflection centering on a symbol, idea, reflection or need. These services will incorporate contemplative prayers and silence; music and chants as well as portions from the Zen Buddhist Tea Ceremony.
S.T.A.R. has a Facebook page that can help involve you in this ministry!