Sacred Traditions And Rituals

Black Elk Native American Spirituality - Sunday September 8, 2024 - 6:00PM
Fellowship Hall * Central United Methodist Church * 233 North Church Street * Spartanburg, SC
Black Elk, known through Black Elk Speaks, is a Native American mystic. His visions—shared in dance, art, and music—are often offered as representative of indigenous people's spirituality. We will look at the ideas and life of this shaman to see his surprising and inspiring message—one particularly apt for creation spirituality communities such as S.T.A.R. in these contentious times.

Dreams - Sunday August 11, 2024 - 6:00PM
Fellowship Hall * Central United Methodist Church * 233 North Church Street * Spartanburg, SC
Equally diverse are the ways people interpret dreams. Some do it one-on-one. Others stick to their own dreams. Dreams are also interpreted in groups of folks, who sometimes even act them out—adding and improvising as they go. Again, this is no exhaustive list of interpretive methods. As part of our service, we will learn more about this interesting subject and important tool of spiritual formation.

The Necessity of Satan - Sunday July 28, 2024 - 6:00PM
Fellowship Hall * Central United Methodist Church * 233 North Church Street * Spartanburg, SC
Our reflection will look at the philosophical, psychological, and political forces that made it necessary to have a personification of evil opposing the goodness of the Divine. Andy Crosland, with a contribution from Bill Taylor, will help us see the meaning Satan has for Creation Spirituality and for those of us trying to make sense of the evil in our world today.

Saint Columba - Sunday June 9th, 2024 - 6:00PM
Fellowship Hall * Central United Methodist Church * 233 North Church Street * Spartanburg, SC
In the 6th Century, an Irish holy man set foot on a tiny Scottish Isle and changed the course of Christianity. He was highly regarded by both the Gaels and Picts, being considered one of the twelve apostles of Ireland. He founded the important abbey on Iona – which became a dominant religious and political institution in the region for centuries.

Tranquility with Tea - Sunday March 24, 2023 - 6:00PM
Fellowship Hall * Central United Methodist Church * 233 North Church Street * Spartanburg, SC
As part of our service, we will read The Book of Esther and every time Haman’s name is read, we will make a great noise to drown out his name. Then after the service, as S.T.A.R. Family and Friends, we will enjoy Refreshments and Sharing Time Together.