It was a raisin, a simple baked- in- the- sun former grape and students were told it was going to take at least five minutes to eat. Participants in the “Mindful Eating” workshop sat holding their assigned bit, which stared up at them, waiting as patiently to be eaten as the student was to eat it. They noted the color and wrinkles, imagined what it had looked like as a grape, what it looked like on the vine, how it grew and changed in response to water and sun. They thought about the farmers who planted it, cared for it, harvested it and sent it off. They thought about the vines upon which it grew, the roots buried in the ground, the soil, the worms, roly polys and other critters that scurry around them and whose lives strengthen the soil. They thought about all the creatures that had contributed to their raisin.
They smelled the raisin and touched the various folds before they were allowed to put it in their mouths but not eat. The leader asked them to roll it around with their tongue, think about the texture, the size and then taste. After swallowing, thoughts turned to the role that the raisin would play in their body. They pictured the various parts of their digestive tract, the way that raisin would be broken down, assessed and then delivered to their appropriate locations. They thought about the nutrients deposited in their body, the ways in which their body would be strengthened, how happy their bodies were to get this raisin. Its journey still unfinished, the practice ended with discussion of what happens to the unused parts of the raisin, are they wasted? Absolutely not, instead they return to the soil to nurture the next go around.
Mindful eating is a practice for those moments when we need to slow down and reconnect not only our minds with our bodies but our lives with all the other lives in the world. Like so many other spiritual practices, it puts things in perspective, reminds us that we are a part of a larger being, we have a role and we benefit from the roles of others.
~ Small Group Meetings ~
The last small group meeting will be held at 9:00 and 11:15 on September 23rd. Signup sheets will be available at the 8:00 am service and in the Narthex each Sunday, and walk-ins are welcome.
If you haven’t been able to attend yet, please sign up, attend one of the meetings and complete the survey. If you would like to reserve a spot in a small group meeting and cannot make it to church to sign up, contact Michael Harrigian at (626) 441-0787 or mharrigian@sbcglobal.net
The survey provides an opportunity to express your view of
St. Edmund’s as it is today and your hopes for its future and it is vital that everyone participate in order to ensure a complete and accurate description of our parish for new rector candidates. The results of the survey will be compiled, presented to the parish and used by the Search Committee in identifying the permanent rector best suited to our needs.
~ Upcoming Events ~
Wednesday, September 19
A Conversation with Noah Bullock
Executive Director, Cristosal
7 pm | Parish Hall
Join a conversation with Noah Bullock, Executive Director of Cristosal, the leading NGO working on forced displacement due to violence in the Northern Triangle countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras-countries from which the majority of families at our border are fleeing. Cristosal takes a holistic, human rights-based approach that ranges from emergency humanitarian assistance for victims of forced displacement to strategic litigation that brings
structural change so victims can count on protection and assistance from their own governments.
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Sunday, September 23
Team 4 Acolyting
Children’s Liturgy
10 am | Chapel
Sunday School
10:30 am | Sunday School Classrooms
~
Sunday, September 30
Mass on the Grass
The Angeloff’s
Following worship there will be a picnic, suggested donations are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Remember to bring your bathing suits and tennis rackets!
~
Thursday, October 4
Managing Stress in the Teenage Brain
Presented by Dr. Marc Milstein
11 am | Carver Scrim Auditorium
7 pm | HMS Auditorium
Why do teenagers act the way they do? Discover the latest cutting-edge science that uncovers take-home tips and strategies to better understand, support, and help the teenage brain. Learn the surprising science of what happens in the developing teenage brain and why the teenage years are a critical time in brain development. Understand the impact of stress and trauma, why certain types of stress should be embraced, and science-based strategies parents and educators can utilize to teach teenagers effective stress management and resilience.
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Sunday, October 7
Blessing of the Animals
Team 1 Acolyting
Bring your pet to the close for a special blessing.
Youth Group
Haunted Hayride
7 pm | LA Zoo
$35 for hayride or $45 for entrance to all of the activities
For more information please visit their website here
Please RSVP by Friday, September 21
~
Sunday, October 14
Team 2 Acolyting
Children’s Liturgy
10 am | Chapel
Sunday School
10:30 am | Sunday School Classrooms
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Sunday, October 21
Team 3 Acolyting
Children’s Liturgy
10 am | Chapel
Sunday School
10:30 am | Sunday School Classrooms
~ Upcoming Events to Put on Your Calendar ~
Sunday, October 28
Nightmare Before Christmas
El Capitan Theater
~
Sunday, December 2
Wicked
The Pantages
Please feel free to contact Heather if you have questions.
