Mary Magdalene Pilgrimage

I recently returned from a trip to Palo Alto. The objective of this journey was to attend the Feast of Mary Magdalene at the Gnostic Sanctuary. This last spring I was invited along with Rev. Marsha Emrick to attend this special celebration. Back in 2002 I read about Bishop Rosamonde Miller and the Gnostic Sanctuary in Palo Alto. I had always wanted to attend one of her masses, but never really knew how to go about this endeavor. Thanks to Facebook, Bishop Rosamonde Miller and I were connected and thus the invitation was extended.

As Rev. Marsha and I made preparations for this trip, two of her clergy women asked us if they could come with us and of course we said yes. However, circumstances prevented Rev. Marsha from attending and the universe had other plans for one of the other clergy women. So I traveled down to Palo Alto with Grace, who proved to be a wonderful and easy going traveling companion. We had a great time driving from Seattle to Palo Alto and back again.

I didn't know what to expect before this trip; so I kept an open mind and made a decision not to have any expectations, but to enjoy the present moment I was in. This attitude worked out beautifully and I met many wonderful people, made new friends and met Bishop Rosamonde Miller and her husband. I also had the opportunity to meet with three women I went to Santa Barbara High School with; two who lives nearby and one who lives in Fresno. It was a wonderful weekend of reminiscing the past and rejuvenating my commitment in my spiritual path. It became apparent the Holy Spirit, which our tradition calls Sophia, was ever present.

On our way down we did the usual fun tourist stuff such as visiting "The Trees of Mystery" gift shop and taking many pictures of Paul Bunyan and his Ox. We also stopped in Garberville for lunch and some shopping. Garberville is a little town in Humbolt county off of 101. This town has many wonderful shops and great food. One might call it a hippy or an artist town. And the people are very nice. On the drive back to Seattle we drove through the Avenue of the Giants and took many pictures of the towering Red Wood trees. It's a beautiful scenic drive.

In Palo Alto we had the pleasure of dining with Bishops Rosamonde Miller and her husband. The mass for the Feast of Mary Magdalene is very difficult to describe. Although we were allowed to take pictures of the ceremony I made a choice to commune with the divine and hold the images forever in my heart. It's difficult to explain the transformation that took place in my soul. All I can say is the mass was a unique and personal experience and one would need to attend to come to ones own conclusions. What I can say is I have a renewed commitment in my personal spiritual life and in my role in the clergy for Hagia Sophia and Ecclesia Gnostica.

This pilgrimage was much more than to honor the Magdalene and visit a Bishop Rosamonde Miller who I have admired for almost seven years. As with all pilgrimages, it was to reignite the divine spark within and to fan the flame. This trip was also a chance to let loose and have a some fun, which I did. The most important aspect of this trip was to shut up and listen to what others were saying. There was much life experience and wisdom from everyone around and it was my time to be at the feet of the teachers.

Two days after I returned to my home I noticed some of my friends on Facebook were fans of "The Church of Mary Magdalene", a local parish that is dedicated to helping homeless women. I too became and fan and began a correspondence with the organization. I hope to visit this parish soon and perhaps share resources as I try to find help with the various families I work with as Head Start Family Advocate. This seems to be a small confirmation that I am on the attended path in both my spiritual work and the job that helps put food on the table. I also realize that the call of the Magdalene on my life is much more than a "spiritual experience" but a call to action to minister to those in need. I am not certain how this particular calling will manifest, but in the meantime I will cherish the balance between the Christos and the Holy Sophia.

Spectrum of Light is not Forgotten

I am writing a quick note that I have not forgotten about my blog. Here is a quick update of adventures as a Gnostic.

Last week Bishop Stephan Hoeller came to visit our Hagia Sophia. Along with blessing our new space, three more people were confirmed and I was moved up from Exorcist to Acolyte. Acolyte is the last of the minor orders before moving up to the big leagues or majors (for those of you who are into baseball). I will stay at Acolyte for a year or more and reflect upon the last four years of being in he clergy along with attaining new knowledge and experiences as a Gnostic. Moving up to Acolyte coincides with finally graduating with my BA in interdisciplinary arts and sciences at University of Washington in Bothell. I graduate June 14Th, the Sunday after Corpus Christi. My son graduates high school on Corpus Christ. Go figure.

This next year I plan on taking a year off from school to work and delve more into my spiritual path through study, practice and experience. I also hope to put more time into my home working around the house and cultivating my relationship with my family. Needless to say, much goes by the wayside when one is in school. However, I know enough by now that not all works according to our well laid plans. In other words I can plan all I want, but I must live life on life's terms and be flexible and open minded.

I hope in a year I will be entering Seattle University to work on my MA in Pastoral Counseling. When I told one of my classmates that I wanted to go into Pastoral Counseling, she demanded that I explain myself. I simple told her I would like a degree that combined theology and counseling practices. I think she thought I was going to counsel pastors.

That's what I have been up to this last winter and spring. I hope Spectrum of Light nor my other blog Creating Sacred Spaces will not be neglected, but I cannot make any promises, because one never knows what life will bring.

Ramblings of a Very Tired Mind

The last 24 hours I have been in deep contemplation on the spiritual path I have chosen. Or was it chosen for me? I do not consider myself an intellectual, but I enjoy reading and learning. I often mispronounce words while reading the lesson; the classics are when I said parakeet instead of Paraclete and when I pronounced myriads as myraids. My spell checker lets me know that there is no such thing as myraids. These little embarrassments provide comic relief and I am the first one to laugh. However, I do take my spiritual path seriously and these little mistakes may be a way to keep my own ego in check; either that or I need to practice reading the lessons more often. Probably a little of both. Through the last 24 hours the question comes to mind, what sort of person do I want to be on the Gnostic Spiritual Journey? I know what I don't want to be.

I don't want to be:

A gossip. This is something I am working on and I have to constantly keep myself in check and mind my own business.

A knee jerker. By that I mean I don't want to react before thinking my intended actions through and reasoning things out with a trusted friend or counselor.

Resentful. Someone said that resentment was like taking poison and expecting the other person to die. Mother Marsha I think said that.

Obsessive. There are times I obsess and it's difficult to let go.

I could go on with this list, but the hour is getting late. Lately my prayer life is changing. When I find myself in one of the above four behaviors, I find myself pausing and just saying "God I don't want to be like this" and this little simple prayer is enough to get me to stop, laugh at my ridiculous behavior, put my ego in check and move on. There are times I have to say this prayer more than once, but it seems to work every time.

I don't know where this spiritual path will lead me, that's the beauty of this journey. All I need to do is mind my own business, think things through, let go of the past and be in the present. It's the beauty of this exact moment that matters.

In Serenity and Joy
Andrea

Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice is more than waiting for the return of the warmth of light during the long dark cold days. This is a time of quiet contemplation and keeping the spark within nourished in order to flourish when spring time arrives. In a sense we are pregnant with this divine spark as it grows inside of us. And it is up to us, the mothers and fathers, of this infant light to make sure that it is born into a healthy vibrant flame. However, nourishing the divine within is not an easy task. Often we're uncomfortable with anxiety of what it actually means to have something alive within. Ask any mother who has given birth to an infant.

I am on day six of being snowed in and have plenty of time to contemplate what Winter Solstice means to me. When I am stuck at home, I find my anxiety peaks. I think this is due to the fact I am spending so much time with myself and not pushing my feelings down when I am busy with work, school and other obligations. All of my obligations are put on hold due to snow and ice. The only obligation I have for now is to nourish the divine spark within and attend to the running of the household.

It takes great concentration to not to ignore this divine spark within. During this time I find myself watching way too much T.V to find out when we'll get a break from the weather. I spend a lot of time on the Internet checking e-mails and my facebook account. Yesterday I did too much of this. Today I find myself looking within to make sure the spark is still lit and has not gone out. This is the downside of our modern technology. It's easy to waste precious time. However, I will not allow myself guilt or shame over this. Guilt and shame is also a great waste of precious time.

What I need to remember is that this is a time to rest and take care of myself. It was a busy fall with school and work. How rare it is that one has a whole week at home with no schedule or outside obligations. This is a good time to enjoy my home and the divine spark within.

In Serenity and Joy
Andrea

A New Home for Hagia Sophia

I just picked up the key for Hagia Sophia's new home. We move in this Saturday. If anyone would like to help just let me know in the comments. Detail on moving coming soon. Thank you for all of your prayers and good thoughts. The next step is making the rent every month.

In Serenity and Joy
Andrea

One More Step

After almost three years in the clergy, I have moved up to Exorcist. I will write more later, but wanted to share this picture.

In Serenity and Joy
Andrea

Hagia Sophia in Search for a Church Home

Hagia Sophia, a Gnostic congregation in Seattle Washington, is searching for a permanent church home. We celebrate a Gnostic Holy Eucharist which is the traditional Liturgy (Mass) for public worship(from "The Order for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist by Ecclesia Gnostica).

We are looking for a place that is in the Seattle area and is easily accessible by bus, but also has parking. The space needs to have an area for the mass which can seat up to 20 people, a restroom and a social area where we can plug in a microwave, coffee pot and hot plate for social gatherings. We also need storage for vestments, candles and mass books. Since we celebrate a Gnostic Holy Eucharist, we use incense and candles which is essential to our tradition. We are a small congregation with limited funds, so we are looking to pay between $300-$500 a month. If anyone has any idea where we can look, suggestions would be most helpful. Below is pictures of our mass and our priest Sam Osborne+. You are welcome to comment on this blog.

Thank You
Andrea


Our esteemed and wonderful Priest Sam Osborne+