Hallowlujah!!!

You gotta love a holiday which requires no gift-giving, no stiffly polite parties, no fancy clothes, no religious services, no mind-numbing barrage of holiday tunes in malls to get you buying, no cross-country trips to family gatherings where you eat at odd hours, watch Uncle Dewey’s oh-so-familiar drunken impersonation of R2D2 and have Aunt Marge’s rottweiler jump up snarling at 2:00 in the morning on the sofa-bed to which you were assigned to sleep.

Halloween requires none of the trappings of other holidays. Halloween has two - and only two – requisites: costumes and candy. That’s it! Costumes and candy. And the wilder the costume - and the more prolific the candy - the better. Nor do the costumes need to be expensive. Creative or colorful, yes. Goofy or sexy, absolutely. Outlandish or bizarre, definitely. But, big bucks? Naaah. Likewise, the candy doesn’t need to be Godiva chocolate or imported macadamia/saffron truffles. A bowl of M&M’s and a platter of gummy dinosaurs will do just fine, thank you.

Who knows how Halloween has escaped the lavish and gawky accouterments of other holidays? Maybe it’s because of its focus on children. Maybe it’s because the shopping centers are already decorated for Christmas. Or maybe… just maybe… it’s because Halloween is about death.

You can celebrate Samhein (pronounced sow’en – don’t embarrass yourself) in the Wiccan tradition, Day of the Dead (El Dia de Los Muertos – say it in Spanish and impress your friends) in the Latino tradition, All Hallows Eve (Hallows Eve > Hallows Eventide > Hallowe’en. Get it?) in the Roman Catholic/Anglican traditions, followed by All Saints’ Day and All Souls Day two days later, (All Saints is for the good guys, All Souls is for the rest of us) also in the Roman Catholic/Anglican traditions. But no matter what tradition you’re coming from, it’s all about death and dead people.
The Gaelic word, Samhein, literally means “summer’s end.” It’s the end of the growing season and the time when everything dies. Which, of course, reminds us of ourselves and causes us to wonder how much growing season we have left. Samhein was originally celebrated as the Celtic New Year (remember Van Morrison’s song?). In the Wiccan tradition, Samhein is a time to remember the dead – ancestors, family members, friends… and to remember that someday we will come to the end of our growing season as well.

All Hallows Eve is celebrated by orthodox Christians as the night before All Saints’ Day. It is during this holy night and day that the veil between death and life is lifted; and we may possibly communicate with the Saints (the ones who made the cut and got into heaven). But, of course, since the veil is lifted, it means that any ol’ dead spirit can slip through and come running around scaring us decent living folks. Hence, costumes (to mimic the dead) and candy (to appease the dead so they won’t play “tricks” on us).

Which brings us back to why so many love this holiday so much. If you want to take it seriously, you can. You can spend some very good time remembering your loved ones – and not-so-loved ones – who “went before you,” as they say. You can light a candle to those dearly departed and open yourself to a sense of connection with them.

Or, you can dress as a kumquat, dress in drag or dress as a kumquat in drag. You can embarrass yourself and possibly frighten those around you simultaneously. But, it’s all in good fun. And maybe that’s one of the best things Halloween has to offer: a reminder that life is short - way too short for many – and, donning silly costumes and sharing sweets with each other is not at all a bad way to live. Who knows? It might get you into heaven; and will almost certainly get you remembered one way or another. – Howard

Sunday Celebrations at Jubilee!
VIA NEGATIVA: Sorrow Songs
November 1, 2009: “Standing in the Need of Prayer”
Genesis 32: 22 –32
I will not let you go unless you bless me.
Luke 18: 1—8
I will grant her justice so she will not wear me out.
Celebration Leader: Howard Hanger

VIA NEGATIVA: Sorrow Songs
November 8, 2009: “I Wanna Be Ready”
Deuteronomy 10: 12—22
Walk in all God’s ways.
Luke 18: 9—14
All who humble themselves will be exhalted.
Celebration Leader: Howard Hanger

VIA NEGATIVA: Sorrow Songs
November 15, 2009: “There Is a Balm in Gilead”
Exodus 34: 5—9
Although this is a stiff-necked people, pardon our iniquity...
Luke 19: 1—10
He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.
Celebration Leader: Howard Hanger

Questions about calendar? Call 252-5335 or go to: Calendar

All Saints’ Day Bonfire Happens on November 1st - Sunday, November 1st is All Saints’ Day. At Jubilee! we traditionally celebrate the day with a bonfire at Hanger Hall, 31 Park Avenue, North. The service will begin at 5 pm and will be led by Howard. It is said that on that day the “veil” between this world and the next is lifted so that we may remember and connect with all the “saints” in our lives. Directions to Hanger Hall will be available on the counter in the Hospitality Room.

Dreaming the Night Awake - Want to know what to make of your dreams, and how to approach them respectfully? On the evenings of November 10th and 17th, from 7—9 pm, Laurel Reinhardt, PhD, will be offering a dream workshop in which you will learn things like: how to learn your dream language and how to create your own dream dictionary; how to ask your dreams to answer particular questions; how to deepen your relationship with and understanding of your dreams; ways to enhance your memory of your dreams.
Start now by going to sleep every night with the intention of remembering a dream which you will want to explore in this class, but come even if you don’t have a dream, as we will begin with some guided imagery designed to give you a waking dream with which to work. Bring your dream, a journal, and a pen; all other materials will be supplied. Suggested donation: $15 per night, or $20 for both nights. To register, email Laurel at: innerlandscaping@aol.com - or just show up. By dreaming together, we awaken ourselves, each other, and the planet. This workshop is brought to you by the Jubilee! Spiritual Journey Team.

Set Your Clocks BACK! - Be sure to set your clocks BACK on Saturday evening, October 31st as Daylight Savings Time ends that night.

Remember Starting Sunday, November 1st, the Patton Avenue Doors will be locked from 9:50 to 10:45 am. You may enter from downstairs using the door in the Futon Gallery parking lot. This decision was made by the Jubilee! Board of Directors as a part of our Safe Sanctuary Policy. By asking Jubilants to use the side entrance to access the upstairs, we are providing another layer of security for the children in our Nurture Space during the time that our Nurture Program for children is happening.

Happy Anniversary - Eight years ago, Patte Mitchell who was then our Facilitator of Community Life, heard of a new program started in Knoxville, TN. A group of churches had banded together to assist homeless women in their community. That program was called Room in the Inn. Patte brought the idea to the Jubilee! Outreach Team and that program was begun in Asheville. Now, four weeks a year we host Room in the Inn. We move mattresses, make breakfasts, bag lunches and dinners, provide evening hosts, overnight “inn-keepers” and drivers, shuttling our guests between A-Hope and Jubilee! All of this takes planning and the involvement of many volunteers. At the moment, due to illness and life changes, we are looking for a breakfast/lunch coordinator and a night-time coordinator. This work involves making phone calls. Could you help us? If so, call Carol Greenspan at 298-6066. Thanks!

It’s the Relationship!  -The Jubilee! Spiritual Journey Team is pleased to offer another relationship workshop presented by Pripo Teplitsky entitled “The #1 Relationship Booster: The Power of Appreciation.” This workshop was given last May and has been highly requested to be offered again with the addition of new material not previously presented. Pripo is a therapist specializing in relationship issues. This workshop will focus on learning and practicing new skills of appreciation in relationships. For people in long-term relationships, appreciating is an especially valuable skill to master. It is an art form of limitless possibilities which brings about an immediate shift in the quality of a relationship. There is nothing more powerful than the clear communication of appreciation. The workshop will be held at Jubilee! from 6 pm—9 pm on November 19. It is open to individuals, couples and family members. The cost is $20 per person or $35 per couple to be collected at the door. No registration is required, and you may call Pripo at 687-6571 for further information.

In Concert Please join ‘World Music Super-Group’ Free Planet Radio for their last concert of 2009, titled “In the Round: Up Close and Personal” on Friday, October 30th, 8 pm at Jubilee! Tickets and CD’s are $10. Members of the group who play at Jubilee! regularly are Chris Rosser, Eliot Wadopian and River Guegue-rian. For more information go to www.free planetradio.com.

Game Night - The next Singles’ Game Night is November 14 at 6 pm at Charlie Weinke’s home located at 31 Twin Brook Road in Arden. Please bring a potluck dish. His phone # is 654-9752. Join us for food and fun!

Drivers Needed for Meals on Wheels - Would you be interested in delivering meals to shut-ins in Buncombe County? Meals On Wheels is in need of substitute drivers for its various routes. The typical route takes about 1½ hours from 11 am to about 12:30 pm on weekdays. Please call MaRita Alexander at 253-5286 to volunteer.

Three Circles in the Square - On Thursday, November 12th at 7 pm, you are invited to come enjoy an evening of poetic entertainment that you will not soon forget. This Arts Team sponsored event features the elixir of magical word-smithing from Jubilants “Majo” John Madden, Jay Joslin and Tebbe Davis. The cost is $8 per person and all proceeds will benefit the Jubilee! Compassion Fund.

A Body Spirit Celebration  - You are invited to come participate in a group exploring the foundational tools of Interplay. A sweet, simple and fun introduction for beginners and experienced Interplayers. InterPlay reconnects us with the wisdom of our bodies—what we know from paying attention to our own experience and is rooted in creating, in looking for the good, in play. The InterPlay atmosphere is one of ease and fun, rather than struggle. This Introduction to Interplay will be led by Lynda Letourneau and Barrie Barton. Please come join us on Sunday, November 15th from 4 - 6 pm. This event is sponsored by the Spiritual Journey Team and costs $10. A percentage of the proceeds will go to the Jubilee! Compassion Fund. For more information, call Lynda Letourneau.

I Say: “Let's Claim It: We Are Walking Wounded.”

There is a notion that goes around Jubilee! that some of the folks who come to Jubilee! are especially wounded. I've heard this idea several times now, whether the language was “walking wounded,” "deeply wounded" or some other variation on this theme.

The first time I heard this idea, from a dear friend who was talking about how many people at Jubilee! are "deeply wounded," it kind of blindsided me. I didn't really understand how I was reacting, just that I got tense hearing it. I was not as present or thinking as clearly for the rest of our conversation.

It was only later in the day that I understood more about my reaction: "Oh, that's me!" I am all too well aware of all the personal wounds I carry through life - some of them maybe already healed, some of them seeming to be in the process of being healed, some of them still very sharply painful.

I felt lousy at realizing that I was part of the "them" that was being talked about. I felt labeled and ashamed. I wanted to pull up the courage to go back and tell my friend how I was reacting. but I have not yet done so.

This idea - which I think floats around Jubilee! like the wreckage of a storm-destroyed ship - surfaced last night at the Community Life Team meeting. The suggestion was broached that, as we strive to build community at Jubilee, we need to be aware of how many people who come to Sunday services are "walking wounded" - and, I guess, that this awareness would somehow shape or inform what we try to do. I quickly jumped in to do what has become my kind of knee-jerk intervention in these situations - to identify with the "walking wounded" group: "Hey, as one member of that group..." I'm glad that this theme did come up, because it gives me the chance to express some of my thoughts and feelings about it - and because it may give us, as a Community, the opportunity to think and maybe even dialogue about it. I see at least three problems with this categorizing folks at Jubilee! as "deeply wounded."

1. It traps us in "us-them" thinking, which I think may be the biggest hurdle to building genuine community. Whether the them to our us is black people, gays, hippies, rednecks, Christians, Baptists, pagans, atheists, conservatives, affluent retired people, the Jubilee Board or the "deeply wounded", as soon as we divide our community into two camps - us and them - we have ruptured the experience of our oneness in a way that is difficult to repair. As the Team at Jubilee! that has taken for ourselves a mission of "building the felt sense of connection at Jubilee!,” we need to ferociously resist any divisions of our Community into "us-vs.-them."

2. It digs us deeper into our own woundedness. We, each of us, walks around thinking that we are actually separate. We believe the evidence of our ego, our senses, our analytic minds -and the language, conventional wisdom and most of the structures of our society - all of which say that I am individual, alone, separate. We may work hard, through all manner of therapy or spiritual practice - including all that is available at Jubilee! - to transcend, heal, break through this sense of separation. But it comes with the territory of being human that we continually fall back into the experience of being alone and separate. So, which of us is not "deeply wounded"?

3. It makes it hard for us to heal. If I really believe that there are two groups of people at Jubilee, the "walking wounded" and those who are not, then I'm gonna be inclined to try to look like one of those who is not. It's going to be hard to disclose those parts of me that might look to someone else (or which I know to be) "deeply wounded.” We will remain stuck in one of the core elements of our societal disease: hiding behind our masks, looking good. All the fabulous healing elements of the Jubilee Community, which are continually calling us out towards healing, will have a hard time actually touching us, because we are caught inside our little bubble of looking OK.

I say let's claim it: "we" are wounded - deeply wounded. "We" come together in a spiritual community because we are wounded and are seeking healing.
If some of us have lives that are currently more functional, if we may have loving families and friends, successful kids, nice homes - if some of us have never been in recovery nor diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder nor been homeless - great, we may have extra resources to offer to those of us whose wounding has seriously disrupted our lives. But let's not impose some arbitrary cut-off between those of us who are "deeply wounded" and those of us who are not. Ain't nobody here but "us.” - John Majo Madden, PhD

Out of the Mouths of Babes

BRITTANY (age 4) had an ear ache and wanted a pain killer… She tried in vain to take the lid off the bottle. Seeing her frustration, her Mom explained it was a child-proof cap and she'd have to open it for her. Eyes wide with wonder, the little girl asked: 'How does it know it's me?'

CLINTON (age 5) was in his bedroom looking worried. When his Mom asked what was troubling him, he replied, 'I don't know what'll happen with this bed when I get married. How will my wife fit in it?'

TAMMY (age 4) was with her mother when they met an elderly, rather wrinkled woman her mom knew. Tammy looked at her for a while and then asked, 'Why doesn't your skin fit your face?'

This particular Sunday sermon.....'Dear Lord,' the minister began, with arms extended toward heaven and a rapturous look on his upturned face. 'Without you, we are but dust...' He would have continued but at that moment my very obedient daughter who was listening leaned over to me and asked quite audibly in her shrill little four year old girl voice, 'Mom, what is butt dust?'