Sometimes We Forget
Editors note: We received this letter last week.

Dear Don & Howard,
My wife Sea and I discovered Jubilee! about five or six years ago when we were doing a "God-o-rama" of sorts. We were looking at our life and realizing that spirituality or a connection with the divine was something that we had stuck in a box and shoved into some dark closet. We hadn't been thinking about having a spiritual practice in our life or a relationship with God for a very long time. My wife's spiritual history is different, and I'll let her tell her own story if she wants to share it. Speaking for myself, I don't think I ever felt any connection with God and never considered myself a "spiritual person". Just another casualty of the Catholic Church I guess.

For some reason 2005-6 was the year in which we thought, "maybe we should explore having a spiritual practice, church, a community- something!” Maybe it was because the company where I had worked for fourteen years came to an end and I was out of work. Or maybe I was bored. Or perhaps at that time the chatter that usually runs through my brain had paused long enough for me to realize I was longing for something. So, like any good American consumer, we went shopping. We had criteria: we wanted a church that accepted that all spiritual paths are valid and can lead to God ...no hang-ups about gay folks.... and no a-holes. Not a big list, right? Nothing too unreasonable, right?

The problem is we live in Charlottesville, VA, and pickings are slim. We went to a Sojourners church, A Unitarian church, A Unity church. We even went back to a Catholic church. None of them seemed right for us. Unfortunately, we just could not resonate with any of them on a deep and meaningful level. At this time, I was a part of a men's group that met once a week and the facilitator knew of Jubilee! (He had had his adopted son baptized at Jubilee! the previous year I think) and suggested we check it out some time.
"Where is it ?" I said. Asheville." he said.

"Where’s Asheville?" I learned Asheville was about a seven hour drive and filed his suggestion in the back of my head. Luckily, an opportunity arose much later. My mom needed something checked out in Hendersonville and asked if we'd do it for her, and seeing that the two locations are neighbors, Sea and I headed down. Our first Jubilee! service. Blew. Our. Minds.

We laughed, we wept, we connected. The music, the rhythm of the service, the teaching, the reverence, the people, the... dare I say it energy. We were moved. We sat at the Laughing Seed afterwards bewildered and not knowing what to say. The usual analytical talk we'd have over lunch after a service was just a series of "Oh-my-God-did-you-hear-that? did you see that?" We found our church and it was 373 miles away. Now what?

(Sometimes we forget what a gift we have with JUBILEE! Kicks my imagination into gear wondering how we might spread the joy, giggles, wonder and mischief. Hmmmmm.
- Howard)

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

Soup-er Bowl Sunday - Sunday, February 5th is both Super Bowl and Soup-er Bowl Sunday! So... When you come to Jubilee!, please bring food to share with MANNA Food Bank. If you forget, please feel free to drop some cash in the large soup bowl in our Entry Area. This drive is sponsored by the Outreach Team.

Play in the Matrix - Linda McCrea, Ed.D says, “I’ve found that ‘play’ is the best way to experience miracles of transformation. So, join me and come play in the ‘matrix’ on Sunday, February 5th from 2 to 4:30 pm. Bring an open mind and spirit and a willingness to ask and receive information.” Suggested love offering is $10.

Want to Host? - The Singles are looking for a person to host a Game Night in February or March on a Saturday evening. If you can, call Melissa at 778-8814 to give her your name, address, directions and date.

We Have Openings - The Arts Team is looking for Jubilant Artists to exhibit in the gallery for all months of 2012 except February, March, August and November. So...please contact Renne' at rwe464@aol.com or at 683-0225.

Budget Set - We ended 2011 in good financial shape with a small surplus of $800 over expenses. With that in mind, the Jubilee! Board set our 2012 budget at $448,782, an amount similar to last year’s budget. The 2012 budget includes $87,000 for outreach giving. Unlike previous years, no salary cuts were necessary. We truly appreciate the generosity of Jubilants.

Shoe Cutting Party -The Service Team is sponsoring a shoe cutting party downstairs after the Chili Cook Off. Everyone is welcome, even children! Please bring a pair of good cutting scissors, a sharpie or marker and a pair of old jeans or some fabric. All you do is trace a pattern on the fabric, cut it and pin the pieces together. Questions? Contact Sandy Jones at smilesandyj@gmail.com.

The Wellness Series Continues Tuesday, February 7th at 7 pm- Weight Control Lecture and Fitness Support with the Wellness Team - We all understand how challenging it is to stick to our resolutions and how easy it is to fall into unhealthy habits. We have created a support team to help you meet your goals. We will meet regularly, arrange invigorating and fun exercise outings (dance, anyone?), health food shopping excursions, cooking demos, and most of all SHARE our love and concern for each other. Hospitality. $10 donation.

Tuesday, February 14th at 7 pm-Sweets, Songs & Dances of Universal Peace with Mary and George - Valentine's Day, the day of love, is a time to listen and the drumming of our hearts, as we gather in an exuberant celebration of life! Partake in special complimentary sweets and beverages prepared with organic, healthful ingredients and abundant love. Come singles, couples, and merry-makers of all ages and join us in Songs and Dances of Universal Peace led by popular Asheville dance masters extraordinaire! Meet us downstairs in the Garden Room. Costumes welcome! A $10 donation is asked.

The Power of Appreciation Workshop...On Valentine’s Day - Heartfelt appreciation to another person is the quickest way to enhance the flow of positive energy in any relationship. Few of us, however, have had any training in it or are so grossly out of practice that we often fear taking the initial steps. Appreciating is an active art that can be learned. The workshop will be lead by Pripo Teplitsky, MA, LPC, who is in private practice. This workshop will focus on learning and practicing the skills that support the building blocks of communicating appreciation in relationships. Join us on Tuesday evening, February 14th from 6:15 to 9 pm in our Celebration Center. The cost is $20 per person or $35 per couple. No registration is required, but please bring a notebook or writing materials. This event is sponsored by the Spiritual Journey Team.

Deep Meditation with Bill Walz - The Spiritual Journey Team invites you to an afternoon of Deep Meditation with Bill Walz on Sunday, February 19th at 2 pm. Learn of the profound psycho-spiritual healing that may come with deep meditation. Beyond relaxation into wisdom, insight and true spiritual experience. $10 donation.