The Sophia Center for Spirituality
UPCOMING EVENTS 2018
- Friday-Sunday, July 20-22: Francis and Clare: Friends of God – Sr. Lois Barton, CSJ, The Spiritual Center, 712 New York Rt 79, Windsor, NY.
St. Francis of Assisi is perhaps the most beloved saint of Christianity. He lived in the thirteenth century yet still devotion is strong across the world for this “little man of Assisi” and his disciple St. Clare. What can we say to explain the on-going interest in these two simple, humble saints of God? We will examine their lives from the perspective of history, their spirituality, and our own personal experience. And we will celebrate together in prayer.
Donation of $325.
To learn more and register, visit http://www.spiritualcenterwindsor.com/retreats.html
APRIL 2018
- Tuesday, April 3, 12:15-12:45 p.m.: Lunch With the Psalms, The Sophia Center office, 2nd floor, 30 Main Street, Binghamton. A group meditation upon the psalm of the day.
- Wednesdays, April 4 & 18, 6:30 p.m.: Centering Prayer, Sophia House, 719 West Main St., Endicott, NY.
This form of meditation centers on resting in the presence of God. - Monday, April 9, 6:30-8:00 p.m.: Calling God She? Reflections and insights of a great-grandmother, retired clergywoman and doctor of theology, presentation and discussion led by Dr. Barbara Thorington Green, author of the book, Calling God She?, Eden Room, First Congregational Church, 30 Front Street, Binghamton, NY
God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27NRSV)
Is half of God’s image missing? Missing from our daily conversations, missing from our worship dialogue, missing from our scriptures, missing from our tradition, missing from our lives?
Words have power. With male labels, God has inevitably been given male characteristics in the minds of those who hear, speak, write and/or read. What would it be like to widen our images of God to acknowledge the female as well as the male?
What would it be like for men and for women? What would it be like for our sons and daughters, and our grandsons and our granddaughters, to hear God called “She”? What would happen to our understandings of God if we included the feminine as well as the masculine in our speech? What would it be like for our churches and other institutions?
You are invited to a lecture and discussion time with Barbara. We know that ‘God’ is beyond gender and even beyond our language; however, the words we use carry meanings and insights. We will examine our assumptions of the male nature of God and consider how the inclusion of ‘she’ language alters those assumptions. What would it be like for us to call God “She”?
Suggested donation : $10, or whatever you can afford.
Please register by Wednesday, April 4. To register, call 607-644-0736 or email hrtcenter12@gmail.com.
Spring 2018
The Sophia Center for Spirituality
30 Main St., Binghamton, NY
Sophia House
719 West Main St., Endicott, NY