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Illinois Ave. - Carbondale, IL 62901 - (618) 549-7387 - www.ourgaiahouse.org Directors: Kim Magwire & Maurine Pyle - Operations Manager: Jon-Paul Diefenbach Calendar of Events SUNDAY: 10:00 AM Quaker Meeting 1:00 PM Art & Spiritual Inquiry Group, Second & Fourth Sundays 2:00 PM Eckankar, Third Sunday 2:00 PM Soil Chorus 4:30 PM Yoga 7:00 PM Carbondale Swings MONDAY: 6:00 PM Women BEing, Second Monday 7:30 PM SIWADE, African Drumming TUESDAY: 5:45 PM T'ai Chi 7:00 PM Shawnee Dharma Meditation WEDNESDAY: 6:00-8:00 PM SIUC International Socialists 7:00 PM Shamanic Drum Circle, Second Wednesday 6:30 PM Peace Coalition, Third Wednesday THURSDAY: 10:00 AM Collage For The Soul, First Thursday 12:00 PM Book Discussion The Quaker Reader by Jessamyn West 4:30 PM Non-Violent Communication Session 6:00 PM InterVeg, Vegetarian Potluck Dinner FRIDAY: 6:00 PM Rice and Spice, International Slow Food Dinner SATURDAY: 6:00 PM Bitch and Stitch Weekly Events in Carbondale Vigil For Peace, Saturdays, Noon to 1 PM, corner of Main and Illinois, Carbondale. Sponsored by the Peace Coalition of Southern Illinois Voices "Allah is with those who restrain themselves." ~Qu'ran 16:128 "Seest thou what fasting does: it heals illnesses, drives out demons, removes wicked thoughts, makes the heart pure. If someone has even been seized by an impure spirit, let her or him know that this kind, according to the word of the Lord, 'goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.'" ~Matthew 17:21 "Fasting is the first principle of medicine." ~Rumi Gaia House Interfaith Center Newsletter for August 31, 2010 What's New? Stay tuned for tons of exciting events coming up this semester. Already this week we have presentations and discussions on environmentalism and spirituality. We are also developing new programming at Gaia House like parenting courses, a weekly Eventide service, and a forthcoming "Integral Map 21" from our Center for Spiritual Inquiry and Integral Education, for students and life-long learners in the community. Speaking of Community... the calendar is filling up fast! There are several important dinners and dialogues coming up this week, and Hero Fest 2010 this weekend. Read more below! How can you get involved and, more importantly, stay connected? Well, you're reading the newsletter, so that is a good start! But we want to hear back from you! Two forums have been created on our website: a History Forum, where friends from the days of Synergy and the Student Christian Foundation can share their stories, and the Vision Forum, where you can share your experiences and ideas as our Vision continues to evolve. This Week at Gaia House A COMPARITIVE LOOK AT ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: HOW DO WE INTEGRATE DIFFERENT VIEWS? TODAY! TUESDAY, AUGUST 31 @ 8:00 PM What does "going green" mean? There are many theoretical frameworks that seek to explain our relationships with our fellow living beings. There are also many practical questions to consider about how our actions can reflect and respond to those relationships. Local community activist, poet, author, and teacher Treesong will offer an approach to all of these theories and practices that stress the importance of integrating the insights of many perspectives into our individual and group efforts to improve our ecological relationships. This presentation will introduce Treesong's upcoming 9 wk course on this same topic-- registration forms for the course will be available (and/or contact Michael). Everyone is invited to this Introductory presentation! Donations suggested: $5 (pay what you can, if you can) Sponsored by the Center for Spiritual Inquiry & Integral Education. For more information: contact R. Michael Fisher rmichaelfisher@gmail.com 529-1166 INTRODUCTION TO THE ART OF LIVING CARBONDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 @ 6:30 PM An Art of Living Course at Gaia House is being planned for later this month, but you can get an introduction tomorrow evening. You can sample breathing techniques, life lessons, and meditation as a preview to the full Art of Living Course on September 17, 18 and 19. You can also learn how to register online! Contact Betsy at carbondale.aol@gmail.com or 559-1641 for more information. You are invited to speak on the phone with Art of Living Teacher Sunil Prabhu from Kansas City, who will answer your questions on a conference call this Thursday at 9:00 PM CST. Dial (218)339-2500, Access Code 713467# to participate. INTEGRAL THEORY IN ACTION: INTRODUCTION TO KEN WILBUR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 @ 7:00 PM R. Michael Fisher, Ph.D., will be presenting an introduction to Ken Wilber and his work on integral philosophy and theory and its latest applications to activism, academia, and general human development and evolution. Michael attended the Integral Theory Conference in July (Pleasant HIll, CA) and will be sharing his perspectives on that conference of 500 delegates from around the world. This session is the beginning of a monthly gathering in Carbondale of people interested in Wilber's work. All invited. INTERVEG POTLUCK THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 @ 6:00 PM The InterVeg Forum series is gearing up for the fall and looking for interested parties to host discussions on vegetarianism, sustainability -- really food and anything related! In the meantime, the meals are still going strong! Not a vegetarian? Not a problem! All are welcome to come enjoy a good meal and a chance to play in the garden. RICE & SPICE: INTERNATIONAL SLOW FOOD DINNER FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 @ 6:00 PM This week were are cooking Thai food with Mameaw, sponsored by Thai Taste! Just what is Slow Food? You know what Fast Food is, right? Well at a Slow Food dinner, people meet and cook together, taking their time to enjoy the company and savor the meal. Our own series brings culture and cuisine from all over the world to our own table, and we'd love to see you there too. Last week's Turkish style Iftar dinner, hosted by the International Dialogue Student Association, had 45 people in attendance and enough fantastic food and fellowship to send everyone home full of both. Were you there? Post about your experience in our online vision forum! Community Events 2010 WELCOME PICNIC FOR GLBT FACULTY, STAFF, STUDENTS, AND ALLIES BUCKY DOME PAVILLION ON CAMPUS LAKE WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 @ 6:00 PM The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Resource Center, with the Saluki Rainbow Network, the Triangle Coatlition, and other campus groups, invites you to the 2010 Welcome Picnic! The GLBT Resource Center is a centrally located, safe campus space that provides educational outreach, referral information and advocacy services, adding to an inclusive and diverse environment for GLBT students, faculty, staff, families, friends, alumni, and the greater Southern Illinois community. They are located in Woody Hall C326/327 and can be reached at (618) 453-5627 or at glbtrc@siu.edu 3RD ANNUAL DIALOGUE IFTAR DINNER DUNN-RICHMOND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 @ 7:15 PM Sponsored by the Intercultural Dialogue Student Association, the aim of this Dialogue Iftar (fast breaking) dinner is to promote dialogue and mutual understanding among people of diverse backgrounds in Carbondale. The event will host speakers from different faith traditions on fasting. IDSA's 2010 Carbondale Peace and Dialogue Award recipient will also be announced and recognized at the event. Turkish food will be served. Vegetarian food will be available. RSVP is required. For more information or to RSVP visit http://www.siu.edu/~idsa. CAFE SOCIETY MEETING PANERA BREAD THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 @ 7:30 PM The discussion will focus on the current reaction to the proposed Islamic Center in New York City, and on our attitudes towards Muslims, mosques, and "The Other" in our society. Please feel free to bring anyone interested in a civil and stimulating discussion of current events and issues. HERO FEST 2010 TOWN SQUARE PAVILLION SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 @ 2:00 - 6:00 PM Hero Fest 2010 is a superhero-themed celebration of local community groups. Join them for an afternoon of costumes, games, music, art, and opportunities to be a Real Life Superhero. We may not have as many superpowers as our comic book heroes do, but that won't stop us from having a good time! There will be live music by Parsley & Sagebrush Dynamic Duo, Magilla, Amphetamine Gazelle, and Evan Sims on the Ukulele. There will also be activities including games for children and adults, a costume design booth, superhero collage, and more. Superhero costumes are encouraged, but not required. Local groups will have tables offering real-life opportunities to be a superhero in our community. Carbondale's local Real Life Superhero, Treesong, will also be giving a talk about the Real Life Superhero movement and how you can get involved in exciting community adventures, with or without a costume. Click here for more information or to get involved. > OUR MISSION STATEMENT With a mission to SIUC students and an outreach to the wider area, we are a welcoming community committed to spiritual awareness that integrates peace, justice, and ecological sustainability. Gaia House Interfaith Center's multipurpose areas, kitchen, and library are available for your meetings and social events. Free wireless internet access. Visit our free lending library and our Labyrinth Peace Garden, 913 S. Illinois Ave. (corner of Grand), Carbondale, IL 62901. Website: www.ourgaiahouse.com. Gaia House is now present on FaceBook and Twitter for daily updates and reminders. We are supported by the Illinois South Conference of the United Church of Christ, and locally by the Church of the Good Shepherd UCC, the Carbondale and Cobden First Presbyterian Churches, the Carbondale First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship, and many generous individuals and families. Thank you. Happenings in Faith, Peace, and Justice is available for your announcements. Please let your interested friends know about it. We will be happy to include them. Contact Jon-Paul Diefenbach, Operations Manager, at 618-549-7387, or by email. Subscribe/Unsubscribe