Unity in diversity

In celebration of the Birth of Mary, which is remembered in some traditions on September 8th, Deborah will be reflecting on her own journey with Mary the Divine Mother and how She can be a helpful archetype in our own “becoming” and spiritual journey for these times.

Revd. Prebendary Deborah Parsons is Team Vicar of Totnes and Interfaith Advisor for the Diocese of Exeter. As a spiritual midwife, mystic and mother, she sees herself as an instrument of grace, supporting others to bring to birth their inherent beauty and wholeness, so that they can live life with courage, authenticity and joy. Her training with the One Spirit Interfaith Foundation in London has given her a heart for how to speak about the numinous and the divine spark in all of creation.

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Mothiur will offer some reflections on XR Muslims which he helped co-found, as well as reflections from taking part in the Coat of Hopes pilgrimage (which is walking across the length of the UK from Newhaven in Sussex to COP26 in Glasgow) and what he sees as a connection with the words of Ibn Arabi brought in by Revd Barlow (“whatever path Love’s caravan takes, that is my religion and my faith”) and a verse/ayah in the Qu’ran he has been reflecting on through XR Muslims with the guidance of his spiritual/Mevlevi Sufi teacher Kabir Helminski:

اٰمَنُوۡا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ
Amanu Wa Amilus Salihati

This is one of the most repeated lines in the Qu'ran and is central to a short but central Surah/Chapter of the Qu'ran, Surah Al Asr, which translates roughly as *"faith in hearts expressed through deeds that repair/reconcile". Mothiur will bring these aspects together in his invitation for reflection.

Mothiur Rahman is a Muslim and a seeker with the Mevlevi/Sufi tradition through the guidance of the Threshold Society held by Kabir Helminski.

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Join a local grove of Druids from the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids in a celebration of the Autumn Equinox out in the churchyard at St Mary’s. OBOD, which was first established in the early 60s in England, is an ecumenical order whose teachings support not only “Pagan” or “Neo” Druids but Christian Druids, and many other faiths too. It can be interpreted as a philosophy of life.

Kit and the other Druids will be wearing their ceremonial robes and invite you all to join us in donning whatever is appropriate for this time of year in your own spiritual calendar or just dress comfortably. The grove will introduce you to our ways of honouring the natural world around us, the seasonal change as the wheel of the year turns and then take you on a guided meditation for peace and balance.

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Helen Babb will explore with us Unity in Diversity explored through the Baha’i teachings. The Baha’i teachings embrace the Oneness of all religions and people, and is founded from the Teachings of Baha’a’llah – first founded in 19th C in Iran.

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The first of the series of Sunday evening gatherings, in preparation for COP26, focussing on inner reflection and prayer. We will use Saint Francis of Assisi’s Canticle of Brother Sun as a meditation on Creation, Impermanence and non-grasping.

Led by Fr. Jim and Harriet Barlow.

*Note Sunday 3rd is going to be a busy day with the Totnes Tale and also the possible presence of Exeter Cathedral Choir. Look out for more details

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Fr. Jim, Rector of St Mary’s Totnes, will share his personal experience of night vigil as a liminal time for prayer and the embodied aspects of its practice, drawing in part on the East Syrian mystical tradition.
Note this is offered in preparation for two night vigils planned during COP26.

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Nick Cape + the Sangha of Thich Nhat Hanh offering prostrations for healing the earth.

Thich Nhat Hanh : When we look into our own bodily formation, we see Mother Earth inside us, and so the whole universe is inside us, too. Once we have this insight of interbeing, it is possible to have real communication, real communion, with the Earth. This is the highest possible form of prayer.

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At the mystical core of the world's oldest Monotheistic religion is the simple but profound understanding that "God is Oneness".

Beyond the words, thoughts and ideas that seem to separate us, how can we access the wisdom of our divine essential nature and allow this ancient truth of inseparability to bring greater peace to human relationships and inform our connection to all life?

Let's explore this understanding together through a combination of Jewish sources and short but powerful meditations...

Marc Frank helps facilitate the Jewish Community here in Totnes, and is the current Chair of the Devon Faith and Belief Forum. He works as an Interfaith Youthleader for Devon Interfaith Forum for Youth, and as a local Gestalt Counsellor and Mental Health Support Worker. He is fascinated by the bigger questions in life, and passionate about the possibilities for peace in opening to Awareness as the essence of everything.

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Hopes, poems, and prayers as a tribute reflecting love for the earth.

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An exploration in how engagement with the immense global challenges of our times, can be an important expression of our ethics and spirituality.

Kirsten Kratz : Kirsten has practiced Buddhist meditation in Asia and the West since 1993. She started teaching Buddhist Insight Mediation in 2006 and is supporting those on personal retreat in Gaia House, Devon.

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We will learn to chant and to hold the simple visualisation of a mantra :

'Om mani padme hung', which is the mantra of Chenrezig, the Boddhisattva of Compassion. This is the aspect of the Buddha/Enlightened that cares deeply about all beings, including our precious planet herself, and puts their whole essence into relieving suffering.

Pia Martinus : Using the teachings received from her Tibetan Buddhist teacher Lama Lena Yeshe Katyub, Pia will guide a way to soften our own hearts and the hearts of all beings, so that we can all more freely express our love for each other until all that remains is an amazing matrix of compassion throughout the Universe.

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In this ceremony we will connect with the All Potential and our high dreams for life on Earth. We will emanate this expanded consciousness around the globe.

Carlos Glover is a carrier of ancient wisdom known as the Teachings of the Delicate Lodge. This tradition flourished among the Maya and Toltecs, went into along decline under colonization and is now re-emerging amongst interested people. It comes from the Earth and is fundamentally ecological, holistic and about awakening human consciousness.

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A community gathering to mark All Hallows, and the beginning of the COP 26 Conference, in the church and churchyard. This will include the lighting of beacon fires to mark the start of the Conference and also the Vigil at St Mary’s which will run through the duration of the Conference..

Details of this community event, November Unity in Diversity gatherings and the prayer vigil - all to follow. During the period of the COP 26 Conference there will also be prayer stations at the church for anyone of whatever faith, to come to offer their prayers, reflections and intentions. The Vigil will include 2 overnight vigils – dates to follow.
 

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