One People, Many Paths: The Sacred Art of Altars

The Seventh Annual Exhibit and Silent Auction sponsored by the Celebration Circle

September 1 - September 30, 2009

Gala Closing Reception and Movie Screening on Thursday, September 30th, 6:00 - 9:30pm

at the Bijou Theatre, Crossroads Mall, 4522 Fredericksburg Road, 78201

The Seventh Annual One People, Many Paths: Sacred Art of Altars exhibit and silent auction features 55 altars by some of San Antonio's most creative artists. Starting with the same hand-built wooden altar as a basis, each artist meticulously crafts their own unique vision, using a wide variety of media to create a visually-stunning and startlingly diverse view of the many paths to the Sacred.

The show will hang all month long in September, where it will be visible inside the lobby of the Bijou Theatre during normal operating hours, 11:00am - 10:00pm. It's free inside the lobby, so go early to get an advance viewing of the show, and place your silent auction bid for the altar of your choice!

The culminating gala reception will take place on Thursday the 30th, and will feature light hors d'oeuvres, final bidding, silent auction closing and screening of the film. Tickets for the closing reception and film are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. This is a fundraiser, so all proceeds benefit the Celebration Circle, an inclusive spiritual community with a creative approach to the Sacred, which offers an eclectic Sunday service, weekly meditation, workshops, concerts, retreats, and other special events.

Featured Artists:

Jane Appleby, M.D., Zet Baer, Michelle Belto, Ana Maria Berry, Laurel Bodinus, Momo Brown, Pam Bryant, David Caris, Massie Center, Hebron Chism, Suchil Coffman, Dinah Coakley, Sue Cooke, Jamie Damon, Susan Damon, David Elizondo, Sheila Fitzpatrick, Dana Fossett, Joan Frederick, Dimitri Garcia, Laurel Gibson, Sam Gonzalez, Kat Gustafson, Rudi Harst, Dale Jenssen, Zach Jewell, Deborah Keller-Rihn, Lisa Kerpoe, Mark Kohnitz, Charmaine LaBold & Keith Creel, Tim Lapping, Sharon Legg, Naomi Leissner, Jaime Martinez, Nancy McGalliard, Jai Medina, Beverly Meyer, Kathleen Messina, Susie Monday, Cindy Palmer, Ray Palmer, Cynthia Phelps, Rachel Rainwater, Thom Ricks, Mark Rue, Regina Sanders, Randy Schwartz, Sharon Shelton-Colangelo, Tirso Sigg, Jodi Stauffer, Daniel Stoneham, Rebecca Coffey, Julie Troilo

For information call Celebration Circle at 210-533-6767 or visit us online at www.celebrationcircle.org.

Upcoming Events:

Rudi in Concert, Live Friday, September 10, 7pm

Rudi in a spirited solo show of his unique songs, stories and performance art at the Unity CoffeeHouse.   Come see an artistic side of Rudi that seldom comes out in our Sunday Circles!   Located next to the Unity Church, 8103 Broadway (at Lawndale, inside Loop 410); admission by donation  (www.unitysa.org).

Spiritual Companion Workshop, Saturday, September 11, 10am-3pm

Learn to deepen your ability to listen and be present for a friend, loved one, or fellow Circle member in need. The only pre-requisites for Spiritual Companionship are an open mind, a loving heart and a willingness to serve others. Rudi Harst will lead this workshop, which will introduce you to the skills you need to be a fully-empowered Spiritual Companion. You will also leave with the support to unfold into this work as an ongoing spiritual practice. Saturday, September 11^th, 10am-3pm at Casa Sur Presa, 1830 E. Pyron. Suggested donation is $25, and participants are also asked to bring food to share during our lunch break.

Pagan Pride, Sunday, September 26, 1-9pm

Circle memebers are invited to come spend a lovely Sunday afternoon at Pagan Pride in Roosevelt Park from 1-9pm. With food, craft vendors, spiritual workshops, and good-hearted folks, it’s a great way to connect with a wider earth-based spiritual community. Jai will be doing the Opening ritual, and Rudi will be performing with musical friends in the late afternoon. We’ll also have a Circle booth selling t-shirts and other good stuff, so stop on by!

Altar Show Gala Reception September 30

September 1^st-30^th: One People, Many Paths: The Sacred Art of Altars

Come on out for our altar show and silent auction, featuring over 50 altars by some of San Antonio’s most creative artists. Starting with the same hand-built wooden altar as a base, each of the artists uses a wide variety of media to create a visually-stunning and startlingly diverse view of the many paths to the Sacred. Gala Closing Reception with light hors d'oeuvres, final bidding, silent auction closing, and film screening on Thursday, September 30th, 6:00 - 9:30pm, at the Bijou Theatre, Crossroads Mall, 4522 Fredericksburg Rd. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. For reservations, please call 533-6767.

Poetry Days, 7pm, Expressions in Austin, October 7

Join Rudi, Jai, Eduardo Garza, Jim Stewart and Michael Casares as these SA poets create a wonderful evening of song and poetry. The event will be hosted by Rudi with his guitar, with music from 6-7pm, and the featured SA poets reading from 7-8:30, followed by potluck snacks and an open mic session.  This special  "Celebration Circle Comes to Austin" evening will be held at the Austin Bahai Center, located on the Near Eastside of Austin at  2215 EM Franklin, off IH35 Airport exit. Admission by donation.

“Sacred Words” Book Sale and Holistic Arts, 3-6pm, Saturday October 16, at Kathleen Sommers Boutique

Join us for a unique event, featuring sales of wonderful, hard-to-find books on spirituality, yoga, and holistic living, donated from the library of widely-renowned yoga teacher, Mary Francis (MF)Weathersby. Come browse as you enjoy a program of music, poetry readings, and a tribute to MF. There will also be free chair massage. Please call the Circle office at 533-6767, if you would like to donate additional spiritual books. Saturday, October 16^th, 3-6pm, in the parking lot behind Kathleen Sommers, 2417 N. Main near Woodlawn.

Create Your Own Altar Workshop, Saturday, October 30, 1-5pm

Have you ever seen the beautiful altars created for our Sacred Art of Altars show, and wished you could make your own? Now’s your chance! Explore your creative vision of the Sacred with experienced workshop leader Michelle Belto, as she discusses successful components of altar-making, and leads you through the 3-hour, hands-on process of crafting your own. We’ll provide a variety of blank altars and basic painting materials. You bring your own special items and images to make it your own. $65, Saturday, October 30^th, 1-5pm at CircleSpace, 120 Guadalupe St. Just in time for Dia de los Muertos!

Fall Retreat 10/22-24

LISTEN, LAUGH AND LEARN

An energizing weekend retreat facilitated by Lawrence M. Cohen, M.D. and Rudi Harst.  At beautiful Slumber Falls Camp, on the banks of the Guadalupe River in New Braunfels,  Rest, enjoy good company and great food and give yourself time to

LISTEN to your Inner Guidance

LAUGH in the company of spiritual friends

LEARN new tools for cultivating balance in your life

Only $195 (or just $170 if paid by October 10^th!!) Includes registration, meals, lodging and activities.  Family discounts or limited scholarships may be avaialble; please ask.

Recurring Events

Meditation Circle

Drum Circle

Third Thursday every month at "The Circle Space", 120 Guadalupe between Laredo and Flores, usually 8:30 pm.

Bring your own drum, kitchen pot, or other percussion instrument.

Call Circle Office for information.

Grief Recovery, 9/7-11/23, Tuesdays, 7-9pm 12 weeks

Many of us are dealing with the ongoing effects of grief in our lives, whether from death of a loved one, divorce, a move, loss of job or other difficult life changes.  Both recent or old losses  keep grief speaking until we learn how to listen. We’re pleased to be able to offer The Grief Recovery^® Outreach Program to our community, a twelve-week program that creates a safe environment to deal with loss and take new actions to help move beyond our grief. The program is led by Dr. Luis-Carlos Sanchez, who has been trained and certified by The Grief Recovery Institute^®. He has been a Hospice /Hospital Chaplain and Grief & Bereavement Coordinator for over 8 years. Dr. Sanchez has personally utilized the techniques of this program to deal with losses in his own life, and has shared these skills to assist many in gaining closure, allowing them to live more fulfilling and loving lives. The fee for the twelve weeks is $295, which includes the Grief Recovery Handbook Textbook. Meets Tuesday nights, 7-9pm at the Quaker Meetinghouse at 7052 N. Vandiver. Please call or e-mail the office to register soon, as the program is limited to a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 12 participants.