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Welcome to the first edition of OneSpirit News for 2017 ....
 We've redesigned our newsletter - aiming to make it brighter, with better pictures, and a clearer layout that's easier to read. Our main purpose is the same: to give you an insight into the training programme for OneSpirit interfaith ministers. There's also news about the Foundation and the activities of our ministers and students.
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Door to a training in radical freedom
Ten Introductory Events will take place in 2017 around Britain and Ireland for anyone wishing to find out more about our training programme for OneSpirit ministers. Each is free to attend, will last half a day, and provide a gentle experiential taste of the training. The first is in London on 4 March. Other venues are Dublin, Manchester, Glastonbury, Findhorn and Brighton. Click here for details.
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OneSpirit's 21st birthday approaches
The training year beginning this October will mark the 21st year of the OneSpirit training in the UK -- and plans are already being made for a major 21st birthday Convocation in March 2018 for ministers, students, their families and other friends of OneSpirit. Our first year was 1996-97, since when we have ordained more than 600 ministers. There's more about our history on the website.
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Latest training weekends for both year groups
Year 1 students met on 4/5 Feb and looked at healing their relationship to God. The guest speaker on 'modern spiritual paths' was Adele Napier (left) of the Findhorn Foundation, a OneSpirit minister herself. On 11/12 Feb, Year 2 will practice childhood and adolescent rites, and begin exploring wedding & relationship blessing ceremonies. Learn more about the training.
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London service will celebrate ‘rising sap’
“We each carry the seeds of a new vision, and a longing for a new way of being,” says the flier for OneSpirit's monthly London service, the OneLight Gathering, next on 10 Feb at Notting Hill Gate. “With the return of the light, as the sun's energy increases, we can activate these seeds and face the year ahead with a sense and celebration of our rising sap!” More info on the OneLight Gathering website.
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Blog: Big Visions and muddy knees
A recent blog by Nicola Coombe, head of OneSpirit, was sparked by Trump and Brexit, and by a challenging dialogue with a minister about how to respond to homophobia and other forms of exclusion by religious leaders. She recalls growing up "in apartheid-laden South Africa," where, amid the terrible reality, hopeful and inspiring examples of leadership arose. More here.
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More ministers doing 'legal marriages'
Due to the archaic marriage laws in England & Wales, most wedding couples who ask interfaith ministers to take their ceremony also need to arrange a separate event at which a registrar will handle the 'legal' side. But, we report on the website, more OneSpirit interfaith ministers are finding ways to offer weddings that include the legal solemnisation process.
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Leaders celebrate interfaith in Brighton
Mayor Pete West, local MP Caroline Lucas and OneSpirit minister Anthea Ballam, who is secretary of Brighton & Hove Interfaith Contact Group, are among those appearing in a wonderful, short video recently posted on YouTube, of the town's annual interfaith service in Nov 2016 — a medley of contributions from Brighton's delightfully diverse faith traditions.
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OneSpirit ministers in Trump protest
This group of seven OneSpirit ministers joined the Women’s March in London on 21 Jan, the day after the new American President began in office, protesting against his attitudes towards women. They contributed to one of the biggest ever global protests, with The Guardian reporting that demonstrations took place in 300 cities and involved 5 million people.
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“Our feet in the street” against racism
OneSpirit ministers also marched in New York (pictured) and other US cities. Our sister organisation One Spirit Learning Alliance issued a statement condemning Trump’s “racist and islamophobic actions”. It said: “We will not be silent and we will do whatever we can to oppose these unconscionable acts of intolerance and fear-mongering by praying with hands together and our feet in the street.”
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An inspiring example of planning one's own funeral
A recent issue of Green Spirit magazine -- whose sub-title is 'Engaged spirituality for a living Earth' -- features an article by OneSpirit minister Jean Francis on the benefits of planning one's funeral well in advance. It includes the moving case study of a man who planned his own funeral to reflect his love of Nature, Goddess spirituality and Native American culture. A PDF copy of Jean's article can be read or downloaded here. Green Spirit's editor, Ian Mowll, is also a OneSpirit minister.
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Revisiting the Four Gospels, in a new light
The latest book to be published by a OneSpirit minister is an exploration by Anton Jarrod of the four Christian gospels, using the writings of the Danish mystic Martinus as a lens. In A New Light: Volume 1: The Four Gospels, is the first of what Anton (pictured) intends to be several books about Martinus. As well as writing the book, he designed and published it, in both digital and print editions. More details on Anton's website.
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Lindsay Jarratt - Administrator
"My original vow lost its resonance for me, and then I found myself unable to put into words what it was I could offer a world in such turmoil. In the end I realised I can do no more than offer an open and loving heart – so that is my vow, to be as open and loving as I can be."
Read Lindsay's questionnaire here.
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Rob MacLachlan - Editor & Communications lead
"I’d set out to change career, but soon discovered it was journalism and organisational leadership that inspired me and called me back. I was so much more at ease, now that I could connect with my essential Self, and ‘drop the knife’ of judgment — of myself and others."
Read Rob's questionnaire here.
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Jackie Amos Wilkinson - Faculty lead
"When I was creating my minister’s manual my vision was to be of service by inspiring and encouraging others to live their highest truth... I enjoy and sense that I am fulfilling my purpose by being part of a process (the training) that helps people to find the God within."
Read Jackie's questionnaire here.
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