Spirituality
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Spiritual Reflections I am a wrestler. I’m not talking about wearing a spandex singlet with special headgear while I maneuver my way around a circle on a mat. I am not that type of wrestler. When I was in high school, our wrestling team sent competitors to state meets every year. A common sight before and after school were members of the wrestling team running steps, working out in the weight room or trying to make their weight class by losing any extra pounds in a zippered sweat bag. A match consisted of three 2-minute periods. At the start of the first period,
the two competitors faced each other in a standing position. Each wrestler moved around the mat, sizing up his competition, looking for an opportunity to take down his opponent. Standing took a lot of energy. It was not a position of rest, but a position of strategy as each wrestler sought to gain control and maintain restraining power over his opponent. I am this type of wrestler. I wrestle with truths of our faith, of suffering and sickness and tragedy and where is God in it all. I want easy answers, but I find that the longer I walk on this faith journey, the more questions I have.
Spiritual Reflections Share your spiritual reflections... The spiritual leaders of SanTan Sun area churches, temples, mosques and other religious and spiritual gathering places are invited to contribute their Spiritual Reflections in essay format by sending their thoughts, enlightening insights and other writings of a spiritual nature to News@SanTanSun.com. Be certain to put “Spiritual Reflections submission” in the subject line, and keep your articles around 200-300 words, or they may be edited for length. Include your first and last name, title and facility name, address, phone number and website. Spiritual Reflections are printed on a space-available basis, and submission does not guarantee print. The opinions represented in this column are those of the author and not that of the SanTan Sun News.
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High Holy Days at Temple Havurat Emet
Wrestling With Faith BY LYNNE HARTKE
July 20 – August 2, 2013
Ephesians 6:13 says that once we have done everything else in our slugit-out, fight-with-each-waking-breath faith journey, we are to stand. After the prayers and the Bible reading and the church services and the doctors saying there is nothing more they can do— stand. To stand is not a position of rest. It is a position of strategy as I seek to gain control—of my hope, my trust, my faith—and maintain restraining power over the opponent—discouragement, doubt, unbelief. I am a wrestler. I have done everything. So I stand. Lynne Hartke is the wife of Pastor Kevin Hartke of Trinity Christian Fellowship in Chandler, 50 S. McQueen Rd. She blogs at lynnehartke.com. For information, visit tcfchandler.org or call 480-963-7698.
The High Holy Day special event, Rosh Hashana, is starting on Wed., Sept. 4 at Temple Havurat Emet. Admittance to High Holy days is included with a full $100 temple membership for first-year members. For more information or for tickets, call Gigi at 480-785-7767.
Chompie’s is catering A picnic catered by Chompie’s will be held beginning at 5:30 p.m. Fri., Aug. 2 for members, and includes lean corned beef, turkey and roast beef deli sandwiches served on Challah rolls, tuna and egg salads and chips. Cost is $9 for adults and $4.50 for children younger than 13. A special service for children will follow at 6:30 p.m. and the usual Friday night service will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Lecky Room of the Ed Robson Library at 9930 E Riggs Rd., Chandler. Call Carol at 520-423-9941 in Maricopa or Linda at 420-588-1826 in Sun Lakes for information or visit templehavuratemet.org.
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Spirituality
July 20 – August 2, 2013
Chabad Hebrew School classes begin Sept. 8 Brick donation campaign is underway Registration for its upcoming school year, which will begin on Sept. 8 at the new Chabad Pollack Center for Jewish Life, is underway for the Chabad Hebrew School. Classes will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Sunday mornings for children ages 5 to 13. Membership is not required to register for the classes. Students will be taught by warm and professional teachers while using the most advanced textbooks and methodologies to learn about Jewish history, heritage, culture and holidays and Parsha lessons. The lessons will come alive in weekly updates in a scrapbook, which will advance each student’s reading by the end of the year. Other activities include honey dish craft, cards, Yom Kippur slippers, Succah Hop, kosher label contest, olive oil press, menorah making, Hanukkah Carnival, choir, Shabbat meal for parents and students, Shalach Manot distribution, Purim party and Matzo Factory. To visit the Chabad Hebrew School by appointment, call 480-855-4333 or email info@chabadcenter.com. For more information about the center, visit chabadcenter.com.
Bricks can be donated To honor of loved ones bricks can be donated for $100 per brick at the Chabad Pollack Jewish Center. Messages
are 60 characters long and can be donated for birthdays, anniversaries, bar and bat mitzvahs, graduations, weddings, holidays, good luck, in memory of or a simple gift to someone. Each brick donated will help fortify the Chabad Pollack Jewish Center. Chabad of the East Valley is located at 875 N. McClintock Dr., Chandler. Donations can be made through a secure form at chabadcenter.com.
Shofar factory Children and adults can spend Sun., Sept. 1 in an 11 a.m. hands-on workshop, hand-crafting their own shofars, or ram’s horns, at the Pollack Chabad Center for Jewish Life.
Visitors to the “Shofar Factory” will learn what criteria an animal’s horn must meet in order to qualify as a genuine shofar, after which they will saw, drill, sand, shellac and polish their own horns. Visual aids, such as large, full-color posters and diagrams and a colorful assortment of animal horns of all types and sizes, plus state-of-the-art shop equipment, will be provided. “The Shofar generates an otherworldly sound. It’s very soulful, very stirring and open to much interpretation,” says Rabbi Mendy Deitsch, director of Chabad of the East Valley and coordinator of the Shofar Factory. “Each individual hears something else in the Shofar’s voice. It’s no wonder the Shofar is blown on our holiest of days. It’s very appropriate, very inspiring.” The Shofar is perhaps the oldest wind instrument known to humankind. Consisting of a simple horn taken from a ram or similar animal and hollowed of its internal cartilage, when blown correctly, it produces a haunting, almost mystical tone. It is sounded in Jewish houses of worship on Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Cost is $10 to make a Shofar, but free just to see the show. To make a reservation, call 480-8554333.
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The Perfect Place for seniors Seniors will have fun participating with others at The Perfect Place, a nonprofit program at Risen Savior Lutheran Church, 23914 S. Alma School Rd., Sun Lakes. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Loved ones spend the morning with staff and volunteers who provide a loving and caring social program, which opens with a short devotion, after which everyone shares something about themselves: where they grew up, what they did for a living, family life or favorite activities. The fun continues through the morning with playing cards, bingo, a bean bag toss, entertainment, snacks and a short session of chair exercises. Contributions from service organizations or personal contributions to the scholarship fund are appreciated. For more information, call Judy Waltersdorf at 480-895-2892, ext. 3 or email ThePerfectPlace85248@gmail.com.
Spirituality
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Hale Centre is destination for Sisterhood This year the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation Sisterhood will see “Hairspray” at the Hale Centre Theatre in Gilbert at 3 p.m., Sat., Aug. 10. Tickets are $22. For more information, call Denise at 480-895-8665.
Rabbi is guest speaker Rabbi Irwin Wiener is the first guest speaker of the season, on Thu., Sept. 19 in the Chapel House in Sun Lakes, followed by light refreshments. He will discuss his new book, “Living With Faith,” followed by a question-and-answer period.
Calling all new members A new member luncheon will precede the Thu., Oct. 17 meeting. Invitations will
go out to all new members of the Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation, as well as new Sisterhood members, sometime in late September.
Day at the races A day at the races at Turf Paradise Race Track is on Tue., Oct. 29 and the event is open to husbands, significant others, friends, etc. Cost is $25 and includes a buffet lunch, a race named for Sisterhood and covered indoor reserved seating. Reservations are being accepted now. Send a check, made out to SLJC Sisterhood, to 25108 S. Mohawk Dr., Sun Lakes, AZ 85248.
Donate toys Donations are needed for the
ongoing “Toys from the Heart” program, which provides holiday gifts to the kindergarten classes at Frye Elementary School. Donations of any amount can be made by sending a check made out to SLJC Sisterhood to 3495 E. County Down Dr., Chandler, AZ 85249. Write “toys” on the memo line. More than 100 children received toys from the Sisterhood.
Dues are payable The sisterhood dues of $25 can be made out to SLJC Sisterhood and mailed to 3495 E. County Down Dr. Chandler, AZ 85249. Co-presidents Geri and Carol appreciate any comments or suggestions, and can be called at 480305-0123 and 480-895-3168, respectively.
Temple Emanuel hosts Israeli singer-songwriter Kaplan Israeli singer-songwriter Diane Kaplan will perform 7:30 p.m. Sat., Aug. 10 at Temple Emanuel of Tempe, 5801 S. Rural Rd. in Tempe. Kaplan has been performing acoustic folk and world music for more than 35 years in Israel, the United States and Europe. She is a teacher, composer, recording artist and
A Place of Love Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday Hamilton High School Auditorium 3700 S. Arizona Ave. www.loc-az.org
480-899-1400
musical workshop leader. Her first solo CD, “Like an Olive Tree,” is available at dianesong.com. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance by calling 480-838-1414, or at the door on the day of the concert. For more information, call 480-838-1414 or visit emanueloftempe.org.
DIANE KAPLAN. Submitted photo
July 20 – August 2, 2013
Send us your church, temple events Let the SanTan Sun News help you publicize your church or temple’s events and activities in the Spirituality section by emailing details to News@ SanTanSun.com. Include a brief description of the event, times, days, dates, cost or free, if registration is required, venue, address, publishable phone number, website if applicable and contact information for verification purposes. We welcome photos, which must be 300 dpi JPEGs or taken on a digital camera on the “best” or “highest quality” setting. Information is due 10 days prior to publication date. Submission does not guarantee placement.
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Spirituality
July 20 – August 2, 2013
SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS
Call ahead to confirm information, as details occasionally change after print. If you have a recurring monthly support group or meeting you would like listed in Spiritual Connections, email complete details to News@SanTanSun.com. Celebrate Recovery 6-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays Join in fellowship and celebrate God’s healing power in our lives through the 12 steps and Eight Recovery Principles. The group addresses all types of habits, hurts and hang-ups. Dinner at 6 p.m. followed by meetings at 6:30 p.m. Free childcare for children ages 12 and younger. CrossRoads Nazarene Church, Ministry Center Rooms 101-103 2950 W. Ray Rd., Chandler Info: 480-722-0700, crnaz.com Celebrate Recovery 6 p.m. Fridays For those with chemical dependencies or other issues. Dinner followed by meetings at 7 p.m. Dinner: $3 adult, $1 child. Free childcare for children ages 12 and younger. Chandler Christian Church, Room B200 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler Info: 480-963-3997, chandlercc.org Christian Business Networking, Tri-City Chapter – Chandler, Tempe, Mesa 7:15 a.m. Tuesdays Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals. Crackers & Co. Café 535 W. Iron Ave., Mesa Info: Maia, 480-425-0624, christianbusinessnetworking.com
Christian Business Networking, Chandler Bi-Monthly Chapter 7:30 a.m. second and fourth Tuesdays of the month Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals. Chandler Christian Church, Room B202 1825 S. Alma School Rd., Chandler Info: Maia, 480-425-0624, christianbusinessnetworking.com Christian Business Networking, East Valley Chapter 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays Offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and business referrals. Mission Church Seminar Room 4450 E. Elliot Rd., Gilbert Info: Maia, 480-425-0624, christianbusinessnetworking.com East Valley JCC Parent & Child Playgroup 9:30-10:30 a.m. Fridays Playgroup for parents with children ages 12 months to 2-1/2 years old. East Valley JCC 908 N. Alma School Rd., Chandler Info: Emily Malin, 480-897-0588, maline@ evjcc.org
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couples in the 45- to 65-year-old age range. Info: Melissa, 480-785-0744, beadlover@ cox.net Forever Marriage Ministries, Wives Standing for Marriage Restoration Support Group 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays Support group of wives committed to marriage no matter the circumstances, offering hope, encouragement, biblical truths, fellowship and prayers, to stand together for the restoration of marriage. Serrano’s Mexican Restaurant, Private Patio Room 959 N. Val Vista Rd., Gilbert Info: Lisa 602-377-8847, Marriage@ lisacmyers.com, lisacmyers.com Forever Marriage Ministries, God Honoring Wives Support Group
WebXtra:
7-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays Support group of women who believe in the sanctity of marriage, offering teachings, sharing, fellowship and prayers. Serrano’s Mexican Restaurant, Private Patio Room 959 N. Val Vista Rd., Gilbert Info: Lisa 602-377-8847, Marriage@ lisacmyers.com, lisacmyers.com Grief Care 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays A place to come share your feelings or just listen to others as we try to navigate through our grief. You don’t have to do it alone. Epiphany Lutheran Church, south campus old church building 800 W. Ray Rd., Room 325, Chandler, a quarter mile south of Alma School Road on the north side of Ray Road. Info: griefcareaz@gmail.com
WebXtra: For a complete list of Spiritual Connections, SanTan Sun area monthly support groups, study groups and spiritually stimulating meetings, visit SanTanSun.com and click on “Spirituality.”
East Valley Jewish Couples Club Offers once-a-month social activities such as dining, movies, plays, etc. for Jewish
Open
HOUSE
Sunday, August 4th from 1 to 5 p.m.
Where Learning is Hands On!
Creative Curriculum, Zoo-phonics Spanish and Sign Language Large Playground Low Student to Teacher Ratio (Five to One) Dramatic Play / Library Center Science and Math Manipulatives / Music Sensory Table / Writing Center Play Dough / Block Center Creative Art (Not Crafts)
Space is Limited—Call Today!
480-313-4738 www.exploringmyworld.com FACEBOOK.COM/EXPLORINGMYWORLD
1500 W. Germann Road Located inside Chandler Presbyterian Church (between S. Alma School and S. Dobson Roads)
Classes BEGIN:
August 14th A Preschool for 3 and 4-year-olds
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
Chandler United Methodist Church Celebrating 100 Years in Chandler. Making and Deploying Disciples Who Put God First, Since 1913.
SUNDAY WORSHIP Traditional Worship ..................9:30 a.m. (June & July) SUNDAY SCHOOL For Children.....................................................9:40 a.m. 480-963-3360 • www.chandlermethodist.org • 450 E. Chandler Heights Rd.