Sr. Maureen Fiedler, PhD—NPR host of “Interfaith Voices” and author of Breaking Through the Stained Glass Ceiling
Rev. Carol E. Parrish, PhD—mystic, teacher, founder of Sancta [...]]]> Sancta Sophia Seminary invites you to A Sophia Symposium – Celebrating the Divine Feminine Within, at Work, and in the World, May 25-27, 2012.

Featured Presenters:

Sr. Maureen Fiedler, PhD—NPR host of “Interfaith Voices” and author of Breaking Through the Stained Glass Ceiling
Rev. Carol E. Parrish, PhD—mystic, teacher, founder of Sancta Sophia Seminary and author of Sophia Sutras
Rev. Dr. Susan C. Hamilton—Dean of Sancta Sophia Seminary and author of Seeking Sophia
Rev. Jann Aldredge-Clanton, PhD—minister, teacher, chaplain, and author of In Search of the Christ-Sophia and Praying with Christ-Sophia

Join us in the beautiful Ozark mountains for a weekend of relaxation and discovery in workshops with renowned women speakers, musicians, and teachers. Massage therapists, energy workers and intuitive readers will also be available for appointments at the Wellness Center on campus. Sophia’s Nest Bookstore and Gifts offers a variety of books and items to nurture your spiritual journey.

Additional workshop on May 25—1:30-4:30pm: Ellen Noble—“Yoga for Wholeness”

View and share brochure

See Sophia Symposium schedule

Cost: $175 Plus meals & housing

To register, contact: registrar@sanctasophia.org or 800-386-7161

Sancta Sophia Seminary
11 Summit Ridge Drive
Tahlequah, OK 74464
90 minutes West of Fayetteville , AR

This course is an esoteric and progressive overview of the Judeo-Christian scriptures known as the 1st Testament (Old Testament). Designed for individuals preparing to be a Practitioner (Lay Minister), Ordained [...]]]> Judeo-Christian Scriptures and Homiletics are required courses for the CMS and MDiv programs of study. Please enroll through Sophia Online.

Judeo-Christian Scriptures

This course is an esoteric and progressive overview of the Judeo-Christian scriptures known as the 1st Testament (Old Testament). Designed for individuals preparing to be a Practitioner (Lay Minister), Ordained Minister or enter a career in Chaplaincy or Pastoral Care, the archetypes of characters and common life experiences as described in the Hebrew stories will be explored for their application today. An individual in a medical or spiritual crisis may be open to seeing the symbols at work in their life and learn from epic stories or classic biblical mythology. When appropriate, parallels to the Quran of the Islamic faith will also be noted. Also included in the study are the Psalms and the Prophets who lamented and who “spoke truth to power” for justice in their time.

This course begins on Monday, February 6, 2012 and is offered in a 10 week format with self-paced lessons available to students on Monday of each week. The instructor(s) will be available via email message throughout each week and a teleconference will be arranged at about the mid-point of the series. Required for CMS and MDiv.

Homiletics. . .

according to Mirriam-Webster’s Dictionary, is the art of preaching. For many of us the concept of “preaching” is uncomfortable. Visions of men pounding a pulpit and shouting words of condemnation flash before our eyes inspiring us not to great heights, but rather to turn and head for the virtual or real exit door. You may be assured that this course will teach you anything but how to pound a pulpit, shout, or proclaim words of doom or condemnation! While we will use classic terms such as “homiletics” (think ‘homily’) and “sermon” and “preaching,” we will unpack those terms and redefine them for more contemporary audiences and students. We will also probably substitute a few terms which are more comfortable to modern and esoteric ministers. Essentially, however, the bottom line is that this course will equip students with the artistic tools to offer an organized, inspiring, thought-provoking, and instructional message to a collected group of reasonably like-minded and faith-filled people. If you do prefer to pound a pulpit, you’ll need to learn the technique elsewhere.

These three weeks online are structured with lessons and activities for you to do at your own pace. At the same time, you will be interacting with your other classmates via forums and chats so it will be important for you to do the coursework in a timely manner each week (as opposed to waiting for Sunday evening prior to the next week). Each week’s lessons will be available on Monday of the next week for those who have completed the previous week’s assignment. Remember, the class concludes on campus March 5-9, 2012 and you’ll be the first on-campus class of the year! Required for CMS and MDiv.

Full Moon January 9 (1:30 AM CST)    Keynote: The holy Self holds the true treasure.

Winter Solstice (2011) Dec. 21, 2011 (11:31 PM CST)
Seed Thought: With each recurring Winter Solstice he is born anew and the love principle is strengthened in the hearts [...]]]> Seed Thought Meditation

Suggested discipline: Use the keynote seed thought for a total of 7 days—-3 days before, the day of, and 3 days after.

Winter Solstice (2011) Dec. 21, 2011 (11:31 PM CST)
Seed Thought: With each recurring Winter Solstice he is born anew and the love principle is strengthened in the hearts of all.

CAPRICORN Dec. 21 (11:31 PM CST) – Jan. 20, 2012
Virtue to be developed: FEARLESSNESS
Seed Thought: The birth accomplished, the Christed One receives the visit of the Wise men.
New Moon: Dec 24 (12:09 PM CST) Keynote: All things shall be made new.

2012 Seed Thought Meditations

The word “esoteric” is commonly understood as “hidden.” Esoteric Christianity (sometimes called Mystical Christianity) was part of the hidden teachings included in Ageless Wisdom, which, until recently had not been as available to the general [...]]]> What is Esoteric Christianity?
Excerpted from “Esoteric Christianity – What Does It Mean?” by Jan Skogstrom 1999

The word “esoteric” is commonly understood as “hidden.” Esoteric Christianity (sometimes called Mystical Christianity) was part of the hidden teachings included in Ageless Wisdom, which, until recently had not been as available to the general public. One of the most important ideas in this tradition is that we are on an evolutionary or initiatory path. All of humanity, and each individual, is growing and evolving through a series of initiations, or expansions of consciousness which are steps in the process of attaining spiritual enlightenment. Further, Master Jesus, who embodied the Christ energy, is seen as a way-shower on this evolutionary path; one who, as a high initiate, helped to model and set the pattern for all of us. Events in Jesus’ life are interpreted as part of the path of initiation.

Reincarnation?
Because the path toward enlightenment is such an awesome process, which takes considerable time and learning, the idea of reincarnation is accepted as part of this process. (not required, but accepted). Over many lifetimes, the soul incarnates, gathering experiences and perfecting itself, just as Jesus perfected himself enough through many lifetimes to be able to hold the Christ energy and become Jesus the Christ.

Understanding the Christ
Basic to Esoteric Christianity is the concept of four qualities assigned to the Christ. The Cosmic Christ is the divine, creative Being that disseminates the love / wisdom we perceive as God (not just belonging to Christians – a new neutral word would perhaps be better). The Planetary Christ, is the Divine energy that entered and blended with Jesus at the time of his baptism just before beginning his three-year ministry, when he became Jesus, the Christ. This anchored the principle of divine love on our planet. “The word became flesh and dwelt among us. . .” John 1:14. The Historical Christ (Jesus embodied with the Christ energy) refers to the life of Master Jesus as told in The Holy Bible and The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ. The latter being an inspired / intuited version of the life and teachings of Jesus. The Christ-within, also known as the mystical or inner Christ, is the divine nature within us.

The Christ Within
The Christ within is a personal awareness of the in-dwelling spirit of God within ourselves – an actual experiential, first-hand connection with God; the divine nature realized within ourselves. Through personal transformational practices, (meditation, etc.) we work to bring that Christ-within (also known as the mystical or inner Christ) into greater realization in our life. We also understand The cyclic work of the Christ – the pattern of Christ energy that moves seasonally in, out and around our planet. The influence of the energy changes at each solstice and equinox, and helps us to evolve in a different and particular way.

The Role of Meditation
In this tradition, the primary way to develop the Christ-within and fathom the mysteries is through meditation although prayer, dreams, impressions, intuition, and other ways assist the process. We practice meditation to seek wisdom and experience the light and love of God in a personal way. As we unfold in this process, we encounter holy, sacred messages that reveal themselves to us in deeper and deeper layers as we grow in higher consciousness. Although teachers can guide us into the depths, we must experience them in a personal way. Striving to penetrate the mysteries is part of meditation and the esoteric tradition.

Spiritual Maturity and Honoring Many Paths
As higher consciousness unfolds and we begin to penetrate mysteries, we develop the spiritual maturity to decide for ourselves, in our hearts, what to believe. Dogma is released and we listen with our hearts and minds – thinketh in the heart – for our own truth. We become the final authority of our own truth and come to see the fundamental unity running through the great world religions and the unity in the diversity all around us. We honor other traditions as well as the esoteric path that leads us to Oneness.

It is I who asks for your blessing, Father-Mother, no longer in whimpered tones.
I have grown throughout the seasons and stand now, tall and sure.
I am sensing who I truly am, and I stand to meet that test.
I am your word within this life – this lifetime.
Know I this.        – author unknown.

See Exoteric and Esoteric Christianity Comparison Chart

Healing Circles
Medicine Wheel
Pipe Ceremonies
Sweat Lodge
Sacred [...]]]> Sacred Wisdom In Healing & Ceremony

with Morning Sky/Star (Gary Bibb)

This workshop focuses on Native American Healing methods and how they relate to other techniques around the world, as well as to modern medicine. Included in the presentation are:

Healing Circles
Medicine Wheel
Pipe Ceremonies
Sweat Lodge
Sacred plants

Learn how we diagnose certain illness by smells, energy sense and body temperature. Workshop will conclude with a “glass walking” demonstration.

WHEN: Saturday, November 5th, 2011, 1:00-5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Wellness Center, Sparrow Hawk Village
COST: $35.00 Cost includes handouts, water, a traditional gift, and a drawing ticket (Native American Art Item).

Morning Sky/Star (Gary Bibb) lived in Sparrow Hawk Village during its founding years. He has led multiple work-shops across the country and worked with many Tribes for over 40 years as a consultant and as an employee.

To register contact: 918.456.1109

Sancta Sophia Seminary
11 Summit Ridge Drive
Tahlequah, OK 74464

It was while I was attending seminary, in preparation for becoming an ordained minister, that I first was introduced to Sophia. Rev. Carol Parrish had founded a community, church and the seminary which I was attending, all dedicated to the Holy Feminine. The name given to [...]]]> Introduction to Seeking Sophia by Rev. Dr. Susan Hamilton

It was while I was attending seminary, in preparation for becoming an ordained minister, that I first was introduced to Sophia. Rev. Carol Parrish had founded a community, church and the seminary which I was attending, all dedicated to the Holy Feminine. The name given to the seminary is Sancta Sophia meaning Holy Wisdom. Little did I know that twenty years later I would become the Dean of the seminary, but then, none of us ever know how and where Spirit will lead us twenty years into the future.

Sophia was illusive and mysterious to me in the early 1990′s and she’s not much more tangible now. How can we ever fully comprehend the Divine Mystery? Having been raised in a Protestant faith tradition, anything resembling a Holy Feminine figure was foreign to me. People who venerated the Virgin Mary were only found in Roman Catholic parishes. Likewise, when I was called to serve as pastor of a mainline Protestant congregation – inclusive as they were – praying to or honoring God the Mother, was not part of our doctrine nor worship style. Yet, it made sense to me that there would be something feminine in God’s nature if we women were created in God’s image as is recounted in Genesis. So, She continued to call me toward a greater understanding and experience of Her. When I struggled to decide on a subject for my doctoral dissertation, I eventually heard Her call and proposed the abstract. The project resulted in the development of a series of lessons with Protestant women in mind. Through the studies, my students and I could begin – and only begin – to plumb the depths of the feminine aspect of our Creator. Grounded in the biblical tradition of Christianity, we found Her hidden within the scriptures and women of the Bible. From there, we traced back in time to learn of the 25,0000 year history of goddess worship. With ancient Roman, Greek, Middle Eastern and Egyptian history underneath us, we were led to discover her in the Orthodox Christian faith prevalent in Russia. Finally, we saw her re-emerge in modern day esoteric writers. Now Sophia has guided (or goaded) me to put these thirty-three lessons into a workbook to share with others.

Ultimately, I understand Sophia in four forms (there may be a fifth one I’ll explore in the future) and these lessons are designed around those forms. As we proceed, we will focus on the following spheres of Sophia’s domain: the Characteristic of wisdom, the Creator of our universe, the reflection of her body in Creation, and as a muse of Creativity. The lessons, studied daily or in some other time frame, will expand these spherical definitions all the while leading us inward to a heightened awareness of and connection with our own Source of Wisdom. Such was the experience of the women of Parkside Community Church who first and subsequently participated in this series with me; some women attending all three times it was offered. For them, I am truly grateful. Their open, willing and trusting hearts allowed my concepts to be shaped and helped mold this book into its form. My hope is that you, too, will have your own experience of Her presence in your life and continue to recognize “Sophianic” moments when they occur. Blessings on your journey.

Place your advanced order for Seeking Sophia at Sophia’s Nest Bookstore & Gifts.

Register for the Nov. 14-Dec. 19, 2011 class, Seeking Sophia, at Sophia Online.