Newsletter
September/October
2002
From the Ministers:
FROM THE FOUNDING MINISTERS: We wish to thank Paul Josef for the powerful
training in the Non Violent—Compassionate Communication class
this summer. He masterfully demonstrated these techniques to
create harmony through true emotional connection and caring. We also thank all of you who contributed to
making the Humane Borders a success. We made our 25 kits and sent
$38 to support their efforts. As we enter the fall season and our focus on
courage and forgiveness, may we learn to release our fears and
illusions and to revel in the sunlight of the Spirit, which is our
true nature. This is a time of profound personal change for Marvin
and I. We feel delighted in the new growth taking place within us.
We know that serving our community by creating the Peace House for
the last seven years has been a tremendous joy. We seek your
support in keeping the Peace House a viable, thriving center of
peace in our community. Your contributions allow this work and
center to continue on. We so appreciate your loving presence and
donations. Thank you and God bless you always,
With Love & Peace,
Revs. Marvin & Debbi Brown
From the Prayer Ministry: HI, Blessings to all from the Peace House Prayer
Ministry. This is an exciting and momentous time for us. Again, Spirit
seems to have made our monthly topic very appropriate. In September we
will be discussing courage. We pray not only for
courage but also wisdom and divine guidance during our transition. With
all things we do here at the Peace House we pray our actions are aligned
with God, and that what transpires is for the highest good of all. When
we listen to the voice of our heart, Goddess sings the truth of
Universal Love, beckoning us to the way of Light. Sometimes life changes
can make us question our path, so we give thanks knowing that with good
intentions and our conscious connection with the One, all will be well. In October our topic is Forgiveness/Release. Thank
you God for our ability to forgive and release the past to move on to a
new and higher plane. This very act is the essence of emotional freedom.
Spirit is always loving, never holding a grudge. Connection with this
Unconditional Love that is inherent within us all, is the key to balance
and harmony within. I’m really excited about the move. We’ll have
more room to grow and to serve and to see new faces. I’ll miss the
kitties but look forward to the new things I will find. If you’re an
old timer who hasn’t been around in awhile, come on out to pray, sing
along with Dennis and reconnect. We’ll see you there. Peace and God’s
love, Rev. Jerry Harris Prayer Ministry Director
Sunday Service (top)
Our Sunday services have been discontinued at this time.
21st Century Spirituality, The New Religion by Rev. Debbi Brown (top)
There's a movement underway in America. A new consciousness emerging that is all embracing of the world religious traditions. Wayne Teasdale, in The Mystic Heart, defines this movement as Interspirituality: Finding a common spirituality among all the world religions. The new paradigm transcends the notion that one religion or belief system is the only true way to God and embraces the ideas that there are many paths to God; that truth and validity exist in each world traditions. As I like to say, "God is so much bigger than our petty differences."
Elizabeth Lesser, in her book The New American Spirituality, defines the major differences
between traditional religion and twenty first century spirituality. The first is that twenty first century spirituality does away with the hierarchy of authority. Each individual is personally empowered to
think and decide for themselves. Next it embraces many paths to God. It recognizes the inherent good in all world traditions. Third, it requires a daily practice of spiritual principles in one's life.
Fourth, it embraces the idea of original blessing rather than original sin. It sees all parts of Self as sacred and a blessing.
Perhaps you too have been feeling this call to oneness in your own life and worship. Twenty first century spirituality understands that feeling the love of Christ, the love of Shiva, the love of the
wind through the trees, and the love of compassionate nature is the same love. Whatever name we chose to call it, whatever way we chose to experience it, it is the same experience of love.
The divine is in all things. This is the path of embracing diversity and recognizing our oneness.
Peace House Statement of Beliefs (top)
1. One God Many Paths: We believe there is only one God but infinite ways of experiencing and expressing God. We believe that God in infinite perfection appears to different people, both individually and collectively, in many unique ways. We honor this diversity of expression. We respect the rights of all people to choose their own beliefs and ways of celebrating God. We believe God is absolute good; the Divine Creation, Light, Love, Order, Peace and Wisdom.
2. Oneness & Unity: We believe there are central unifying themes from each faith that can be embraced by all: Love, Unity, Peace, Forgiveness, Harmony, Joy, Abundance, and God as Creation. We believe in the power of Oneness to heal the world. We enjoy experiencing different ways of celebrating God through the rituals of various faiths.
3. Personal Spiritual Development: We encourage individual exploration of life's central questions: Who am I? Why am I here? What happens after death? We encourage developing a personal relationship with Spirit through prayer, meditation and the practicing of virtues. We believe each person is responsible for their own growth and actions. We encourage responsibility for maintaining the health of our bodies and our Mother, the earth, including all of her manifestations.
4. Divine Nature: We believe that all human beings are Divine creations with incredible beauty, strength and power. We believe it is each soul's evolution to awaken to their Divine potential. We believe each person has the seed potential within to evolve in their divinity as exemplified by Jesus, Buddha and the master of all world religions.
5. Harmony & Peace: Our ministry is one of harmony, peace and reconciliation. We promote the practice and study of spiritual principles with self responsibility in the discernment of Universal truth.
The Peace House is a member church of International New Thought Alliance dedicated to the creation of world peace and harmony. We realize the power & presence of God exists in all cultures.
Ceremonies & Spiritual Counseling & Healing (top)
The Peace House is a non profit center of serenity and spirituality dedicated to world peace and harmony. We are committed to supporting our community and individuals in an atmosphere of
love and peace. We promote and facilitate the experience of unity in diversity and our oneness with all of life.
Ministers are available to perform weddings,
christenings, memorial services, house blessings and
clearings and for speaking engagements. Ministers are also
available for prayer support in person by phone or email.
Rev. Debbi Brown offers
healing sessions that combine Reiki, Angelic intuitive readings, visualization, energy balancing and aromatherapy. These sessions last one and half to two
hours and the usual fee is $75. Many have reported emotional
and physical transformation and healing from these sessions.
Debbi also offers Angelic intuitive spiritual guidance on your life path and soul purpose. One hour sessions are $50 and can be quite profound and insightful. A special gift she is able to provide is communication from deceased loved ones.
Rev. Brown also provides hour long hypnosis sessions to create and facilitate personal change and growth. Use the power of your mind to transform your life. Session are $50 and can be taped.
Chakra Balancing Treatment: Combines energy balancing, reiki, visualization and aromatherapy using pure essential oils. This is the same treatment as offered at The Phoenician Resort. Sessions last an hour. $60.
"I was amazed at the energy shifts and movement taking place in my body... I have been pain free for six months now." Fibromyalgia client
About the Ministers (top)
Rev. Marvin Brown is an ordained interdenominational minister through the International Council of Community Churches and a New Thought Minister through the Community Church of New Thought student. He is also ordained in the Buddhist Order of Interbeing through Thich Nhat Hanh. Marvin spent two years as a full time resident at Manzanita Village, a Buddhist retreat center, in southern California. He has four years ministerial training at Teaching of the Inner Christ. His eclectic background also includes membership on the board and training at Episcopal, Unity and Religious Science churches.
Rev. Debbi Brown
is an ordained interdenominational minister through the international Council of Community
Churches and a New Thought Minister through The Community Church
of New Thought. She is a Reiki Master-Teacher of three traditions
(Usui. Mahatma, & Karuna), a certified clinical hypnotherapist and spiritual
healer and counselor. Debbi and her husband, Marvin, graduated as Oneness Practitioners after a year of study at the World Peace Institute. She grew up in the Catholic faith before becoming
active in the Unity Church for twelve years. Debbi also serves
the community as a part time Chaplain.
Rev. Nadene Nystuen is Director of the Peace House Animal Ministry. She teaches massage, anatomy and equine anatomy at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts. She has her associates degree in Veterinary science and is pursuing another degree in Equine Science. Nadene combines her Catholic upbringing with her Native American heritage believing that Great Spirit lives in all things. "It is my earnest prayer that we unite the planet and heal our world by honoring all beings."
Rev. Jerry Harris is Director of the Peace House Prayer Ministry and an Usui Reiki Maser Teacher. He presides, speaks, and sits on the Board for the Peace House. He shares his gifts of a heart filled with love, a strong God consciousness a desire to be of service to God and his fellow human beings along with a deep appreciation for life. Rev. Harris also serves the community as a coach for Special Olympics.
Rev. Joe Smith serves as the Peace House Community Outreach coordinator. He is an Usui Reiki Master teacher, seeker of truth and student of intuitive awareness. Rev. Smith practices Zen meditation and Tai Chi Chih. He also serves the community as a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in the foster care system. He is a follower of Light to the mystical oneness with the divine.
Scott Kalechstein Musical Concert
'Under the Stars'
(top)
A delightful evening of
inspirational
songs, humorous insightand
Enlightened dialogue.
“In his wonderfully personal and lighthearted way, Scott
reminds us that the heart is where we live.”
Alan Cohen, author of The Dragon Doesn’t Live Here Anymore
A Concert that will
Open Your Heart,
Stir Your Soul,
And Bring Buoyancy to Your Gravity
Scott has performed at workshops featuring Louise Hay, Alan Cohen, Bernie Siegel M.D., Depok Chopra and many others. He is an internationally traveled author, minister, speaker, recording artist and minstrel man. In all that he does he serves as an inspirational escort for those making the transition from suffering to celebration, from fear to love.
Oneness &
Diversity - A Call to Peace (top)
Life is diversity. Mother nature is diversity.
There isn’t just one tree but many species of trees and
thousands of one type of tree. There isn’t just one plant but
millions of kinds of plants. Even a single rose bush produces many
roses. There is abundance and variety in all our world, indeed in
all our Universe. Assuming God is the Creator and Sustainer, the
Supreme Principle or Absolute, then God must love diversity too.
Otherwise why did Great Creator make so much of it? There isn’t
just one tribe of man. There are many tribes of humanKIND. Do you
think the Source of Creation loves the oak tree more than the
cypress? No, God loves all his-her creation equally. Do you think
God loves one race or even one human above all others? God has no
grandchildren. Spirit loves all equally. Do you think God would
make only one right religion? All religions come from our own
inner calling, the spark of divine in each of us: As many souls,
as many pathways to God. Because we are so diverse, we experience
God in diverse ways. Does that mean there is more than one God?
No. It is one God, one creating principle, expressing in many ways
and forms. Just as there is One light shining through a stain
glass window. Each piece reflects the light in it’s own unique
way. And so it is with our own souls. Let us begin to accept our
differences as the beauty of each reflection of the Light. Let us
begin to see our commonalities as the Light and same Source
shining through us. There are many planets, many suns, stars, moons
and galaxies. How could God be so small as to only create one way
to know God and then condemn all who don’t follow it? A closed
mind sees narrowly and leads to self righteousness. I can’t
believe in a God smaller minded than me. So if God, Spirit, loves
diversity, perhaps we should too. Maybe we are called to embrace
diversity. To love diversity. To celebrate and rejoice in
diversity. At the very least to TOLERATE diversity. See diversity
as God in action. Know that truly we are all one family on this
planet earth. Every true religion and path that leads to God is
great.
Mindfulness Practice (top)
“Understanding is the foundation of love. It is the
process of looking deeply. Meditation means to look at things deeply, to
touch things deeply.”
Reiki
Training & Certification (top) Usui Reiki Master Teacher Training
September 7th Usui Reiki 1 Class Saturday 9 am to 3 pm $100
September 28th Usui Reiki Level 2 Training Saturday 9am to 3 pm. $150
October 12th Mahatma Reiki 3 Class Saturday 9 am to 4 pm $175
November 9th Accelerated Mahatma Reiki 1&2 for anyone with Reiki 2 training and higher. $195. Saturday 9 am to 4 pm
Increase your training and certification in Reiki healing touch therapy. Call Rev. Debbi Brown for Reiki newsletter or to register for a class.
Also taught one on one at your convenience.
Animal Ministry - (top)
The word animal comes from the Latin root meaning “soul”. To ancient thinkers, soul was the mysterious force that gave life and breath to the myriad of earths’ creatures. But what is soul or spirit? Spirit is the channel through which we become conscious of the Essence– the essence that dwells within every living being.
I recently had to put down one of my horses, “Bobby Jo”. I rescued her about three years ago. She had a perfect temperament. She was an “old soul”: considerate, calm, even tempered and gentle. While Bobbi Jo was a remarkable animal, I also realize she was far from being unique. The world is full of astonishing creatures, each with a gift to share and a lesson to impart. I embrace all of creation. Each of you, the insects, the birds, the plants, the wild creatures and tame ones. Thank you for the lessons I learned from you Bobby Jo: to love unconditionally, to be considerate, calm, even tempered and gentle. If I can learn to love that much then there’s hope for me and for all of us.
The Peace House Animal Ministry is open to animals of all faiths. We pray for and sometimes do house calls and healing on animals. Please send your requests directly to the Peace House.
Love, Rev. Nadene Nystuen
“All space is sacred space. Every inch of Mother earth
holds a specially energized connection to some living creature, and is
therefore to be honored. In learning to call on the medicine of any person,
creature, or natural force one must maintain an attitude of
reverence.”
If you have a special need please contact me at my email address: IBluewater@aol.com If your companion animal is sick, ill, hurt or lost we are here to offer prayer support. I will respond by email, US mail or phone as your request. Your pet will be prayed for by our prayer team. There is never any charge for this service. We are greatly blessed by the opportunity to perform this service. This ministry is entirely supported by free will gifts and love offerings.
All
things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All
things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all.
The Peace House has an ongoing prayer ministry. Contact us by phone, letter or email with your prayer requests. "When we pray together we touch the source of our good"
Prayer Therapy Class (top)
This five week three hour class is designed to help the
student develop proficiency in praying with clients and sharing prayer in
healing and therapy sessions. Discover your inner connection with the voice
of the Divine and allow Spirit to pray through you. Expect to learn about
spiritual healing and various styles and techniques of prayer. University
and medical studies on the power of prayer in healing will also be covered.
(Miracles happen!) Class is taught at Southwest Institute of Healing
Arts, 1100 E. Apache Blvd. in Tempe, by Rev. Debbi Brown, on
Tuesday evenings from 6 pm to 9 pm. The cost is $150 total. Please register through SWIHA
at 480-994-9244.
Prayer
Ministry (top)
The
Peace House has an active prayer ministry with eighteen members.
We can be contacted by phone, email or letter with names and
conditions that you wish to receive healing, affirmative prayer.
We will also write letters or make prayer phone calls at your
request. This is a completely free offering and service to our
worldwide community. We continue to hold the highest vision for
world peace with ongoing blessings and prayers. The Prayer
Ministry is an open group and anyone who wishes to volunteer their
time to hold these names and requests in prayer can join. The
power of prayer to bring about healing and positive results has
been clinically demonstrated. A spiritual solution can answer
every need. Please contact us at angels@peacehouseaz.org