Hello again,
I just want you all to know that as an outgrowth of the Evolutionary Revival we made an extended play CD called “Thank God for Evolution!” and you can find info about it and purchase it at http://www.thegreatstory.org/songs/cosmic-all-stars.html.
Yours in the great work,
Keith
Hi Everyone,
Cosmos will reconvene on Saturday, the 24th of January, at 7:00 PM in Bard Hall Lounge, at First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego . We will be exploring the fundamental themes of Cosmos, including the story of the universe, from the great flaring forth, the fireball, through the evolution of galaxies, stars, planets, earth, life and our present moment. We will be exploring our human role in the evolution of earth and cosmos with special attention to how we are to respond to the cataclysm the earth is going through currently. The human caused devastation of earth’s life support systems is ongoing and how we respond to this is going to determine the future for millions of years to come. What are the lessons from the universe about how we might respond to this in the most creative and life affirming way possible?
You are invited to participate in the conversation!
Keith Mesecher
Cosmos is taking a break from monthly celebration/services and salons and having a meeting in June to decide the best plan for the future. Please let us know if you have desires or ideas you would like us to consider or if there is something you would like to contribute to Cosmos.
Cosmos will not be meeting in April. We will have our next celebration and salon in May. I will post the date when it is confirmed. Cosmos had a splendid week when the Reverend Michael Dowd and his wife Connie Barlow were with us. For a description of North America’s first Evolutionary Revival, which we staged right here, see http://thankgodforevolution.com/blog/p,102/ at the Thank God For Evolution Website (main site is http://thankgodforevolution.com/). For Connie’s picture essay of the event see http://thegreatstory.org/evolutionary-revival.html
Thanks to all of you who participated!
Keith
Cosmos holds monthly celebrations and salons in Clark Chapel, at First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, 4190 Front Street, 619-298-9978. We explore and celebrate where we are in the journey of the evolving universe. We celebrate the reality that the universe has evolved for 14 billion years to reach a time and place here on earth when it now experiences itself in conscious self awareness. That is the stunning gift we humans have received. We are the universe self aware in a fresh, new and powerful way. Never before has a species been endowed with the powers that we have which allow us, for better and for worse, to shape the future evolution of the planet. We are doing this, and we need to see ourselves as the world shaping force we are and have a vision of our way forward. We need to know our role in the cosmos and in the evolution of the earth. The universe is best understood as a story. It had a beginning 13.7 billion years ago and has unfolded through an astonishing series of transformations to reach our present moment. It’s unfolding is not over and we are playing a role in it. We begin with science, with what we know that has come from cultures all over the world and has been tested and proven. Then we reflect on our role in the universe. This is not a scientific question. It is one of ethics and esthetics, choice and desire. It is a religious and a spiritual question, involving art and love. This is the marriage of science and religion. It is important that we start with the science. This gives us a truly universal footing based on the work of all the world’s peoples over centuries. Join us as we explore and celebrate, in a highly participatory service, the story of the universe and our role in its majestic unfolding. Join us as we launch ourselves on the Great Work of “ensuring a just, beautiful and sustainably life giving world for future generations of humans and as many other species as possible” to quote Michael Dowd.
Keith Mesecher
Michael Dowd, author the the new book, “Thank God For Evolution!: How The Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World”, was featured at North America’s first Evolutionary Revival on 15 February 2008 at First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego. The event also featured the high energy sounds of the Cosmic House Band, featuring Drew Massicott, Pete Thompson and Stu Anderson leading everyone in singing original songs by Keith Mesecher, and original works by Michael’s wife, science writer, Connie Barlow. See http://thankgodforevolution.com/blog/p,102/ at the Thank God For Evolution Website (main site is http://thankgodforevolution.com/). For Connie’s picture essay of the event see http://thegreatstory.org/evolutionary-revival.html
If this book (endorsed by 5 Nobel laureates and 120 other luminaries)
doesn’t end the science vs. religion war, it’s certainly an important step
in the right direction. More, chapters 9-12 provide an inspiring and freeing
overview of “the human condition” and some of the most empowering
“self-help” and “healthy relationship” tools that you will find anywhere.
http://ThankGodforEvolution.com/book-trailer.html
“Thank God for Evolution!: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will
Transform Your Life and Our World” can be downloaded for free (pdf) or
purchased inexpensively (hardcover) from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
You may also enjoy the blog: http://ThankGodforEvolution.com/blog
The Reverend Michael Dowd and his wife, scientist Connie Barlow, will be in San Diego from the 15th through the 23rd of February and will be presenting at a number of Unitarian Universalist Churches. At First UU Church of San Diego the events are the Evolutionary Revival on the 15th as described above, preaching on Sunday at the 9:30 and the 11:30 services, and conducting a workshop from 10-4 on the 23rd. If you want to attend this the cost is $5, or $10 if you want lunch. The cost is just to cover some of our expenses putting it on. We need to know how many people will be there and especially how many will want lunch. You can let me know at mesecher@cox.net. – Keith In addition: Connie will be preaching at Summit UU on the 15th; Michael and Connie will be doing a workshop at Chalice UU in Escondido on Saturday the 16th from 9-12 noon; they will be doing a program at San Dieguito Fellowship in Solana Beach on Tuesday, Feb. 19th from 7-9PM.
Cosmos Blog 