 I
loved the article on yoga and although I do not practice it on a
regular basis, I believe it is one of the best ways to relax and
open one's mind and heart to God. I also enjoy "walking meditations"
and wondered if you will do an article on that subject. I find
walking to be wonderfully relaxing as well and if done in a
contemplative way, it can be just as
pleasurable as yoga.
Dear Café Reader,
Thank you for writing to express your enjoyment of the Café
article on yoga. As you point out, there are a number of ways to
enjoy contemplative, relaxing time. Walking meditations are
something we have not specifically targeted, but it certainly might
make for an interesting topic in the future planning. Thanks for
suggesting it.
In case you did not know, our next issue of Café is focusing
on faith and money. We hope you find it interesting as well.
Peace,
Nancy G.
We are pleased to announce that
Café celebrated its 1,000th subscriber at the end of October
2003. The 1,000th subscriber was Deborah K. from Oreland,
Pennsylvania. We notified Deborah about this honor and sent a
special Café gift to her. She shared these thoughts that we
in turn wanted to share with you:
I got my
Café mug and pen! Thank you all so much; they are definitely
being put to good use! As far as being the 1000th subscriber, I was
very surprised, because I've never really won anything before, but
was very pleased and thankful for your kindness.
I think that Café is a
wonderful way to communicate with Christian women of all
backgrounds. With all of the negative things that we are bombarded
with in this world, especially in the media, it is refreshing to
read something that is uplifting to our spirits. Café
certainly will touch many people with its interesting, informative,
women-focused articles. I encourage all Café readers to tell
their friends about it so we can soon be celebrating the 2000th
subscriber and beyond! God's blessings to you all as you continue
this new endeavor.
Deborah K., Oreland, PA
We thank each of our
subscribers for their willingness to engage in thoughtful reading
and conversation. Café is really created with you in mind.
Our success is your success. To echo Deborah’s sentiment, we look
forward to our future subscribers as well. Perhaps you can help us
celebrate number 2,000 (or 3,000 and beyond!). Tell your friends to
sign up today. We will celebrate each consecutive 1,000th subscriber
with an official Café—Stirring the Spirit Within mug
and pen.
Are you already a subscriber?
Don’t despair! You can celebrate Café every day with your own
mug and/or pen. Details will be available in the January/February
2004 issue of Café. Look for this issue’s announcement in
your email box around mid-January.
Sending wishes of peace and happiness to you,
The staff of
Café
Café
readers, please note:
In an unintentional oversight,
Jill Knueppel was not mentioned as the instructor of the yoga class
at Little Five Points in a version of
Café that
appeared earlier. Says Pastor Megan Jones, we need to be certain
people know that "I did not [teach the classes]. They were taught by
a wonderful and faithful Lutheran woman (former pastor) named Jill
Knueppel. I did have the good sense to hire her and I did
participate in each class but she was the instructor."
We apologize for
any misunderstanding that this oversight may have caused.
I have
been practicing yoga for 10 years and it has always been a way for
me to commune with God. I am so happy the word is out!
Karlin M., Jerusalem (Red) Union Church
I am
starting up a food pantry at my church. With the economy being what
it is, I felt this was something that was needed. I was surprised at
the response I have gotten! Past attempts were failures.
I think it was not only the economy but it was "God's" timing as
well. We need to do more in our own communities to reach out to one
another. Its not a wonder that the church attendance is down when we
are not reaching out to those in our communities.
I just
heard about Café and have since subscribed. Is there anywhere
I can find the first issue on the web?
Thank you.
Julie W.
Dear Julie,
Thanks for finding Café! The first
issue is accessible in two ways. If you go to the current issue and
then cursor to the end of the Hot Topic article, you will see a
clickable link that reads Back Issues. You may also go to the
About
Café link (located
on the front cover of this issue) and there is a listing for the
first issue. Click on that and it will take you there! These are the
two ways to access the first issue.
We have a stone labyrinth inside our
sanctuary and an outside one that are both open to the public. If
one is not able to do yoga one can walk the path and meditate on the
goodness and blessings of God and bring a sense of balance to their
life in that manner. Soli Deo Gloria.
Ann N. B., Redondo Beach, CA
(A member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Torrance,
CA)
This new form of communicating is
really great. As much as I enjoy Lutheran Woman Today, Café is great
for a intense focus on a single topic. The
yoga information is incredible—almost
overwhelming—but proof positive that you
can be Christian and practice yoga. Even if I never get into yoga, I
found the article, recommended books, etc., all ways I can pass on
excellent information to others who may be interested. Thanks so
much for your using this medium in a new and exciting way.
Claudia T., Ridgecrest Ca.
Dear Claudia,
Thanks for the positive feedback. It is very exciting to see the
enthusiasm that Café is tapping
into. Thanks for reading, sharing your thoughts, and making our day!
Thank you for a wonderful article
about yoga. I've been enjoying practicing yoga for the better part
of this year, and find it not only a wonderful exercise (strengthens
and tones all your muscles), but also a wonderful way to clear my
mind of all the troubles of the day. Yoga time is "me time," where I
can calm down, briefly disconnect with the busy-ness of the world
around me, and connect with the serenity of God. (I recommend the
"Yoga Zone" classic series of DVDs to anyone who's looking at trying
yoga. It’s a 20-minute exercise routines for beginners.)
This
issue of Café
came just at the right time. We are having our Women of the ELCA
Convention this weekend and I plan on sharing this issue with the
ladies. I also plan to have a copy on the Mission Growth display
table. Thanks again.
I
practice yoga off and on. Personally, I love it—the
health benefits are real, and I always feel great the next day (wake
up humming...) I have also practiced Bikram Yoga, which is hot yoga
practiced in 110 degree temperatures! Might sound tough but you
really feel great the next day. On the other hand, I need to lose
weight and yoga is not quite aerobic enough for me to meet that
goal, so I run and do gym classes like Kickboxing now, trying to fit
yoga into a larger program.
I would LOVE to attend a Lutheran Yoga retreat! I had never
considered such a thing, something that combines yoga and worship. I
belong to the Pacifica Synod, and our meeting is coming up in
November—I would love to organize
something using that as a forum.
Dear
Café
Reader,
Thanks for the great feedback. Perhaps your interest in a yoga
retreat will lead to something. Let us know what happens!
Lots of good stuff. I want to make sure
you know that this new e-zine is great and provides wonderful food
for thought. Our Southern California Synodical Women’s Organization
is planning a Body & Soul Cafe for our annual information exchange
event in January, and this article on yoga provides a terrific start
for one of our workshops. I also intend to use info from last months
Fair Trade Chocolate article in our November synod newsletter.
Maxine S., Southern California
Christian
yoga is not something that has appealed to me, but I am
not against it. I have two friends that believe strongly in it, and
I can completely see a change in their action/reaction to things in
their everyday lives, such as stressors at work or at home. Both
have been into the Christian yoga for a couple years and appear to
have really found some comfort there.
My relaxation is done by taking walks by the water and turning my
problems over to God.
Heidi B., Kenosha, Wisconsin
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