ACIM Conference
2013
Chicago, IL
A Gift of Lilies
April 26, 27, 28 - 2013
(Fri. to Sun.)
Huge Early Enrollment Discount
Currently only $399.
Price will be $449 on Sep. 1
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Our Exciting Line-Up of Speakers
| Row 1 Sharon Sherrard David Fishman & Regina Dawn Akers Jubi Onyeama & Clare Lamanna Rev. Tony Ponticello Tom Whitmore & Carmen Cameron Row 3 Donna Marie Cary DavidPaul Doyle & Candace Doyle Mary Gerard Lenihan Rev. Jennifer Hadley David Hoffmeister |
Row 2 Jon Mundy Ph.D. Rev. Deborah Phelps & Rev. Paul Phelps Rev. Myron Jones & Rev. Larry Glenz Rev. Shawn Moninger Rev. Tony Senf Row 4 Earl Purdy Cindy Lora-Renard & Gary Renard Rev. Jerry Stefaniak Joe Wolfe |
Control
Written by Rev. Vincent Fuqua Tuesday, 31 May 2011 12:00
On Sunday May 22, 2011, Rev. Vincent Fuqua addressed the congregation at the Community Miracles Center in San Francisco California. What follows is a lightly edited transcription of that talk.
Today I’m going to be talking about control, and learning how to let it go. This is very interesting because, as a lot of you know, I play softball. I had a softball game this morning so I was in my softball uniform when I came here. I was going to change into my other outfit, but the zipper broke on those pants as I was putting them on. That’s why I’m still wearing my softball pants. A lot of people know I tend to be a little more of a perfectionist when I dress. I like to look nice. I was going to go home quickly and change but Rev. Tony told me, “Don’t you dare do that. It’s not necessary. Just let it go and speak.” It’s all about letting things go. Just trust that things will work out the way they’re supposed to.
Today I am going to share my thoughts about control. I want to talk to you about how I continue to work on it. How do we let go of these perceived thoughts that we are in control, when in reality we’re not in control. One of the things that I keep in mind is that through out our lives there’s always things that we think we have to manage. We feel like we have to do things a certain way, our way, otherwise it’s not being done right. At least I know I tend to do that – more than I actually realized.
Confusion & Guidance
Written by Rev. Tony Ponticello Saturday, 30 April 2011 12:00
On Sunday March 20, 2011, Rev. Tony Ponticello addressed the congregation at the Community Miracles Center in San Francisco, CA. What follows is a lightly edited transcription of that lecture.
The name of my talk today is “Confusion and Guidance,” because I have been confused, and I need a lot of guidance. (laughter) I thought I should study up on it. Confusion is certainly something that happens to me a lot. I know that it happens to everybody. I don’t think we like to talk about it very much.
A Course in Miracles talks about confusion a lot. It says, “You will make many concepts of the self as learning goes along. Each one will show the changes in your own relationships as your perception of yourself is changed. There will be some confusion every time there is a shift, but be you thankful that the learning of the world is loosening its grasp upon your mind. And be sure and happy in the confidence that it will go at last and leave your mind at peace.” (OrEd.Tx.31.58) I’ve had significant relationship challenges and changes recently, and I have a lot of confusion about what exactly is going on. What I should do? Should I do anything? Maybe I should just do nothing. I don’t know. I am confused, and for me, right now, I need to embrace that confusion. I need to just let this be and not feel like I need to know the answers to my questions right at this moment.
Books Are Never Going To Save The World
Written by Doug Thompson Thursday, 31 March 2011 12:00
I recently came across some publishing industry statistics from both the USA and Canada. The figures are similar in both countries. Only 15% of the population ever buys books. Only 10% use public libraries in any given year. A large proportion of the latter are students at all levels who need the library to complete assignments, and another large proportion are those who need library reference materials for work. In short, not many people CHOOSE to go to the library for discretionary reasons. Of all books sold, nearly half are never read by anyone. Or so the Canadian publishing industry says. 85% of the population gets current affairs news from television and radio, not newspapers or newsmagazines. (The same 15% who buy books may well be the ones who buy newspapers.)
“Functional adult illiteracy” rates run as high as 50% in Canada. Now these people CAN READ. They can read street signs and product labels and simple instructions but if asked to write a letter to a supplier to complain that the new electric stove they just bought doesn’t work in a way LIKELY to result in the supplier understanding the problem, 50% can’t do it.
What those numbers tell me is that at least half the population of North America who graduated at least from grade 8 with “functional literacy” skills (i.e. they COULD have written that letter in grade 8) not only choose not to read books or newspapers but would actually have serious difficulty in doing either if they HAD to for some reason. And the explanation is that they simply haven’t read much that is more complex than a product label in years and have lost the ability to process written language effectively. Many do need to read a fair bit in their work, and so their literacy skills are maintained by use and practice. Many have to write comprehensible reports and documents also. That group CAN read but PREFER television for “entertainment” to “reading books.” These are the ones who CAN read but choose not to.
The Great Crusade
Written by Rev. Tony Ponticello Monday, 28 February 2011 12:00
On Sunday February 27, 2011 Rev. Tony Ponticello addressed the assembly at the “Listen, Learn & Do” conference held in San Francisco, CA. The conference had been three days of talks, workshops, meals together, and social gatherings. This Sunday Service was the culmination of the weekend conference. The following is a lightly edited transcription of that lecture.
Here we are. A Course In Miracles says, “As you share my inability to tolerate lack of love in yourself and others, you must ...” must “... join the Great Crusade to correct it. The slogan for the Crusade is Listen, learn and do: Listen to my voice, learn to undo error, and do something to correct it.” (OrEd.Tx.1.31) We’ve heard this quote over and over again during this weekend because that’s the theme of this weekend. That’s what we’re here to get into our consciousness. These conferences are guided learning experiences. I charge you, we charge you, to open up to the “Listen, Learn & Do” idea.
The idea of having an inability to tolerate lack of love – it’s been something that I have definitely noticed in my life. I have become unable to tolerate lack of love. If somebody puts anger at me, puts anger in front of my face, it just feels awful, awful. I immediately think, “What have I done to create this image of anger in front of me? What have I thought that this comes up in my dream?” Then I do everything I can to take responsibility, to ask for guidance and to say whatever I need to say that will, hopefully, help the situation even if it’s just, “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Sometimes that’s what I am guided to say. I think sometimes we believe the Holy Spirit is going to give us highfalutin words to say. Sometimes, for me, it’s as simple as saying, “I’m so sorry.”
