Festival of Children: National Child Awareness Month

A creative sculpture of cans for a good cause

The month of September is full of energy. It is the month that usually marks the beginning of schools for many around the country.  It is a time where preparation is important to starting a successful school year.  Many are fortunate to transition into this time without too much trouble. A mild case of stress for getting the correct school supplies, anticipating the perfect teacher(s), having a good assortment of clothing, and planning the exact lunches that will be eaten.  While many are making these typical preparation choices, there are others who are making more difficult choices, who need assistance from charities.

The month of September not only marks the beginning of school, it also marks the beginning of the month long awareness campaign of Festival of Children at South Coast Plaza.  The Festival of Children Foundation was created to bring children's charities into a network so ideas and resources can be shared to further the strength and outreach of the charity. Throughout South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, California, booths are set up with information for each charity’s resources available.  During the weekends, events take place all geared towards children.  The weekends buzz throughout the month while children's dance and music groups perform, activities and crafts are happening, and each charity has a representative at their booth.  16 can sculptures created from different organizations are placed around the plaza, with all 60,000 cans being donated to Orange County food banks after the event.

As the founder of Festival of Children Foundation, Sandy Segerstrom Daniels (an owner of South Coast Plaza), has also led the effort to have September 2014 declared as National Child Awareness Month. Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) co-sponsored Senate Resolution 503, which passed by unanimous consent on July 16, 2014 designating September 2014 as National Child Awareness Month. September 2014 marks the 7th consecutive year for the designation.

S.Res.503 - A resolution designating September 2014 as "National Child Awareness Month" to promote awareness of charities benefitting children and youth-serving organizations throughout the United States and recognizing efforts made by those charities and organizations on behalf of children and youth as critical contributions to the future of the United States.

So during this month of children, it is a good time to reflect on abilities of all our children and how crucial it is for all of us to recognize the greatness in each child.  Each child is great, to be reminded of this Truth will bring children into adulthood with a knowing of purpose and value, this, in turn, leads to a strong community.

http://www.festivalofchildren.org/site/DocServer/Festival_of_Children_2014_Flyer_in_Progress.pdf?docID=4721

Be Yourself Sunday Service

Someone in the world is waiting for me to fully express myself, to bring my creative gifts to the forefront and live out loud. When I am my fullest self, I change the world. And So It Is!

Live stream starts at 10:30am Click Here! 

Shared Prayer

The powerful strength of prayer circles

Prayer can be private, internal, personal, but it can also be shared, aloud, external. The power of shared prayer can be transformational. When speaking a prayer aloud, the vibration throughout the body is different than from praying silently to oneself. Sometimes when praying in a circle, the prayer gets passed where each person has the ability to speak aloud. It is a collective that is an intimate exchange. 

Prayer can be just as powerful in person as being at a distance. Join me in this prayer circle. Today the prayer is focused on the Goodness of each and every person who decides to join in this prayer. Tap into the emotional space of the strength of this prayer. 

Knowing right here and now that Spirit is moving through each and every part of the Universe. Everywhere that is seen and unseen, the Love Intelligence of the Universe encompasses All. 

I know my Oneness in Spirit. I know each breath I breathe occurs in the Oneness of all Life. 

As I know this for myself, I know this for each and every person who has agreed to join in this prayer. I know that in this collective field of Consciousness, All is well. The Greatness of each of our lives show up today and everyday as this human expression. The unfoldment of our lives occur in the most magnificent manner. I know that we can stand on solid ground, knowing that each and everyone of us are strong in Spirit. Everything works together for the Goodness of our lives. 

Insert your contribution to the prayer here

I am so very Grateful to know the power of prayer. I am so Grateful for Spirit, for Life, for Peace. I am thankful for all that Life has to offer. I rest in Gratitude. 

I release this prayer into the Law of the Universe, knowing that Spirit is right here and now. I Let it all go. And So It Is. Amen. 

hoto: Prayer circle, © Brett Jorgensen / Shutterstock.com

Women's Experiences Through a Lifetime

Beth Anne Boardman, R.N., M.A., Ph.D.

Join us for a presentation by Beth Anne Boardman, R.N., M.A., Ph.D. on how Greek mythology can illuminate women’s experiences through a lifetime.

What you can expect:

• The story of Demeter and Persephone reflects the cycles of life on a variety of levels: physically as well as creatively, and includes insights into a woman’s generative life.
• Inanna’s story evokes reflections on how women may experience individual and spiritual rebirth as a result of grief and loss.
• Other myths may also pop in for a visit during the course of the evening!
• The topics discussed will apply to anyone who experiences a connection to feminine consciousness, creativity, or anyone interested in mythology and depth psychology.

When: Friday, September 5, 2014

Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

More About Beth Anne
Beth Anne Boardman, R.N., M.A., Ph.D. began her education with a Bachelor of Science
degree in nursing from the University of Colorado and holds a current registered nursing
license in two states. Beth practiced both occupational health and hospital nursing in
Denver and went on to teach nursing theory and clinical nursing practice at Jennie
Edmundson Hospital School of Nursing in Council Bluffs, Iowa. During her tenure at
Jennie Edmundson, Beth also pursued a Master’s degree in English Literature from the
University of Nebraska at Omaha.

In 1989 Beth moved to California where she raised her two children, dividing her time
between assisting in classrooms from Kindergarten through high school and serving as a
board member, grant writer, and event organizer for a non-profit aid organization.

In 2012 Beth completed a Doctorate in Mythological Studies with an Emphasis in Depth
Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Santa Barbara, California. Beth’s
dissertation, Diving into Darkness: Adolescents in the United States, will eventually see
publication as a book, The Alchemy of Adolescence.


Additionally, during her time in California, Beth co-founded the Joseph Campbell®
Mythological RoundTable® community group in San Clemente, California in 2005,
which meets quarterly to study and discusses the work of renowned mythologist Joseph
Campbell.