Horvath-Zurn Consulting www.horvathzurnconsulting.com 507-261-3588
December 2008	Volume 1, Number 3
In This Issue · Happy Holidays! · Workshops (Don’t miss Hope & Healing for the Holidays!) · Curriculum Development · Gift Certificates: A special Holiday Offer! · God in Nature: “Out of the Woods Photography” Picture of the month	HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Hanukkah This Jewish holiday is also known as the Festival of Lights—an eight day commemoration of the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2^nd century BCE. It traditionally commemorates the miracle of the container of oil. According to the Talmud, at the re-dedication following the victory of the Maccabees over the Seluicid Empire, there was only enough blessed oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. Miraculously the oil burned for eight days, which was the exact amount of time needed to prepare and bless fresh olive oil. This sacred holiday is observed annually with singing, games, prayer, festive food and the lighting of a candle each night on the Menorah. An extra light is also lit each night and given a distinct location, usually higher or lower than the others. It is called the shamash which means “guard” or “servant”. The shamash is used to light the other lights. It is a reminder against using the Hanukkah lights for anything other than meditating on the Hanukkah story. This year Hanukkah began at sun down on December 4^th . Next year it will begin at sunset on December 11th and continue to sunset on December 19^th. Winter Solstice This is considered to be a pagan holiday that marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Following the winter solstice, the days grow longer and the nights grow shorter. This is a celebration of new birth! The sun will appear at its lowest point in the sky. Its place at noontime will appear to be the same for several days before and after the solstice, giving the appearance of the sun standing still. It is celebrated on December 21^st this year. The precise moment of this year’s winter solstice will be at 6:04am. Christmas Though celebrated with Santa Claus and Christmas trees, this is actually a Christian holiday held annually on December 25^th to mark the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus is believed to be the son of God, who, died on a cross to save believers from their sins and obtain salvation for all who believe in him. It is celebrated with gift-giving, special church services and re-enactments of his birth story, lights, and special food. Kwanzaa This is an African American holiday that will be celebrated from December 26^th to January 1^st. It is a celebration of the harvest! There are seven days of Kwanzaa, and each day reflects a different principle. These principles include: Unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, a sense of purpose, creativity and faith. In this season of celebration, Horvath-Zurn Consulting wishes everyone a Happy Holiday! Workshops: Hope and Healing for the Holidays Thursday, December 18^th 6-9 PM Assisi Heights Spirituality Center Nancy Horvath-Zurn, Horvath-Zurn Consulting and Dawn Buttera Gregor, Barefoot Yoga Center Offer a transformative workshop! The journey to Hope and Healing is really a journey through interpersonal relationship, both with our selves and with others. When we understand that everything in the universe is connected, and beneath the differences are profound similarities, then we truly arrive at our own happiness. The first part of the workshop Nancy will approach some of the challenges of the holiday season through her candid storytelling and practical suggestions on how to live through it without becoming consumed by it. The second part of the workshop, Dawn will lead you through rejuvenating breathing techniques to beat the holiday blues and offer healing with the divine spirit energy of the Oneness Blessing (Deeksha). It will be an inspiring hour of renewal for the mind, body and spirit. Suggested donation $30 Contact barefootyogacenter@hotmail.com drhorvath-zurn@charter.net 507.456.9721 or 507.261.3588 Space is limited. Register by December 15th Come and experience one of Nancy’s other upcoming workshops or classes! · Ghost Hunting 101 · The Eight Essentials for a Healthy and Thriving Organization · Gender Bending Ghost Hunting 101: Have you noticed the increased interest in mediums, ghosts and psychics on television these days? Perhaps you’ve caught an episode or two of Ghost Hunters, Ghost Hunters International, or Paranormal State. This workshop will give you the basics of simple ghost hunting. I will show photographs and share experiences from various personal ghost hunts including, but not limited to, the notorious Mansfield Reformatory in Ohio, the Haunted Trolley Ride in Atchison, Kansas, a visit to the Myrtles Plantation in Louisiana, and an all night stay at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. This class is available through Rochester Community Education. Monday April 27th 6:30pm – 9:30pm Fee is $15.00 *You must reserve a space through Rochester Community Ed. 328-4000 or www.rochesterce.org/adults The Eight Essentials for a Healthy and Thriving Organization Welcome to a unique new study with one purpose in mind—helping your organization become healthy and thriving! These eight essentials can each stand alone, but put in place, together, can assure your organization, non-profit, small business, church, or other group, a wonderful success. Code 7250.231 2 sessions (6:30-9:30pm) Tues. April 7, 2009 and Tues. April 14, 2009 *You must reserve a space through Rochester Community Ed. 328-4000 or www.rochesterce.org/adults Gender Bending We hear the letters on the news and see it in news-worthy articles: GLBTQIA What do they mean? What is involved in moving us from intolerant to the celebration of differences? Come and explore sexual orientation issues in a sfe and open environment. 2 sessions (6:30 – 9:30pm) Mon. May 4^th, 2009 and Monday May 11, 2009 *You must reserve a space through Rochester Community Ed. 328-4000 or www.rochesterce.org/adults. Curriculum Development Hope and Healing for the Holidays: Presented with Dawn Gregor on December 18^th. Metropolitan Community Churches are a forty-year denomination. www.mccchurch.org On their website, under Education and then Small Group Studies, you will find three of Nancy’s workshops. These can be downloaded free of charge and include a complete leader’s guide: The Eight Essentials For a Healthy and Thriving Congregation is an eight session class designed for churches. The Eight Essentials For a Healthy and Thriving Congregation; Developing a Strategy for Success is the sequel and provides the ground work for putting the Eight Essentials into action. Putting a Little Character into Christmas was written to add some educational fun to the Advent Season. Again, it is relative to the Christian church. Open Hearts, Open Doors; Opening the Doors to the Transgender Community Again, this course is relative to the Christian church and available for free download, complete with a detailed leader’s guide. You will find this one under Transgender (on the far left column of the website). If you, your church or organization are seeking a workshop, please contact me. I can custom write it for you and teach it myself or write a leadership guide so you can teach it yourself. One such idea is for The Eight Essentials for a Healthy and Thriving Organization. This would be the same concepts without the Christian influence and biblical references. GIFT CERTIFICATES Gift certificates are available for purchase! Give the gift that will keep on giving throughout the year: A spiritual reading, a spiritual mentoring session, a series of eight structured mentoring sessions, or one of the beautifully matted and framed “Out of the Woods’ photographs where Nancy sees the Holy in nature. A special rate for the holidays: Give the gift that will keep on giving! A 30 minute introductory spiritual reading for $25.00. Gift Certificates available! Out of the Woods Photography Here is Nancy’s Photo of the month: