TREE OF LIFE INTERFAITH TEMPLE
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      • Class Proposal >
        • Class Proposal Form
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      • Archived Classes at the Temple >
        • Winter 2021-22 Classes >
          • Hope and Action for Our Times
        • Sparrows 2021 >
          • Lil Bits of Heaven
        • Fall 2021 classes >
          • Exploring Your Dream World
          • Teilhard, Tom and Us
          • The Healing and Empowerment of Women in the Gospel Stories
        • Summer 2021 Classes >
          • Monday Meditation
          • Book - Radical Regeneration
        • Spring 2021 >
          • Dream Works
          • Spiritual Resiliency for Everyone
          • Our Sacred Call
          • Rise Up and Call Her Name Part 2
        • Sparrows 2020 >
          • Interfaith Spiritual Practice
          • Lovers in the Wilderness: Discover Your Path to Mystical Unity
          • On the Shaman's Drum
        • Fall 2020 Classes >
          • Writing Personal Essay and Memoir as a Spiritual Practice
          • A Sacred Calling - Crafting End of Life Celebrations
          • Braver Angels - Depolarizing Political Conversation
        • Spring 2020 Classes >
          • Better Angels - Depolarizing Political Conversations
          • SEVA (Service Project) 9 week Free Yoga with Carol Gaudreau
        • Sparrows 2019: Owned and Operated by Rev. Dr. Stephanie Rutt, our Presiding Minister >
          • Living The Prayer of Jesus Book Signing
          • On the Shaman's Drum
          • Pray Without Ceasing
        • Fall 2019 Classes >
          • Winter Solstice Spiral Walk
          • Building Your Yogi Toolbox
          • Cooking Basics for Health & Wellness
          • Introduction to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
          • Writing Personal Essay and Memoir
        • Spring 2019 >
          • Chakra Vibration - An Inner Journey
          • Grief Yoga - Moving to Empowerment
          • The Secret Garden
          • What is Happiness - How do we find and nurture it
          • Psalm 23
          • Yoga Nidra
        • Winter 2019 >
          • Spiritual Dowsing
          • Tai Chi
        • Fall 2018 >
          • Call of the Morning Dove
          • Gentle Yoga
          • Interfaith Approach to Christian Mysticism
          • Hinds' Feet on High Places
          • Lord's Prayer in Aramaic
          • Mala Workshop
          • Our Relationship with Food
          • Soul Collage
          • The Hero-Heroine's Journey
          • Writing Personal Essay and Memoir
    • Membership >
      • Becoming a Member
      • Membership Overview
      • Ministers Roster
    • Our Community >
      • Volunteer Opportunities
      • Our Ministries/Our Lives >
        • Carol LaChance
        • Stephanie Rutt
        • Camilla Sanderson
  • Interfaith Seminary
    • Rev Ahjan Grossman - Seminary Director
    • The Vision: We Are Called
    • The Seminary Program >
      • Curriculum
      • Spiritual Practice
      • Community Service
      • World Religions
      • Ministerial Duties
      • Seminary Guides
      • Fees , Scholarship Aid & Applications >
        • Seminary Application
        • Scholarship Aid
      • Bookstore >
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        • Suggested Reading
        • World Religions
    • Seminarians' Reflections >
      • Our Journies
      • 2020
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
    • Spiritual Mentoring Certificate Program
  • Collaboration
    • World AWAKE
    • Peaceful Journeys
    • Interfaith in our neighborhood
    • Outreach >
      • Our neighbors
  • Donations

Seminary Class 2015

It all began with a dream - a dream where all of creation stood gathered round an altar of sorts, where our lives seemed to be woven together, where our divine intentions came together as one. A dream in which voices went arising, much like incense in prayers sent upward, and upon us all came a Love all embracing, drawing us together one to the other and all into the One. In wonder and amazement it seemed our eyes began to widen, the beat of our hearts quickened as if all were one; our minds fell quiet and held in the moment of only now, our wills somehow surrendering, our souls seeking the Ultimate Source of all Completion as the Mysterious and Most Beloved One, ever so tenderly and sweetly was beginning to Emerge. In the Presence of the Creator, notes evolved into symphonies, awkward and clumsy steps and movements slowly, miraculously seemed transformed - an otherwise ordinary dancer was almost effortlessly gliding along the floor, caught up in a Waltz Divine. Earth and wind, fire and water, the underworld, the upperworld, the world in between - the Now, the yesterday, the days still yet to come all seemed to come together in one, glorious AH! The heavens fell open and the earth bowed her lovely head, the Collective hum of Creation entered this Glorious Dance until the dancers became the Dance Herself - and the dream was no longer a dream but The Invitation to Dance and to be Danced. "An ordinary life (truly & gloriously) transformed!" Stephanie, I have no words for these past two years - I have just begun to dance. I am not certain where or with whom I will dance, so for now I will simply enjoy the music and wait - As you entrust me to the Dance and the Dancer, I still with awkwardness, need to look into your heart and offer these words, "You, Stephanie, have been such a precious presence, mentor, teacher, lead dancer, and discerning heart, I wonder how I will ever thank you? I have decided this - I will dance as gracefully, as lovingly, as tenderly, as prayerfully as you have - ! May the Dance of Creation go on and on and may we all, in holy time, learn to dance this dance together, for it is truly, the dance of all - may the dancers become the Dance." Dear Beloved One, thank you for this Dance.  Deb-Ellen Brown

These last two years sum up for me in one word - affirmation. Working through the seminary program with Rev. Stephanie served to reinforce many things that I had already come to realize on my own over the last few years. Studying many points of view brought together within me a deeper, more connected, fuller understanding of how to view all of creation and my place within it, allowing the sacred space within me to become more aware, more open, more bold, and more at the forefront of my life. This is the true space from which to live and be genuine. Bringing the sacred forward, however that happens, and living each moment from this space is our birthright. We are the Kingdom of Heaven here on Earth, and as such it is our job to live our lives from that space of sacred light within our hearts, bringing that light to others in each and every moment, loving others as we wish to be loved. Most of us have just forgotten how to do this. There are many paths that help us find our way. Whatever path chooses us, we are to live it, fully aware in each moment, from a loving heart full of understanding and compassion for each other. My graduation marks the start of a new path, an affirmation that we are all connected, that there is a divine spark in all of us, and a deep understanding we all have the potential to remember this. My path going forward is, as it has always been - I had just forgotten, one of kindling other flames, and for remembering this, I am truly grateful.   Karen Manchester
​

This Tree of Life journey is unshakably rooted in my body and soul. My ministry is seeded by God, nourished by mantra, prayer, study, and reflection. My calling is budding, sweetened into blossom by the light that beckons. Lovingly, I've been humbled and exalted, pruned and nourished. I know not what flowers may grow of my ministry, but I do know the loving hand of the Gardener. My wish is to share the riot of color, the laughter of flowers, the industry of bees, the solace of scent and silence with you, as we walk this verdant maze together.  Cate Sementa

TREE OF LIFE INTERFAITH TEMPLE
5 Northern Blvd, Suite 8
Amherst, NH 03031-2330

603 732 0224
© COPYRIGHT 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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  • Home
    • About Us >
      • Annual Report 2022
    • Contact Us
    • Our History
    • Our Founder Rev. Dr. Stephanie Rutt
    • Our Presiding Minister Rev. Linda Goodman
  • Join us
    • Worship Services >
      • Upcoming Worship Services
      • Worship Service Proposal Form
      • Archive
    • Classes and Offerings >
      • Covid-19 Protocol
      • Seekers Book Club
      • Conversations in the Wilderness
      • Healing Qigong
      • Spiritual Dowsing
      • Think Indigenous
      • A Course in Miracles
      • Making a Living
      • Presiding Minister’s Office Hours
      • Class Proposal >
        • Class Proposal Form
        • Program Presenter Contract
      • Archived Classes at the Temple >
        • Winter 2021-22 Classes >
          • Hope and Action for Our Times
        • Sparrows 2021 >
          • Lil Bits of Heaven
        • Fall 2021 classes >
          • Exploring Your Dream World
          • Teilhard, Tom and Us
          • The Healing and Empowerment of Women in the Gospel Stories
        • Summer 2021 Classes >
          • Monday Meditation
          • Book - Radical Regeneration
        • Spring 2021 >
          • Dream Works
          • Spiritual Resiliency for Everyone
          • Our Sacred Call
          • Rise Up and Call Her Name Part 2
        • Sparrows 2020 >
          • Interfaith Spiritual Practice
          • Lovers in the Wilderness: Discover Your Path to Mystical Unity
          • On the Shaman's Drum
        • Fall 2020 Classes >
          • Writing Personal Essay and Memoir as a Spiritual Practice
          • A Sacred Calling - Crafting End of Life Celebrations
          • Braver Angels - Depolarizing Political Conversation
        • Spring 2020 Classes >
          • Better Angels - Depolarizing Political Conversations
          • SEVA (Service Project) 9 week Free Yoga with Carol Gaudreau
        • Sparrows 2019: Owned and Operated by Rev. Dr. Stephanie Rutt, our Presiding Minister >
          • Living The Prayer of Jesus Book Signing
          • On the Shaman's Drum
          • Pray Without Ceasing
        • Fall 2019 Classes >
          • Winter Solstice Spiral Walk
          • Building Your Yogi Toolbox
          • Cooking Basics for Health & Wellness
          • Introduction to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
          • Writing Personal Essay and Memoir
        • Spring 2019 >
          • Chakra Vibration - An Inner Journey
          • Grief Yoga - Moving to Empowerment
          • The Secret Garden
          • What is Happiness - How do we find and nurture it
          • Psalm 23
          • Yoga Nidra
        • Winter 2019 >
          • Spiritual Dowsing
          • Tai Chi
        • Fall 2018 >
          • Call of the Morning Dove
          • Gentle Yoga
          • Interfaith Approach to Christian Mysticism
          • Hinds' Feet on High Places
          • Lord's Prayer in Aramaic
          • Mala Workshop
          • Our Relationship with Food
          • Soul Collage
          • The Hero-Heroine's Journey
          • Writing Personal Essay and Memoir
    • Membership >
      • Becoming a Member
      • Membership Overview
      • Ministers Roster
    • Our Community >
      • Volunteer Opportunities
      • Our Ministries/Our Lives >
        • Carol LaChance
        • Stephanie Rutt
        • Camilla Sanderson
  • Interfaith Seminary
    • Rev Ahjan Grossman - Seminary Director
    • The Vision: We Are Called
    • The Seminary Program >
      • Curriculum
      • Spiritual Practice
      • Community Service
      • World Religions
      • Ministerial Duties
      • Seminary Guides
      • Fees , Scholarship Aid & Applications >
        • Seminary Application
        • Scholarship Aid
      • Bookstore >
        • Seminary Core Curriculum
        • Suggested Reading
        • World Religions
    • Seminarians' Reflections >
      • Our Journies
      • 2020
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
    • Spiritual Mentoring Certificate Program
  • Collaboration
    • World AWAKE
    • Peaceful Journeys
    • Interfaith in our neighborhood
    • Outreach >
      • Our neighbors
  • Donations