Dances of Universal Peace – Meeting Today

Posted on November 10, 2013 by Greg Johnson

9:50 AM, Sunday, 10 November 2013

Dear Friends,

I am now back from Madison and will be leading Dances tonight as scheduled. Thanks to so many of you who sent your good wishes and healing thoughts. My brother seems to be doing much better, though still has a long way to go before he is well.

I hope to see you tonight!

Blessings,
Sophia Virginia

* * *

9:09 AM, Thursday, 7 November 2013

Dear Friends,  We have Dances of Universal Peace scheduled for this Sunday, November 10, starting at 6:00 at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City.  I do hope to be there, however, my brother in Madison is very sick, and I will be going there to be with him.  My plan is to be back on Saturday, inshallah (God willing!).  If my plans change I will send an email on Sunday morning.  Otherwise I will see you there.  If you need to contact me by phone, my cell number is (319) 330-5434.  Or call (319) 338-1778 after Saturday night.  Please send your prayers and healing thoughts for my brother.  Peace and blessings, Sophia Virginia

20121108th-dances-universal-peace-gathering

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Universal Worship Service this Sunday, 29 September 2013

Posted on September 23, 2013 by Greg Johnson

20130923mo-universal-worship-logo-456x458Dear Friends,

I will be conducting a Universal Worship Service this Sunday evening (Sept. 29). Details are below. I hope you can join me.

Blessings,
Rev. Sophia Virginia Melroy

The next Universal Worship Service will be conducted Sunday evening, Sept. 29, beginning at 6:00 at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City. The Universal Worship Service is a religious ceremony honoring the spiritual traditions of the world through scripture readings and lighting candles. The theme of this Sunday’s service will be “Faith.” Virginia Melroy will conduct the service. Please contact her at 338-1778 if you would like more information.

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Iowa City Dances of Universal Peace – Schedule for 2013/2014

Posted on August 26, 2013 by Greg Johnson

Dear Friends,

20121108th-dances-universal-peace-gatheringI hope everyone is having a fabulous summer.  It doesn’t seem possible that it’s almost at an end.  The good news is I finally have a schedule for our Dance meeting for the coming year, and it DOES include dancing at the Sacred Stone Circle at Harvest Preserve.  Please see the schedule below.  All dates are for the second Sunday of the month.

There are several Dance events coming up this fall in the Midwest region.  Some of the information I have sent out before, but I will forward them again in the next few days.  Harvest Preserve will be having their annual open house on the same day we dance there, so I will forward that flier as well.

Hope to see many of you soon.

Peace and blessings,
Sophia Virginia Melroy

Dances of Universal Peace – Schedule for 2013/2014

  • September 8 – at Harvest Preserve
  • October 13 – at the Unitarian Universalist Society of I.C. (UUSIC)
  • November 10 – UUSIC
  • December 8 – UUSIC
  • January 12 – UUSIC
  • February 9 – UUSIC
  • March 9 – UUSIC
  • April 13 – UUSIC
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Dances of Universal Peace this Sunday, 11 November 2012

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Greg Johnson

Dear Friends,

It’s time again to dance in Iowa City.  We are now back to our usual second Sunday of the month schedule.

I’m keeping the time at 6:00, a half hour earlier than we did last year.  This seems to work better for those in our group traveling from afar.

I hope you can join me this Sunday as we celebrate the coming dark season.

Peace and blessings,

Sophia Virginia Melroy

Dances of Universal Peace, Iowa City
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City, starting at 6:00 pm.
Call me if you need further information:  338-1778 (home number).

* * *

“The Dances of Universal Peace are a 40 year old tradition of dancing to simple chants from a variety of the world’s religions in a simple and peaceful moving meditation.  Newcomers are happily welcomed. No previous experience or dance partner needed. Would there still be war if we all sang, danced and prayed together? You are invited to dance for peace – bring a friend!”  — Adapted from the Dances of Universal Peace, North America, website  (http://www.dancesofuniversalpeacena.org)

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Universal Worship Service this Sunday, Sept. 30

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Greg Johnson

Dear Friends,

I hope you will join me this Sunday for the next Universal Worship Service (details below).  The Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City has become our “home” at least for the time being, and I am grateful to them for providing us a space to do the service.  For this service we will return to the church sanctuary (the main part of the church).  I am setting the time at 6:00 p.m. so our travelers can come and go in safety.  The theme for this service is “Divinity in the human heart.”  I hope to see you there.

Blessings,

Rev. Sophia Virginia Melroy

Universal Worship Service
Sunday, September 30, beginning at 6:00
Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City (in the sanctuary)
10 South Gilbert St.

Feel free to contact me if you have questions (home phone # 319-338-1778)

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Another Deeper Dancing Opportunity this week-end in DSM

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Greg Johnson

From: Morgan Rivers [mailto:morgan@healingpartners.biz]
Sent: Monday, September 17, 2012 2:36 PM
To: morgan@healingpartners.biz
Subject: FW: Another Deeper Dancing Opportunity this week-end in DSM

Hello,

Our first half-day retreat with the Dances in Central Iowa was wildly successful. We hope to do more in 2013 – stay tuned.

There is yet another opportunity for spiritual deepening this week-end in Des Moines – a Sufi Zikr Remembrance. A flier is attached and enclosed.

Our next monthly gathering will be Sunday, October 7 from 4-6 back at the PVA.
Til then,
Peace be with you,
Morgan Rivers
morgan@healingpartners.biz
515-473-6240

Mudita Sabato at Unity of Des Moines

  September 21, 22, & 23, 2012

  Unity of Des Moines, 414 31st Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50312

“There is only One Presence and One Power active in my life and in the universe, God the Good, Omnipotent.”

Friday, September 21, 2012

Celebration of Spirit 6:00 -7:00 p.m.

A Night of Rumi

Whirling/Poetry/Music

Mudita Whirling

 

Music Director: Deb Jennings

Love offering

Community Potluck 7:00 p.m.

Drop off food at 5:45 p.m.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Archetype Translation Sessions with Mudita

Sessions available 10:00 am till 3:00 pm

For more information see below.

All one hour sessions will be at Unity. To read more about the Archetype Translation work:http://www.muditasabato.blogspot.com/p/archetype-work.html

Saturday Evening, Sept. 22, 2012

Special Celebration of Spirit Event

6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Sanctuary

Sufi Zikr-Remembrance: An Ancient Sufi Group Circle Practice. Using the breath, music, chanting

Sunday Morning, Sept 23, 2012

Sunday Service – Lesson 10:30 a.m.

Cultivating Compassion

Pilgrimage to the Himalayan Mountains

 

Mudita Sabato was raised Catholic and in her early 20’s she studied with a Lakota Sioux Medicine women, later she found herself on the path of Hinduism. She has studied the daily prayers of Islam, and in her early 30’s lived in the Himalayan Mountains, to study Tibetan Buddhism, with her teacher, Lama Tenzen Choden. Her path has helped to developed her inwardly in mystical understanding. In the 1980’s she became a Sufi Initiate, where she has traveled for the past 25 years. Some would even call her a Whirling Dervish. Today, she is a Sufi Guide/Teacher and group facilitator of sacred dance, walks, music, voice, movement and “Whirling as Meditation.”

sacred phrases & poetry, to help awaken the heart and soul. Love offering

For more information: 816-686-7668 or muditasabato@gmail.com

http://www.muditasabato.blogspot.com/

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Dances of Universal Peace in Iowa City this Thursday

Posted on September 11, 2012 by Greg Johnson

Dear Friends,

Our first Dance meeting of the new season is coming up this Thursday (September 13), at 6:00 PM.  It will be a special evening in a special place!  Please join me at the Sacred Stone Circle at Harvest Preserve in northeast Iowa City to dance in this holy place.  My intention is to do the Healing Dance along with other special Dances.

I have included the link for Harvest Preserve for general information.  Getting to the stones is a bit tricky, so please read these directions carefully!

The Sacred Stone Circle is located west of the main gate.  If you are traveling west on Scott Blvd. (toward ACT/Dodge St.), go past the old barn and the main gate, which will be locked, and continue to the next gate, which will be open.  (If you are coming from Dodge St., you will need to turn before you come to the main gate.)  Follow the gravel road back to the wooded area until you see the stones.  Park in the gravel/grassy area just inside the gate.  I plan to have signs posted at the main gate and the entry to the stones.

Harvest Preserve has graciously allowed us to use the Stone Circle space for free, however, I will be collecting freewill donations which will be given to the Preserve for their work.

If rain is in the forecast, please watch your email for an announcement about an alternate plan.  Call me if you need further information:  338-1778 (home number).

Peace & Blessings,
Sophia Virginia Melroy

http://www.harvestpreserve.org/

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A Day of Peace, Dancing, Labyrinths, and BE-ing! – See you MONDAY

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Greg Johnson

Below is an opportunity to do Dances of Universal Peace this Monday (Labor Day) with the Des Moines Dance group.  If you are in the mood to travel, or in the area, consider taking part.  The location is lovely and the people gracious and enthusiastic.

Peace,
Sophia Virginia Melroy

* * *

29 August 2012

Greetings,
A final reminder of our September Dance Gathering which will be Monday instead of Sunday. It starts with an optional potluck at noon and the Dances are at 2:00. The weather looks promising for being able to Dance outside.

Soul of the Prairie is 65 miles NE of Des Moines. Directions can be found on the website. Kristin is coordinating car pooling from Des Moines. Contact her at: 515-491-5489. Please scroll down for the details and to register.

May all beings be well,
May all beings be happy,
Peace, Peace, Peace
Morgan

Dances of Universal Peace

Monday, September 3

12:00  Optional Potluck

1:00  Spacious time for rest, labyrinth walks, connecting

2:00  Dances of Universal Peace led by Morgan Rivers

3:30  Labyrinth Walks

Suggested Donation – $10

The Dances of Universal Peace are simple, meditative, and joyous circle dances. They use sacred phrases, chants, movements, and music from the world’s wisdom traditions. There are no performers, no audience members, and no experience is necessary

For more information and to register, contact:

email: mary@souloftheprairie.com

phone:  Mary at 641-864-3256

 www.souloftheprairie.com

 www.11daysames.wordpress.com

www.dancesofuniversalpeacena.org

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Universal Worship Service at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City – “Peace”

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Greg Johnson

Dear Friends,

Please mark your calendars for July 29 when I will again be offering the Universal Worship Service at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Iowa City (details below).  The theme of this service will be “peace.”  Since it’s likely to be very hot in the upstairs sanctuary, we will meet downstairs in Channing Hall (where we do the Dances).  I’ll send out a reminder closer to the 29th.  I hope you will be able to join me then.

Universal Worship Service
Sunday July 29, beginning at 5:30
Universalist Society of Iowa City (Channing Hall), 10 South Gilbert St., Iowa City.

Feel free to contact me if you have questions.

Blessings,
Sophia Virginia Melroy
338-1778

Woman running and jumping on sand shoreline of beach with green scarf.

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Iowa City Dances of Universal Peace Meetings to Resume in September 2012

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Greg Johnson

As with previous years, our group normally takes a break during the summer months. We will resume in September with our regular meetings. Have a great summer everyone!

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