The public is invited to celebrate the birth and baptism of Christ in the ancient tradition of the East at Holy Transfiguration Malankara Orthodox Syrian Mission worship, 6205 University Ave., Madison (near Middleton). Holy Qurbana (Liturgy) and the Great Blessing of Water will be conducted in English.
This is a parish of the Mission Society of St. Gregorios of India under Metropolitan Mar Makarios. The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church is an apostolic church of India founded by St. Thomas the Apostle in 52 AD. Later, it affiliated with the Syrian Patriarch of Antioch. Its pastor is the third American priest of the South Indian church, which recently joined the National Council of Churches in America. The church embraces a mystical and practical spirituality, and its celebration is the most ancient extant liturgy available -- the Liturgy of St. James the Apostle -- a liturgy preserved in Syriac, a language very closely related to Aramaic, the common language of Jesus Christ and the Apostles.
The times are: 8 p.m. Monday, December 24 -- Christ's Nativity; 10 a.m. Saturday, January 5 -- Great Blessing of Water; regular Qurbana is at 1 p.m. on Sundays. In addition, there will be an introduction to Christian Dhyanam (meditation) practice (with a focus on the Lord's Prayer).
Contact Pastor V. Rev. Fr. John-Brian Paprock for registration or more information at (608) 236-9622. E-mail transfiguration@angelfire.com or go to www.angelfire.com/wi/inroads/transfig.html
Wisconsin's sacred sites
"Sacred Places -- Sacred Spaces," a photographic exhibit of Wisconsin's sacred sites by John-Brian Paprock, will be showing through January 1 at Madison Christian Community and Labyrinth, 7118 Old Sauk Road, Madison.
After the New Year, the exhibit will be traveling around the state, beginning at the DeKoven Center in Racine.
A talk on "Approaching the Sacred" will be presented at 6:30 p.m. December 12 by author/photographer John-Brian Paprock and journalist Teresa Paprock. They will discuss respectful and honoring ways to approach sacred places, regardless of religious or cultural tradition. The authors will be available to sign copies of their books.
The exhibit can be seen during office ours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or during facility functions or by appointment. In addition, on the second Wednesday of each month, the indoor permanent labyrinth is free to the public for walks until 8 p.m.
For more information, go to www.angelfire.com/wi/inroads/sites.html -- or for a preview of the exhibit, go to www.angelfire.com/wi/inroads/ssphoto.html -- or call (608) 836-1455.
Madison Events in December
Dec. 4 -- Meditation Group, every Tuesday, Earthsong Books, 2214 Kennedy Road, Janesville. Call (608) 754-3933.
Dec. 8 -- Learn How To Meditate, Earthsong Books, 2214 Kennedy Road, Janesville. Call (608) 754-3933.
Dec. 9 -- Sacred Sources, an open discussion group, 408 Oak St., Baraboo. Call (608) 356-6137 or toll-free 1 (877) 789-4268.
Dec. 15 -- Hot Stone Therapy, free sessions, Earthsong Books, 2214 Kennedy Road, Janesville. Call (608) 754-3933.
Dec. 15 -- New Moon Cantina, 7pm, James Reeb Unitarian, 2146 E. Johnson. A monthly gathering of pagans, Wiccans and people of other traditions.
Dec. 16 -- Sacred Sources, an open discussion group, 408 Oak St., Baraboo. Call (608) 356-6137 or toll-free 1 (877) 789-4268.
Dec. 16 -- CUUPS (Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans) Yule Potluck and Ritual, 5:30pm inside the west living room of the 1st Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Ave. Call Nancy at (608) 231-3362.
Dec. 16 -- Shamanic Journey Circle, third Sunday of each month, 6-8pm, 301 S. Bedford (in the T'ai-Chi Center), sponsored by All Communities Drumming Circle. For more information, call Jim or Ann at (608) 839-5115 or go to www.acdc@allonecommunity.com.
Dec. 21 -- Pagan Tea and Talk, Whil-Mar Neighborhood Center, 953 Jenifer St., Madison.
Dec. 21 -- Annual Winter Solstice Burn, 4pm, Two Rivers Point Beach State Forest. Traditional ritual on the eve of winter solstice. Indoor Group Camp at Point beach State Forest, $25 individual or $40 couple. For more information, e-mail solsticegroup@burningwheel.org
Dec. 29 -- Women's Full Moon Circle, 7:30pm, 1st Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Ave. A circle to celebrate the cycles of the moon and the cycles of our lives as women. Call Nancy at (608) 231-3362.
