Meeting & Lectures,

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

The Rev. Jeff Jones addresses “A Few of My Favorite Things: A Personal Journey of Voluntary Simplicity” at this Sunday’s UU Service. In his sermon, Rev. Jones tells about his six-year effort to significantly reduce his material possessions and the impact it has had in his life.

Rev. Jones is the minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Having served his congregation for six years, this past January, he began a six-month sabbatical with his family in San Miguel de Allende.

The UU Fellowship meets every Sunday at 10:30am at La Posada de la Aldea, Ancha de San Antonio 15. Visitors are invited to attend the service and then join the UUs in the hotel restaurant for brunch. For more information about Mexico’s only chartered UU Fellowship visit portalsanmiguel.com/lifestyle/unitarians/unitarians.html.

International sculptor, painter and acrobat to address Rotary Club

Canadian artists Nisha and Dan Ferguson speak at Midday Rotary of San Miguel on Tuesday, May 1. Nisha and Dan knew as children that they would be artists. Both were fascinated with drawing since the impressionable age of three. They both answered, without hesitation, when asked what they wanted to be when they grew up, “Artist!”

They met one another while attending the Art Centre of Central Technical School of Ontario some 20 years ago. Right after graduation, Dan and Nisha married. With as much precision and as sure of one another as two trapeze artists who meet in mid-air, they began to collaborate artistically and have never looked back. Dan is the sculptor and mold-maker, and Nisha is the designer and painter.

Now known as DaNisha Sculpture, they exhibit their work in prestigious galleries and boutiques throughout Canada, Mexico and the US. Dan, Nisha and their two sons, Joshua and Julian relocated to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, three years ago. People use the words optimism, excitement, innocence, wonder and awe to describe the work of DaNisha Sculpture. Nisha, also an accomplished acrobat and choreographer, founded the successful performance troop in Ontario know as “Gravityworks.” In San Miguel de Allende, Nisha now has a new aerial dance troupe, “Gravityworks South.” The Midday Rotary Club of San Miguel meets every Tuesday at 12:30pm in the upstairs theater at the Villa Jacaranda Hotel (Aldama 53). Visiting Rotarians and all others are invited to attend. Lunch follows at 1:30 pm. For more information, visit the website www.rotarysma.org. 

Globetrotters

On Thursday, May 3, at noon in the Sala Quetzal at the Biblioteca Pública, the monthly meeting of the local chapter of Globetrotters (a club for independent people with a passion for travel) hears two presentations. Sabah Boctor, an Egyptian who has spent many years in North America talks about his recent trip to Egypt, entitled “A Journey Through Ancient Egypt.” Chris Terrington, who has just returned from several months monitoring the Nigerian elections, talks about “Contemporary Nigeria.” All are welcome. Admission is 30 pesos, all of which goes to the library.

Classes & Workshops

Understanding sacred contracts

Have you ever wondered what your mission in life is meant to be? Have you ever experienced a feeling of not being able “to see the forest for the trees?” 

In my search for answers, I came to study with Caroline Myss, a profound, bestselling author and a pioneer in the field of energy medicine. In 2003, she founded the CMED Institute and I attended her first “Sacred Contracts” intensive course. In studying with Caroline, I came to believe that each of us is guided by our own sacred contract. These sacred contracts contain the many agreements pertaining to all we are and all we intend to learn in this life, covering your work, your key relationships and all those who help us with our life lessons. When I came to understand that my life’s direction is something that I’ve agreed to follow, the crazy events in my life are seen in a different light. They can be viewed as a learning experience. Sometimes the learning is difficult because I am not always graceful in surrendering to the situation. In time I have learned to accept the situation without the painful struggle. I have discovered that our empowerment relies on our ability to detach, and to view events and per
sonalities symbolically. I will be teaching a Sacred Contracts class at LifePaths on May 4 and 5 and invite you to attend a weekend that could inspire and bring meaning into your life.

Now, I sure don’t immediately see everything that is coming my way; but I do have a way of pragmatically looking at my challenges symbolically and this helps to move into resolution. Fighting change is unhealthy. Sacred Contracts is a tool that I use to see the big picture in a Divine way.

In order to help you understand your Sacred Contract, we work with a set of 12 primary archetypes. The idea of archetypes is not new and dates back to the days of Plato, who called them forms. The great Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung, further developed the concept of archetypes. He saw them as psychological patterns derived from historical roles with a universal consciousness. These archetypes become personalized when they are a part of your psyche. Your Sacred Contract brings together 12 archetypes, as your support team. Just think of them as good buddies, because they form the basis of your personality, drives, feelings and motivation. They take the positions of protectors and inner allies, alerting you to your destructive shadow behavior. However, once you are conscious of your archetypal patterns, (instead of ignoring them) they become your friends and can prevent you from selling out.

If you would enjoy learning more about your mission in life, please join me at LifePath on May 5 and 6, for a two day course that will uncover your own personal Sacred Contract with Chic Katherman. LifePath 415-154-8465 or info@lifepathretreats.com 



Tours & Excursions

Saturday Adventurers

This Saturday, the Adventurers take a one-stop tour of the San Gabriel talavera factory, located on the way to Dolores Hidalgo. The factory produces talavera pottery using designs from Spain and also original designs. We visit the factory and watch the artists painstakingly apply paint to a cup or plate. We also visit two family homes, where we see how they use their beautiful ceramic products not only as decor but also as everyday dishes. Then we make a stop at the “goodies” shop, where you can indulge in the world of wondrous talavera—from tiny salt and pepper shakers to triple-tiered fountains, from huge decorative plates to sugar bowls and whole sets of lead-free dishes in colorful designs. Tiles, basins, plaques: whatever you need is here! The tour leaves from inside the Jardín, across from the Parroquia, at 10:30am.

Botanical Garden tour

Every Tuesday morning, discover the marvels of cacti and other Mexican plants as well as the history of El Charco with Mario Mendoza, Assistant Director of the garden. The tour includes a visit to the nursery which contains many rare species and is not usually open to the public.

Entrance fee is 30 pesos (waived for members) and the tour is 50 pesos. All proceeds benefit the garden. The tour is in English and starts at the main entrance at 9am, lasting about 2 hours. Bring a hat and water. Space is limited, so reserve by calling 154-8838 or email charcodelingenio@gmail.com.



Performances & Events

Monthly Alma sale

Please join us for the monthly Alma Sale at the Bodega in Cjn. Lejona, 5 short blocks behind the new Mega Store at the home for the elderly. Come peruse racks and racks of good clothing, shoes and bedding, pictures, the huge selection of books, decorator items. Low prices! April 28 from 10am to 1pm. Catch the free van from Espinos every half hour and return.



Volunteering at the Biblioteca

If you would like to volunteer to assist in any of the following departments, please see Elia in the Sala Infantil, Monday-Friday, 4–5pm, or send an email to volunteers@bibliotecasma.com and Judy Boston will get back to you. The departments with the most need are La Tienda, teaching English to kids, the Book Committee, English conversation with students, the computer room, the Sala Infantil with literacy programs and painting, administration, the Café, the House and Garden Tour, and Atencíon. A minimum commitment of 3 months is requested for most of these positions.

Atención volunteers needed

Atención seeks volunteer proofreaders. If you are obsessive about grammar, spelling and punctuation and would like to contribute your expertise, contact Atención at edit@atencionsanmiguel.org. 

See you in the funny papers

Mark Saunders, creator of Atención’s “Más o Menos” cartoon, invites suggestions from readers for funny material about living in San Miguel that would lend itself to a cartoon. Selected ideas will be drawn by the cartoonist, and authors will be given credit as well as a signed copy of their cartoon. Please send your “expat” cartoon ideas to edit@atencionsanmiguel.org.