Sunday Service with Rev. Pat Bessey
WOW! The concert Julie Thompson and Neil Lamb gave after service on Sunday was awesome. Some of the songs they performed were songs that many of us knew and we sang along. It was a perfect ending to a great Sunday service.
It was the White Stone service, which is a new year’s traditional service. The history of the white stone comes from the book of Revelation 2:17, which reads: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone which no one knows except him who receives it.”
When the early Christian church was being created, most of the area was controlled by Rome and when someone was released from prison, they were given a White Stone. That was all they received, and it was known by all that you had served your sentence and had been released.
So it is fitting that we do the White Stone ritual at the first of the year to signify everything from the past year or more has been released. You are free to start a new life. It is a new beginning from a purified state of consciousness and the ritual is that we are given a new name to live by, which reminds and represents our I AM Christ nature. A new name signifies a new role and a new way of being.
I am going to share my thoughts on the metaphysics of this scripture. I remind you, however, that you are the final authority on what it means for you.
“To him who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone which no one knows except him who receives it.”
Manna — The bread of life; the Word of God. Represents the realization that the divine substance is everywhere present, in every part of the consciousness.
Stone — Refers to the indwelling Christ, which is the keystone of each human being’s character.
Name — New name, remembering the I AM, the Christ consciousness.
To me, it is Spirit saying, “Come with me, spend time with me.” Choose this way and I will give you spiritual food you know not of. And that food is a reminder of who you are. I am going to give you a new name to live by. Keep it close to your heart.
Conquers — Let us use the word overcoming here… who of us has not had to overcome a problem or weakness in our lives… and so the promise to you is – as you overcome – you will be given some new knowledge – some new understanding of God in action in your life.
If you were unable to attend on Sunday and would like to do the ritual, there will be white stones on the information table in the foyer; pick up one and then listen to the talk and the meditation and get your new name!
Before I lose your attention, I want to let you know that registration is open for the retreat with Mirabai Starr on March 14 at Saint Joseph College. Read more about it and register.
Join me this Sunday along with Julie Thompson. The topic for the message is The Four Kingdoms of Awakening.
You are a blessing in my life,
Rev. Patricia Bessey
Labyrinths are ancient geometric figures. One leaves one’s worries and stress at the entrance and walks meditatively to the middle. As one walks to the center she/he becomes centered within her/himself, calmer, and more grounded. 
