With Joe Kilikevice and Steve Miller

Saturday, February 18, 2023
10:00am to 2:00pm CST
11:00an to 3:00pm EST
8:00am to 12:00 noon PST
9:00am to 1:00pm Mountain time

St. Valentine’s life is difficult to substantiate for the myths and legends that are associated with him. Chaucer’s stories of knights and noble ladies puts a romantic spin on Valentine that has lasted to today. There is however enough recorded history to say that he was a priest and a healer who was beheaded by Emperor Claudius II around the year A.D. 270 for helping Christians marry each other.

The familiar red heart symbol can appropriately stand for the blood Valentine shed, and for our own hearts as symbols of the love we express to each other in special ways on February 14th, St.Valentine’s feast day.

“Love” remains the best word to refer to our longing to deeply bond with each other and also with God. One can find mystics in many different traditions using words that are often indistinguishable between romantic love and love between oneself and God, sometimes words that expresses both loves at once. The Bible refers to “the beloved disciple whom Jesus loved.” Yes, Jesus had a favorite, and a favorite name Sufis, the mystical followers of Islam use for God is simply, “The Beloved.”

If you are a seeker of love, be it human love or love of “The Beloved,” know that they are really are quite the same. When one is in love, one is in God, for “God is love!” Join us live for this Zoom retreat experience with other men and women who will join in a pursuit of what we all long for. The Sacred Scripture of our lives hold stories to tell, laughter to delight in and perhaps some disappointments to share.

All are welcome, both women and men, coupled or not.
A respectful confidentiality is agreed upon by all participants.

Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrcO-orjgjGdaODZ9rgxwjbot9A9II3BrT

Please donate relative to your ability to do so and in keeping with your gratitude for this opportunity. Shem Center relies upon your generosity.

Make your check payable to Shem Center and mail it to:
Shem Center for interfaith Spirituality
708 N.Harvey Ave.
Oak Park, IL 60302

The convenience of PayPal may also be used for a small fee.

Donation by PayPal
Sign in to your account on the PayPal home page and select “Send & Request" at the top of the page. Using the Shem Center e-mail address, shemcenter1993@gmail.com, enter the amount of your donation. It will go directly into the Shem Center PayPal account. Thank you.