This year's Mary Magdalene Celebration in Sedona will echo global awareness of Mary Magdalene's feast day coinciding with what some are calling the "Eclipse of the 21st Century." Signs in the heavens were watched, celebrated, and honored in the time of Jesus and Mary Magdalene and this year the heavenly bodies will be putting on a magnificent demonstration as Sedona's Magdalene Celebration takes place. In fact, the astronomical phenomenon of three eclipses occurring in places around the world in July, along with a new moon in the same month even has NASA paying attention.
Sedona will mark the role of Mary Magdalene as Jesus' partner in ministry in a multi-faith seminar organized by the Celebrating Women Witnesses Ministry of Sedona on Friday evening and Saturday, July 17 and 18, at The Sedona Creative Life Center, 333 Schnebly Hill Rd, Sedona . The featured presenter, John Beverley Butcher, M. Div., will address the topic "Jesus of Nazareth and Mary of Magdala: Chalices of Mystery, Sacred Partnership." An Episcopal priest, Butcher is a leading authority on sacred scriptures and reclaiming the wisdom teachings and spiritual practices of Jesus and Mary of Magdala.
The opening the event will be a "Sacred Partnerships" art exhibit and reception 6-7:30PM Friday evening, featuring paintings and icons rooted in scripture and spiritual expression. The reception will be followed at 7:30PM by Butcher's opening lecture, "Hidden Treasures in the Earth and Us: Nag Hamadi Revealed."
Saturday's session, 9 am - 4 pm, and will include lectures and ritual with music from communities in Galilee and Syria, as well as sacred dance and a special "Chalice of Mystery" liturgy created by John Butcher.
The fee for Friday evening, all sessions and lunch on Saturday is $45. Send checks to Magdalene Celebration c/o Judy Massey, 65 Bronco Drive, Sedona 86336. For more information contact Judy Massey, 928-282-0073 or Barbara Litrell, 928-300-5839 .
