|
Subscribe to Our Newsletter |
|
|
|
Pastor and President of the Board of Directors
Reverend Steven A. McClain
All Are Welcome!
I'd rather be almost anywhere else.
That is - I would far rather be almost anywhere else (preferably with good food), sitting and talking face to face with you instead of having to use this medium. But it's the best I can do for now.
Welcome to the world we call NRVMC: the New River Valley Metaphysical Chapel. We call ourselves NRVMC for short.
When I accepted the invitation to Pastor the NRVMC as a brand new church, for me on a soul level, the most important message that I needed to be able to convey was that no matter who you are "All Are Welcome".
When the members of our church and I originally set down to write the words that would describe our church , there was an all encompassing intent to set down as an invitation to ALL, But especially to those who are still asking "What does an open and more inclusive faith look like".
Ours IS an invitation to you, to a new, or at least a different religious and spiritual path; a progressive path that leads to a sanctuary; to a most sacred place; where one can feel safe from religious persecution; A place where there is NO insistence that any ONE individual's belief has to be in a God that was overwhelmingly Christian, or for that matter any one religion. Not closed, not limited in scope, but open to all people of ALL faiths and beliefs. Our goal is to embrace all people regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, spiritual or religious path. We work overtime to see the good in all people. Oh, and don't be surprised to show up to a morning service and be greeted by one of our visitor's pets at one of our Animal Healing and Blessing services, because we embrace animals and all creation.
The simplest way I know to describe us is that we announce ourselves as a both a church and a religion that promulgates Unity and common ground, and the belief that all religions at the core is truth and love, compassion, nonviolence and the Golden Rule that share a divine meaning beyond human understanding. We place no religious labels on ourselves, other then we're metaphysical.
Our purpose is to teach and practice the Science, Philosophy, and Religion of Divine Metaphysics as a way of life. We invite you to ask questions, and to follow wherever your own individual spiritual path leads, because the most important message that we can express to you is "All ARE Welcome".
I also think it is important for you to know that although I was ordained a Metaphysical minister, but I was raised as a RLDS (Reorganized Later Day Saint), a faith that just didn't fit as also being a Southern Baptist or a Wicca didn't fit, although they were very necessary and important stages along my spiritual journey. Before being asked to minister at the NRVMC, I served as the Assistant Pastor for the Roanoke Metaphysical Chapel in Roanoke, VA. Now I can say "I'm finally Home"! If I were to describe the feeling of being the pastor for the NRVMC in 10 words or less, I would have to answer "what freedom, what latitude, what love, what hope, what refreshment."
I tend to think of myself a "world religionist" which fits very comfortably since my core values and core beliefs are based on Metaphysical teachings. But others in our congregation would identify themselves as Buddhist or agnostics or pagans/adherents of an earth-based spirituality. Others would lay claim to no particular title. I think that all of us would say we are seekers, searchers, and individuals with more questions than answers, a spiritual family who are willing to live our lives with ambiguity versus certainty.
Well enough of this. I could go on and on. But, like I said, I would really rather sitting and talking to you face to face.
Love, Blessings and Namaste.
Rev. Steven A. McClain
e:mail:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Assistant Pastor and Secretary/Treasurer of the Board of Directors
Reverend Diane McGuire
Welcome and Blessings!
You'll most likely want to know a little about me personally, so here goes.
I'm originally from Cleveland, OH. I still have family in that area and visit whenever I can. I currently live in Roanoke, VA. I have a significant other who is very supportive and caring. Without him I would not be able to do half of what I do. I am blessed.
I live on what one might call and "urban farm." I practice organic gardening and keep 2 rabbits who provide me with generous amounts of organic material. If you organic garden, I highly recommend getting a rabbit or 2! I would have chickens, as well, but time and budget do not permit.
My garden is part of my spiritual practice. It's my way of stewarding the Earth. I feel that we've been given such a wonderful gift in the Earth in that it sustains us physically while we learn our spiritual lessons. My stewardship is my way of thanking Spirit for such a wonderful gift.
Along with my 2 rabbits, I have been blessed to be the steward of 2 dogs, 4 cats a goldfish and a Starling. Except for the rabbits all were rescued (the goldfish was a feeder fish, so I consider him a rescue). I have absolutely nothing against purchasing pets through reputable breeders. It makes a lot of sense to do this. It was divine order and the law of attraction that brought these creatures to me. I am blessed as much as they are.
I currently hold a Bachelor's in Metaphysics from the University of Metaphysics. I am also a certified Metaphysical Practioner and am ordained through University of Metaphysics. I am a Level II Rieki Practitioner, as well.
I have a Master's in Library Science from Kent State University and work for the City of Roanoke Public Libraries during the week.
As a minister, it's my great hope that all who attend our services and programs leave feeling better than they did when they arrived. For some this feeling will be a result of a renewed connection with a loved one in spirit or Spirit Guide. For others it might be the Spirit Healing we provide or the music, prayers and message at our Sunday Service.
Either way, it's all good! It raises our vibration and brings us closer to union this the Source, Great Spirit, Mother/Father God or whatever name you use.
I believe wholeheartedly in the continuation of life. It's one of the aspects of metaphysics that first attracted me to this spiritual path.
I collect EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) and other evidence of the life of the spirit.
I find it particularly important to understand that our loved ones in spirit are still with us. I am continually amazed at the powerful healing that happens when people realize that those who loved them in their incarnated life, still love us and support us in the spirit world. I firmly believe that our loved ones in spirit and spirit guides WANT to communicate this to us.
Like others I tried several religions or spiritual philosophies; Buddhism, Wicca, Taoism. Add to that being raised a Roman Catholic. There was, however, that feeling that something was missing. Perhaps it's because each is part of the big spiritual matrix. I'd like to think so. Divine Metaphysics puts it all together for me. When I first started practicing this spiritual path I felt as though I had come home. Many others who have discovered Divine Metaphysics have said the same thing to me. I hope you find your spiritual home with us, too.
Associate Pastor
Reverend Joy Gambon
I want to take the opportunity to welcome you to the New River Valley Metaphysical Chapel website!
Here you will find a wonderful opportunity to peer into the faiths of the World, become educated about many forms of devotion and find resources to develop the spiritual gifts within you. It is my desire that by combining the Ancient truths and the new understanding of Quantum physics, we will gain awareness and momentum with these rising vibrations in our sphere. May our inspiration and enlightenment propel us into the future with a new vision.
I am the "creatress" of Inner Mysteries Profiled, a full spectrum astrological entity and I have been ministering to the needs of others all over the world for over 30 years. The beauty of astrology is that is allows me to see persons and circumstances as ever-changing fields of energy.
I am happily married, a mother of two and a grandmother of six. I am a perpetual student and a born philosopher. I have lived in many places and traveled a bit and it has been a great blessing to have met kindred souls and great teachers along the way.
I am Ordained through the Alliance of Divine Love and have certification through the International Metaphysical Ministry. I am a member of The Institute of Noetic Sciences, the American Federation of Astrologers, International Society of Astrological Research and the National Council for Geocosmic Research. I am also an active member of the United Communities of Spirit.
I am both elated and honored to be a part of the birthing of the New River Valley Metaphysical Chapel. I hope you will join us as we scale the heights and plumb the depths of the "The Great Mystery".
Welcome! Be prepared to embrace both the deep peace and the wild ride!
Music Director and Vice-President of the Board of Directors
Laura Wright
Laura is a Roanoke, VA native and currently resides in Boones Mill, VA. She serves as Music Director/Keyboardist/Vocal Soloist and Vice President of the Board of Trustees for the New River Valley Metaphysical Chapel. She makes her living as a public school speech-language pathologist and develops the music program for the NRVMC in her spare time.
Laura's musical training began at age nine, by taking nine years' of piano lessons with local music teachers and one year of study at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. She studied organ for approximately two years, most recently with the late Keith Chapman, internationally known concert organist. Laura has served as Organist/Choral Director and Substitute Organist for many churches in Southwest Virginia, from Galax to Martinsville, Roanoke and Fincastle. She also served as primary keyboard accompanist for Stan Kingma's Virginians, a musical variety show that performed for conventions and other events throughout Virginia and Maryland from 1991-1998.
Laura became interested in metaphysics at age sixteen, through conversations with a music teacher who was a Christian mystic. Her interest has grown through the years but really came alive in 1998 when, singing in a traditional church choir, Laura found it impossible to sing certain phrases or repeat creeds and prayers because they conflicted with her metaphysical beliefs. Knowing that what we speak or sing is what we attract and manifest, Laura began translating those prayers in her head to reflect a more positive meaning, and later sought a metaphysical church. She was an active member of the Roanoke Metaphysical Chapel for nine years, and is thrilled and honored to be a founding member of the NRVMC. She takes great delight in selecting music for worship services that raises one's vibration and communicates a metaphysical message. Laura is currently creating a hymnal for the NRVMC, by gathering hymns from a wealth of sources, examining the texts and editing them so that they reflect metaphysical beliefs. At this writing, there are 90 hymns and responses in the missals.
Board Member
Peggy Baker
HEALING ENERGIES FROM THE UNIVERISE
Healing Energies from the universe directed to your heart and blood stream with love of the universe that will circulate through your whole body. Will touch all parts of you and help with your Healing. Jesus Christ is my point of light in my directing Healing. |
I have been a member and studied with ASTARA (a school of ancient mysteries, church of all religions, academy of all philosophies in California. www.astara.org, ) for 25 years. Have studied the Astara's Book of Life Degree Lessons. Astara has been my salvation in all of this time.
I have studied with Ernistein Knippshilds in De., At the Rainbow Parasentory Sciences. Touched base with Healing, Tarot, Numerlogy, Astrology, Spirit World, Cycometery, Meditation and the list goes on. After moving to Va. from Pa. I have found Metapsyical churche's close by and would visit them with love and light from the universe to empower me and them. I still have a lot to learn about myself, but I have been given this gift of Healing Energies to use and I have found a great chance to share them with the NRVMC in Radford.
I was here from the begining, when we were just the Blacksburg Metaphusical Study Group.
If my Healing Service's can be of help for you, please come to the service and let me know.
Love Light
Peggy
Board Member
Bonnie Odell
Bonnie is married to a wonderful man with whom she two grown children and two granddaughters. She is her own unique person with the insight, compassion and wisdom of a clear minded individual. Even though she has only been with us about two years and was new to our ways of thinking as a group, she has always lived by those standards with out knowing we were here to support her.
She walks the light and the truth everyday in her job and her life. Her job, without going into it, put her in the position to help the homeless and abused women of our NRV area. Her loving and caring ways are there to support them, her family and all of us at the NRVNC.
We Love You, Bonnie.
Board Member
Barbara Macri
My spirituality is as fluid as a river flowing high from the
mountains to the sea. My roots in Catholicism left me frustrated and
found me trying to discover God from a young age. As a young woman
my inner self turned from the dogma of tradition religion because it
seemed that there was MORE. I began to study Tarot as a teenager and
began to learn about non-Christian religions. When I was 19 I joined
the U.S. Navy and while in San Diego I discovered Wicca. Through the
practice of Wicca I formed a deeply personal relationship with the
God and Goddess and thus my spirituality blossomed with me into
womanhood.
Through my life I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel to
places like England, Spain, France, Greece, Turkey, Israel, and even
Saudi Arabia. I absorbed the religious culture and flavor of the
people and the Holy places I visited. It made me hungry to learn and
I've spent the last fifteen years or so exploring many different
faiths and identifying the common threads that lie in every
religion. Like many people I do not believe that my God belongs to
any one religion, and see myself as a seeker who is spiritual at heart.
I am so blessed to found NRVMC. I had come to a point in my life
where I felt there would never be any kind of church where I would
find people like myself. I immediately felt a sense of welcome,
loving compassion, and an open acceptance that ones spirituality in
religion often implies that faith is more of a personal nature, and
less about dogma. A home that I found to be more open to new ideas
and individual spiritual influences than the beliefs of other
mainstream religions.
My hope is that I can learn more about myself and help others to find
NRVMC so that they may know the love and peace that I have found.
Love and Blessings,
Barbara
|
|
|
