Dennis Ray
Remembrance Day Service: The Remembrance Day Service was organized and led by Andy Redman who offered opening remarks and read “Silence in Remembrance” and the” Story of Remembrance”. Bill Smith read “Act of Remembrance”.
John Congram led us in prayer. Dennis Ray played the “Last Post” and, following two minutes of silence, John Senn read “In Flanders Field”. George Park read a list acknowledging current PROBUS members who served in the military and Dennis Ray closed by playing “Reveille”.
Julie Luan
Guest speaker Julia Luan spoke about the renaissance of Chinese culture:
She described efforts to revive ancient Chinese customs and culture. Luan, who was accompanied by Frannie Nie, talked about the traditional Chinese belief systems and the harmony of man and heaven. She related the story of the legendary military strategist Zhuge Liang who devised a plan to avoid execution by acquiring 100,000 arrows for battle in just three days.
The ancient Chinese, she said, believed that one who cultivated the Tao or the Heavenly Way, could transcend the physical world and unlock supernormal wisdom.
Luan said that this ancient culture and morality was largely destroyed with the emergence of Communism as old ideas, culture, habits and customs were broken down as temples were destroyed and schools were closed. She said that even her own aunt was forced to denounce her parents.
The Falun Gong movement, which begin in China in the 1990’s with the mission of reviving the essence of 5000 years of Chinese culture, came under increasing pressure from the Chinese Communist Party which sees it as a threat. Followers of Falun Gong in New York founded Shen Yun in 2006 as a way to spread the message about the ancient customs through music and dance.While the production has received rave reviews around the world, it is still not allowed to perform in China.
At our December Meeting, our speakers will be from the Trillium Gift of Life Network talking about organ donations. We will also have our traditional Christmas Carol sing-a-long led by Bob Henderson with John Butler at the key board.