Historical Jesus

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is significant for several reasons. ### What Makes It Special Even If You're Not Religious * The scale of the building is awe-inspiring. * The artwork and craftsmanship rival those found in famous European churches. * The chapels tell the story of immigrant communities that helped shape the United States. * It offers a rare combination of history, architecture, art, culture, and quiet contemplation in the heart of Washington, DC. Many visitors describe it as one of the most underrated attractions in DC because it combines the grandeur of a major monument with a peaceful atmosphere that contrasts with the city's busy museums and government buildings. * **The largest Catholic church in North America** and among the ten largest churches in the world. * **Home to more than 80 chapels and sacred images**, representing the diverse cultural and ethnic communities that make up the Catholic Church in the United States. * **Known for its breathtaking mosaics**, containing millions of pieces of colored glass and stone that cover walls, ceilings, and domes. * **A unique blend of Byzantine and Romanesque architecture**, making it visually distinct from the Gothic cathedrals many visitors are familiar with. * **Visited by multiple Popes**, including Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis. * **A national shrine rather than a local parish church**, meaning it serves as a place of pilgrimage for Catholics from across the United States and around the world. * **Dedicated to Mary, the Mother of Jesus**, under the title "Immaculate Conception," who is the patroness of the United States. * **Features one of the world's largest mosaic domes**, creating a remarkable visual experience even for visitors with no religious background. ### Join us for a casual visit to the Basilica. **Cost:** Free **Time**: 12:15 pm **Who can attend:** Everyone is welcome, regardless of faith background. Please dress respectfully for a place of worship.H

Hello Everybody! Join us this Saturday at 11 AM at the Fairfax Wegmans as we continue our Bible study and discussions. Recently, we've been studying the "types" (patterns or pictures) of Jesus in the Old Testament in chronological order starting with creation. We will go all the way to David as a type of Jesus the King. As anyone who's attended before knows, we have open discussions. Our goal is always to grow in our love, knowledge, and relationship with Jesus and to have fellowship. We invite the presence of the Holy Spirit as we meet together and we've had some great conversations and revelations. Please join us as we continue our Bible study and prayers. God bless you all, Mihail

Socrates Café meets twice a month. Though this may be considered a "philosophical" group, there are no rules as to what is discussed. Usually, the topics revolve around social concerns, morality, and the first principles of things. Prior to each meeting we vote online for the questions we will discuss. That way, we will have enough time to ruminate on them and have more in-depth conversations. If you RSVP to a meeting, you may post your question in the event comments section below. I'll send out a survey for voting a few days prior to the meetup. We discuss two questions each night. So you will get to cast two votes in the survey. When we meet, we break into smaller groups of five to seven to discuss the top two vote-getters. Each group discusses one question for around 45-50 minutes, and we then take a short break. After reconvening, each group moves on to its second question. Hope to see you there! -Brian

With Christopher Nolan's film adaptation on the horizon, it's time for us to finally read one of the most iconic classics of Greek literature: Homer's *Odyssey*! We'll be reading the epic poem over the course of three meetings, starting with books 1-8, which introduce us to the situation on Odysseus's home of Ithaca and the first half of his long journey home from the Trojan War. I will be reading from the highly regarded [Lattimore](https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-odyssey-of-homer-richmond-lattimore/ca6dbb99680e7cd9) translation, but feel free to use whichever version you prefer. As usual, we will meet in the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in the **205-B Accessibility Room**, located on the second floor. Ask at the Center for Accessibility front desk if you are looking for us. See you there!

Playtesting Agent and Battle-scale of the Zone-17 role-playing and miniatures game.

The Single Adult Ministry of Our Lady of the Fields invites you to join us for a tour of the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in Washington DC. on June 7, 2026. We will meet at OLF parking lot in the back to carpool at 9:15. We will leave at 9:30 to drive to the Monastery. All are welcome to attend the 11am Mass. Bring your own lunch so we can eat in Agnel Park and Tour the Gardens. We have a Guided tour at 1:30pm of the Monastery Church, lower church and catacombs (Catacombs are not hadicap accessible) Carpooling is available, please meet at OLF at 9:15. Please contact Jeanne if available to drive. If you need to reach me my cell is 410-206-1156. RSVP to: [ministry4singleagain@gmail.com](mailto:ministry4singleagain@gmail.com) before June 2, 2026

**Real connection with fellow Catholics who are eager to grow in Faith and friendship!** This 3 year--- 45min deep dive into the Catholic faith is a great way to spend your Sunday rest day. When you are ready to dig deeper and live the faith more fully this is an optimal opportunity. Talk yourself into this! You may start whenever and can come as often or as little as you desire. Coffee is served w/ small donation. It is taught by the priest and/or OCIA director at St Louis Parish who are ALL fabulous- faithful educators filled with theologically inspired knowledge. You can ask questions at the end, which I love. It is just a wonderful experience to grow. Afterwards if you wish, you can also find your way over to the Little Way Cafe Coffee shop across the parking lot to stay for more community time or read some of the excellent books that line the shelves throughout. If you are new to the community of Alexandria and want to meet like minded folks or a veteran of it, this is a special and unique opportunity and did I mention it is free? :) Hard to believe! Please join me every Sunday at 945 am.

Dancing to the Tim Christopher Quartet The New Columbia Special Glen Echo Park 7300 Macarthur Blvd. Glen Echo, MD 20812 Admission: $20 in advance/$30 at the door ($25 for students/military) (includes free drop-in lesson) Dance the night away in the beautiful and historic Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park to live music from the Tim Christopher Quartet featuring Imani Rouselle! An introductory swing dance lesson from 8-9 pm is included with admission, followed by dancing from 9 pm-midnight. https://newcolumbiaswing.org/dancing/

## **Sunday Worship: Encountering God’s Word** Join us every **Sunday at 10:45 AM** for a powerful time of worship, prayer, and deep biblical engagement. Our Sunday service is the heart of our community, where we gather to honor God and equip ourselves for the week ahead through the transformative power of the Gospel. *** ### **What to Expect** * **Christ-Centered Worship:** We begin our time together by lifting our voices and hearts, creating a space to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit through song and prayer. * **Exegetical Preaching:** We value the depth of Scripture. Our sermons focus on unfolding the Bible verse-by-verse, providing clear theological insights and practical applications that speak to the challenges of modern life. * **A Welcoming Community:** At Bethel, you aren't just a face in the crowd. You’ll find a diverse family of believers dedicated to walking together in love, grace, and mutual support. * **A Call to Action:** We believe faith should move us. Every service concludes with an encouragement to take the hope of Christ out into our neighborhoods, workplaces, and families. ### **Plan Your Visit** Whether you are wearing your "Sunday best" or coming in casual attire, you are welcome here. We believe that no matter where you are in your spiritual journey, God has a message of grace waiting for you. * **Location:** 9200 Edmonston Road, Greenbelt, MD 20770 * **Time:** Sundays at 10:45 AM *** > *"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."* — **Matthew 18:20**

**MLK Library - Room 401D** Are we facing a crisis of truthfulness? Given our unique and diverse experiences and perspectives, is it still possible to reach a collective understanding of what is “true” and to form a basis for how we determine truth? And how can we actively seek and recognize what is true, beyond just relying on conventional wisdom, tradition, superstition, or our own personal beliefs? Truth is an anchor to reality, rooting us in the midst of chaos and providing direction for a path forward. But while access to information has greatly increased, it seems to be increasingly difficult to determine facts from opinions or falsehood. Far beyond just being a problem in politics, it seems to extend into almost every part of our society and cultures. Could our ability to discern truth depend in part on certain spiritual qualities like humility and detachment complementing our senses, our mind, and intellectual training? What is the relationship of truth to justice? Are there tools that can help us seek and find the truth not only as individuals but collectively as a society? Come join a different kind of conversation – one that welcomes every perspective in a search for the truths that unite us all – as we discuss the spiritual perspective offered by the Bahá’í Teachings on the spiritual solutions to seeking the truth. Join us for a lively discussion as we explore how to apply spiritual principles of finding collective truth to benefit our lives and our communities. *“Truth has many aspects, but it remains always and forever one.”* – Bahá’í Teachings **\*\*\* This event is free and open to all regardless of background or belief. Donations will not be accepted.**

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy,”** on findings, debates and trends in the use of psychedelic substances to treat trauma and other conditions, with Whitney Marris, instructor at the University of Buffalo’s School of Social Work, certified psychedelic-assisted therapy facilitator, and consultant to clinical trials. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-psychedelic-assisted-therapy](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-psychedelic-assisted-therapy) .] Psychedelics are rapidly moving from the margins into the mainstream, and questions abound as the sociocultural and legal landscapes surrounding them shift. President Trump’s recent executive order expanding access to psychedelic drugs for certain conditions and accelerating research on them has both heightened interest and added to confusion. Learn more about the so-called “Psychedelic Renaissance,” and get help separating the hope from the hype surrounding it, with Whitney Marris, a leading trainer and facilitator of psychedelic therapy who has used it to treat trauma survivors, military veterans, and people with cancer. She’ll present foundational information on what we know about how psychedelics work. You’ll learn how psychedelic-assisted therapy differs from “trip sitting” and about what we know about the effects of “microdosing” versus “macrodosing.” We’ll examine what has been demonstrated to be helpful versus harmful before, during, and after a dosing session intended to support significant, sustainable change. Marris also will discuss the historical and cultural context of the use of psychedelic medicines for healing, and she’ll describe the ethical challenges that arise as such practices move from counterculture to clinic. We’ll look at emerging and evolving findings in the field, as well as at the roles being played by various financial interests and ideologies in determining the direction of psychedelic-assisted therapy and research on its outcomes. Attendees will gain an awareness of the need for new professional standards and regulatory guardrails related to such work, and they’ll leave knowing key questions to ask potential providers of psychedelic-assisted therapy. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image by Canva.

Christians in Tech is a community at the intersection of faith and technology. Our meetups are designed to spark meaningful conversations, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage growth—both in your career and your spiritual walk with God. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your tech journey, CIT welcomes you. Our Website [https://linktr.ee/citcbus](https://linktr.ee/citcbus) Sponsors and Partners * Improving (Venue Sponsor) * Bethel World Prayer Center (Fiscal Sponsor) * Fruits & Roots (Coffee Partner)

Main Library, Meeting Room 2B What does it mean to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world? In this gathering, we'll continue our series on the Sermon on the Mount from a mystical perspective. Together we’ll explore Matthew 5:13–16, looking not only to the passage as moral instruction, but also to the deeper transformation of consciousness that Jesus invites. Together we'll reflect on how spiritual awakening changes the way we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. Libera Animae is an interfaith community focused on inner growth, creativity, and authentic connection. All backgrounds are welcome.

Sleep in on Sundays. When you've had your fill of pajama-time, roll out and have some tasty brunch with your fellow Humanists!

"Do as I say, not as I do." Children tend to have a built-in ability to recognize hypocrisy quicker than many adults, and there are few children who will respect an adult whose actions do not match his or her words. John the Baptizer wanted to make it clear that God himself is in NO way pleased by people who claim to follow Him and whose lives in NO way reflect His character. In fact, the Greek word for "actor" that people used in the first century is *"hypokrites"*. John called out the truth to any and all who would listen--from peasants to the king, even at peril of his own life and freedom--and insisted God does not judge by words alone, but by actions and in truth. Luke Chapter 3 concludes with making it clear to the Jewish and Greek readers of the day that Jesus was not only the rightful King of Israel, but also the true Son of Man--the Son of Adam, Who came to provide a way for those who had followed Adam into sin to return to fellowship with God. Take a look at Luke Chapter 3 and join us at **10 am,** **Sunday, June 28,** at **True Food Kitchen at Easton Town Center.** We'd love to see you there! Get your tickets on [EventBrite](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/columbus-luke-3-tickets-1989802924110)! Check us out on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/events/1657939185252324)! Connect with us at our new website for [LocalCA](http://%5Bwww.localca.org%5D(www.localca.org)/ "\[www.localca.org\](www.localca.org)")!

Please reserve your spot by registering on the below link : **Reserve** https://www.eventbrite.com/e/join-biggest-community-investors-founders-columbus-online-tickets-1988563717610?aff=meetup **QUESTIONS ?** Pls Reach out to; Ridhi - +971504724873 ( WhatsApp Only)

I have been studying the question of "self" online with Prof. Ellie Anderson and so I thought a prompt on the "self" might be interesting. Full confession: I had Claude create this prompt and I like it, so here goes: Imagine a thought experiment that merges two classic puzzles: > You undergo a procedure, performed neuron by neuron, in which every biological component of your brain is replaced with a functionally identical synthetic substitute. At each step, your behavior, memories, and personality remain unchanged. When the last neuron is swapped, is the consciousness experiencing the world still you? And — more pressingly — was there ever a continuous "you" to begin with? ### Questions to Wrestle With * If consciousness is purely physical, does the *gradual* nature of the replacement matter, or is it equivalent to being destroyed and rebuilt? * Could there be a "self" without continuity of experience — even moment to moment, while you sleep? On a more practical level, consider the simpler case first: **hemispherectomy** patients — people who have had an entire cerebral hemisphere surgically removed — often retain a strong sense of personal identity and continuity. This suggests "you" are not rigidly tied to specific physical material. But does that vindicate the synthetic neuron case, or merely show that identity is more *flexible* than we thought — not that it can survive *complete* substrate replacement? I used Claude so I could get this out today and let everyone have some time to consider it. Hope to see you at the Oracle. Sorry about the location change two weeks ago. That's what I get for trusting local weather predictions!