Newsletter - Center for Spiritual Living Los Gatos

Newsletter
Awakening Humanity To Its Spiritual Magnificence
In A World That Works For Everyone
A spiritual community that honors all paths to God
Dates to Remember
April - Consciously Choosing
Health - In My Life
1st:
B. J. King, R.Sc.P.E.
8th:
Rev. Alice Carpenter
Easter Service with Harpist,
Verlene Schermer
15th: Rev. Sherry F. McCreary
20th: Spiritual Cinema, 7 pm
22nd: Rev. Mary Jo Sparry
Meditation Workshop
29th: Karie Hillery & Band
Meditation Workshop
May - Consciously Choosing
Health - In My Community
6th:
Rev. Alice Carpenter
Meditation Workshop
9th:
Science of Mind Class begins
Mind/Body Connection
13th: Rev. Mary Jo Sparry
Mother’s Day Plant Sale,
Serendipity Singers, &
Meditation Workshop
18th: Spiritual Cinema, 7 pm
20th: B. J. King, R.Sc.P.E.
Forum: Coffee with God
27th: Rev. Jane Holt
June - Consciously Choosing
Health - For the World
3rd:
Rev. Alice Carpenter
Healthy Food Workshop
10th: BJ King, R.Sc.P.E.
15th: Spiritual Cinema, 7 pm
17th: Rev. Jacqueline Chohan
Father’s Day Ice Cream Party
24th: Rev. Mary Jo Sparry
April – May - June 2012
Consciously Choosing Health
Our Center’s theme for this year is ―consciously
choosing‖. For this second quarter of the year the
focus is on Consciously Choosing Health. We
read in the Science of Mind, Man has the ability
to choose what he will do with his life, and is
united with a Law which automatically produces
his choice. Dr. Holmes continues: There is a Perfect Concept of
Man, held in the Mind of the Universe an as already accomplished
fact, but man is subject to the law of his own choice.
―Consciously choosing‖ to be physically healthy begins with seeing
ourselves as healthy expressions of the One Life, every aspect of the
body functioning optimally, the way it was designed to function, and
in coordination with all the other organs and systems of the body.
Affirming our health requires that we turn away from much of our
culture’s belief system and mind set about heredity, age and disease,
and focus on the Truth — that health is a natural and normal way of
being, that sickness of any kind is unnatural.
It is no surprise to read Dr. Holmes words of determination that
health and sickness are largely externalizations of our dominant
mental and spiritual states. Affirming health as our natural state is
basic to the Principles of the Science of Mind. But if our minds are
consistently straying to patterns of victimization, anger, envy, or fear,
our mental and spiritual atmosphere is correspondingly clouded by a
contracted, discordant energy which, if not rectified, may eventually
manifest as illness in the physical body. Consciously choosing to pay
attention to our thought patterns, our emotional energies, the nature of
our feelings about ourselves, our lives, and our circumstances,
provides the springboard to consciously choosing a healthier and
happier way of living and being.
I invite you to take a positive step in life and consciously choose to
attend a Sunday service, to join one of our classes, or participate in
one of the many activities scheduled in these coming months. The
benefits, if not life-changing, will certainly be life enhancing.
With great love and respect,
Rev. Alice
Easter Sunday Service
Sunday, April 8th
What does Easter make you
think of—a new dress, Easter
lilies, the Easter Bunny or maybe
a basket of candy? At the Center
for Spiritual Living-Los Gatos, we celebrate
Easter with beautiful music by our favorite
harpist, Verlene Schermer.
Reverend Alice will provide an inspiring lesson
culminating in a beautiful Flower Ceremony.
If you haven't attended an Easter Service at the
Center for Spiritual Living–Los Gatos, come and
bring your friends. Then plan to stay a bit after
service, for a social exchange and tasty goodies.
Service starts at 10:30 am.
The Mind/Body Connection
May 9th thru June 27th
The accredited Science of
Mind class, Body/Mind
Connection is designed to
give the student a better
idea of the mind/body
connection from the
Religious Science point of view, and insight
into the role consciousness plays in the
body’s healing process. The class provides a
step by step review that begins with the
discussion of Spirit, discusses the function
of the Soul, examines the body as Spirit in
form, and then focuses on the use of
Spiritual Mind Treatment in the healing
process. The materials will introduce the
beginner and deepen the advanced student’s
understanding of physical healing and the
use of Spiritual Mind Treatment, our form
of affirmative prayer.
Rev. Alice will be teaching the accredited
class on Wednesday evening from 6:30 to 9
pm starting May 9th and concluding on June
27th. Tuition for the class is still $110, and
preregistration is highly recommended.
Required text for class is the Science of
Mind textbook; supplemental reading may
also be required. Please contact Rev. Alice
through the church office for additional
information.
Spiritual Cinemas
Yes Man – Friday, April 20th
Carl Allen is an emotionally closed down
man who has fallen into the habit of saying
no to everything until he's convinced by a self
-help guru to make an agreement with life to
say yes to every opportunity that presents
itself to him. This includes ALL questions asked by
everyone. This extreme commitment results in some
awkward and funny predicaments for Carl. Will his life
improve by being a Yes Man? Maybe!
Super 8 – Friday, May 18th
Joe Lamb is a 13-year-old boy whose mother
recently died in an accident. Left to live only
with his father, Jackson, a sheriff's deputy
who loses himself in his job, Joe’s way to
cope with his loss is by helping his friend,
Charles in making an amateur zombie movie. One
evening, while shooting a scene at a railroad depot, they
witness a pickup truck drive onto the tracks, in the path
of an oncoming freight train, resulting in a spectacular
crash. After finding a Super 8 camera that has been
continuing to roll throughout the derailment, the kids flee
the site as the U.S. Air Force arrives. Strange things
begin to happen in the small town and the adventure
begins. This movie teaches a spiritual lesson – don't
judge by appearances.
Social Network – Friday, June 15th
Mark Zuckerberg, a Harvard student,
creator of a social networking website, later
known as Facebook, is the subject of two
lawsuits, one by his former business partner
and best friend, and the other by a trio of
Harvard grads who claim that Mark stole the idea from
them. This film is primarily a personal story about Mark
and his relationship with his only friend Eduardo, who
helped him found the company, and is eventually
squeezed out. The movie focuses on a friendship,
tragically broken by ambition, the inexperience of youth,
and dog-eat-dog nature of modern financial capitalism,
having much to say about success in the modern era of
technology.
Movies are shown at the Center and start
at 7 pm. Cold drinks, popcorn and candy
will be available for a donation of $7. See
you there!
Healthy Eating Workshop
Upcoming Guest Ministers and Speakers
Sunday, June 3rd
(continued)
In support of the Center for Spiritual
Living-Los Gatos’ theme for the
second quarter, Consciously Choosing Heath, we are
holding a fun event following Sunday service – a
Healthy Eating Workshop. You are invited to join us
for this informative and tasty workshop that will
emphasize recipes made with fresh ingredients, that
minimize the use of fats or sodium, and are moderate
to low in cost. We will offer four different courses
for lunch; appetizer, salad, a main dish and dessert.
Each course will have a facilitator to guide in the
preparation of the dish that that group has chosen,
and to explain the nutritional details of that course.
Here is the really fun part. We will all get to enjoy
the dishes and take home the recipes. The suggested
donation for this healthy event is $15. Come on!
Participate and enjoy! Let’s eat healthy.
Rev. Jacqueline Chohan
Rev. Jacqueline Chohan was co-pastor of
Center for Spiritual Growth located in
Belmont, California with her now
deceased husband, Rev. Karminder. She
trained with Rev. Dr. Marcia Pearce and Rev. Dr.
Maxine Kaye. Rev. Jacqueline is now a member of
the Center for Spiritual Living-Los Gatos where she
is an occasional speaker, facilitates workshops, and
will be leading several meditations. She lives the
principles of Science of Mind. She was ordained in
2009 and became minister emeritus at the end of
2010. She enjoys guest speaking and facilitating
workshops, and teaching T'ai Chi Seishin.
Speaking date: June 17th
Workshop: Conscious Living, April 22nd-May 13th
Upcoming Guest Ministers and Speakers
Reverend Alice Carpenter
Rev. Alice became Pastor of the
Center for Spiritual Discovery in 2001,
and was ordained in 2004. She served as
Pastor until December 2007 when she
resigned to pursue personal goals. She remained active in our Center, and in November, 2011, she was
elected Spiritual Director. Rev. Alice has served our
parent organization in various capacities, including co
-chairing the RSI Asilomar Summer Conference in
2005, and Chairman of the ICSL Church Chartering
Committee from 2009 through 2011. As speaker,
teacher, counselor, and practitioner, Rev. Alice’s
passion for the principles of the Science of Mind is
evident, and is balanced with her love of the eastern
philosophies and teachers.
Speaking dates: April 8th
May 6th
June 3rd
Forum: Coffee with God, May 20th
Workshop: Healthy Eating, June 3rd
Karie Hillery
International recording artist Karie
Hillery has spent her life bringing her
uplifting music to every imaginable
venue worldwide.
Her work as a
musical peace ambassador has grown to include
speaking engagements combined with musical
performances. Designed to empower and increase
awareness, Karie’s presentations highlight the
interconnectedness of all cultures and belief systems,
and inspire a deeper respect for the Mother earth.
She is accompanied by Will Norcutt and Del Penny.
Speaking date: April 29th
Upcoming Guest Ministers and Speakers (continued)
Reverend Jane Holt
Reverend Sherry F. McCreary
Rev. Jane Holt is a staff minister at the
Center for Spiritual Living in Fremont,
CA. She serves in various capacities:
teaching, speaking, event coordinating,
and facilitating spiritual empowerment workshops.
She says, This teaching made sense to me on all
levels and changed my life when I began to apply
what I was learning. She received her ministerial
icense in 2003 and was ordained in 2010. Rev. Jane
brings a wide range of skills and experience to her
ministry. She has worked in both the profit and
non-profit fields and in areas such as leadership
development in a variety of multi-cultural venues.
Speaking date: May 27th
Speaking date: April 15th
B. J. King, R.Sc.P.E.
When I walked into First Church of
Religious Science 26 years ago, the first
words I heard spoken by Dr. Scott was,
Something great and wonderful is
happening today and you are a part of it. I knew I
had found my right place to be one with a loving,
supportive GOD. I felt called to become a Practitioner and began that course of study. I am in my 20th
year of being a licensed Practitioner and I am so
grateful I answered the call. I have been
honored to pray and counsel with individuals and
families, present motivating workshops, facilitate
classes, being a guest speaker at other churches.
Speaking dates: April 1st
May 20th
June 10th
Rev. Sherry F. McCreary is an
inspirational speaker, spiritual counselor,
personal empowerment coach, healer,
teacher and workshop Also an attorney
for more than 30 years, she has developed keen
insights and invaluable skills, utilizing the unique
combination of her spiritual consciousness and legal
training. In the late 1970s, Rev. Sherry McCreary
became a licensed Religious Science Practitioner at
the Agape International Center, studying with
Michael Bernard Beckwith. She was later ordained
through the Fellowships of the Spirit School of
Spiritual Healing and Prophecy in Lily Dale, New
York. She currently conducts a Wednesday Evening
Service at the Center for Conscious Living in Santa
Cruz, California. She continues her work as a
nationally-known inspirational speaker and facilitator
of workshops, classes, meditation groups, vision
groups, study groups and retreats on a regular basis.
Reverend Mary Jo Sparry
Rev. Mary Jo is an ordained Minister,
serving as an Assistant Minister at the
Center for Spiritual Living in Fremont.
She has facilitated workshops at the RSI
Asilomar Conference, and is often published in
Creative Thought magazine. Rev. Mary Jo has taught
accredited Science of Mind classes, and
speaks monthly at the 9:30 am Sunday service at
Center for Spiritual Living-Fremont. Currently,
Rev. Mary Jo is teaching SOM 300 for the fourth
time and loves it. In addition to that, she is a Bay
Area career consultant.
Speaking dates: April 22nd
May 13th
June 24th
The body is the indicator of wellness, not the initiator of it.
Our bodies do not create health, they reveal it.
~Margaret Storz
Affirmation: I am free of all blocks to a healthy life. Every cell of my body is healthy,
whole and alive, I love, appreciate and care for my body.
-5-
Conscious Living — A Four Week
Meditation Workshop
Sunday, April 22nd thru Sunday, May 13th
This year, 2012, is
a
year
of
awakening
via
conscious choices
aligned with Spirit.
Through
guided
meditation, we will
work with important areas of our lives;
partnership with Spirit, physical well-being,
relationships, creative expression, prosperity and
unconditional love of Spirit. Join Rev. Jacqueline
Cholan for a delightful, heart-centered spiritual
experience. This four-week meditation course,
which begins on Sunday, April 22nd, affirms
what we teach in Science of Mind and follows
the themes of the Center’s Sunday lessons.
Students will benefit from the guided
meditations:
Mother’s Day Plant Sale
Sunday, May 13th
Hooray! It’s Mother’s Day and
we get to shop for a variety of
plants for our Mothers, friends,
or for ourselves. The sale will
start at 8 am and last until 1
pm. There will be a large variety of plants in
pots, vases, baskets or decorative containers.
These plants are healthy, fresh and wrapped for
your Mother’s Day giving.
We have received compliments on our plants
and on the prices, which are generally below
retail market. Be sure to come to church early
that day so you have your pick of a large
variety.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Sunday, May 13th
1. Creating inner sacred space, working with
the Divine
2. Physical well-being, health, chakra balancing
3. Relationship, expressing God’s creativity
4. Financial prosperity, circles of love for self,
community and the world
Wow! What a busy day
this Mother’s Day is on
Sunday, May 13th. We
have our Mothers to
remember, the Plant
Sale and also the Serendipity Singers. What a
day!
These meditation classes will begin at noon and
conclude at 1:15 pm. The suggested donation is
$25 for non-members, $20 for members, or $7
per session.
If you have not heard the Serendipity Singers in
awhile, come and experience their awesome
energy! Their passion, love of music and heartfelt
joy of singing is clearly felt in their presentation.
Come and join us on this special day—Mom,
beautiful plants and awesome music.
Coffee With God
Sunday, May 20th
We invite you to a Coffee with God, forum, a discussion on matters of the spiritual
nature. Coffee, tea and light snacks will be available while Rev. Alice facilitates this
inspiring question and answer session.
Does gratitude really work? How do we overcome feelings of inferiority? How does
God work in our lives? Why don't our treatments work, and what about tithing?
These questions and others will be answered.
A basket will be provided for your written questions which will be read aloud, discussed and answered for
you by Rev. Alice. Coffee with God is presented on a love offering basis. This is an unusual fourm and one
that can be extremely helpful to everyone. Invite a friend.
Namasté Bookstore
Annual General Meeting – 2012
Followup
Featured Books
With
a
quorum
c on fir med a n d a n
opening treatment by
Rev. Alice performed,
the Annual General
m e et i n g f o r 2 0 1 2
commenced. Welcoming
everyone and introducing
the members of the Board, President Shelley
Warzek asked for a financial report, given by
Treasurer, Rev. Alice which was approved by the
members.
Heart Steps by Julia
Cameron is a book that
contains short essays,
affirmations, and little gems
of wisdom that are definitely
worth your time and effort. The book is meant
to be read and reread and thoughtfully
considered as you embark on your own creative
journey called life.
Dan Millman’s book Living On Purpose:
Straight Answers to Universal Questions has the
reader follow along with a question and answer
path that leads to a journey of steps climbing
towards higher self awareness. He explains that
the House is life or reality and the Rules are
universal laws. Each chapter represents a house
rule and has a clarifying explanation of the rule
with two related questions and answers and a
personal exercise page. As the book progresses
along the guiding principles, rules for living
one’s life on purpose rather than by accident
becomes more apparent and the author invites
the reader to test each house rule by applying
them to their own personal experiences.
Moving on, acknowledgements were given to the
Board for a job well done for the year. A big thank
you and appreciation was expressed to the
members for volunteering their time and efforts in
upkeep of the church, such as re-doing the floor,
painting in the Sanctuary area, helping with the
bookstore, setup, hospitality landscaping and
kitchen duties.
With no nominations from the floor, the board
slate was presented. A motion to vote by
acclimation was made and Shelley Warzek and
Cathi Clark were voted in for another three-year
term.
Children’s books this month include some
terrific selections that also make perfect Easter
Basket stuffers. Easter Crack-ups is a lift-theflap knock knock joke book for kids with
colorful, cute illustrations.
Also discussed were future plans for the Center for
Spiritual Living-Los Gatos. It was decided to
consciously choose to bring the best part of
ourselves forward and proceed with ease and
grace. In looking ahead, there will be more
workshops, visioning, book studies, and of course,
fun events.
In Bunny Cakes, Max thinks an earthworm cake
will be great for his Grandmother’s birthday but
his sister Ruby wants to make a traditional
birthday cake. Follow the bunnies along as they
each make their special cake and if you have
never read a Max and Ruby story before, this is
one you will fall in love with because the two
bunnies are so funny. Grandma is so
overwhelmed by the two beautiful cakes that she
doesn’t know which one to eat first.
Our President, Shelley Warzek was acknowledged
for all of her efforts in service to our Center.
The board and congregation expressed their
appreciation for all that she unselfishly does above
and beyond the call of duty.
The meeting was adjourned and the board treated
the membership and their guests to a delicious
lasagna lunch prepared by Margo Hinnenkamp.
All books are available in the Bookstore before
and after service.
-6-
Ice Cream, Ice Cream. Who Wants Ice Cream?
Sunday, June 17th
Celebrate Father’s Day with us at the Center for Spiritual Living-Los Gatos and
treat Dad to his favorite dessert dish at our ice cream buffet bar. What is your
Dad’s favorite ice cream flavor – chocolate chip, vanilla, caramel, or maybe
strawberries and cream? Have fun building your own sundae and learn what your
favorite ice cream flavor reveals about you by checking out our ice cream flavorology fact
sheet. Learn the truth about ice cream along with some other fun, interesting ice cream facts.
Play our ice cream guessing game and test your knowledge. What year was the first ice cream
cone invented? How may licks does it take to polish off a single-scoop ice cream cone?
Join us on Sunday, June 17th. Bring your family and friends for a great time at our ice cream buffet.
Beverages and cookies are included for a suggested donation of $8.
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