Spiritual Living Center of Atlanta November December 2007 SLCA Happy Is As Happy Does “The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.” Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

Let me ask you a simple atmosphere attracts more and more joyful experi- question: Are you happy? ences into their life for them to be happy about. If you are like most people, But more importantly, even when they do suffer your answer is probably, “I a difficult or painful experience (as we all do from guess so.” Doesn’t sound time to time), it does not change their overall at- very convincing, does it? Of titude over the long term. Oh sure, they may cry a course, as we all know, it little, grumble a little, or even cuss a little bit. But isn’t a very simple question before you know it, they’re laughing and looking at all. What am I asking? Do ahead for the next good thing. I mean, are you happy right Every great teacher has told us that our now? Or are you happy in thoughts create our every experience, because general? And how happy do the universe is in perfect balance. Healthy people Rev. Paul Gonyea you have to be to qualify? do not focus on sickness. Wealthy people do not Most people have parts focus on lack and limitation. Successful people do of their life that they’re happy about, and other parts not focus on failure. That would make no sense of their life that they aren’t happy about. They may be at all. Instead, a belief in health and wholeness happy they have a job, but they aren’t happy about creates a healthy body. A belief in abundance and how much money they make. They may be happy prosperity creates wealth. Loving thoughts bring they have a relationship, but not happy about the love. Successful thoughts breed success. behavior of the person they live with. In other words, In the same way, when we focus on thoughts of on any given day, the circumstances around them joy and gratitude and forgiveness and peace, our determine if they are happy or not. life will reflect those qualities more often than not. The problem with that way of thinking is that The hard part is, because we may be changing a things change, and we don’t always have direct con- habit of negative thinking taught to us when we trol over the direction or the timing of the change. And were a child, we may need to consciously pay at- most of us are not happy if we’re not in control. That’s tention to our thoughts, and change them when- why, if our state of mind (happy or unhappy) is deter- ever necessary. mined by what the rest of the world is doing, we are But if we do this consistently, eventually our probably not going to be happy very often. joyful thinking will become much easier. Eventu- Someone once made the astute observation that ally, it will become automatic. Then it will become happiness is an inside job. It’s true. People who are contagious! We will find ourselves infecting every truly and consistently happy are not necessarily peo- person we meet with laughter, peace of mind and ple who always have good things happening to them. a very positive attitude. That is a more precious Or actually, they DO have more good things happen- gift than money, because there is more wealth in ing to them than most people, but it’s not because happiness than there is happiness in wealth. And they are always in the right place at the right time. It’s the difference we will see in the world around us because they have a consistently joyful atmosphere, will be all the proof we need created and sustained by their thoughts, and that that the Law works. Changing of the Guard! What’s a Practitioner? At the end of September, our senior Staff Minister, the Reverend You’ve heard the term, seen the people with the badges Judy Aehle, decided to relinquish her leader- on. Still you wonder, what exactly is a practitioner? Who are ship role and to return to her first love; being these people at the back of the service on Sunday and why are a Practitioner. She has been a staff minister they there? since 1999, the year that Dr. Kennedy Shultz A practitioner is highly trained in the art and science retired and Paul took over the platform. Judy of affirmative . An RSI licensed practitioner has had has performed a number of important roles a minimum of three years training, done an internship and at our Center, but her most significant has submitted proof to the licensing board of successful work been the development and leadership of our with clients. Ongoing coursework is required. Affirmative Prayer Clinics every month. Paul Each of us experience situations that can feel overwhelm- says, “Judy has been an extremely signifi- ing, perhaps difficult, if not impossible, to resolve. Our emo- cant part of our tional involvement and attachments obscure our objectivity. growth and suc- How can the seemingly unchangeable be changed? cess. She has al- Why would you or I choose to see a practitioner about ways been at the personal issues? Rev. Judy Aehle spiritual center of There are several reasons to do so. A practitioner knows this community.” there is a spiritual solution to everything. Not being emotion- As Judy steps down, we welcome ally involved, the practitioner knows the difference between the the arrival of Reverend Susan Zoller as story being told and spiritual truth. Even if you cannot believe our newest Staff Minister. Susan is a long that there is a different possible outcome, the practitioner does. time member of our community, and even As our gift to you, practitioners are available on Sundays served as Minister of the Maui church. You after the services. A professional fee is involved for appoint- see her often on the platform on Sunday ments at other times; however, no one is ever turned away for mornings, but now she will be teaching financial reasons. classes and performing other leadership Our practitioners and practitioner interns are dedicated to roles that make use of her marvelous tal- Rev. Susan Zoller service and committed to spiritual growth. Contact information ents. Welcome, Rev. Susan! is available on the welcome table and in the newsletter.

S p i r i t u a l Trustees Derold McIver 404.629.9749 L i v i n g Rev. Paul Gonyea President Beverly Molander 404.876.2443 Joe Cano V. President Margaret Newton 678.938.5712 C e n t e r of Ken Wiltsee Treasurer Nola Jones-Perry 404.286.3771 Baji Daniels Sec. to the Board Ewart Parris 770.664.0129 A t l a n t a Mike Barie Member Jan Rush 404.202.4540 Lissa Dulany Member Eula McCants Sanders 678.624.0436 2801 Buford Highway NE Virgil Gardaya Member Joseph L. Walker 404.876.5616 Suite T-30 Bill Harris Member Sandra Wells 770.938.5559 Atlanta, Georgia 30329 OFFICE HOURS Beverly Molander Member Ken Wilcox 404.888.0400 404.417.0008 10 AM to 6 PM Ken Wilcox Member Vanecia Wills-Leufroy 770.901.9155 404.417.0010 (FAX) (Mon - Thur) [email protected] www.SLC-Atlanta.org Licensed Practitioners Rev. David Barrett 404.978.9233 Rev. Altha Brown 404.417.0008 Rev. Chuck Johnson 770.597.7343 Newsletter Staff Rev. Susan Zoller 770.819.7900 Ken Wilcox Coordinator Rev. Paul Gonyea Senior Minister Rev. Judy Aehle 404.377.4379 Keith D. Childers Design Rev. Chuck Johnson Assistant Minister Ruth Beard 404.315.7625 Lorikay Stone Photography Rev. David Barrett Staff Minister Kim Brown 404.399.9681 Rev. Altha Brown Staff Minister Damone Burchette 404.633.8277 Rev. Susan Zoller Staff Minister Cheryl Burney 770.640.5036 Kim Brown Executive Director Keith Childers 678.873.4793 Rev. Altha Brown Records Nancy S. Cole 607.868.4219 Kimberley Craft Production Baji Daniels 404.699.6180 Cissa Fleming Records Avon Drummond 404.849.6247 Mark Steck Production Essy Freed 770.390.0444 Affiliated with Mary M. Kritz Bookstore Judy Frost 404.634.4771 Marilyn Odom Accountant Barbara Guillory 404.219.6400 Patrick Hutchison Dir. Music Program Angela Harmon 404.467.1825 J.D. Jackson Dir. Youth Programs Gwen Harper 404.765.3814 I n t e r n a t i o n a l Matilyn Hammond Head Usher Herb Highfill 828.335.3972 Tom Dinkelman Asst. Head Usher Anita Keith 770.252.3894 Eula McCants Sanders Asst. Head Usher Mark Kelmachter 404.633.6754 Fred McKeithen Asst. Head Usher Ursula Lentine 404.246.6853 Sunday By Rev. Paul Gonyea

Time Enough to Live (November 4) Time is fixed, but the way I use it is not. I have as much time every h o l i day day as anyone who ever lived, and no one will ever have more time than me. That means I have all the time I need to do all the things SLCA that are important to me, and all the time I need to create the kind of life I want to live.

Holiday Party Spiritual Essence (November 11) My spiritual essence is not really mine; it is my own individual use of 7 PM • December 9 the only Spirit there is. I am not my body, my job, my family or my bank account. I am not my past, my failures, my successes or my The Trolley Barn mistakes. I am spiritual perfection, ready to appear in every part of my life. 963 Edgewood Avenue Living a Grateful Life (November 18) Dancing Shoes Invited Gratitude is just as important as love, because gratitude is a loving attitude that recognizes when love has been given and received. I am grateful for every part of my life, because all of Life is a gift. Everything Watch for ticket sales in my life is a lesson, and it is in accepting and learning these lessons and announcements on that I grow. Sundays. A Piece of the Puzzle (November 25) The picture of my life that I am creating is continually changing. Every event, every decision, every experience I have is but one small piece of that picture, and only I can decide what to do with it. I put the pieces together with intelligence and love, knowing that the final Celebrate! result will be a spiritual masterpiece. I Can See the Light! (December 2) Even in the deepest darkness, there is always light. I never have to live in the dark, because I bring the light of Spirit with me wherever I go. The light that appears to be far away is only an illusion; the real light is always in me. When I look within, I am able to see much more clearly the Truth that sets me free.

It’s Party Time! (December 9) Life is a celebration, but only if I allow it to be. In the midst of great joy, there is always someone who chooses to be miserable. In the midst of great sadness, there is always someone who is weeping tears of joy. I choose every moment to consciously and joyfully cel- ebrate this thing called Life.

Giving ‘til It Feels Good (December 16) There is never any sense in “giving ‘til it hurts.” Anything given unwill- ingly only creates resentment in the giver and the receiver. Instead, I choose to give in a loving and unconditional way, rejoicing in the feeling of abundance that flows over me. I give generously to those people and places that feed my soul.

Need a Little Christmas? (December 23) The Christ Consciousness is constantly being born everywhere, all the time. The star that leads us forward is always shining in the east. Wise men and women are always bringing us gifts. Every season is a season of peace. And the love of Spirit is always shining out from every heart into the world.

Is That All There Is? (December 30) Every day is an ending and a beginning. Today is something I have created from my past thoughts and beliefs, and the thoughts and beliefs I have today are even now creating my tomorrow. Yesterday is a lesson I have already learned, digested and released. My life begins this moment and I am moving forward. It ALWAYS Works! SLCA Several months ago, Michelle Adkins found herself laid off. She wasn’t BOOKSTORE too worried at first because her company T h e S L C A B o o k s t o r e offers a great selec- had given her a severance package. tion of and metaphysical books, However, the company stopped paying tapes, CD’s, cards, candles, and gift items. Gift on her package in the middle of August. certificates and special orders are available. “I decided that I needed a job by the first of October. I had read Betty Higgins’ account in the last SLCA Office Bookstore Sunday Bookstore Monday - Thursday 9 AM - 12:30 PM newsletter where she had used a practitioner with her job search, so I 10 AM - 6 PM decided to do the same. “I was looking through the list of practitioners and one name jumped out at me, Jan Rush. I thought to myself, ‘I’m in a rush so she might be the perfect practitioner for me’.” After talking with Jan I got very clear on my goal of having a job at a specific salary by October 1st. There was one morning I was getting ready for a phone interview while I was still wearing my pajamas. I was waiting on the call when I realized that my actions were not matching my desires. So before I received the call I went and put on my business attire just as if I had the job. “The interview was a success and I received an offer with a salary matching my goal. Not only did Jan help me get a job in a “rush”, but it turned out that we had a week to spare.”

C l a s s e s “You are free in time. Past, present and future are controllable. The past can be cleansed. The present can be made fruitful. The future can be what you decide it shall be. All of this is possible because you are consciousness making creative decisions.” , The Power of Decision

Class is where you learn to put this teaching to work in your life, or where the rubber meets the road. The second half of the 100 and 200 classes will begin in January. You can take the classes even if you didn’t take the first section. Look for announcements and flyers at the Events table.

THE BREATH OF LIFE EXPERIENCE Michael Casteel leads BREATH OF LIFE the first Friday of each month at 7 PM at the SLC office/bookstore. This unique and powerful process utilizes breath, , visualization, sometimes movement and inspired music to create a profoundly heightened state of non-ordinary awareness that promotes emotional release, deep relax- ation, gratitude, increased mental clarity and the experience of Oneness. Of the thousands who have participated many report their experience to be one of the most revealing and profound experiences of their lives. $35. Sign up by contacting us at 404. 417.0008. Also, look for information on Michael’s Sacred Saturday – A Full day of Exploring The Out Reaches of Inner Space. November 10 – 10 AM to 9 PM at the SLCA offices. The cost is $125.00. Advance reservations are required. For more information contact Michael directly at www.mcSOULutions.com or 404.246.1036. Michael’s Winter Solstice Ceremony and Celebration will be held Friday, December 21st at 7:00 PM at the SLCA offices. The event is limited to 20 people so advanced registration is required. For more information contact Michael directly at www.mcSOULutions.com or 404.246.1036. Spiritual Living Center of Atlan of Center Living Spiritual

Express Yourself with Flowers! S u n d a y Isn’t it a pleasure to look up each Sunday and see those beautiful flowers that grace the stage? SLCA members Dax & Quincy, T a l k of D & Q Designs, create those original and exotic arrangements especially for our services. Each Sunday is an opportunity to dedicate T i t l e s those flowers, and this is your chance to reserve All Sunday talks are by Rev. Paul a date to dedicate flowers to a loved/appreciated Gonyea unless otherwise noted. person or group in your life. Reserve your flower dedication now. Here’s how it works: November 4 • Call the SLCA office and speak with Kimberley Craft or Mark Time Enough to Live Steck about the person or group receiving the dedication and Healing Service: Angela Harmon the date you would like to reserve. • Payment and flower selection arrangements can be made directly with D & Q Designs at 404.545.2204. November 11 • Provide the wording of the dedication to Kimberley or Mark either Spiritual Essence by phone or by email. with Rev. Tony Crapolicchio • Your written dedication will be read from the podium on the date Healing Service: Ken Wilcox pre-arranged with the office.

November 18 Living a Grateful Life Volunteer Events Healing Service: Nola Jones-Perry For the past couple of years, Susan Fenwick has helped us volun- teer with Senior Connection. Last year Susan noticed something odd about one of the request coming from a particular home. It seemed November 25 there were two people with the same last name, one female, one male. A Piece of the Puzzle “What had me puzzled about their Christmas request,” Susan says, Healing Service: Essy Freed “is that the female was asking for male items and the male was asking for powder and perfume. I finally realized that they were asking for gifts December 2 to give each other for Christmas.” Holmes talked about a universal law of increase. When we volun- I Can See the Light! teer our time our consciousness of giving expands beyond our greatest Healing Service: Mark Kelmachter imagination. We have the power through our consciousness and actions to make life a joyful experience for ourselves and those around us. December 9 Be on the lookout for announcements regarding this year’s Holiday It’s Party Time! Volunteer Opportunity. SLCA Holiday Party Healing Service: Judy Aehle Positive Living “A realization of the Presence of is the most powerful heal- December 16 ing agency known to the mind of man.” Giving ‘til It Feels Good , Healing Service: Vanecia Wills-Leufroy The Positive Living with HIV group meets at 7 PM on the first and third Friday of each month in the SLCA offices at the Druid Chase December 23 Office. Join us in sharing health information, receiving support, and Need a Little Christmas? enjoying social activities. From more information, call our office and ask for Rev. Chuck Johnson. with Rev. Susan Zoller Healing Service: Judy Frost Treatment Clinic December 30 Want to learn more about affirmative prayer? Put this power technique Is That All There Is? to work in your life. The Affirmative Prayer Clinic meets on the third With Rev. David Barrett Monday of each month at 7 PM at the Druid Chase offices. Healing Service: Sandra Wells “Our whole theory is based not only on the belief in Spirit, but in the availability of Its immediate response. We even go say far as to say in everyday language: “Pray right and God cannot help responding.” Ernest Holmes, The Science of Mind. Wednesday Night WOW Join David Barrett to put some “WOW” in your December. On December 12, David will have a Candle Lighting Service. This service will get your holiday season off with an evening of reflection. ta On December 26 David will host a Burning Bowl Ceremony. This event is a time of Thanksgiving for the year and a time to set intention for the coming year. Let go of those fears and doubts that have been holding you back. This Ceremony will fire your intentions to live a new year with the freedom and zest of your spiritual birthright. Sunday Services new beginnings through new thought First Service SPIRITUAL LIVING CENTER of ATLANTA Sunday Services are held 10:00 - 10:50 AM at the Richard H. Rich Healing Service Auditorium in the Wood- ruff Arts Center at 1280 11:00 AM Peachtree St. Parking is SLCA Executive Director Kim available across from the Second Service Brown and Practitioner Intern Woodruff Arts Center at Lorikay Stone 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM 1275 Peachtree Street and in the Promenade Youth Program Parking on 15th Street Upstairs during Second and the Woodruff Center Sunday Service Parking Deck.

Mid-Week Service Join us each Wednesday evening at 7:00 for our WOW Mid-Week Service with Rev. David Barrett.

The Caring Ministry Hotline SLCA Board Member Virgil The Caring Ministry coordinates prayer support, by Gardaya phone, email or personal visit, for those of our community who are in need. Call 770.553.0000.

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