Newsletter Awakening Humanity To Its Spiritual Magnificence A spiritual community that honors all paths to God January - February 2011 Rooted in Spirit: Growing in Faith…Growing in Love Every January, Religious Science ministers around the world choose as the focus of their Sunday lessons the opening four chapters of the Science of Mind textbook. Those four chapters contain the essential ideas Dr. Holmes spoke of and taught in the early years of his ministry, and which formed the foundation for the balance of the textbook. This “back to basics” tradition is intended to reinforce the beliefs and understanding already instilled in a congregation, and set a strong footing upon which the minister can build and expand the year’s lessons, drawing on and tying back to the essential ideas of the teaching – the roots from which Religious Science has grown. For the year 2011, our Center’s January lessons begin with the “back to basics” theme, focused on those first four chapters. Remembering that all creation is “Rooted in Spirit”, we have set an intention this year to grow in all the aspects and qualities of Spirit, building on the foundation laid this first month of the year. We begin with the intention to grow in Faith, “…the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Basic to our teaching is faith – faith in the power of Principle that responds to us perfectly, creating through us according to our belief and acceptance. From there, we move on in our intention to grow in Love, the word Emerson uses as a synonym for God. All creation is born of Love, and we set an intention to deepen our experience of and our ability to love, and to create magnificence out of that love. Beginning again, and going back to our roots – we can draw on the Source within us to guide us, and support us in our intention. We look forward to sharing this time of growth with you. With love and respect, Rev. Alice and Board of Trustees Dates to Remember January - Rooted in Spirit: Growing in Faith February - Rooted in Spirit: Growing in Love 2nd: Rev. Alice Carpenter 6th: Rev. Jacqueline Chohan White Stone Ceremony 13th: Rev. Alice Carpenter 9th: Rev. Lacy Atkinson Annual General Meeting/Member Luncheon 16th: B. J. King, R.Sc.P.. 18th: Spiritual Cinema, 7 p.m. Workshop: It’s Heaven in 2011 20th: Rev. Jane Holt 21st: Spiritual Cinema, 7 p.m. 23rd: SOM class begins: 23rd: B. J. King, R.Sc.P. The Edinburgh Lectures of Thomas Troward Soup for the Soul 27th: B. J. King, R.Sc.P. 30th: Karie Hillary/Season for Peace Serendipity Singers Workshop: Windows to the Self It's Heaven In 2011 Soup for the Soul Designing a dream for Sunday, January 23rd the best year of your We all love “Food for life Thought”. Add “Soup for the Sunday, January 16th Soul” and we’ll enjoy interest- ing conversation while feast- Following our service, join us in a workshop with ing on a variety of delicious soups, breads and B.J. King, R.Sc.P. from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Tuition for desserts. Enrich your life and relax with us - all for the workshop is your love offering. a $7.00 donation! Learn how to overcome indecision, fear, doubt and worry while finding peace, joy and happiness. In Season for Peace this workshop we will focus on how to: Sunday, January 30th • reconnect to God and go deeper A “Season for Peace and Non- • improve the way you think, resulting in less violence”, which runs from frustration while creating the life you really de- sire January 30th to April 4th, is a • take action each day to have greater successes national 64-day educational, in all areas media, and grassroots campaign dedicated to dem- For more information, or to signup and reserve your onstrating that nonviolence is a powerful way to spot in this workshop, contact the church heal, transform, and empower our lives and our office at: 408-286-1913. communities. Inspired by the 50th and 30th memorial anniversaries of the deaths of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this inter- Window to the Self: A Workshop for national event honors their vision for an empow- ered, nonviolent world. Creating, Interpreting and Using Mandalas - Sunday, January 30th To open the Season for our Center, on Sunday, January 30th, Karie Hillery and her band will Join Rev. Alice in exploring the fasci- present a “Season for Peace” program as inspired nating world of mandalas from 12:15 by the Association for Global New Thought’s to 3:00 p.m. Suggested donation is (AGNT) 64 days honoring Dr. Martin Luther $10 and includes materials. King, Mahatma Gandhi and Cesar Chavez. Karie’s uplifting program combines original The word “mandala” comes from the music, inspirational readings and spoken word. ancient language of Sanskrit and means circle or cir- Backed by guitarist/vocalist Will Northcutt and cumference. The circle stands as a universal symbol of unity and wholeness in many cultures and through- bassist Del Penny, Karie’s dynamic presence and out history. The noted psychiatrist C.G. Jung be- musical artistry are an inspiration to all in atten- lieved circles represented the Self, the dance to heed the message and “be the change you center of the total personality, and were entitled to wish to see in the world”. Karie’s “Season for respectful attention as symbols from the subcon- Peace” is an experience that will stay with you scious. throughout the year. Workshop participants will be invited to create their For more information on “Season for Peace”, go own mandala, or choose patterns provided. A brief to: http://www.agnt.org/season-for-nonviolence background on the history of mandalas will be given, and discussion about their use will conclude the workshop. Pre-registration is recommended to assure sufficient materials are on hand. Register by calling the church office at 408-286-1913 or by signing the registration form available on the Usher’s Table. Spiritual Cinemas Annual 2011 General Meeting Sunday, February 13th Eat, Pray, Love The second Sunday in Friday, January 21st February is our Liz Gilbert had everything a Annual General Meet- modern woman is supposed to ing. This is the yearly dream of having - a husband, a business meeting of house, a successful career - yet the Center. At this like so many others, she found meeting, the Board herself lost, confused, and will present a synopsis searching for what she really wanted in life. Newly of last year’s financial divorced and at a crossroads, Liz steps out of her activity, and plans for the coming year. Members comfort zone, risking everything to change her will be asked to ratify the actions of the Board, and life, embarking on a journey around the world that the congregation will be asked to vote on new becomes a quest for self-discovery. In her travels, Board Members. If you are a member and are she discovers the true pleasure of nourishment eat- unable to attend, please contact the usher and re- ing in Italy; the power of prayer in India, and, fi- quest a proxy. nally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and bal- Following the Annual General Meeting, the Board ance of true love in Bali. invites you and your guest to join them for a Members Luncheon in the Fellowship Hall. Hurricane Season Friday, February 18th If you would like to become a member of the Center for Spiritual Living Los Gatos, request a Based on true events amid the membership application from the Ushers. Follow- wreckage and chaos dealt by ing completion of the new members orientation Hurricane Katrina; one bas- class, we will welcome you at a New Members ketball coach in Marrero, welcome ceremony. Louisiana just will not give up. Coach Al Collins gathers other players from hard-hit The Serendipity Choir Sings! schools and builds a team ac- February 27th tually worthy enough to go to the state playoffs. In one of the darker times of our We are fortunate to have nation's history, this movie illustrates what makes our good friends, The Ser- the human spirit so powerful. And how a group of endipity Choir, perform for misfits can become brothers and form a collective us on this Sunday. Their bond that can accomplish anything - showing love of music is joyfully when people's lives are turned upside down, there expressed as they raise is still faith, hope and resilience. their voices in song. This heart-warming musical ex- Movies are shown at the Center and start perience will inspire you at 7 p.m. Cold drinks, popcorn and candy with the energy and will be available for a donation of $7. See enthusiasm of the choir. you there! Invite your family and friends for this fabulous choir experience and enjoy an inspirational talk by B.J. King, R.Sc.P. as well. Upcoming Guest Ministers and Speakers Reverend Lacy Atkinson Rev. Lacy Atkinson is an assistant minister at the Center for Spiritual Living in Fre- mont. He has been a minister since 1999 and was ordained in 2004. He is a regular speaker on Sunday mornings, has taught accredited classes and has led the 4-T, Keys to The Kingdom and 5 Gifts classes the past several years. He has served with the In- ternational Centers for Spiritual Living youth. adult, and teen groups. Being a retired Deputy Fire Chief of San Jose, Rev. Lacy has executive experience in addition to his years as a Religious Science minister.