Making A Difference!



March    2011    Newsletter

SUNDAYS @ 10AM

HARMONY
GOLD
THEATER

7655 Sunset Blvd
  
4 blocks east of Fairfax

plentiful, free parking beneath
and behind the theater


Treatment at 9:30
Service begins at 10:00
Map
CSL-LA CENTER

Office &
Class Space

6404 Wilshire Blvd
Suite 500
Los Angeles CA 90048
323-852-9055
info@csl-la.org


free evening parking in the building

enter at the light at 
              LaJolla & Wilshire

Rev. John M. McLean
Director

Rev. Marian G. Moon
Rev. Frank Fischer
Staff Ministers

Mr. Cooper Neal
Center Administrator

WEBSITE

 
 QUOTING  ERNEST  HOLMES


"But we are born to be happy, to be abundantly supplied with every good thing, to have fun in living, to consciously unite with the Divine Power that is around us and within
us, and to grow and
expand forever." 
       

 
Ernest Holmes
ONGOING AT THE CENTER
 
SUNDAYS
1st Sunday each month
Women of Spirit @ 11:30am
MONDAYS
2nd Monday each month
Spiritual Jam Session @ 7pm
WEDNESDAYS
Class at 7pm
THURSDAYS
Class at 7pm
SATURDAYS
Chorale Rehearsal @ 1:30
12+1 Recovery Meeting @ 3:30pm

FOOD 4 THOUGHT
 

     If you keep doin' what  
     you always did, you'll
     keep gettin' what you
     always got!

     Jackie "Moms" Mabley
   
 
                
MAKING A DIFFERENCE

JOHN MIRANDA
 was named

Volunteer of the Month

for February 2011

johnmiranda

John is proud of the rose he was given
for his service on February 14th!


 When we asked John, "how long have you been ushering?" his reply was "since the very first service in 1989."  That kind of dedication is something that comes straight from the heart.

John Miranda is that kind of man--one of great heart.  He has been a loyal, present, dedicated, joyful, generous and loving participant in this ministry from the very start. 
He continues to participate in classes and contributes a great deal to them.  Quite simply, John's the best and we appreciate him beyond words. 
Thank you John! 

 

Join Our Mailing List
Please visit our website

www.csl-la.org

 
 to learn more about
CSL-LA, Religious Science,   
and our parent organization -
the International Centers
for Spiritual Living.
 

 

 CSL-LA  BOARD

Board of Trustees

President
       Csynthia Savage
Vice President/Treasurer
       Terry Dadd

Secretary
       Sherry Mandan

At Large
       Edward Brown
       Elizabeth Dadd
       Don C. Smith
               and
       John M. McLean

FOOD 4 THOUGHT
 

   It's absolutely impossible,
   but it has possibilities.

   Samuel Goldwyn
 
 
                
WHAT WE BELIEVE 

Declaration of Principle

We believe in God, the living Spirit Almighty -- One, Indestructible, Absolute, Self-Existent Cause.

We believe that the Kingdom
of God is within and that we experience this Kingdom to the degree we become conscious of it.


We believe in the eternal Goodness, the eternal Loving Kindness, and the eternal Givingness of God to all.

 

PRACTITIONERS


Our licensed practitioners are honored to treat with you upon your request.   Feel free to ask any practitioner for treatment following any Sunday Celebration.  If you would like to follow-up and work more with your practitioner, you can find their contact information on our website

                www.csl-la.org 

 
by selecting the menu-tab that reads Practitioners.  You can also contact a practitioner by calling the Center office and we will be happy to assist you. 

 

 OUR PURPOSE 

This Center exists to support all people with the transformation of their lives.  We do this by teaching Spiritual Principle and by celebrating the Promise of Living.

Our philosophy, outlook and practice is based on the pioneering work of Dr. Ernest Holmes.  Our basic textbook is "The Science of Mind" by Dr. Holmes. 
 
Our founding pastor was Dr. David J. Walker.  We honor his legacy by adhering to the essence of the Science of Mind teachings and by treating to know "that the innermost God and the highest God are one and the same."

  

David Walker

The purpose of life is to strike a balance between acknowledging our completeness and enjoying our creativity.         
                  Dr. David J. Walker 
 

Choose
the
Power
of
Positivity


What Inspires Me

John McLean picThe past month has been one for the history books. People's revolutions in Egypt, Tunisia, Bahrain, Libya are ongoing and as yet unresolved. In our own country, a growing trend of "blaming each other" for the fiscal problems of the country is beginning to have serious consequences. What will the outcome be?   It will be a reflection of whatever the real state of consciousness of the society is. Time will tell.

What our work tells us is that it is not enough to be against something in order to effect a transformation. We have to be clear about what we are "for" as well.   If there is only resentment, principle will continue to give us something to resent.   If our consciousness is largely devoted to a vision of a new, peaceful and plentiful future, principle will work with that to create the new world we are seeking.

At this time of divisiveness and mistrust, there are two groups that have a vision for something new and affirmative. ICSL and UCSL, the two national organizations that support Science of Mind ministries, have been walking in a direction of unity and wholeness for three years now. They have decided that finding ways of working together for the greater good are far more important than holding on to former ideas which sometimes promote feelings of false superiority or righteousness.

What inspires me is the years of hard, diligent (sometimes laborious and boring) work that has gone on to get us to this moment of denominational unity. For sure, there will be economies of scale that will be realized by such a union. But there will also be gains in consciousness - in a vision of a more potent and effective organization supporting the Teaching that has been such a blessing to us all. I am inspired by and grateful for all the work that has been done which has gotten us to this point. I am grateful for the objections to this action as well, for without them, many important ideas would have been lost or unexamined. All things work together for good.

Between Sunday, February 27 and Friday, March 4 delegates will be meeting in San Diego to iron out the remaining details pertinent to the integration of two national organizations. Center for Spiritual Living Los Angeles will be there. We are allowed to have delegates and  three will be present.   And when we return, your delegates will be giving you a report on the experience. I feel honored to be participating in this meeting.  I am grateful that Elizabeth Dadd Bunny Hull and Edward Brown, who will be giving up a full week of their time in order to represent this ministry, will be joining me in this work.
 
Keep the High Watch for the new world we all wish to be a part of!
 

 

All is Well, Life is Good, We are Truly Blessed  ~  Rev. John
  

Sundays In March


Rev. McLean's Lessons

 
March  6              What Are We Doing, Really?

March 13            
The Three R's  
March 20             No Service Because of LA Marathon
March 27             
The Art of Reframing             

                                   
                              Special Music


March  6              Carol Weiss with Laura  Dickinson 

March 13             Paul Horner    
March 27             Paul Horner with Lloyd Pedersen 

Previews

  
 
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Sunday, March 6th at 11:15am

 

As is our Policy, we will be having our Annual Membership Meeting immediately following the Sunday Celebration on Sunday March 6th, 2011 at the Harmony Gold Theatre.

 

At that time, there will be a greeting from our Board President, Ms. Csynthia Savage, a brief presentation from our Treasurer, Mr. Terry Dadd, and the presentation of Mss. Sherry Mandan and Elizabeth Dadd as the Board's nominations for re-election to Board service.   We are following our by-laws to the "letter" with this process and feel that it is good to maintain continuity of leadership at this time.   

 

Rev. McLean will have comments to make as well--something he likes to think of as a "State of the Ministry" address.
 
Prior to the actual meeting, Rev. McLean will be presenting "Ministry Honors" to four individuals who have had significant positive impact on our community.  
 
 
While this is a Membership meeting, all are welcome to join in for these presentations.
 
Reviews

February is a big birthday-month at CSL-LA.  On Sunday, February 13th we had a cake to celebrate them.  A nice touch for Valentine's Day. 

cake

"Happy Birthday Cysnthia, Edward, Sherry (Mandan) and all Aquarians"


                             edward and csyanthia

Edward Brown & Csynthia Savage share the same birthday,
February 12th.   Separated at birth? Perhaps! Aren't we are all expressions of the One?

 

Saturday, March 19 
 

Garage Sale at the Center Office  9am - 12:30pm

 

Help us "right size" as we prepare to move our office.

There are many, many things that you might want or need.

 

Books, CDs, audio tapes, printed matter, fixtures, furniture  

all for your "love offering."    Fellowship is free. 

 

We'll have plenty of coffee and cookies and music.  Fun!

 

6404 Wilshire Blvd  Suite 500
parking inside the building is free 

   

Ongoing at the Center

                                      WOMEN OF SPIRIT

Sunday, March 13th @ 11:30AM

monthly gathering for sharing and support
 and to plan service opportunities 
   


SPIRITUAL JAM SESSION

Monday, March 14th j@ 7PM

monthly gathering for sharing and support

 

12 STEPS + 1

Every Saturday @ 3:30PM

weekly recovery meeting for sharing and support
in the context of tradtitional "12 Step" format  


Treatment for March   


 I HAVE PURPOSE


Infinite Life created me out of Itself to express that which It is according to my purpose.  I know that which I am doing now and that which I intend to do, is the action of Divine Intelligence.

I shall always have a purpose which exceeds my present experience, for I am forever expressing that which I am in larger terms.

My progress cannot be hindered, for I am the Mind of God aware of Its ability to create.

My purpose is known to me. I need not explain, excuse or justify it to anyone, and no one needs to make their purpose known to me.

There are no meaningless experiences in my life. Consciousness brings together that which belongs together and releases that which does not serve my highest good.

All of my experiences have purpose, and all purposes are constructive.  When the purpose of an experience is served, a new experience is already unfolding.

I am Life's way of expressing Itself, and my purpose is Life's way of expressing individuality.  And so it is. 

 

Dr. David J. Walker  

from his book "The Encouraging Word" 1988

 
From The Perennial Philosophy   

 

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it.

Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. Do not believe in anything because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is written in your religious books.

 

Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.  But after observation and analysis,
when you find that anything agrees with reason, and is conducive to the good and benefit of all, then accept it and live up to it.


Shakyamuni Buddha 

  

Ongoing Classes

"The Nature of Effective Prayer"   SOM 102     

 

Rev. John McLean       Thursdays - 7pm         
remaining classes on March 10, 17, 24, 31, April 7, 14  

The Nature of Effective Prayer is designed to give the student a thorough understanding of the nature and practice of affirmative prayer (also known as Spiritual Mind Treatment).  SOM 102 incorporates exercises that develop the student's understanding of how to pray effectively for themselves.  Participants will have the opportunity to practice by
writing spiritual mind treatments.
 
 
Text:  Student Workbook will be available for $10 (our cost) on the first night of class.           


Classes Beginning in March

 

"Emerson's Essays"  SOM 208


Rev. John McLean      Wednesdays - 7pm

March 9, 16, 23, 30  April 6, 13, 20, 27

Tuition - $110             

  

Ralph Waldo Emerson was the most quoted, most inspirational writer in America for over a hundred years. His concept of American Voice, of Self-Reliance, and of the Oversoul have influenced the New Thought movement profoundly. He is quoted by all the great metaphysical writers, and he was the first to break through traditional Christianity in such a way as to inspire multitudes to higher thought. Background information on Emerson's times and his fellow members of the Transcendentalist circle will be covered.

 

SOM 208 is required for First Practitioner Licensing

  

Text: Emerson's Essays  


Single night attendance is "kindly welcome" and is always of value to the occasional student.  Tuition is $15 per evening.

  

Lessons Of Truth  

   THE JUST LAW
Rev. Marian G. Moon


The master, Jesus, taught that every mistake must bring just retribution and every act of right, an equal compensation.

Because we have the freedom to choose we sometimes lock ourselves into situations and attitudes that interfere with the harmony of our being. God has no walls, locked doors or boundaries to our good. Since the limitation is self-created out of ignorance of how the divine law works, we can also resolve it by understanding and use that which honors the law.

Dr. Holmes stated "...the universe is a universe of love, governed by laws of justice and balance and equilibrium." If we break these laws there is naturally a consequence and we suffer accordingly. The law of mind is a just law and serves us well as long as we honor it.

Anything we do that contradicts this law limits us to some degree. Fortunately we have the power to change conditions by changing the thought or beliefs that deny the truth of being.

It takes conscious effort to do this. It takes attention to our use of the law of mind. Dr. Holmes stated "...the conflict in our lives can be resolved only through a deep and abiding sense of security in the universe." No matter how far we stray from our intrinsic nature we never totally lose our connection with it. It is a matter of bringing a sense of order into expression. That order is unification with the universal laws which are always operating for us.

As creators of our personal universe we have the privilege of choice. Understanding the way the law works gives us the ability to create new expression any time we choose. As we think about this we realize we change our expression on both the conscious and unconscious level as we think and impress the law all the time. 

   

The Final Word


         LATE FRAGMENT

 

         And did you get what

         you wanted from this life, even so?

         I did.

         And what did you want?

         To call myself beloved, to feel myself

         beloved on the earth.

 

       

           Raymond Carver,  (May 25, 1938 - August 2, 1988)            
           American short story writer and poet. This poem is inscribed

           on his tombstone in Port Angeles, WA.   


circle brush

All is Well, Life is Good,
 We Are Truly Blessed!