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| Newsletter: March/April 2009 |
Issue 2 | |
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A Light in the Forest
Offering spiritual tools to transform
our lives and make the world
a better place.
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Minister's Message |
It's All God...It's All Good
Rev. Dr. Jaine Ryder
Change seems to be a predominant theme of 2009, not just in our world and our White House, but right here at CSL. Shift seems to be happening everywhere at once and I've had ample opportunities to remind myself that good shift happens!
Life is always changing. This is the very nature of life in a creative universe. Change usually brings both challenge and opportunity, but we're always at choice about what we focus our attention on. It doesn't have to be scary. It can be exciting and energizing, green and growing just like springtime!
I've been experiencing some fairly dramatic changes at CSL since January. Our wonderful office manager, Valgene Bunker, released the job on January 30th for early retirement and is now happily quilting at home while I'm doing my best to make sense of the office routines and details with the help of volunteers. I am so grateful for the the power of prayer and the law of attraction that are drawing the perfect people together to fill the 'vacuum' in the office. As Valgene released the job with great love and grace, opportunities for 'newness' and team efforts have emerged. Thank you, Valgene! Debbie Savoya has stepped in to help with our finances and accounting system and she has just accepted an appointment to the Board as our new Treasurer. Thank you, Debbie! A big thank you also goes out to Isabel Bradley for her years of service in that role! Grace Rowe has offered to do the Sunday bulletins every Thursday and Carolyn Martin has offered to do the Monday bank deposits. Ronna Biggs will be putting her organizational talents to work on updating our computer and church files. Thank you Grace, Carolyn and Ronna! As for me...I'm learning a few new things and letting go of a few old ones, sifting, sorting, doing a bit of spring cleaning in the office. Good shift happens!
The sudden death of my dear friend and prayer partner, Dr. Jeffrey Proctor, in December is challenging me to look at my priorities in life from a fresh perspective, too. Just as I was realizing how precious my family is to me and how grateful I am that my oldest daughter's family is just a skip away in Seattle, she told me they will be moving to Florida in June! That will put both of my daughters and all three of my grand-girls in Florida. What's up with that, God? Yes, I know, it's just change and I'm remembering to remember that good shift happens!
It's all God and it's all good.
I love you,
Dr. Jaine |
| Flower Power! |
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Do you have a bouquet to share?
 Please consider signing up to bring flowers for the platform on Sunday mornings. It is a beautiful way to share from your house to OUR HOUSE. Whether you bring your own bouquet or one from the florist, providing flowers is a wonderful way to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions.
Contact the office at 360-734-4160 or
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Sunday Talks
10:00 am - Meditation
10:30 am - Service |
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1st - "Moved By Grace" (Dr. Jaine Ryder)
8th - "Burning Our Barns" (Don Mihaloew, )
15th - "Spring Forward!" (Dr. Jaine Ryder)
22nd - "Lions and Lambs" (Rev. Colleen MacGilchrist)
29th - "Service Over Status: A Little Less of Me" (Kate Molling)
APRIL
5th - "Pure Potential" (Dr. Jaine Ryder)
12th - "Easter Blossoming Ceremony" (Dr. Jaine Ryder and Rev. Colleen MacGilchrist)
19th - "Drop the Drama!" (Dr. Jaine Ryder)
26th - "Too Blessed to Stress" (Rev. Colleen MacGilchrist)
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Annual General Meeting - March 29, 12:30 - 2:30 pm, Light lunch served |
 Invitation from Deb Strom President, Board of Trustees
All who attend the Center for Spiritual Living in Bellingham are encouraged to attend our annual general meeting after the service on Sunday, March 29. The meeting will last from 12:30 - 2:30 pm, and a light lunch will be provided.
This is one of our most important community meetings of the year. Our agenda will include review of the recent membership survey, financials for the past year, and the plans for next year. We will discuss the changes in board roles and responsibilities and elect new board members. This meeting is an opportunity for you to give feedback to the board and ask questions about the Center's operations. Voting will occur on specific issues after discussion by the group. We vote in a consensus model which will be reviewed before the voting starts.
While all are welcome to attend, voting is restricted to those who have declared membership by filling out a membership application. Rev. Dr. Jaine Ryder is holding a Discovery Class on March 3rd for those who wish to become new members. If you have been thinking about becoming a member, now is the time!
If you are interesting in becoming a board member, please talk to a current board member and learn about what we do. We are currently meeting on the third Saturday of each month, but this could change in the coming year to accomodate board member schedules. Please consider volunteering as a board member! While I have found it challenging at times, I have been completely amazed by the rewards that service on the board has brought me.
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| Membership Survey - We're listening!! |
Thanks to all of you who answered our fall membership survey! We'll talk more about it at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) but wanted to let you know about some of things that we are implementing as a result of your feedback:
- We've gone online with our newsletter - color photos, professional look, focus on the future events;
- We've added "Platform Assistants" on Sunday morning to assist the main speaker;
- The Sunday message has a greater emphasis on teaching Science of Mind philosophy;
- More guest speakers and special events are being organized;
- Greater efforts are being made to welcome newcomers and help them get plugged into our community.
We're getting better all the time! |
| Upcoming Events at CSL |
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MARCH
6th - Spiritual Cinema, "Ambition to Meaning: Finding Your Life's Purpose", 7 pm, donation
From the creators of You Can Heal Your Life comes a compelling portrait of three modern lives in need of new direction and new meaning. In his first-ever movie, Wayne Dyer explores the spiritual journey in the second half of life when we long to find the purpose that is our unique contribution to the world. The powerful shift from the ego constructs we are taught early in life by parents and society-which promote an emphasis on achievement and accumulation-are shown in contrast to a life of meaning, focused on serving and giving back. Filmed on coastal California's spectacular Monterey Peninsula, Ambition to Meaning captures every person's mid-life longing for a more purposeful, soul-directed life. This movie is co-sponsored by Excellence Northwest, a non-profit organization in Whatcom County dedicated to strengthening individuals through innovative courses that support people in creating the life they desire.
8th - Workshop: "Empathy As The Bridge To Oneness", 1-4 pm, $30
Don Mihaloew, Ed.D, LMFT, CFLE, will share his wisdom, wit and wonderful insights with us as our guest speaker at the Celebration Service and in a special three hour worshop in the afternoon. Don is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Oregon and an adjunct professor at Portland State University.
13th - Rock Star Bingo! 7 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm), $10 for a 60 game set
Join us for an encore edition of Rock Star Bingo! Last fall Stevie Nicks (AKA Ronna Biggs) and Ringo Starr (AKA Michael Warmuth) hosted a fabulous evening of games and prizes for older kids and adults. The September games were perfect practice for what we are planning now. Your part? Mark your calendar and set aside a few bucks. Our part? Line up the Mountain Dew shooters and prizes while we work with Hollywood to schedule the stars. Children's Bingo will happen simultaneously in the Center office. See you there!
28th - Interfaith's Spring Auction and Dinner, 5:30 pm, $40/person
CSL has been a long-time member of the Interfaith Coalition. This is their biggest fundraising event of the year, and the theme is "Each One is a Blossom in the Garden of Hope." Plan to enjoy a fun evening and generously support programs that provide housing to homeless families, health care to all in need, and outreach to isolated seniors. For more information or to make a donation, please call Interfaith Coalition of Whatcom County at 734-3983 or send an email to info@interfaith-coalition.org.
29th - CSL's Annual General Meeting, 12:30 - 2:30 pm, light lunch provided.
This is one of our most important community meetings of the year. Our agenda will include review of the recent membership survey, financials for the past year, and plans for the next year. We will discuss the changes in board roles and responsibilities and elect new board members.
APRIL
12th - Easter Blossoming Ceremony and EggHunts
Join Dr. Jaine and Rev. Colleen for a beautiful Easter morning celebration. We will build a beautiful communal bouquet as we plant our budding intentions in Divine Mind. Egg hunts will be held for children and adults. Take a few eggs home and fill them with things you think our kids and our 'kids at heart' would like to receive...affirmations, stickers, quotes, special little things ... maybe even a piece of candy.
19th - Introduction to "NLP" Seminar, 12:30 - 3:30 pm, $20
NLP stands for "neuro-linguistic programming" and is the study of how beliefs are installed in your unconscious mind. If you know how you represent a belief inside, you can easily change the belief. Instructor Alan Alberts promises that even if you have been to one of his seminars before, the seminar will be new to you. NLP has tools that will help you to believe what you say and effectively manage your monkey-mind chatter. The tools that you learn during this seminar will help your affirmative prayer (and thus your life) be more effective.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE FUTURE EVENTS
May 15 - Dance Party
June 13 - Metaphysical Fair
August 9 - Summer Picnic Festival
September 25 - Silent/Live Auction and Dinner
October 30 - Rock Star Bingo! (Halloween costumes encouraged)
November 22 - Harvest Potluck
***stay tuned - additional events will likely be added |
| Classes - Register Now! |
 Discovery Class - Sunday, March 1st, 12:30 - 2 pm
If you are interested in becoming a member, this is a 'jump-start' on getting connected with our CSL community and the life-affirming teachings of 'ancient wisdom, new thought'. This will be the last opportunity to become a voting member of CSL-B before the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on March 29. Invest 2 hours of your time and be enriched! It's free!
To register, send an email with "Discovery Class" in the subject line to csl-bellingham@msn.com. |
| Member Blog |
"Diverse Voices, Hopeful Voices"
by Enid Wood
Three of the most inspiring and influential leaders today are people of color. Oprah gifted the world with a free Best Life series both on television and via webinar. She brought together expert teams in key life areas including weight, health, spirituality, finances and sexuality. Michael Beckwith shares his ministry freely and has a huge and growing international following. Barack Obama and the First Family are gifting us with "Yes We Can," messages of unity, and visuals of a family of color serving and leading America. Oprah provoked international conversation when the spiritual leaders characterized sexual orientation, including homosexuality, as a gift from God. Wow! Coming from white, heterosexual, suburban, middle-class America, I never imagined such gifts were available for me; nor in my earliest years, did I expect people of color to be leading and facilitating these healing conversations. Each of these visionaries has chosen to lead through service for the highest good of all-not just any particular group they might represent.
I know as we continue to more deeply embrace all people from all backgrounds, ICSL will explode in numbers. I choose, through whatever service I embrace, to create communities of rich diversity that deeply honor all paths to God and embrace ancient wisdom from all sources. Thank you everyone who is co-creating their Highest Good through service either with CSL-Bellingham or anywhere your heart takes you. |
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Affinity Groups! |
Join one or host one...
The following Affinity Groups are forming for March and April. If you are interested in joining, please email the facilitator.
NOBLE PURPOSE: This group is based on the Noble Purpose Handbook by Barry Heerman. Participants will each lead a chapter of exercises designed to help you "Ignite Extraordinary Passion for Life and Work." The objective of this affinity group is to achieve your noble purpose, what you have come to earth to do, by revealing it through a visioning process. The visioning process breaks down the components of your mission into bite-sized action steps. Each step responds to a particular restraint that confronts you regarding your Noble purpose, or a component of your noble purpose. So in Science of Mind language, your Noble Purpose is being revealed, just like Affirmative Prayer reveals the Truth that has always been present. We will support each other in identifying those action steps (that lead torevelation) so that they are specific, achievable and measurable.
There are 8 steps corresponding with 8 chapters. Enid will facilitate a discussion and exercises related to the first couple of chapters and anyone who wants can facilitate other chapters. You may wish to get a book. Books can be purchased used for $5 or less plus shipping and handling from Amazon.com. There is a hardback book, Noble Purpose: Igniting Passion for Life and Work, by Barry Heermann and a paperback workbook edition. This group will be held Wednesday afternoons from 2-4 in the church office beginning March 4th. 8 wks. To sign up, please contact Enid Wood, enidwood@gmail.com
HEALING TOOLS: EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique), TRE (Tremor Releasing Exercise), Reiki and Representational work will be used to release energy stored as negative emotion. All are super EASY to learn! You will experience profound energy shifts during these group sessions, and SIMPLE tools for continuing on your own as well. This eight-week group will be held in Sudden Valley, Wednesdays starting March 18th, at 7pm . To sign up, please contact Jenna Boudreau, nowdream@gmail.com
***If you would like to host an Affinity Group, please contact Enid Wood, enidwood@gmail.com
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Affinity Groups consist of people coming together around a common interest. Groups can be held at the church office, off-site, or even online. They are limited to eight weeks and ideally involve six to ten people including both members and nonmembers of CSL-Bellingham. The principles of Science of Mind can be either a primary purpose for the group or simply background information. In fact, topics can range from book discussion groups to sustainable living to learning how to snowshoe on Mt. Baker! The primary guidelines include: Groups are limited to 8 weeks and are ideally limited to 6-10 people; the group is facilitated, not led; the convener may not hand out business cards, proselytize, or promote other workgroups, organizations, people, or events; everyone is equal and nobody has an agenda except to explore something new or a delve into a topic more deeply; the primary purpose is to build community.
There is no charge to participate (unless there is a materials fee), but there will be an opportunity to make a donation to offset CSL expenses and support future programs.
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| Team CSL! (Volunteer Opportunities) |
Are you interested in connecting with others and sharing your talents with CSL?
Here are some current opportunities for you to get involved:
Usher - Greet people and help them feel welcome on Sunday morning. You may sign up for a particular Sunday or be on-call to fill in as needed. Contact Deb Strom, dragonsongred@comcast.net, 319-2105.
Kitchen Volunteer - Help nurture our community with hot beverages after the service. You may bring food if you would like, but it's not a requirement. You may sign up for a particular Sunday or be on-call to fill in as needed. Contact Deb Strom, dragonsongred@comcast.net, 319-2105.
Dance Party Coordinators - Be a Co-Chair to plan and organize a May 15 dance party from scratch, however you want it to look. Be creative! Contact Francine Kitchen, francine4us@yahoo.com.
The following volunteer opportunities are available for the upcoming Metaphysical Fair on Saturday, June 13 . This is an important fund-raiser for CSL-B, with more greater community reach out than most of our events. It was a success last year and it could become one of Bellingham's favorite annual events. Please contact Francine Kitchen, francine4us@yahoo.com if you'd like to volunteer for any of the following: Co-Chair - Work with Chris Brewer for general planning and coordination.
New Vendor Outreach - Reach out to new people in the greater community who may want to showcase their services.
Floor Plan Designer - Layout the vendor's use of our space.
Talk Planner - Organize vendors who want to give a talk or presentation of some kind.
Volunteer Coordinator - Recruit and organize volunteers for set up, general help, take down, clean up. Vendors will take care of their own booths.
Food Coordinator - Organize selling of pre-packaged food and/or donated food. |
| Perpetual Rummage Sale |
Donate and buy!
The Perpetual Rummage Sale is already a success. Everyone loves a rummage sale, and it's so convenient right outside our back door! Please don't hesitate to take home anything that strikes your fancy. As long as you leave any contribution in the cash box, it's OK if you choose to pay less than the hoped for price on the tag. More stuff is coming in than is going out, so we just want to continue the circulation. There's a lovely big wall-mounted water fountain that's been there since the beginning. Someone please take it home and enjoy it! Then we'll have more room for new stuff. And the rest of Rev. Ben's books have been unpacked, so browse and enjoy. |
| Please support our sponsors! |
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Michael's Books
"Many metaphysical books in stock"
An established used bookstore in downtown Bellingham.
Michael Elmer, Proprietor, 109 Grand Ave, Bellingham, 360-733-6272
Mili Rauwolf
"Stay in control of your life"
Weight Management, Career Cultivation, PSTD Absolution, Tabacco Abstinence
Mili Rauwolf, Neuro-Linguistic Hypnotherapist and Reiki Master, 360-380-2273
 Sky Chiropractic
"Health care for the entire family" A trusted chiropractor located near Lakeway Drive.
Dr. Michael Selinsky - 1420 King Street, Ste A, Bellingham, 360-738-9139
 Sterling Real Estate Group "Experience the spirit in real estate"
Serving you as a buyer or seller with experience, warmth and wisdom.
Colleen MacGilchrist, Associate Broker, 360-961-4932,
Steve's Tech Solutions
"PC, Mac, and Network Specialist"
New office near the farmer's market!
Rates: $60 for remaining 4 issues; or $20 per issue. | |
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| CONTACT INFORMATION: Center for Spiritual Living - Bellingham
Rev. Dr. Jaine Ryder, Senior Minister
2224 Yew Street Road, Bellingham, WA 98229
360-734-4160
Office Hours: M-F, 10 am - 2 pm
Newsletter Editors: Cathy Angell & Dan Villiott | |
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