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| Newsletter: January/February 2010 |
Issue 7 | |
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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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Welcome Reverend Marla!! |
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Reverend Marla Mason, Senior Minister
Beloved Center for Spiritual Living Family,
I am honored and touched beyond measure by your invitation to serve as your senior minister. I hold it as a sacred commitment when I say a resounding "yes!" in response.
Center for Spiritual Living Bellingham has been in transition for some months now. Your Minister Emeritus, Rev. Colleen MacGilchrist, and your board of trustees have diligently attended to the needs of the Center during this time and you have supported them beautifully with your energy, love and prayers. Because of this commitment, I step forward onto a solid foundation for the growth and expansion of our Center: we are poised to soar as we move into the 2010s!
And so we will soar. Our theme for 2010 is Practice the Presence. Through a series of monthly topics, readings, small groups and spiritual practices we will explore what it means to bring the experience of Spirit into our daily lives. Our January topic is Living the Sacred Life and my first Sunday with you will be January 10. Please join us that morning as we open this series by deepening in our ideas of exactly what "sacred" means, and how we can nurture an awareness of the Divine in all we do.
I want to close with an acknowledgement of your ministerial search committee. Finding the right minister for a church is no small task. One of the reasons I am so excited to join this spiritual community is the professionalism and spiritual maturity exhibited by this team. Their process was well thought out, deliberate, and clearly anchored in spiritual principle every step of the way. Please let Carolyn Martin, Kate Molling, Terrie DuPuis, Bob McGilchrist and co-chairs Ronna Biggs and Rev. Colleen know how grateful you are for the work they have done in support of this Center.
See you on January 10th!
Love and blessings, Rev Marla
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| Final message from Search Committee |
 Hello CSL-Bellingham!
As I reflect on the last six months of the senior minister search process, a tremendous amount of gratitude fills my heart. Thank you to everyone who held our process, the search committee, the board of trustees, our candidates and our Center in your prayers. Participants in the two visioning sessions in June captured a wonderful vision and laid a strong foundation of intention for the evolution of the process and the attraction of a fabulous candidate. For those members and non-members who attended, shared your opinions and voted on December 6th - thank you! Thank you to the CSL-Bellingham Board of Trustees for your thoughtful and dedicated leadership through our transition process. The countless volunteer hours you've given are phenomenal and the guidance you provided to the search committee is appreciated. To the Search Committee Members - Carolyn Martin, Kate Molling, Bob MacGilchrist and Terrie Dupuis - thank you for volunteering for this very important adventure! What an inspiring, principled and fun group you are! To Reverend Colleen MacGilchrist, search co-chair, thank you for your support, your ecclesiastical leadership and your unwavering love of Woodside. Thank you to Reverend Marla for saying "YES!" and I look forward to kicking off 2010 with you as our new Senior Minister. Finally, thank you Divine Spirit for, as always, unfolding a path in right and perfect way, with the right and perfect people to bring us to this very moment. It is all GOOD! Many Blessings, Ronna Biggs
Co-Chair, Search Committee |
| Spiritual Practice and Talk Titles |
Spiritual Practice - January/February
Each month in 2010 you are invited to engage in a new spiritual practice, and to support that practice with the power of affirmative prayer.
Practice the Presence Joural
Purchase your Practice the Presence 2010 Journal in the bookstore. The journal follows our 2010 themes and is available for $15.95.
JANUARY: Living the Sacred Life
Spiritual practice: Take time daily to reflect on your life and your surroundings. Notice the activity of the Divine in everything you do.
January 3 Legacy Living, Dr. Gloria Burgess
January 10 Practice the Presence, Rev. Marla Mason
January 17 Live Each Day in Faith, Rev. Marla Mason
January 24 The Sacred Prayer, Rev. Marla Mason
January 31 The Ground You Walk On is Holy, Rev. Marla Mason
Recommended Books: (can be ordered at the CSL Bookstore)
Learning From the Heart, Gottlieb
Creating Mandalas, Susanne F. Fincher
Affirmative prayer: There is one Holy Life, one Sacred Creator in whose Presence I live, move and have my being in. The ground I walk on is Holy ground. Every breath I take is in the Presence of a sacred and ancient Power. I am enveloped in the one perfect love of God. In God's Presence, no harm can come to me. I have nothing to fear. In God's Presence, there is no disease, lack or limitation. I make no accommodations for it. In God's Presence there is only love, peace abundance and joy. I am conscious of the Presence of Spirit surrounding me. I see it in the faces of people I meet. I recognize it in nature. I notice God's activity in my personal life and experience. Every day is a gift, so I give thanks for each moment in the sacred Presence of Spirit. I welcome and invite every opportunity to be more loving and more gracious in my acceptance of God's blessing. I am completely receptive and open to an increased flow of good into my life. And so it is.
FEBRUARY: Living in Love
Spiritual practice: Open your heart to love. It is your soul's only assignment.
February 7 Open to Love, Rev. Marla Mason
February 14 Can I Be Frank With You? Rev. Marla Mason
February 21 The Five Languages of Love, Rev. Marla Mason
February 28 Keep Good Company, Rev. Marla Mason
Recommended Books: (can be ordered at the CSL Bookstore)
Love Poems from God, Daniel Ladinsky
Emerson's Essays (specifically the essay on Love), Emerson
A More Ardent Fire, Eknath Easwaran
Affirmative prayer: God is the Source of perfect, unconditional love. From its own perfect nature, I was born. I live, move and have my being surrounded by a permanent, everlasting Divine Love.
Rising up from within me is the Holy Love that heals all things. Overflowing from the inside, out, God's Love pours itself into my relationships, finances, and affairs replacing any unhealed circumstance with perfect balance and ease. Love is an attractive power that draws into my life the people who have the capacity to love me for who I am. Love is a healing power that allows me to forgive all who have done me harm. Love is a soothing power that resolves every conflict or argument. With a clear understanding of the safety of God's presence, I open my heart to love, trusting that no harm can come as a result of my vulnerabililty. I give myself to love and allow it to flow through my heart unimpeded by resentment of fear. I am open to love. And so it is. |
| Upcoming Classes |
 SOM 102 - The Nature of Effective Prayer with Rev. Marla
Designed to provide a thorough understanding of the nature and practice of affirmative prayer, this interactive class will develop your understanding of how to use the power of prayer to change your life.
Tuesdays, 6:30 to 9:00
Eight weeks, January 19 through March 9
Tuition: $110 ($70 if you've taken the class within the last five years)
Books: The Science of Mind, Ernest Holmes
How to Speak Religious Science, Dennis Merritt Jones
 SOM 220 - Principles of Financial Freedom with Rev. Marla
You will explore ways to create a new level of well-being and abundance in your life by examining your relationship with Spirit in the context of your relationship with money. A comprehensive workbook and creative exercises are included.
Thursdays, 6:30 to 9:30
Eight weeks, January 28 through March 25 (no class on February 16) Tuition: $130 (includes workbook and materials)
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| Guest Speaker to kick off the New Year! |
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Dr. Gloria Burgess, Author
Legacy Living: Make Your Life Count
Sunday, January 3, 10:30 a.m.
Mother, daughter, partner in a 34+year legacy marriage, and CEO of Jazz, Inc., her leadership consulting and coaching firm, Dr. Gloria Burgess delights in honoring and lifting up the human spirit. Using vivid examples from her own life-overcoming extreme poverty, racism, and sexism-she shows us that your personal history is not a predictor of your destiny. Fueled by her passion to serve others, she has devoted her life to making our organizations, communities, and world more habitable, just, and meaningful.
Gloria reminds us that "Inside each of us is a glorious world longing to be born. And our chief responsibility is to be a mid-wife for others so they can bring forth their signature presence." Best-selling author of Legacy Living, Gloria is also a sought-after speaker, one of the few who integrates presence, insightful commentary, and artistic imagination, inspiring us to transform ourselves and our world.
In her latest book, Dare to Wear Your Soul on the Outside, she tells the touching story of her father's relationship with Nobel-prize winning American author, William Falkner, and their intertwined, life-changing legacies.
www.gloriaburgess.com
**This event is in partnership with Village Books. They will be selling Dr. Burgess' books after the service. |
| CSL YOUTH PROGRAM |
CSL YOUTH ARE SO LOVED!! 
Our Youth learn every Sunday that they are beloved creations of a wonderful Spirit and that they are here to live life to it's fullest. How great is that!!
Our upcoming themes are:
January: Return of the Light---New Beginnings
February: Relationships
**The teens are earning money to go to ISCL camp this coming summer. Thanks to everyone who bought a butterbraid!! Look for more ways you can contribute to their camp fees and transportation.
We would love to have more assistants!!! We meet after Sunday service on the 2nd Sunday of each month. Join us if you would like more info or talk to one of the teachers about how you can join the Youth Church team.
Thank-you for your loving support,
Jenna, Joanie, Karen, Kay, Steve, and Steph |
| New Office Staff |
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Welcome Jill Taylor!
We are pleased to welcome Jill Taylor as our new office staff person and say a huge thank you to Claudia DeWees who served us this fall.
Jill grew up in Bellingham and is a native to the area. She decided to open a small bookkeeping business about 8 months ago and focus on small businesses that need 5-10 hours of bookkeeping a week. Jill is a single mother and has a 9 year old daughter named Zoe. She felt that being independent also gave her more flexibility to work around her daughter's schedule. Board member Debbie Savoya has been training Jill, and in Jill's words: "I have gone into quite a few offices over the years and I have to say Debbie has put excellent systems and procedures in place. I can tell she has really put a lot of work into this! I look forward to meeting the rest of the staff and members of CSL!"
The office is open from 9 a.m.-12 p.m, Tuesday and Thursday. |
| News from Village Books |
We've had the pleasure of partnering with Village Books on a couple of events, and they are graciously keeping us posted on author talks and workshops that they think would be of interest to our congregation.
Sat., Jan. 2, 11am-4pm
RESOLUTIONS Workshops
Free, non-ticketed event in our Readings Gallery
What's on your list for the new year? Want to follow your heart? Get fit and healthy? Spark your creativity? Fix your finances? Or...?? Join us for "RESOLUTIONS," an inspirational day devoted to starting the year off right! Every hour on the hour, from 11-3, we'll feature area experts who'll offer timely tips during interactive mini-workshops. Come for one workshop or several. Bring your questions and ideas, and maybe a snack. No matter what the topic, you'll take away information and inspiration for how to get started and where to go from here. You'll also get 10% off recommended RESOLUTIONS-related books, that day only. For more information on this exciting day, visit the events calendar on our website at www.villagebooks.com. Mark your calendar. See you there!
Workshop speakers are Gloria Burgess, Janet Ott, Tara Gilligan, Trish Harding, Tara Gilligan, & Ed Williams
Fri., Jan. 8, 7pm -- Includes slide show
Will Keepin and Cynthia Brix
Women Healing Women: A Model of Hope for Oppressed Women Everywhere
The Maher project in India has provided refuge to more than 1,400 women, half of whom would likely otherwise have been murdered, committed suicide, or starved to death. Founded in 1997 by Sister Lucy Kurien, Maher honors all religions and strongly repudiates caste distinctions. Many believe Sister Lucy is the next Mother Teresa, and her pioneering work has vast potential for replication anywhere women are socially oppressed. Will and Cynthia will present slides showing this amazing community, and recount inspiring stories of women healing other women while overcoming some of the most appalling patriarchal injustices on earth. Women Healing Women provides remarkable testimony to the power of love for overcoming some of the most appalling injustices, and a blueprint for how to do it.
The authors, William Keepin, PhD and Cynthia Brix, MDiv live on Whidbey Island and lead an international project for healing and reconciliation between women and men in South Africa, India, and Canada. Will is an environmental scientist, spiritual mentor, and Fellow of the Findhorn Foundation. Cynthia is an interfaith minister and former campus minister at the University of Colorado. Will and Cynthia are adjunct faculty at Holy Names University, and directors of the Satyana Institute which conducts interfaith spiritual training on the path of love and service. Will and Cynthia are authors of Divine Duality: The Power of Reconciliation Between Women and Men.
Sun., Jan. 31 -- Two events, two venues, one day with Travel Expert, Rick Steves
Join us for one or join us for both. This is sure to be an informative and engaging day!
Rick Steves
Through the Back Door: European Travel on a Budget-includes slide show!
Sun., Jan. 31, 2-5pm
Bellingham High School
$5 ticketed event
Tickets available at Village Books or on-line at brownpapertickets.com
Proceeds to benefit Whatcom Peace and Justice Center
Join travel expert Rick Steves-acclaimed for his bestselling guidebook series, and public TV and radio shows-as he shares the latest in smart European travel. Freshly back from lots of travels, Rick Steves explains the practical, money-saving ins and outs of independent travel. Hear Rick's tips on getting the most out of every mile, minute, and euro on your next trip. For nearly 30 years, Rick and his guides have been researching the best destinations--emphasizing authentic experience and value for your money. Rick packs the house every year so grab your tickets now and prepare to have a great time!
Rick Steves
Travel as a Political Act
Sun., Jan. 31 7-9pm
First Congregational Church
Free, non-ticketed event with festival seating
Rick Steves-author of 30 European travel guidebooks and host of popular PBS and NPR series-believes that thoughtful travel expands our world view and shapes how we address the challenges confronting our nation politically. Having spent four months a year overseas for the last 25 years, Rick feels that travel helps us "challenge truths we were raised to think were self-evident and God-given." He shares how the other 96 percent of humanity sees our nation and explores how his social activism has grown naturally out of his travel experiences. Join us for this engaging event! Co-sponsored by The Mission Justice and Social Concerns Committee of the First Congregational Church of Bellingham. |
| Flower Power! |
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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| 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
 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,
Rates: $75 for remaining five issues. Deadline: February 10, 2010 | |
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| CONTACT INFORMATION:
Reverend Colleen MacGilchrist, Minister Emeritus Center for Spiritual Living - Bellingham
2224 Yew Street Road, Bellingham, WA 98229
360-734-4160
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 9 am - 12 pm
Newsletter Editors: Cathy Angell & Dan Villiott | |
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