My sermon topic this past Sunday was "Who do you think you are?"  It made me smile when I came up with that title.  My mama used to say that to me, but it was with an entirely different tone of voice.  I teased a little bit about that on Sunday.  Mama would say that expression when she thought I was being "too big for my britches."  (In those days, children were raised to be seen and not heard, so when she said that to me, she was inferring that I should become a little more self-effacing.)  That was just the way children were raised then.  But when I ask that question now, I really want to know, "Who do you really think you are? 

I can assure you of one thing, whatever beliefs you have about yourself are pretty much the beliefs that will define your life.   Some people have so little awareness of themselves that the only way they can answer that question is by telling you some role they play in life; i.e., I am a mother, a scientist, a bookkeeper or a student.  We are all more than any role we take on in life because the true self is eternal.  If we define ourselves by a role, what happens when the role disappears or changes?  Children move away, people die, we retire, and every one of us is more than any identity we claim. 

Joel Goldsmith says, "To know our true identity destroys the mortal sense of existence which has kept us earthbound."  We are limited by a belief in a limited being, a limited life, and a limited mind.  When we let go of ideas of limitation, we allow the true self to emerge.

Knowingly or unknowingly, we exercise the power to produce thoughts, which in turn produce results.  This creative process works day and night; it doesn't sleep until the idea has been completed.  We cannot picture thoughts of poverty and expect wealth in return.  It's your creative process and it is up to you to produce the thoughts that, in turn produce the results that you want.  

The thirteenth century poet, Rumi, said, "You can accomplish a hundred other things but if you do not accomplish the one thing for which you have been sent, it will be as if you have done nothing."  So this day, amid all the doing, pause right now and take a deep breath.  This day, may I know myself better and give myself to this world.  May I know the divine life that I came to live. 

Our affirmation for the day:  I release all fear as I step into my glorious life in God.

Happy Father's Day!

Please join us for lunch after service this coming Sunday, June 19th.  We are going to celebrate Father's Day at Papa Lennon's in Meiners Oaks.  We will meet there at 1:00 PM, order and purchase our food at the counter and then enjoy it together on their beautiful patio!  Everyone is welcome to join in!  Contact Rev. Marilyn Miller, (805) 640-0498, if you would like to be included in the reservation.

A Special Thank-You to Practitioner Susanna Woods 

Practitioner Susanna Woods has been driving up from Los Angeles every first Sunday of the month for two years in support of the Symphony of Life Spiritual Center.  We are so grateful to Susanna.  She had this to say about service at our center, "I've been doing service since I was 11 years old.  It is an important calling for me.  I love coming to the Symphony of Life because Rev. Karen's sermons feed my soul and because, even though I don't live in Ojai, I feel so welcomed by the entire congregation every time I come.  I also love the meditation.  The people who show up for meditation create a space of peace and love that allows me to go to a really deep place."  We thank you Susanna for your dedicated service to us and to God!

Practitioner Susanna Woods  

Gratitude and Appreciation

A special thank you to our guest musician, classical guitarist John Bourgouin, who shared two beautiful songs with us. Thank you John!

John Bourgouin 

Meiners Oaks Solstice Festival 

A fun event is coming up on Sunday, June 26th.  The Symphony of Life will be participating this year in the  Meiners Oaks Solstice Festival which will be held from 11:00 to 5:00 PM on El Roblar Drive between the cross streets of Lomita and Poli.  Look for our LOVE BOOTH where we will be handing out hugs and kisses (of the Hershey variety)!  We will be having our own Love-In of sorts.  It is going to be lots of fun not only for the recipients of all those hugs and kisses, but also for those of us handing them out.  If you would like to sign up to serve in the booth, please contact Bonnie Weed at (805) 640-1458. 

The Ojai Fourth of July Parade

For the first time ever, the Symphony of Life Spiritual Center is entering the Ojai Fourth of July parade!  The theme for our float is "Celebrating Freedom and Diversity." We need the loan of some props folks!  Anything you have around the house that represents another culture that you would be willing to let us use to decorate our float (hats, blankets, shawls, any unbreakable artifacts, etc.) would be appreciated.   If you have some house paint around the house (black, blues, pinks or other colors) we need that too for painting our signs.

If you want to help in the planning of this exciting event, contact Candace Hull (805) 646-0227 or come to the planning meetings which are being held every Monday afternoon until the event, 4:00 PM, 410 Bryant Street, Suite K.  Bring your ideas and creativity.  We are going to have live music; we'll be riding on the float, walking or dancing alongside of it.  You are welcome to wear the clothing of your heritage (or any heritage representing the melting pot of America).  We will be decorating the float Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the weekend prior to Monday, July 4th. You will be welcome to participate in any way you choose.  Join the fun!

Candace Hull, Donna Elam and Rev. Karen  

making flowers for the Fourth of July parade 

Outdoor Summer Concert with Jami Lula! 

The Jami Lula outdoor concert is coming up on Sunday, July 24th here in Ojai.  Graciously, Jami has offered to do a benefit for the Symphony of Life.  He'll be singing at our spiritual center in the morning of the 24th, and then later in the day, performing an outdoor summer concert at the Ojai Retreat on Besant Road. We are planning a refreshment/appetizer reception in the Waterfall Garden at the retreat from 5:00 to 6:00 PM.  It will include a no host bar and a silent auction, and then Jami will perform in concert on the Shangri-la Terrace from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

Our fabulous silent auction features a 7-day, three-bedroom condo stay in Hawaii, and includes artwork, restaurant packages and many other exciting items.  If you have some things you'd like to donate for the silent auction, please contact Rev. Marilyn Miller at (805) 640-0498.  This promises to be a beautiful event. Tickets are available right now at www.solsc.org, $20 in advance; $25 at the door.  You won't want to miss this beautiful summer evening of fun!

News Flash!  Intention+Prayer = Results! Congratulations Jake!

Jake Quinn, son of Tiese and Bob Quinn, is now employed for the summer at Camp Ramah in Ojai.  On Sunday, June 5th, in our Youth Adventures Program, each young person stated an intention for the summer.  Jake wanted a summer job.  The teachers said a prayer treatment for everyone's goal.

On his interview day, Jake took to Camp Ramah a typed resume, his all A's and B's report card, and a reference letter from Rev. Marilyn, the Director of our Youth Adventures Program, stating his outstanding volunteer service at the Symphony of Life as a musician and assistant youth teacher.  After his interview on June 13th, Jake GOT THE JOB!   

CONGRATULATIONS JAKE!

Bob, Tiese, and Jake Quinn

Creative Adventures Summer Program 

Sana Musson and Dawn Inda were our fabulous teachers for the children this past Sunday. Our youth program supports parents in raising joyful, happy children who are self-confident, spiritually aware, global citizens. Each Sunday, our children 3-11 years old enjoy prayer, story telling, visual arts projects and/or music and movement. Our program is enriching and appropriate for young people regardless of their religious backgrounds. As part of our Sunday program, children get to explore the roots, purpose and meaning of special holidays throughout the year.

The Children's Garden Project 

We welcome individuals who enjoy children and are willing to give of their time once monthly or quarterly. Please call Rev. Marilyn Miller, (805) 640-0498, if you are interested in assisting with the children.

Here is a picture of our hard-working Board of Directors minus President Rick Ricksen who is taking the picture, and Rev. Will Castagna and Robert MacNeal, members of the Advisory Board, who were hard at work somewhere else. I am in deep gratitude for this extremely effective, energetic and dedicated team of individuals!

Please go to www.solsc.org to visit our community website.

Visit SOLSC Facebook 

GRAPEVINE

SIDEWALK SATURDAY, ART FOR ALL AGES, Saturday, June 18th, at Made in Ojai, 323 East Matilija Street, 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon.  Storytelling Theater and Finger-painting. Bring your children!

HEALING DAY AT THE OJAI HOLISTIC HEALING CENTER, 107 W. Aliso Street, Ojai, Sunday, June 26th, from 10:00 until 3:00 PM.  Twenty-minute energy healing and intuitive counseling sessions are being offered by a group of fully trained healing practitioners.  Ten percent of the donation money will be going to the tornado victims in Joplin, Missouri.