"I will love thee, O Lord, my strength and my trust."

Psalm 18:1

Happy Thanksgiving! The heart is full. God is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer, my strength and my shield. God is the horn of my salvation and my high tower. Everywhere I am, there It is.

When I contemplate the love of God, all is right in my world. All is peaceful. All is sacred. All is holy. In the freshness of the morning hours, my mind is quiet. Breathing in and breathing out, more and more peace lives in the midst of me. I rest in the stillness, so grateful for this blessed encounter with my authentic Self.

This is the truth of my being. There is nothing to push against. In this moment, I am an opening for greater expression. The tightness of trying to protect myself from whatever I might fear is dissolved. I am free to be me; but it is an awakened, vibrant me! I am fearless and yet a participant in the world along with everyone else. I have nothing to prove to anyone.

Oh Sweet Spirit, can I possibly contain more? That would be my only desire--to be more of Love. This is bliss--to know myself as Love so completely, to be so fearless, and to know that all is right in my world. Everything is taken care of. I am my true self.

So much to be grateful for, so much to praise God for, so good to be so true. Peace Beloveds, Sweet Peace.

Our affirmation for the day: I awake to my true identity as Divine Spirit. I will love thee, O Lord, my strength and my trust.

In loving gratitude,    

Rev. Karen Wylie

Gratitude and Thanksgiving

Thank you Ray Davis for the musical bliss this past Sunday! Ray writes his own songs and what a gift in the delivery. It was a fun-filled morning.

A big thank you to Rev. Jeannie Fitzsimmons who played her Native American flute for us also on Sunday. What an amazing, peace-filled, beautiful addition to our morning service.  

Thanks also to Rev. Will Castagna who was our speaker this past Sunday. His inspired talk helped us to truly move into the spirit of gratitude.

In addition, we send a special thank you to Leslee Goodman for her excellent news releases about what's happening at the Symphony of Life! Rev. Karen presented her with a "Who I Am Makes a Difference" blue ribbon for her wonderful service to our spiritual center. Thank you Leslee!

Volunteer of the Month for November 

Our Volunteer of the Month for the month of November is Bonnie Weed. Bonnie is the mastermind behind the new changes and enhancements to our website. She was also a key person in the creation of our first membership directory. She serves on the Board of Directors and whenever anything needs to be done, Bonnie is one of the first persons to raise her hand to volunteer. On top of all that, she is brilliant at what she does and a true God-send to the Symphony of Life.

Graduates from the SOM 102 Class

The graduates from Rev. Karen's SOM 102 Class were so proud to show off their poetry and musical talents on Sunday, November 6, and Rev. Karen was indeed proud of them! Chris Prideaux read her poetry and Patricia Cardinali wrote a song which all the students sang. Rev. Karen will be teaching "Tools for Spiritual Living" in January for those who haven't yet taken that class.  

Symphony of Life Cinema Night

Join us tonight, November 18, for the movie "Happy." This is a free event (love donation appreciated). Meet at Casa de la Luna, 710 So. La Luna, Ojai 93023. Doors open at 6:30 PM; film showing at 7:00 PM. Discussion afterward. Chairs are provided but bring a folding chair if you would like or cushions to sit on the floor. Invite your friends! For more info or questions, contact Leslee Goodman (805) 625-1031 or Rev. Karen (805) 640-3743.

Annual Congregational Meeting 

Our Annual Congregational Meeting will take place on Sunday, December 11 right after our regular church service. Lunch will be served. There is one Board position which we will be filling this year. If you are interested in joining the Board of Directors of the Symphony of Life Spiritual Center,
please see one of the members of this year's nominating committee, Rick Ricksen, Tiese Quinn or Rev. Karen Wylie.

Sacred Service Saturday

Our fourth Sacred Service Saturday will be held tomorrow, November 19, from 9:00 AM to 12:00. We will be working on the grounds at the Krishnamurti Foundation, 1098 McAndrew Road. Lunch will be provided. We need you! Many hands make light work. To sign up, or for more information, contact Brian Pavelko, (805) 540-9635, or Rev. Karen at (805) 640-3743 .

Interfaith Christmas Eve Service

The Symphony of Life will celebrate Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24, at Meditation Mount again this year. We will be offering a joyful, love-filled Interfaith Service at 7:00 PM followed by an appetizer and dessert potluck social. Bring your favorite appetizer or desert to share. Celebration, music, readings, and fellowship! Bring your family and friends! All faiths are welcome.

Symphony of Life Book Club

Our new book club selection for the month of November is The Heart Mender - A Story of Second Chances by Andy Andrews.   Start reading now so you'll be ready for our next meeting on Friday, December 2. We meet at 6:00 PM and our meetings are a potluck so bring a dish to share. All are invited to join in at any time. Contact Peggie Williamson at (805) 640-2450 for more information.

Teachers/Facilitators for Our Youth Program 

We would like your help in our Youth Program even if you can only help out one Sunday a month or every couple of months. We have such a variance in the ages of our children in the program....often lots of babies.....and older children as well. Our children are important to us, and we want to provide a wonderful experience for them. We need your help!

Also, if anybody out there in newsletter land has a baby gate, we would love you to donate it to us for use in our children's area.

Birthday Babies for November

Our birthday babies for November are Rev. Jeannie Fitzsimmons and Steve Weed. They are pictured below with Rev. Marilyn Miller and Todd Chandler.

Special Request

We would like to start making CD's of our service. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in helping us with that project, please give Rev. Karen a call at (310) 968-8928. We know you are out there!

Open Invitation  

New YouTube Video 

Check out the home page of our website to see our YouTube Video!

Visit our SOLSC Website

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

Visit SOLSC Facebook

THE 21ST ANNUAL HOLIDAY BASKET BRIGADE is here again! It will be held on December 4, 2011, at 1:30 PM. The group will meet in the lobby of the Ojai Valley Woman's Club. Feel the true spirit of the holidays! Bring joy to the lives of others by helping acquire or buy holiday food and/or gifts and then helping to anonymously deliver them door-to-door as a surprise to low-income families or seniors. Here's your chance to deliver gifts like Santa! Your tax-deductible donation makes this great event possible. (100% of donations go to recipients.) Please consider helping to purchase food/gifts or discuss funding or arranging for a particular item for each family/senior. To contribute or for more information, contact justine@justinewynn.com , (805) 640-5148. Also, you can check out http://holidaybasketbrigade.shutterfly.com to find out more about the Basket Brigade.