Bring a Friend Sunday

How did you find your spiritual center? Many people first came to a Center for Spiritual Living because a friend invited them. It wasn't exactly my way, but I am glad I found us.

Dr. Tom Costa wrote a chapter in one of his books, entitled, "Seven Words That Changed My Life." The seven words were, "Meet me at church this Sunday, huh?" He says that the moment the minister started talking he knew he was home. The friend disappeared from his life but Dr. Tom had found his way to his spiritual home.

My way was slightly different. I had a couple of transformational spiritual experiences and then went looking for a group of like-minded individuals. Obviously this was before the internet. I looked in the Religion Section of the Edmonton Journal  and circled two prospects for that Sunday. 

What caught my attention in the first church were the words: "Come and experience God's joy!" It said joy! I thought they know that God is real here. My husband and I bundled up, winter in Edmonton is very cold, got in our car and drove to the church. Something stopped me from going into the church. I wanted to observe for awhile first. We saw many people getting out of their cars and going into the church -- none of them had even a slight smile , not to mention a grin or laughter. When my husband asked if we were going to go in, I answered no. The writer of the ad may have felt God's joy but it was missing from the faces of all the people who were going to attend services at that church that morning.

The second Center had a name that appealed to me -- the Living Enrichment Centre. I thought it might be the one. We got settled and the service began with a prayer. I felt waves of home-coming, gratitude and joy. I knew I had been guided there. The funny thing was when the minister started her message, I found it full of errors. In my mind, I was picking it all apart. I was mentally gone! Next, was the idea on my mind. Then the minister's husband prayed again and again I felt the feeling of well-being, of appreciation and gratitude. I was home. How wonderful for me, and the path I was on, that I didn't run out because I didn't agree with everything the minister said. (By the way, after many years of study, I know she was speaking words of Truth!)

Spirit guided me to my first New Thought experience. I was brought by my most trusted Friend!

This Sunday, Centers for Spiritual Living is encouraging everyone in all Centers to bring a friend to the Center this Sunday. If we do so we are further invited to take a quick picture with the friend and send it to Centers for Spiritual Living to see how many of us chose to play the game with them.

I think it is a great idea!

Remember Dr. Tom Costa's story. You could be changing your friend's life forever! We will have an exceptional service for everyone: My message is from the theme "Back to the Basics" and is entitled "The Thing Itself." Students of our philosophy will know immediately what that means. For those of you who do not know, what a great day to find out! 

On top of the great message, our guest vocalist is the amazing, Daniel Nahmod! We are really looking froward to seeing him.

Really, this is what my message is all about:

Where in the World is She?

I am preparing to fly to Costa Rica for my nephew's wedding. I am very excited and feel blessed and honored to officiate. This is the third nephew who has asked me to be part of the wedding party. Each one has been different. I love weddings. I love to be part of them. I believe the vows a couple makes to one another are sacred and one can always feel God's presence wherever there is Love.

My first experience, only a year into ministry, was my oldest nephew. I was asked to play piano for the wedding. (I guess that my ministerial consciousness had not fully blossomed.) I took my responsibilities very seriously. I have never practiced so much for anything! I think my rehearsal time was approximately 120 hours for a seven-minute gig plus prelude and postlude. 

The second wedding was a few years later and I was asked to participate jointly with the local minister. Both of those weddings had taken place in Saskatoon, Canada. 

This time, I was asked to officiate and I am thrilled. it has been such fun to envision my nephew and his fiance repeating their promises to each other in such an exquisite setting.When I talked to them about marriage, they both declared to be each other's best friend. I think this is a great place to start! their wedding invitation includes this quote from A.A. Milne's , Winnie the Pooh:

"'Well be friends forever, won't we, Pooh?'  asked Piglet"
"'Even longer,' Pooh answered." 

 Longer than forever is exactly the right length of time to commit to love one another; it is exactly how long we are all loved by the Divine Presence.

This will be my first trip to Costa Rica. I hear it is beautiful.The wedding will take place at the Dreams Las Mareas Resort. The pictures of the resort are spectacular! This is the first destination wedding in which I have participated. (I think that is ironic, since we LIVE in a destination spot!)

I am really going to take a vacation. So although I might peak at email or texts, I do not plan to be available. That does not mean I don't love you. I do!

I will see you all on the 10th of April.

Until then, please bless the happy couple Ryan John Mitchell Clark and his fiance, Anra Lee. They will be getting married on the beach overlooking the ocean at 4:00 PM on April 5, 2016.

Anra Lee and Ryan Clark

The Gift of Friendship

Over the years I have noticed something strange about myself. i was always a very sensitive child...at three years old sobbed about Bambi's mother being shot when the story was being read to my older sister. I still make certain I have lots of tissues in my purse when I go to the movies no matter whether going to an animated feature or a love story. I can easily put myself in the characters place and feel their heartbreak or despair. 

However, in my own life letting myself feel and express sadness is almost impossible now. I don't know when it started but I do not like it. I don't want to feel cold-hearted or unresponsive.

I feel like there is a iceberg around my heart. I want to cry, but I can't. It feels fake, forced and inauthentic. What has happened to me?

Maybe the events of life have hardened my heart, or maybe they have desensitized me to the facts.

I wonder if other metaphysicians feel the same way.

My twenty-plus year friendship with Dr. Jane Claypool is a heart-wrenching example. I benefitted so much from my years of friendship with Jane.We laughed together often. We prayed together often. I wonder if we cried together. Right now I do not know.

Please stand with me for an open heart, unprotected and ready to give and receive love. In the 198o's a group of Canadian singers recorded the song "Tears are Not Enough." They may not be enough but they are a start.

How my middle school daughter found her way back to church

My daughter now finds joy, friendship and connection at the Center thanks to the Middle School Group meetings.

I began attending the Center for Spiritual Living when my oldest daughter was just starting first grade and my middle daughter was in preschool. They loved coming to see Rev. Pattie every Sunday. In fact, they asked almost daily, "Are we going to church today?"

Imagine my dismay when my middle daughter, now a preteen, said, "Can I just stay home from church today?"

"NO!" I said in complete shock.

I believe that at least once a week my girls need to connect with our spiritual center and that was non-negotiable. I am the parent so I set the rules, right? Well, she challenged and I explained my decision week after week, until I finally talked to Rev. Pattie. Yes, I called in the big guns!

Rev. Pattie listened. She considered my struggle. Then, she went to the source. She called several middle schoolers together to uncover the problem. You see, my preteen wasn't the only one expressing discontent. I wasn't the only parent battling the dragging feet.

In her wisdom and armed with information, Rev. Pattie concluded that what our preteens really wanted was greater connection. She explained, "Once a week isn't enough time to build connections."

The next week, Rev. Pattie started the Middle School Group on Tuesday afternoons. The first Tuesday four girls attended. Then they invited a few friends. And they invited more friends. Soon, the Middle School Group grew to 10 to 12 preteens, laughing, playing, building connection.

When I asked my daughter why she likes Middle School Group she says, "Because it's fun." Then, I questioned, "Why do you like hanging out with Rev. Pattie?" The answer..."Because she's fun." Hummm...I'm seeing a trend, aren't you?

I recognized right away the wisdom in Pattie's solution. We all need to feel connected. We all want a sense of belonging and to know that when we show up we will be greeted by people we know and like. And, I think the preteen insecurities only magnify that longing. When we only show up on Sunday, the process takes longer. But, if we get an opportunity to be social, well, those friendships just bloom.

Is it easier to get my daughter to church on Sunday now? Yep! Has our preteen room grown in attendance? You bet. Is Rev. Pattie one of the wisest women on the planet? Um...like Yeah!

If you have a sixth or seventh grader, stop by the Center's Middle School Group on Tuesdays between 4 and 5:30 to check it out. Everyone is welcome!

Everyone Is Welcome!

Rev. Pattie creates connections with preteens.

At a recent meeting, the Middle School Group created outdoor sculptures with Charlie, a local artist and volunteer.