Volunteer Community at the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa

CSLSR is my Spiritual home and The Bookstore within it is my haven and refuge with my teammates and our supportive and inspiring Bookstore Managers Alicia Carroll and Sue Sandholm. All together, we offer a safe and adventurous portal where congregants can browse and muse about a gift for a friend, child or parent, and especially to mourn or honor themselves in their spiritual journey of milestones and triumphs. People come to The Bookstore feeling opened and inspired by the message and music and feel called to find a book or CD to deepen their learning. One of my greatest joys is to hear a personal story of one of our patrons and fellow seekers, who trust me to hear them in confidence. As people explore the inspiring books, inspirational statues, greeting cards, scarves, clothes, scent, candles, incense, chime hearts and touchstones, mobiles, wall hangings, earrings, necklaces, handmade hats and body warmers they chat and laugh and ask opinions. They are especially thrilled and tickle...

As a Trustee on the board at CSLSR for 1 1/2 years, it has really opened my eyes to what’s going on “behind the scenes” that makes each Sunday service run like a well-oiled machine! The dedicate staff and enthusiastic volunteers help to keep the events, classes and other fun stuff relevant and timely. By the way, in all my years of attending and joining Unity, Unitarian and Science of Mind centers, I have never witnessed so many people wanting to volunteer their time and talents in the service of the Center for Spiritual Living. The leadership skills of the Senior and Assistant Ministers, plus the numerous Reverends, who step up when called upon to lead, is the key to bringing everyone together for a single purpose of helping to make a world that works for everyone. It’s not just attending services and contributing monetarily, but being an active part of the surrounding community with outreach programs and involvement in local happenings. To be trusted with the success of this be...

As a Spiritual Being and student of Science of Mind, I have taken on new roles and identities as I grow spiritually and change. I never imagined myself as President of the Board of Trustees - but here I am! When I became a Trustee in 2024, I had already been a member at the Center for17 years, and a Practitioner for 11 years. I was in service to the Center, and an avid student and teacher’s assistant. However, none of that has been like the unique experience I have had, and continue to have, as a Trustee. Being a Trustee is like being at the grass roots of what is going on behind the scenes at the Center. It is a front row seat into the inner workings behind everything that is happening that seems to run so seamlessly and smoothly to the congregants. As a Trustee, I consider it an honor to read the financial reports, the logistics reports, and the other various reports from those working at the Center - both staff and volunteers. There is so much going on! During the Board meeting...

Our Board of Trustees is made up of members who have chosen to deepen their commitment to our spiritual community through service, leadership, and shared stewardship. Throughout the coming months, we'll be introducing you to some of the people who serve in this important role, offering a glimpse into what inspires them and what Board service has meant in their lives. This month, trustee Mary Munat  reflects on the unexpected joys of serving. Her story offers a look behind the scenes and reminds us that helping shape a spiritual community can be as enriching as participating in it. If Mary's reflections awaken an interest in serving on the Board yourself, we'd be delighted to begin a conversation. Board members are selected from official members with a history of participation, service, and spiritual study. To learn more, contact info@cslsr.org . "I am in my third year on the Board of Trustees and the writer in me has especially enjoyed the opportunity to work on docum...

Now on Sunday Mornings! Are you feeling the conditions of our world calling you to show up consistently in daily life with the deepest connection to Spirit within? Join others in our spiritual community as we share the supportive silence of meditation together, expanding our experience of our spiritual nature always present and guiding, and deepening our connection to one another within our spiritual community and beyond. Facilitated by volunteers from our community, we will be convening every Sunday starting July 19 at 9:30 AM in the upstairs meditation room. A typical session will start with a pray-in of a Spiritual Mind Treatment, a welcoming circle, short reading or poem offered as an option for contemplation, 30 min of silent meditation, optional sharing with loving witnesses, and closing within 1 hour (so you can easily attend the 11AM service). Facilitators from the CSLSR community with rotate each week to help create and hold a loving space with you. Please join us and experie...

Meet the Livestream Team volunteers who make our Sunday Celebration Service available online to people near and far.  Thank you team!