Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa

  Evan Dow-Williamson, our facility manager, posted this appeal on Facebook.  It's an invitation to help rearrange the Center sanctuary in preparation for our hybrid virtual-and-in-person services.  So exciting.  Contact Evan at evan.dw@cslsr.org for more information about how you can be involved in volunteering.   It's happening!

Why I assist with Science of Mind Classes I assist in class because I love learning and watching others get excited about the Science of Mind teaching. I’m always amazed at some new nugget of this teaching that catches my eye or the realization of “oh that’s what this is about”! Each class is unique like we are and yet we are all one. To see and experience the inquisitiveness of a student, the engagement of a class, and the deepening of their spiritual awareness is a gift. I feel blessed to be a part of that and the Center. Lorena Fisher, RScP

Why I Serve? by Maggie Cole I’ve been in service to this community for over 30 years. Many many times, I went over board via a belief that in order to be allowed on the planet and set my feet on this earth, I am supposed to work hard. Needless to say, this is a false belief. In assisting in a class decades ago, a student shared something with me after I had told a story of my hard work belief. She said, “you could sit on a rock for the rest of your life and you would be essential to this universe.” This statement changed my life. I continue to serve and I have learned to ask myself, is this mine to do? For decades, I have participated on Sunday Evenings, from drumming with Tom McCurry and Ron Atchison when Ruth Barnhart facilitated her prayer service. I spoke there for many years when other people had taken over. About 10 years ago, Rev. Joyce asked me if I would like to do a Sunday Evening, as everybody else had moved on. I said yes, as I had spoken in many churches in years past, ev

I have been a member of the One Heart Choir since 2006. I love being part of the music ministry at the center. This year has been quite different as the center is closed and the choir has not been able to serve in the usual way. When given the opportunity to participate in making music video's for the Sunday services I jumped at the chance to once again share the joy of singing with the choir. It has been an honor and a blessing to be a part of the virtual music ministry, and I look forward to the day we will sing our hearts out at the center once again.

The things that I volunteer to do at the Center are things that I like to do and which make use of my God-given talents. Since arriving 5 years ago from being very active at a CSL in Morristown, New Jersey, I’ve helped out with publicity and graphic design needs in various ways, but most especially for the Nurturing Our Community program and silent auction, and all that goes into that.  Most especially I enjoyed being a part of the devoted volunteer group that makes up the NOC Committee. I also used to do Sunday announcements from the stage; once I had crossed my fear the first heart-pounding time, I thought it was fun! A new perspective. My current available time is irregular since I take care of my dear granddaughter a couple of times a week, so it is hard to commit to a team effort. I was happy to see “paint electric box” on Evan’s ToDo list and step forward.  Perfect conditions: sun in your eye and leaves falling on wet paint. It was great!

Volunteering is like tapping into an immense reservoir of goodness.  It is a great feeling and helps me feel worthwhile...it is such a positive way of being and has a magical quality.  Jim Morton