Woodland Chapel’s Joyful News There is light at the center of your soul. The fall equinox has come and gone. Here in the northern hemisphere we begin to notice lengthening shadows, evenings of shortened light, and mornings rising in the dark. During October, we also look out on the brightening colors as the trees begin to wrap up their season of growth. They shed the accomplishments of spring and summer. Soon we will see the bare bones of trunk and limbs that form the structure upholding their leafy progress. Almost imperceptibly tree trunks have widened, limbs lengthened, the entire structure of the tree made larger and stronger. This will be more evident as leaves drop to cover our lawns and pathways with the leftovers of nature. From these leftovers, we will mulch our gardens and enrich our compost bins. Yet the opposite occurs during October in the southern hemisphere of our globe. There days lengthen. The signs of spring brighten the landscape with freshening flowers. Crops are planted, fields tended. Light begins its march toward the full, long days that will mark summer weather in December and January. Some of us will seek out the benefit of these longer days by traveling south for the winter or taking cruises that feature warmer, sunnier climes. Growing darkness in the northern hemisphere and growing light in the southern prompt us to consider our individual spiritual journeys. Through the power of choice we are always poised to express either light or dark. We can see changes wrought by life experience as limiting. Or we can see life’s progress revealing the strong spiritual structure that supports us. We can bemoan our troubles or use negative experiences to enrich our human experience, to fertilize our soul’s growth. We always stand at choice. We can focus on the diminished light of negative thinking, “I am not enough, I just never seem to get it right.” Or we can see the brighter light of positive thinking, “I am a confident child of God. I live in joy.” We can see ourselves as stuck in the mud of self-condemnation or we can see ourselves growing up from the earth with increasing strength to the heaven of an aware mind. You already know that you stand in the eternal light of God’s beautiful presence, a light that never diminishes. But you may from time to time lose sight of that bright light. For like the sun that always shines on the earth, it is not the cessation of light that brings darkness to the globe. No it is the inclination, the turning of the planet that brings the dark. So, too, in our spiritual journey, the light of God’s holy presence always shines. It is our turning away from it that brings a sense of separation, a perceived darkness to our souls. As nature reminds you of the many changes you face in life, let it also inspire you to turn toward the light that lives at the center of your soul. This light is your Christ consciousness, your Buddha mind, your inner flame of perfection. Like an eternal sun, it never dims. This light is your true connection to the eternal light and love of God. Here you will find compassion and love enough to brighten every day of your life. Peace and Blessings Always, Rev. Maur October 2013 - Volume XIV, No. 10 First Church of Religious Science Rev. Maur Horton, Executive Officer Woodland Chapel Celebrates Joy! In One Spirit, One Life, One World! Woodland Chapel The Church of Joy!
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Transcript
Woodland Chapel 1
Woodland Chapel’s
J o y f u l N e w s
There is light at the center of your soul.
The fall equinox has come and gone. Here in the northern hemisphere we begin to notice lengthening shadows, evenings of shortened light, and mornings rising in the dark.
During October, we also look out on the brightening colors as the trees begin to wrap up their season of growth. They shed the accomplishments of spring and summer. Soon we will see the bare bones of trunk and limbs that form the structure upholding their leafy progress. Almost imperceptibly tree trunks have widened, limbs lengthened, the entire structure of the tree made larger and stronger. This will be more evident as leaves drop to cover our lawns and pathways with the leftovers of nature. From these leftovers, we will mulch our gardens and enrich our compost bins.
Yet the opposite occurs during October in the southern hemisphere of our globe. There days lengthen. The signs of spring brighten the landscape with freshening flowers. Crops are planted, fields tended. Light begins its march toward the full, long days that will mark summer weather in December and January. Some of us will seek out the benefit of these longer days by traveling south for the winter or taking cruises that feature warmer, sunnier climes.
Growing darkness in the northern hemisphere and growing light in the southern prompt us to consider our individual spiritual journeys.
Through the power of choice we are always poised to express either light or dark. We can see changes wrought by life experience as
limiting. Or we can see life’s progress revealing the strong spiritual structure that supports us. We can bemoan our troubles or use negative experiences to enrich our human experience, to fertilize our soul’s growth.
We always stand at choice. We can focus on the diminished light of negative thinking, “I am not enough, I just never seem to get it right.” Or we can see the brighter light of positive thinking, “I am a confident child of God. I live in joy.”
We can see ourselves as stuck in the mud of self-condemnation or we can see ourselves growing up from the earth with increasing strength to the heaven of an aware mind.
You already know that you stand in the eternal light of God’s beautiful presence, a light that never diminishes. But you may from time to time lose sight of that bright light. For like the sun that always shines on the earth, it is not the cessation of light that brings darkness to the globe. No it is the inclination, the turning of the planet that brings the dark. So, too, in our spiritual journey, the light of God’s holy presence always shines. It is our turning away from it that brings a sense of separation, a perceived darkness to our souls.
As nature reminds you of the many changes you face in life, let it also inspire you to turn toward the light that lives at the center of your soul. This light is your Christ consciousness, your Buddha mind, your inner flame of perfection. Like an eternal sun, it never dims. This light is your true connection to the eternal light and love of God. Here you will find compassion and love enough to brighten every day of your life.
Peace and Blessings Always, Rev. Maur
October 2013 - Volume XIV, No. 10 First Church of Religious Science Rev. Maur Horton, Executive Officer
Woodland Chapel Celebrates
Joy! In One Spirit, One Life, One World!
Woodland Chapel
The Church of Joy!
2 October 2013
Applause There are many people who did
good deeds this past month at
Woodland Chapel. Thank you ...
Michelle Giammatteo for taking photos for the bulletin board.
Andy Byers for spraying the roof for moss and sweeping leaves off the roof at no cost.
Members of the Joyful Singers for their musical contributions.
Members of the Affiliation Committee for gathering information about Centers for Spiritual Living.
Rev. Don for leading the graveside remembrance for Bob Mundt.
The “Prep Team” volunteers for their “before church” activities.
The loyal “Fellowship Kitchen Crew”: Connie, Candy, Donna, Carmen, Michelle, and Phyllis. Ruth TenEyck for work
on our test banner.
Ministry of Prayer
To contact any of the following
people, leave a message at
Woodland Chapel
(503) 362-4139
Reverend Don Kerr
Rev. George Powell, Emeritus
Reverend Maur Horton
Practitioner Connie Walker
Practitioner Kathy Prather
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Carmen Bacho .. October 6
Sharen Bridges .. October 23
Jillian Carson .. October 24
Delores Rocha .. October 28
Vivian Wiser .. October 28
Woodland Chapel sends
birthday cards to our
community members. If you
would like to be remembered in
this way, fill out the form on the
Community Matters table.
MUSIC October 6
Matt Sazima and
Kathleen Walter
October 13 Doc Fleetwood and
Kathleen Walter
October 20
Christine and Rob Elder,
and Kathleen Walter
October 27
Kathleen Walter, Karen
Hansson, and The Joyful
Singers
Sunday Meditation
Schedule
Every Sunday morning at
10:30, Woodland Chapel
presents a Meditation
Service. Each facilitator will
guide you into stillness of
spiritual connection with
their own unique method.
We look forward to you
joining us.
October 6
Special Guest
October 13
Connie Walker, RScP
October 20
Kathy Prather, RScP
October 27
Rev. Don Kerr
SUNDAY SERMONS
October 6
Rev. Madge Hart Peinkofer
Freedom to Believe
October 13
Rev. Barbara Wuest
Go for It
October 20
Rev. Don Kerr
Mistaken Identity
October 27
Rev. Maur Horton
Windows of the Soul, Part 2:
What You Always Wanted
to Hear
Volunteers Needed! Volunteer positions open on the
Sunday Prep Team (1 hour a
month) and on the Kitchen Crew
(before and after church a few
times a month). Contact Phyllis
Kerr or Connie Walker.
We also need someone to help
water the indoor plants. Talk to
Kathy Prather (503 363-3805).
Woodland Chapel 3
WHAT WE BELIEVE*
by Ernest Holmes
We believe in God, the Living Spirit Almighty; one, indestructible, absolute and self-
existent Cause. This One manifests itself in and through all creation but is not absorbed
by its creation. The manifest universe is the body of God; it is the logical and necessary
outcome of the infinite self-knowingness of God.
We believe in the incarnation of the Spirit in everyone and that all people are
incarnations of the One Spirit.
We believe in the eternality, the immortality, and the continuity of the individual soul,
forever and ever expanding.
We believe that Heaven is within us and that we experience it to the degree that we
become conscious of it.
We believe that ultimate goal of life to be a complete emancipation from all discord
of every nature, and that this goal is sure to be attained by all.
We believe in the unity of all life, and that the highest God and the innermost God is
one God.
We believe that God is personal to all who feel this Indwelling Presence.
We believe in the direct revelation of Truth through the intuitive and spiritual nature of
the individual, and that any person may become a revealer of Truth who lives in close
contact with the indwelling God.
We believe that the Universal Spirit, which is God, operates through a Universal Mind,
which is the Law of God; and that we are surrounded by this Creative Mind which
receives the direct impress of our thought and acts upon it.
We believe in the control of conditions through the power of this mind.
We believe in the eternal Goodness, the eternal Loving-kindness, and the eternal
Givingness of Life to all.
We believe in our own soul, our own spirit, and our own destiny; for we understand that
the life of all is God.
*Published 1927
Women of Woodland Chapel
October 10, 2013
The time is fast approaching that the " Women of Woodland Chapel” are
scheduled to start their monthly Brown Bag Luncheon meetings again. The
second Thursday of the month, that is October 10th, we will meet. The discussion
will be about changing the altar drapery. Bring your lunch and we will provide
the dessert. Hope to see you all. ~~ Josephina
4 October 2013
Speaking of Speakers
October 2013
October 6: Rev. Madge Hart Peinkofer last spoke at the Chapel on May 12. Her
topic is Freedom to Believe. She is a New Thought speaker, instructor, and leader in the
community and at the “H.O.M.E. Center Spiritual Living Church and Alternative Healing
Center”. She leads a multi-cultural drumming circle once a month at Woodland
Chapel. She is also a Therapeutic Touch practitioner and energy healer. She has
studied with Dr. Joe Dispenza.
October 13: Rev. Barbara Wuest spoke at our Chapel for the first time on June 16.
She is returning this Sunday to speak on the topic: “Go for it!” Rev. Barbara is currently
the assistant minister at New Thought Center for Spiritual Living in Lake Oswego. She
says: “Joy” is the way it is! “I love to have fun, laugh, and share the many things I have
learned from my life experience and I enjoy hearing about how others have come to
their own spiritual awareness in their lives.”
October 20: Rev. Don Kerr first got into metaphysical thinking as a Theosophist. He
completed his training to become a Religious Science Minister with Rev Mary Midkiff at
Woodland Chapel in 2004. He continues to serve as an Assistant Minister at the Chapel.
He will speak on “Mistaken Identity.”
October 27: Rev. Maur Horton started in metaphysics in 1976 and completed his
training to become a Religious Science Minister with Rev Tony Bonaccorso at
Woodland Chapel. He has served as an Assistant Minister since 1991. He will speak on
“Windows of the Soul, Part 2: What you always wanted to hear.”
November 2, 2013
Save the Date
Our Annual Craft Day is the first Saturday in November. So mark
Saturday, November 2, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on your calendar
and prepare for a day of fun!
Woodland Chapel Website
Have you been on Woodland Chapel’s website recently? Have some fun and explore.
You can listen to sermons you’ve missed or would just like to hear again. Sunday
Meditations given by our gifted staff are also available to enjoy again and again. Our
To participate in Woodland Chapel’s Marketplace, provide us with your business
card and payment made payable to Woodland Chapel. The address is P.O. Box
2103, Salem, OR 97301. Rates are $48.00 for six months and $80.00 for one year.
For more information, call Woodland Chapel at (503) 362-4139.
Melodie Balmer, Massage Therapist with Well Life Healing Arts at (503) 315-9826
Taryn Stevens, Broker with Remax Equity Group at (503) 371-5255
What’s Happening
As you may remember one of our congregants suggested Woodland Chapel could benefit from being part of the Centers for Spiritual Living (CSL). The Board of Trustees then commissioned a committee to report on the possibility of affiliating with CSL.
At the September 15 board meeting, eleven congregants, and four board members listened to the committee’s recommendations and reports. There was a general question and answer session. The board accepted the recommendations.
The Affiliation Committee recommended that:
1. The Board conduct an informational meeting on affiliating with the Centers for Spiritual Living (CSL) in an open forum for the congregation at its next regularly scheduled board meeting on October 13.
2. The Board provide this report to the congregation and give those who request it internet access to all CSL documents available at www.csl.org; username “member” and password “holmes”.
3. The Board disseminate this report ahead of the scheduled meeting, say by October 1.
4. The Board let this information settle with the congregation until all open issues are resolved to the Board’s satisfaction before calling a congregation meeting to vote on affiliation.
The Committee met on four occasions to plan, discuss, and review the process required to affiliate with the Centers for Spiritual Living (CSL). Committee members reviewed relevant documents. The entire committee spoke with the minster in charge of affiliation at CSL by speakerphone at one of its meetings.
Copies of the full report are available on the Community Matters table and electronically by clicking on the Happenings tab on the Chapel's website, www.woodlandchapelsalem.com.
Please plan to attend the October 13 open forum board meeting which will start at about 12:30pm in the chapel library to gain additional insights into the possibility of affiliating with the Centers for Spiritual Living. This is an informational meeting which will feature an update to the committee’s report.