Greetings and Happy New Year!
Are you ready for your BEST YEAR YET? Mary and I sure are! As we move into 2018, I am filled with gratitude for all of you and am absolutely delighted to be your minister. Thanks to all who helped make the Christmas Candlelight service amazing, to all who contributed so generously to our December Outreach project for Precious Child, and to all of you who gave even more generously at the end of the year. CSL Boulder Valley starts 2018 vital, healthy, prosperous, and growing.
And, haven’t you just loved our music lately? Karen Karsh is doing a wonderful job as Music Director and I’m looking forward to the great music and musicians she’ll bring to us this year. Thank you, Karen! And a special thanks to Jay Burch for coordinating our Third Thursday Forums which have been fascinating, inspiring, and well attended. I know Jay has some great programs planned for 2018, so be sure to put 7-8:30 pm on your calendar for the Third Thursday of each month.
A number of you have requested a class on meditation, so Lea Alvarado, our amazing Practitioner (and Ministerial Student who will graduate in the spring!) has designed a great six-week class that will be a combination of learning various meditation techniques, practicing those techniques, and class discussion. It’s a powerful class that will take your spiritual practice to a deeper level in 2018.
We have a wonderful new Sunday morning childcare provider. Carole Santaquilana brings not only years of experience, but an amazing background in, and love for, kids’ art, as well as a positive and fun outlook on life. The kids are loving her, and we’ll be seeing more kids’ art on the bulletin board outside the kids’ room.
Our end of the year services were great – we had not one but two Solstice services, our traditional Christmas Candlelight Service, and a sweet and powerful World Peace Meditation Service early on the morning of December 31st, followed by our regular Sunday service where we released what no longer serves us from 2017 and opened to Spirit’s call for each of us in 2018. And then, of course, we shared an amazing potluck. I love it that we have Potluck the last Sunday of each month – it’s such a great time to share laughter, good food, and good conversation.
Our theme for 2018 is 100 Years of Science of Mind and our January theme is Living the Science of Mind. We are blessed with powerful teachings that never get old, and in fact seem more relevant with each passing year. I love that our teaching is so practical, providing tools for living joyful, prosperous, and loving lives.
Coming up this month, we have our Annual Congregational Meeting on Sunday the 21st. We’ll look at how we’ve made a difference in 2017 and where we’re headed this coming year. It’s a time to share your thoughts and opinions and have your voice heard. Let me know if there’s anything you’d like to make sure we have on the agenda. And if you are feeling called to be more active in the leadership of the Center – as a Board Member – please come and talk to me. CSLBV couldn’t exist without our great Board of Trustees and the heartfelt leadership and service our Board Members provide. Special thanks to all of the Board Members, but especially to Barb Weirich as she completes her term and opens to new growth in her life!
In January, I’ll be in the office on Thursday afternoons from 2:30-5:30, as usual. I’m also in the office at other times by appointment. Feel free to call if you’d like to come in to chat or to pray, or if you have some ideas you’d like to share.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday mornings! Journey joyfully, knowing that you are blessed and you ARE a blessing! Happy, Happy New Year!
Love, Reverend Jyoti
