Monthly Archives: April 2023

April 2023 BoT Spot

Welcome to April’s BoT Spot!

While it may be Spring, and the renewal of life is evident in the emerging greenery and colorful blossoms, each of us walks through these days tending to our own “garden of stuff”. What I mean by that is life brings us challenges in various forms no matter what time of year it is. Science of Mind principles serve as valuable tools in the face of these challenges, as does our GPCSL community. I hope you don’t mind if I share a few personal examples…

Spring 2003: A child I care for deeply, as if she was my own, needed emergency surgery for an appendicitis infection. Additional, somewhat scary in my opinion, measures were needed to stem the infection. Mother and I were beyond scared and immobilized with fear. We called the minister at the time of GPCSL for support and treatment from the hospital hallway. Peace overcame us as he spoke to us, and when we returned to the room, our baby was smiling, laughing, and receiving her natural state of wellness. We knew from that point on, all was going to be ok…and it was.

Spring 2006: our maiden voyage on sailing vessel, “Jean Marie”. Small craft advisory in place that we, as novice sailors, were unaware of…but there we were setting off into the Delaware River on our way to Chesapeake Bay. Waters were rough; sailboat was broaching. I was crippled with fear. But then, I remembered the most basic and fundamental Truths: “All is well”. Science of Mind teaches that great good, balance, peace, power (all things I wanted in that moment) and more, are as close as our breath as long as we open our minds and hearts to that Reality. End result: we completed our journey safely and enjoyed a hearty “belly bump” when we arrived at our destination.

Spring 2009:  a lesson in prosperity: I was feeling exhausted and overwhelmed…mentally, physically, and emotionally – With the help of our teaching, I recognized I held a belief that prosperity was only achieved through uncompromisingly hard work, excessive hours of labor and that I was destined to struggle (adopted beliefs from my upbringing and environment). I took a class at GPCSL on prosperity. It totally changed my perspective and as a result, I began to experience greater prosperity while also enjoying greater work-life balance. Everything shifted in a fun and newly welcomed direction.

Spring 2021: (This one is a little harder for me to write about) My brother had been experiencing pain in his stomach. I was on my way to take him to get help, but I didn’t get there before his passing. After calling 911, I called my husband. The next call I made was to our GPCSL minister. Her compassion, support, and treatment were, in that moment and the days that followed, tremendously impactful, bringing me great comfort and “off the rails”.

I know there are people in our community, and elsewhere, that are dealing with grief, loss, pain, significant change, and concern. Our minister, practitioners, board, and members support them in various ways and always with treatment, knowing peace, ease, grace, healing, and the best of all possible outcomes.

Your engagement in the Center’s activities and sharing of your time, talent, and treasure, help us experience Spirit’s truth individually and touch others’ lives in a life affirming and impactful way. Whether it be inviting a friend to an event, sharing a Sunday Celebration online, or passing along a Love Note…you might just be introducing someone to something that will help them find a deeply felt appreciation for the life all around us, as well as a way to stay connected to the Spirit living in and through us, in every moment…and in every season.

Thank you for allowing me to share by your reading this through to the end! My intention is to let those who are not feeling very Spring-like today know they are loved, as well as highlight the positive power of this teaching and community. The impact (and benefit) you and I have as members of this community is meaningful. We want to thank you for all that you do to help the Center continue to be a beacon of Light for our community and others.

Check out the variety of events and classes described above. Dive in and invite others to join you. You’ll be glad you did!

With gratitude and great love,

Edie Janik

GPCSL Board President

 

 

April 25, 2023: From the Pen of Dr. Maxine

It is never “blind faith” that we seek in our spiritual development but deep, true conviction of the Presence which loves and sustains us, in the Law that reproduces our word of Truth, and our ability to declare this Truth into expression.  It is in immersing ourselves in God, the Source from which we came, that our faith deepens and grows. In practicing the Principles of Science of Mind, we enhance our own lives and inspire others to learn to depend upon the Dependable, rather than become entangled in fleeting fears or unstable world events.

Until we move effectively from fear to faith within ourselves, in our families, and our communities, we will not be able to experience true and lasting peace. Realizing that Peace is an eternal attribute of the Divine, we begin to understand that It is always available at any time and in any circumstance. Of course, in our humanness, we can find it difficult to feel the faith, sense the serenity, or let ourselves be lifted up to a Higher View.

Let’s choose to make some progress each day in turning our attention away from doubts and setting positive intentions on all that is life-affirming.  As we invite Spirit to lift us from the external to the Eternal, we live in deep faith and sweet peace. Now, we are able to inspire others to live, breathe, and express Peace in their personal lives and beyond. It is a joy to work with all in our Beloved Community who are moving incrementally and successfully along this spiritual journey. You are a blessing to the world.

Join us Sunday for our in-person Celebration at Inteprod in Eagleville, PA, as we complete our month’s theme: “Inspiration,” our focus being, “Foster Faith; Promote Peace.” If you are not in the area, and wish to catch our live stream, just go to our website www.cslphilly.org and click on the orange “Watch Live” button. Scrolling through the site will bring up interesting events, classes, and archived Sunday Celebrations and Love Notes, as well as more in-depth information about our Center.

Whenever you may feel the need for spiritual assistance, simply go to the Practitioner Page on our website and select whomever you wish to contact. You will be warmly welcomed, and a telephone or in-person appointment will be planned.

With great love and respect,

Dr. Maxine

April 18, 2023: From the Pen of Dr. Maxine

No external change may occur until a shift has taken place in the depth of our consciousness.  A desire for physical health and wellbeing begins with forming a mental equivalent of Wholeness within the mind and heart.  Likewise, our longing for a world of peace, harmony, equity, and abundance can only be fulfilled as we deepen our individual and collective awareness of the Infinite Possibilities that await our recognition of them.

It is wonderful to know that everything we can ever desire is already available and actually germinating within us, just as the oak tree is nascent within the acorn.  As our hearts and minds open to greater ideas and begin to create larger spiritual prototypes, our personal and global experiences become sweeter, more successful, and in perfect alignment with Truth.

As we work diligently and compassionately from the Center of all Possibility within our own hearts, we begin to see those inner changes creating grand and glorious external manifestations all around us. As we approach Earth Day, we find this inner work especially meaningful for our planet, as well as for all humanity. Supporting one another in our Beloved Community, that work becomes joyous and flourishing.

Our Sunday Celebration will be livestreamed this week from the Inspiration Café in Paoli, featuring Rev. Mike Gerdes, as he continues our month’s theme: “Inspiration,” and speaks on, “Be the Change; Cultivate Compassion.” Simply go to our website www.cslphilly.org and click on the “Watch Now” button to join us for an uplifting hour. You may also choose to scroll through the site and find interesting events, classes, and archived Sunday Celebrations and Love Notes.

Although our challenges may at times seem large, or even overwhelming, we remember Ralph Waldo Emerson’s wise words, “There is no great and no small to the Soul that maketh all.” Another way to put this is, “God is bigger than that!”  You may wish to check out the Practitioner Page on our website and select one of our caring and well-trained Practitioners to assist you in opening to a Divine Solution for your human concerns.

With great love and respect,

Dr. Maxine

April 11, 2023: From the Pen of Dr. Maxine

We, as conscious, caring people, continue to bring the best of ourselves to our important spiritual work, personally and globally. As we deepen our faith in the Power that is greater than we are, yet right where we are, the Divine Inspiration moves us forward with Grace.  We understand that it is not we, but the Presence within us that “doeth the work,” and surrendering to this Inner Light invites It to inspire and elevate our work to ever greater success.

The Unimpeachable Wholeness of the Universe, as beautifully stated by Teilhard de Chardin, is the Truth upon which we may depend, as it is only natural for everything to return to the underlying, initial impulse that brings all creation into being. Whether our focus is upon physical, emotional, mental, or situational healing, Spirit is forever lifting us with Love and Wisdom to Wholeness.

It is in changing the direction of our attention from “problem” to “possibility” that we become open and receptive to this Divine Presence and Power, living our lives with deep faith and healthy expectation. We are designed for delight, both in our personal experiences and for the world itself.

Our Sunday Celebration will be livestreamed this week from the Inspiration Café in Paoli.  As we continue our month’s theme: “Inspiration,” we will be focusing on, “Stirred by Spirit; Revealing the Healing.”  As always, you may access it online by going to our website www.cslphilly.org and using the “Watch Now” button. That button can also be used to access our events, classes, and previous Celebrations and Love Notes.

Our dedicated Practitioners are available to help you walk through whatever life challenge you may be experiencing and can be found on the Practitioner Page of our website.  Whomever you select will be happy to work with you, either in person or on the telephone

With great love and respect,

Dr. Maxine

April 4, 2023: From the Pen of Dr. Maxine

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we considered every week, “Holy Week,” recognizing the Presence of Spirit everywhere and within all people? It truly is a matter of perspective and a willingness to see with the Eye of Love (the Eye of Unity) rather than viewing our personal lives and the world in duality. Yes, we are in the midst of honoring the quiet path that leads to the renewal and resurgence of Immortal Life, as Jesus demonstrated. In truth, we needn’t wait until the Easter Season to celebrate the resurrected consciousness of Love and Life.

Every day of our lives can feel sacred, as we turn often to that Precious Presence within us for nurture and guidance, following the Inner Intuition on which we may always rely. Imagine more and more people letting Love nurture them and Light guiding them into the co-creation of a Spirit-filled world in which everyone felt a sense of belonging. When we all can see each other as beautiful, individualized expressions of God’s Life, there will be no more “tug-of-war,” only a “hug-of-oneness. Let’s all rise to a greater consciousness of New Possibilities.

Although we will not be holding an in-person Good Friday Service this year, you may view a previous service to be re-streamed at Noon on April 7th. It also may be viewed later in the day at your convenience. We contemplate the “Seven Last Words of Jesus” from a personal and metaphysical point of view, interspersed with piano and cello music from two talented, young musicians.

We will again be gathering at Inteprod in Eagleville for our beautiful Easter Celebration on April 9th, the presentation being: “Loved and Lifted: Still Rising.” Join your Beloved Community for this wonderful Celebration, which will include special music with Jim Wade and our beautiful Bountiful Bouquet ritual. You are invited to bring a special flower or two that morning to personalize and enrich the bouquet. The Morning Celebration will be live streamed for those who need to access it online by going to our website www.cslphilly.org and using the orange “Watch” button. That button can also be used to access our events, classes, and previous Celebrations and Love Notes.

Feeling too close to problematic situations can make it difficult for us to rise above them. This is the time to contact one of our Practitioners who utilize their training to apply spiritual tools in assisting you in moving beyond the condition. You may find them on the Practitioner Page of our website.

With great love and respect,

Dr. Maxine