Monthly Archives: December 2023

December 2023 BoT Spot

Welcome to our December BoT Spot!

The Greater Philadelphia Center for Spiritual Living Board of Trustees is knowing abundant joy, peace, and prosperity for you and yours this holiday season and throughout the coming year! The Center has been busy focused on providing opportunities for us to Live, Love, and Learn together this special time of year.

2023 Annual Winter Solstice Celebration was unlike any other! Spirit carved a path for us to really walk our talk of celebrating unity in diversity. It was a musically and spiritually rich night held at the United Church of Christ at Valley Forge at which representatives from various faith traditions reflected on their chosen path’s inspiring perspective on our theme, “From the Deep Dark to the Luminous Light”. We shared the evening, and festive treats afterwards, with congregants and leaders from their communities. The joy it brought to everyone present was palpable. A joy based in hope, truth, peace, and unity.

“Creating a World that Works for Everyone”. We say it so many times, it can become like “wallpaper” if we don’t engage actively in opportunities that manifest it as part of our individual and collective experience. This year’s Winter Solstice was that kind of experience. Special thanks to Dr. Maxine and Rev. Mike for the relationships they have formed with other faith ministries. You both are shining beacons of light, courage, and inspiration in this world.

So, then it was Christmas Eve Sunday. Inspiration Café was all ‘a buzz’ with many people attending in person. Santa and his helper Elf visited, giving out treats to those present. Rev Mike’s talk on “Christmas Merriment” was delivered with his characteristic humility, inspiration, and humor. We had folks join us virtually on our YouTube channel (link here) from Florida, California, Arizona, New Jersey, and locally here in Pennsylvania. All sharing in the season; supporting those who may be having challenges and inspiring each other to do our best for ourselves, others, and the world. If you’d like to join us in-person at the Inspiration Café, please visit www.csphilly.org for available dates and to register.

GPCSL celebrated its 30th year this month!!! Powerful events, life-changing classes, inspiring Sunday Celebrations and far-reaching Love Notes and Daily Conscious Connections, all offer opportunities to engage, share, and to manifest more clearly God’s attributes in our experience and world. Yes, please! As we wind down the year and look forward to 2024, be sure to complete your Annual Intentional Giving Pledge form – just Click here.

Ending the year with 100% of committed 2023 giving received, and knowledge of IGP pledges for 2024 are key to helping the Center plan for the future and continue to provide services and events to our in-person and online community.

Thank you! Many beautiful blessings to you in the new year and thank you for being a part of the GPCSL community.

With much Love and Appreciation,Edie Janik, PresidentGPCSL Board of Trustees

Dec. 26, 2023: From the Pen of Dr. Maxine

We trust your Christmas was as delightful as ours. Rev. Mike and I so loved everything about our Season of Light, from the Winter Solstice Celebration to our in-person Christmas Eve Day gathering with special North Pole Guest and Elf, to our sweet Christmas morning feasting and frolicking with dear ones. It is an amazing experience to invite and allow the Joy of God to express through so many delighting activities, as the Christ Light within our hearts becomes brighter and brighter.

We all continue the celebrations with the coming of the New Year, and you are cordially invited to Rev. Mike’s World Peace Meditation next Sunday, December 31st at 2406 Woodview Way, Malvern, in the temporary offices of AVE apartments. You do need to register on our website, and we ask that you arrive by 6:45, so we may begin the hour on time, then enjoy breakfast together at a nearby restaurant before Rev. Mike and I livestream our 10:30 A.M. Celebration from the Inspiration Café in Paoli.

We are ready to begin a Bright New Year with the conscious intention that Peace, Love, and Joy emerge all around the planet, beginning in our own hearts, families, and communities.

Our livestream this Sunday, December 31st will be a “He Said/She Said,” as we both share our perspectives on “Celebrating a Vision of Peace.” We are now beginning to look forward to our 2024 Theme: “A Whole New World.” Do tune in, if you can, as our Practitioners gather to introduce to you our newest Licensed Practitioner, Dawn Finlayson, in Idyllwild, California. To join our Celebration virtually, click on the orange Watch Live button on our website, www.cslphilly.org at 10:30 A.M. You may wish to scroll through the site to discover many planned activities and events.

As the year draws to an end, you may find there are yet healings and revealings you wish to address, and working in consciousness with a Practitioner can be a wonderful way to address and transform these things with a wise and loving guide. Check out the Practitioner Page on our website, and choose whomever you are drawn to for a personal meeting.

With great love and respect,

Dr. Maxine

Dec. 19, 2023: From the Pen of Dr. Maxine

Surely, you do not need to be reminded that Christmas is fast approaching. Whether or not you feel current with your plans and preparations, it will still be here in six days! Perhaps this would be a good moment to stop, breathe, put everything down, and remember why you are celebrating this occasion. In pausing from busy activities for a brief time and opening your heart to the Divine Heart, you may begin to “feel the love tonight!” It truly is everywhere, and it has the ability to transport you from “busy” to “blessed.”

Even if not every task is accomplished exactly on time or with the finesse you might prefer, what is happening in your heart is far more important than how well the wreath is hanging or what you are selecting for the menu. This is the time of rebirth of hope, of compassion, of a new vision for ourselves and the world. Aligning with the Radiant Light within us, we can begin to feel Its warmth, healing presence, and assurance that the darkness of ignorance is being transcended into the reality of Unity with our Source. Let our days be purposeful, as we allow ourselves to be carried by Love and Joy.

Please come this Sunday, December 24th to our in-person gathering at the Inspiration Café in Paoli, if you are in the area and can register on line in ample time. The Celebration will be livestreamed, as well, but local folks will have the pleasure of experiencing a visit from the Jolly Fellow in the Red Suit and his Elf! Rev. Mike will be speaking on, “Christmas Merriment,” and there will surely be plenty of it here!   To join our Celebration virtually click on the orange Watch Live button on our website, www.cslphilly.org at 10:30 A.M. Do take a tour through our website to see our current events and activities.

Be sure to visit the Practitioner Page on our website, and become acquainted with our fine Practitioners who are trained to work with spiritual tools for any challenges you may face. You may choose any of the six, including the two who are out-of-area but very much involved with our Center. Do plan to tune in online the following Sunday, December 31st, as we officially receive our newest Practitioner, Dawn Finlayson from Idyllwild, California! She will be “live” with us as we livestream our service to you that day.

With great love and respect,

Dr. Maxine

Dec. 12, 2023: From the Pen of Dr. Maxine

There is much to celebrate this time of year and so many warm and wonderful gatherings with family and friends that we must carefully maintain calendars to keep tabs on our joyful commitments. While parties are delightful and catching up with dear ones wonderful, we also remember to rejoice in what this Sacred Season means to us. Our Jewish friends are still commemorating Hannukah, honoring the faith of their ancestors and sharing the Light of Faith with each other. We are preparing for the advent of a New Light coming into the world, as we invite the Christ Consciousness to be reborn in us.

Yes, it is all about illumination, which begins as an internal awakening to the Deep Peace and Radiant Joy that dwell within us all. Let’s all celebrate the shining of the Divine Light in each sentient being, inviting It to grow brighter and stronger in the world. “Ye are the light of the world!”

We will be livestreaming our service from the Inspiration Café in Paoli, Pennsylvania this Sunday, and I’ll be speaking on, “The Art of Celebrating Life.” To join our Celebration virtually, just click on the orange Watch Live button on our website, www.cslphilly.org at 10:30 A.M. Do take a tour through our website to see our current events and activities.

Please go to the Practitioner Page on our website. Not only will you find several wonderfully caring people who will work with you in spiritual mind treatment, but you will also have the opportunity to meet our newest out-of-area Practitioner, Dawn Finlayson from Idyllwild, California! Do tune in to our morning Celebration on December 31st when we officially receive and celebrate her as a new member and Practitioner. She will be “live” with us as we livestream our service to you that day.

With great love and respect,

Dr. Maxine

Dec. 5, 2023: From the Pen of Dr. Maxine

Although plenty of opportunities exist to shake our faith from time to time, it is essential to remember the Unshakeable Presence of Spirit and the Immutable Action of the Law.  Events come and go, upsets arise and disappear, misunderstandings occur and are resolved, and God never changes!  Especially when we find ourselves in the middle of much “doing,” we are wise to celebrate our “being.” This sacred time of year calls us to go more deeply into the Divine, while inviting Peace to work through us in all of our lovely activities.

Let’s keep the Main Thing the main thing this year, going early, often, and repeatedly to our Source of Intelligence and Inspiration, and remembering the Why of these celebrations. We may focus more on our inner preparations for the revelation of the Christ Consciousness to light up within us and simply allow the stringing of lights to remind us of the Love and Wisdom that shines brightly everywhere and at all times.

Last Sunday’s sweet opportunity to gather at the Inspiration Café for an in-person Sunday Morning Celebration will be repeated this coming Sunday, and you are invited! Reservations may be made by going to our website and registering on Breeze or by contacting Linda O’Neill at admin@cslphilly.com.  I’ll be speaking on, “A Festival of Faith.” To join our Celebration virtually, just click on the orange Watch Live button on our website, www.cslphilly.org   at 10:30 A.M. Do take the opportunity to scroll through the pages and find interesting information about the Center, including all our upcoming events and archived Sunday Celebrations and mid-week Love Notes.

We’ll have some great news about our Practitioner Core soon, so keep your eyes and ears open. In the meantime, check the Practitioner Page to find a member of our “God Squad” to assist you with any human challenges, as they have the spiritual tools to help you address and transform them.

With great love and respect,

Dr. Maxine