Immerse yourself in the experience of Evensong, an hour of prayer, meditation, chanting and music to honor the setting of the sun.
When: the 3rd Sunday of each month, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Celebration Center Sanctuary
News
Interspiritual Connections – 5th Sundays at 6:30 pm
Join us in an infinitely meaningful time that draws from many traditions and faiths.
Interspiritual Contemplative Circle offers an opportunity to share, draw from, honor, and abide in faiths and traditions, while we see each other as an instrument, a mirror, a channel, in Agape love, with receptive hearts and minds.
The Sanctuary opens early for those who would like a time of silent meditation. Our time together includes melodic chanting, brief silent meditation, and reflective writing. You are invited to take part, reflect, contemplate, listen to one another, and to share as you choose.
2018 Dates: April 29, July 29, September 30, and December 30
Love offerings welcome.
The Facilitator: Interfaith-oriented since birth, Rev. Channahsorah is an ordained Interfaith Minister and a graduate of the Shalem Institute’s Transforming Community: Leading Contemplative Prayer Groups and Retreats – Going Deeper. Her callings are in bridge-building and fostering mutual understanding among people from various cultures, faiths, and traditions. Invited for 5th Sunday:Â Lata & Ganesh of Mohanji Group.
Celebration Center for Spiritual Living is a multi-cultural spiritual community with shared commitments to love, service, and authenticity—all working towards a world that works for everyone.
A Must-See Video from Teen Camp!
Dear Beloved Field,
It was an amazing week of transformation on the mountain for the recent Centers for Spiritual Living Summer Teen Camp. The theme for this year was “your God is showing.”
God showed Itself in innumerable special moments. One of the most poignant was when five of our young men came on stage and shared their story via spoken word/rap. The bravery of these young men in stating their truth relative to their everyday life is touching, inspiring, and thought provoking.
Certainly, we are all aware that so many of our youth, and especially those of different ethnicities, are perceived and treated in our society today. This video speaks to that. We have created this video for you to share and show in your center so as to start a dialogue regarding this subject.
After eight days with 280 incredible teens and 75 adults at CSL Teen Camp, one thing has become very clear — we must leave our world on a better trajectory for our children and youth. As conscious metaphysicians, we have the tools to impact consciousness, and we have the capacity to take steps to do so.
As you will see in the video, Centers for Spiritual Living provides tools for our youth and children to see themselves in a healthy light. We believe it is time to provide them with so much more!
We trust you will enjoy this video and will use it in a manner that furthers the evolution of our movement.
Oh…………..and your God is showing!
Peace and Blessings,
Dr. Kenn Gordon Dr. Keith Cox
Spiritual Leader Youth Events Manager
World Ministry of Prayer – “Now is the Appointed Time”
I have been sitting with this, waiting for the right time and listening for what the message was that wanted to be expressed, regarding the events that have been going on over the last week. I had to sit and process through the pain, the anger and most of all the disappointment. The waiting is over, the fog has lifted, and now is the time for me to speak. I must say I find it interesting that these recent events have occurred during the week that the nation celebrated 4th of July, Independence Day. Oh yes, now is the appointed time.
I can only express from who I Am, a Black Man, living in America, serving Centers for Spiritual Living as the Manager for World Ministry of Prayer. Yes, now is the appointed time for me to use this platform for something other than announcing upcoming trainings or events. Thank you Rev. Carolyn Douglas. I heard you.
Let us not be fooled, we are at war here folks. As evidenced by the events in Dallas, Texas. And let us be clear here, this is a not a battle between white and black or good and evil. It is a battle of consciousness. And this battle is an internal one. Internal to the nation. Internal to ourselves. The phrase jihad was initially longer. It was jihad al nufs, meaning battle of the soul. Yes, this is an inside job.
I know that as Practitioners of Religious Science, which include licensed Practitioners, Ministers and all those who practice the Principles of Science of Mind, some of us may try to fool ourselves by saying that “it is all good” and that “there is nothing to be healed, only truth to be revealed.” However, the truth is, beloveds, there is much to be healed. You see, in order for the Truth to be revealed, we have to heal the blocks, whatever they may be, that would act to block the divine revelation of Spirit from being brought to light.
This sickness of racism against people of color has been plaguing this great nation of ours for close to four hundred years. Yes, four hundred years. No, this sickness, this disease is not new. With the technology of today, the effects of this sickness have been boldly put in our faces like no other time in history. And truthfully speaking, this is a good thing. This a good thing because we need to see the condition of this body we call America. We need to see where we are called to do our work. We need see that putting our heads in the sands of spiritual bypass no longer serves us, or the greater good of humanity.
If there has ever been a call to prayer, this is it. And now is the appointed time to answer that call. I am not saying that we just get together and pray in our communities. This is indeed greatly needed and highly encouraged. However, we have to go deeper, we have to go beyond that. We are called to go deeper in our prayer work for ourselves. We are called to treat ourselves to uncover any and all discord within ourselves. We are called to pray for the courage to look at ourselves and heal whatever needs to be healed. Then after that, we are called to be the healing presence of the Divine wherever we go, and to be that healing presence in the ways that only we can on an individual basis. As Dr. Kenn stated, this is a call to act. It is written that faith without works is dead.
Dr. Holmes taught that we are to treat then move our feet. My beloved friends and colleagues, now is the time to get busy. Now is the time to put aside, for good, all of our petty gripes about how the organization is run or not run. Now is the time to stand together as a united front, as Centers for Spiritual Living, proclaiming that we are here for Love. That we are here for Peace. That we are here for God.
Now is the appointed time to have dialogue for the purpose of seeing the differences in people. Then to accept and celebrate those differences without judgment or agenda. Now is the time to ask ourselves; how may I serve today sweet Spirit. Now is the time to take a bold stand for what is right. Not just for one race of people but for all the races that make up this divine family called the human race.
To repeat what Dr. Kenn stated: If you or anyone in your community needs prayer, please seek out a CSL Center, a Practitioner or contact the CSL World Ministry of Prayer: worldministryofprayer.org. You can also send email prayer request to: 1prayer@csl.org.
If you would like to learn more about how you and your community can be part of the solution to racism, please contact the diversity commission for a training in your center.http://diversity.csl.
Do whatever works for you,, and do it today. Your consciousness is needed.
My beloved friends and colleagues, now is the appointed time and we are the ones appointed to make the change. Join me and thousands of others in knowing the Truth. In spite of the appearances, there’s a healing going on, and it is going on right here and right now.
I am grateful for a time such as this. I am grateful because we get to practice what we say we teach.
And always remember; Life is Precious, handle with prayer.
Peace and Abundant Blessings,
Eugene
Message from Dr. Kenn Gordon – Let Us Raise Our Consciousness and End This Senseless Violence
A Letter from Dr. Kenn:
Let Us Raise Our Consciousness and End This Senseless Violence
Our hearts are broken open once again by senseless violence and unjustifiable use of force against African Americans in the United States. Alton Sterling and Philando Castile are the latest names added to a list that is far too long. Like many, I am tempted to decry a growing epidemic, but in truth this violence is not new. What is new is social media and cell phone cameras that have raised the level of general public awareness of a persistent issue. And let us be clear about what the issue is; this is not a policing issue, nor is it not a gun issue. This is a consciousness issue. Our modern technology is giving us a gift. The gift to see what is really going on. Our social media reveals that which has always been true – that we are all connected. To quote Mother Teresa “we belong to each other.” Through this connection we see the devastating pain and discomfort that comes when we engage in behavior that breaks the bond of that inherent spiritual connection. We must be willing to be uncomfortable and stay uncomfortable. What do we do as we sit in this discomfort once again?
Of course we pray. We pray not to take the pain away, but to enter into it and ask it to speak to us. It is time to come together to feel our collective pain so that we may reestablish our sacred covenant of belonging to one another. Once established in this bond we must act in accordance with it. This not just a call to prayer, this is a call to act. To act in affirmation of our sacred connection with the One Life of all. This is a time to affirm that all life is sacred. That #BlackLivesMatter and to do what is ours to do in helping create a world that works for everyone.
I encourage you to take time to pray and I encourage you to take time to discern what you can do to add to the awakening of humanity to its spiritual magnificence. There are many resources online to better educate ourselves of racism, white privilege and social action. We all can do something, read a book, take a class, join a movement….and we must. There are no quick and easy answers, there is only the measure of our willingness to create change.
If you or anyone in your community needs prayer, please seek out a CSL Center, a Practitioner or contact the CSL World Ministry of Prayer: worldministryofprayer.org
If you would like to learn more about how you and your community can be part of the solution to racism, please contact the diversity commission for a training in your center.http://diversity.csl.
Advice for White Folks in the Wake of the Police Murder of a Black Person
And for immediate possible action.
https://www.facebook.com/
Peace and Blessings,
Dr. Kenn Gordon, Spiritual Leader
Spirituality & Spring Rolls: A monthly lunch chat to enrich, empower, and discover
Feed body and soul among new friends as we nestle in a quiet alcove of the elegant, meditative space of a restaurant named Present. With a bubbling fountain beside us and twinkling stars overhead, we will explore together questions like these:
- Who am I really?
- Can I use my thoughts to bring forth more good in my life?
- How can I expand the flow of divine guidance?
- What does it mean to be fully present?
- How can I best serve?
Although it is moderately priced, several reviewers have called Present a hidden jewel and the area’s best Vietnamese restaurant. Its menu encourages mindfulness for full enjoyment of the whimsically-named dishes like Smokey Petal, Pilgrim on the Beach, or Gregarious Lemongrass Chicken. Tasty vegetarian and vegan options are available. Entrees from $9. See menu.
Your hosts are several folks with long experience on the spiritual path and deep respect for all religions. No dogma or right answers, but a special interest in mature expression of New Thought — Â Ancient Wisdom. On any given Sunday your fellow diners may include interfaith chaplains and ministers, practioners/ministers of New Thought, and those intrigued by integral metaphysics.
You buy your lunch, we add a complimentary spring roll for all those who rsvp. Please specify vegetarian or prawn & pork when you sign up at our Celebrating Spirituality Meetup event. You will also find there instructions for ordering and paying for your meal ahead online.
We are eager to meet you and hear of your journey!
Second Sunday of each month
1 pm
Present Restaurant
6678 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22042
(at the intersection with Annandale Rd)
Dance Your Prayers
A Sacred Sock Hop
Freestyle Dancing  with a Sacred Intention
Monthly, normally on 4th Saturdays
Next: Saturday Nov 26
7-9 pm
Celebration Center for Spiritual Living
2840 Graham Road, Falls Church VA
ample free parking
$15
Bring your intentions and join us as we dance them into the present moment. We’ll circle up to introduce ourselves and the intentions we’ll be dancing for.  We’ll surrender to the beats of world music ranging from Hindu chants to African drums to techno pop and maybe even a golden oldie or two. Wear loose or yoga-style clothes and appropriate shoes (barefoot dancing OK). Appropriate for all fitness levels and faiths (including those who consider themselves “spiritual,” rather than identifying with a specific religion).
Our Hosts
Rev. Raymont Anderson
is a much-loved interfaith minister and holistic motivational coach. He holds multiple degrees in movement and the performing arts and is founder of the theatrical company B.E.L.I.E.V.E. He authored “Visual Music: Interpreting music in American Sign Language” and “Moving Mountains: The Journey of Transformation.”
 Jenn Fay
 knows the amazing results of sacred dance. It is a powerful means of accessing wisdom and support for any challenge. As a licensed spiritual counselor she knows the power of setting intentions for every area of life, and she encourages those she works with to bring their deepest desires into all their spiritual practices. Whether she is guiding others in yoga, meditation, dance, or writing, she has a steadfast vision to help people relax into a creative awareness about new possibilities for a more meaningful and joy-filled life.
Teri Murphy was inspired to design this series by her participation in the passionate praise at Black Christian churches. How could we integrate that electric energy in a spiritually open context?
Cheryl Sabo is director of Music Together Vivo and Harmony Within Yoga. Â She leads classes and workshops in YogaDance, yoga, and early childhood music in Virginia and nationally.
Ask a question, RSVP, or suggest a song for our next playlist
The Global Vision
Each month in 2016, we will be focusing on a different aspect of the Global Vision. Join us as we explore.
We see a world that works for everyone
- Where all life is honored as expressions of the Divine
- Where people live according to spiritual truth
- Where humanity awakens to spiritual magnificence
- Where humanity rediscovers personal creative power
- Where we live as one global family
- Where kinship with all life prospers
- Where unity and connection is emphasized
- Where forgiveness is the norm
- Where spiritual guidance is valued
- Where we are called to conscious social action
- Where people have enough food, homes and a sense of belonging
- Where there is peace, harmony, and justice for all.
- Where resources are valued, cared for, and shared
- Where communities are meaningfully involved in service to the world
- Where there is a renewed emphasis on beauty, nature, creativity, art, and aesthetics.
Celebrating Mandela…
Botlhale Boikanyo celebrated Nelson Mandela during “South Africa’s Got Talent” show.
Watch it here:Â http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5xhWXzRFks