CENTRE OF LIGHT
DIVINE SCIENCE EXTENSION CAMPUS

  APRIL 2006 NEWSLETTER

MINISTERS
Helen Penfold
Mallory Kretzmann

FOUNDER
Rev. Dr. June Jones

I was tidying my study at home; and it always amazes me how papers accumulate so rapidly. During this process of sorting, I always seem to get sidetracked somehow and every so often stop to read through information I had forgotten I’d filed away. Well, I came across the following quote from George Bernard Shaw:-

“This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one, the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making me happy.

I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and, as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live.

I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I’ve got to hold up for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.”

How many of us think of life as a splendid torch to be held up to burn as brightly as possible? How many of us really resonate with the idea of being ‘all used up’ when we die? Too often we are caught up in the idea of the world owing us a living, and as a result experience only resentments or regrets. I find Shaw’s words inspire us to be what we are in Truth. Each of us has a purpose as we, through individual consciousness, contribute to the whole. Therefore when we live our Truth, as children of God, heirs to the kingdom, then we will be holding up that splendid torch. And it will be by example of choosing to abide in this Presence that is with us always, that we will automatically be passing it on to future generations.

Remember the Light is within, and it is through conscious recognition of it that we shine it forth into the world. This is our purpose, (our work) to be about our Father’s business; allowing that which is true to be expressed through us.

Opportunities for personal spiritual growth are offered at our Centre throughout the year and we encourage you to take advantage of the classes and workshops. Currently we are running a Lenten Season Course, and Divine Science Bible - New Testament classes. Details of the next classes to be presented are listed below.

DIVINE SCIENCE BASIC PRINCIPLES CLASS:

This class, presented by Mallory Kretzmann, will commence on Thursday 04 May at 7.15pm. Over the 10 weeks these classes, forming the foundation upon which the other classes are built, offer practical application of universal spiritual principles. The student’s faith in an ever-present Presence is awakened, giving individuals the opportunity to live all aspects of life more effectively. A pre-requisite for the other classes, the investment for the course is R200-00 per person with an additional fee for the text book. A notice with list for names is up on the board in the hall.

4 WEEK COURSE OFFERED BY TEACHERS IN TRAINING:

Sandra Ritchie and Ben Durham are offering a 4 week course, based on Joel Goldsmith’s book, “Practicing the Presence”. This course is scheduled for May and further details will be on the notice board. All are welcome and we encourage you to support these two enthusiastic students of Truth. The cost is R40-00 for the course.

DIVINE SCIENCE MEDITATION CLASS:

Helen Penfold will be presenting this class after the above course has been completed.

ONE DAY WORKSHOP:

Choose love instead of fear and through this experiential workshop on FORGIVENESS, find your inner Peace, Power and Joy. Presented by Mallory Kretzmann, the workshop will take place at the Centre on Saturday 20 May.

Time: 9:00am to 5:00pm. Investment: R125-00 per person. Bring a packed lunch – tea, coffee and juice will be available. Sign up on the list on the notice board.

News from the ACT Social Committee

2006 has got off to a slow start events wise. We did have a Valentine’s Dinner in February and all who attended enjoyed it. The calendar for the following two months is as follows:

16th April, Easter Sunday – There will be a tea after service with an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids. Tea will include Hot-cross Buns, cakes, sandwiches, hot chocolate and marshmallows. A small donation at the time will be appreciated. Please join us, bring your kids and don’t have a large breakfast.

End April / Beginning May – Music Trivia evening. Lynne MacKenzie is back from the U.K. for a few months and once again has kindly offered her services in running a Music Trivia evening. The exact date has still to be finalised but we will let you know.

26th May – Moonlight Market. This has proved to be a fun event the last two years and will be back this year by popular request. However an event of this scale does not come without its share of work, so once again the committee is asking for help. Volunteers will be needed, some very soon to help with stallholders and advertising and others as the day draws nearer, so please add your name to the list on the ACT notice-board or phone Chris on 082-852-3031. You can use the same contact if you wish to reserve a stall (cost will be R60 this year).

As you can appreciate, organizing these events requires a certain amount of effort, which is generally supplied by the Social Committee. Recently, through various reasons, the number of committee members has decreased and we are feeling the pinch. We would like to increase the numbers again, so anyone interested in joining the committee and having a bit of fun and doing a little work, please give Chris a call on 082-852-3031.

The Committee would like to thank all who have supported our events in the past and look forward to seeing you at future events.

SPIRITUAL CINEMA CIRCLE:

MOVIES WITH HEART, MOVIES WITH SOUL; MOVIES THAT INSPIRE, HEAL AND TRANSFORM OUR LIVES

The Association of Creative Thought invites you to the next viewing of its Spiritual Cinema Circle DVDs.

Friday 7 April at ACT at 19h15

The Face: Based on the traditional Zen story The Magic Seed, this wonderful tale for the whole family was directed by Iain McCaig, the brilliant mind behind the art concepts of the last three Star Wars films. Written by James Baldwin, directed by Iain McCaig. 23 minutes in English.

Soulmates: When Dean gets fired from his job as composer on a big Hollywood film on the same day that his fiance walks out on him, he finds himself at rock bottom: the perfect place to begin his journey. A beautiful film about family, rejection, love and

perseverance, Soulmates has a score for the heart that you won't soon forget. Written and directed by Duane Clark. 99 minutes in English.

Entrance: R15,00

HELEN’S EASTER LETTER:

Please take note of Helen's Easter greeting, giving details of our special Easter Service and Vigil. In the case of e-mail recipients, it will be on a separate attachment.

In closing …… I share with you these words from Henry David Thoreau’s Essay: “Walking”

“Above all, we cannot afford not to live in the present. He is blessed over all mortals who loses no moment of the passing life in remembering the past.”

Bountiful Blessings
MALLORY