CENTRE OF LIGHT
DIVINE SCIENCE EXTENSION CAMPUS

  JUNE 2006 NEWSLETTER

MINISTERS
Helen Penfold
Mallory Kretzmann

FOUNDER
Rev. Dr. June Jones

I was looking out over the sea the other day. It was a brilliant blue, the sky was clear, and even my water-starved garden looked quite colourful. And I just thanked God for the day and for Life.

For some reason, the question popped into my head …”what proof do we have that God exists?” And I contemplated how I would respond if that question was asked of me at that moment. We know a lot about God from what we hear and read. Yet have we not perhaps in, and from, our own limited human minds created an image of God to suit our own needs?

And how often do we not have more faith in our own ability to “handle things” in life in our “own way”, than in being able to give over or surrender to a supreme being or creator? If we have faith in this way (our own way) then we have faith in something temporary. By trying to cope with the issues in life ourselves, we are actually in a sense, moving away from God ….separating ourselves from God.

When we look at the human race as a whole, do we not find that we have become a very needy species? We need better health; we need wealth; we need love; we need peace; we need joy, and we could go on and on. There is only one great need in our lives and that is the realization of God, and our oneness with It. And there is only one time in our lives to realize that need, and that is now!

Everything is now. The problems or issues we face, and the corresponding solutions to these are now in this moment – they exist simultaneously. We have the words from scripture: “prove me now, sayeth the Lord.” Not prove me next week, or next month, or next year, but prove me now! And again we get caught up in wanting to prove God in our lives in ways that suit us or fit in with our expectations.

Recently, in one week, being involved in three marriage ceremonies, I observed the couples, different in age, and choosing to celebrate their coming together in different ways. Yet, their common ground was, they had reason to celebrate. What gives us reason to celebrate? And I am not referring only to birthdays, and anniversaries and so on. When we begin to prove God in our lives – that is cause for celebration! And we begin by understanding our own relationship to our Creator; to our Source.

In Proverbs, chapter three, we read: “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom and the man that getteth understanding for the gaining of it is better than the getting of silver and the profit thereof than fine gold.” It goes beyond the intellect, and when we begin to understand the truth of our being – that we are all expressions of God – then we will understand too, that at our source, we are perfect. The Quakers put it this way:

“There is a principle which is pure, placed in the human mind, which in different places and ages hath had different names. It is deep and inward, confined to no forms or religion, nor excluded from any, where the heart stands in perfect sincerity. Where this takes root and grows, of what nation soever, they become brethren.”

And we have reason to celebrate when we too, each in his or her own way, find God within our own consciousness. When we embrace the idea that within us is a presence that is with us always; and know that that which created us, sustains and maintains us. And then our neediness falls away, because in God, all our needs are met. Not our wants – our needs. And our need for health is superseded by our knowing the wholeness of the inner spirit. Our need for wealth is replaced by knowing that our connection to the source of unlimted being, God, takes care of every situation.

I cannot prove God to you – I can only prove God in my own life, through my understanding of It. And this is true for each of us. Knowing God, is our reason for celebrating …knowing God as the Life, Love, Power, Wisdom, Peace, Understanding and Knowledge inherent in you and me; inherent in all humanity. Let us celebrate with reverence what we are in Truth.

DIVINE SCIENCE MEDITATION CLASS:

This 8 week course with Helen Penfold will begin on Tuesday evening, 06 June. This course, focuses on “The Lord’s Prayer” as a guide to the practical application of meditation in our everyday lives. A list for names is up on the notice board.

MAY MOONLIGHT MARKET:

This event was most successful in every way and it was wonderful to see so many enthusiastic folk come together, working really hard to put it all together. It was done with much fun and enjoyment on the part of the Social Committee and all who assisted. The weather also played a great part in the success of the evening, being crisp and clear, yet not too cold.

Well done to Chris Baz and his team. Please take note of the report from the committee.

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD:

Dear ACT Members, you have no doubt seen the advertising boards for luxury apartments in front of the ACT building. Just so everyone is informed, the sale of the building has not yet gone through; in the sale agreement, the developers have until the end of June to sell 60% of the units before they take transfer. In addition to this, they have requested another 6 weeks extension as the Municipality intends to do a thorough job of evaluating this proposed development before allowing it to go ahead. So it is unlikely that there will be a definite outcome before mid-August. Once again, we practice our teaching and allow events to unfold! We'll keep you informed if there are any changes to this scenario. Thank you for your continued interest and support.

Regards, Joan Peters
ACT Board President

THANK YOU:

We acknowledge with gratitude the continued support of our Centre and the Teaching, from those whose generous donations (sometimes anonymous) always come in at the right time. Know you are blessed!

SPIRITUAL CINEMA CIRCLE:

Friday 2 June at ACT at 19h15

Remember the movie "Indigo"? Now see the documentary!

INDIGO EVOLUTION

This feature documentary explores the Indigo children phenomenon through interviews with experts, Indigo kids, and parents. INDIGO EVOLUTION takes us through the origins of the concept of this unique evolution in human history, exploring the implications and potential of this challenging and inspiring new group of humans.

Directed by James Twyman
[80 minutes, in English]

Have they come to save the world?

Or are they the product of wishful imaginations?

Whatever you call them, (Indigo's or something else) our children are coming into the world with their eyes wide open, ready to play their role in creating a world of compassion and peace. Are we witnessing a major leap in human evolution, what Jean Houston calls "Jump Time?" Many people believe that we are on the brink of a global awakening, and that the Indigo Children are here to show us our highest potential.

In "The INDIGO Evolution," you will hear from leading experts from around the world that this is much more than an imaginary fancy. The Children are real, and they are changing the world. Director James Twyman takes us on a journey into one of the most important questions of our day: "Has the human race finally evolved to a higher reality?"

Entrance: R15,00

VOLUNTEERS: We are most grateful to the individuals who give of their time and enthusiasm to assist with the smooth running of our Centre. Please be mindful that when you put your name on a list for a particular duty and for some reason are unable to follow through on that day, you may contact: (Flower arrangements) Harry Petrie on: 084-2994459; (Sound system) Ben Durham on: 082-6228023; (Sunday greeters) Pam Peddie on: 041-3674217.

THANKSGIVING SERVICE – 18 JUNE 2006:

Please refer to the letter from Helen relating to Thanksgiving at ACT.

In closing …… I share with you this poem by Walt Whitman:

Divine am I inside and out, and I make holy
Whatever I touch or am touched from.
Why should I wish to see God better than this day?
I see something of God each hour of the twenty-four
And each moment then,
In the faces of men and women I see God,
And in my own face in the glass;
I find letters from God dropped in the street,
And every one is signed by God’s name.

News from the ACT Social Committee

Moonlight Market Festival 2006 is now a thing of the past and once again it was great success for ACT. We had 36 stalls this year with a number of them being body, mind and spirit related. This was something we concentrated on this year and the general feeling was that this was a nice addition. There were many new stallholders, some of them having a stall for the first time and needing exposure and experience. Some did well and others not so, but overall there was enough of a crowd visiting to make it enjoyable for most. The committee would once again like to thank all the volunteers that helped to make the event a success and also all who gave donations for the ACT White Elephant / Treasure Trove stall.

The event for June will be a small social one and will give everyone an opportunity to get some exercise in before hibernating for winter. Last year we organised a Sacramento Trail hike that was well attended and everyone said that they would like to do it again this year. Well this is your chance, and all those who wish they had. We will leave from Schoenmakerskop at about 11:00 am on Saturday 24th June and either walk back or drive back from Sardinia Bay. As before we can all pack a small tuck bag and enjoy a brunch/lunch at Sardinia. Keep your eyes on the notice-board at ACT for more details and please add your name to the list.

We had asked for the community to come forward and join our Social Committee as our numbers were low, and are pleased to inform you that John and Elaine are now on board to help us.

That’s all for now. We will let you all know what new events are coming up for the rest of 2006 in the next newsletter.

Chris Baz & Members of the Social Committee

Bountiful Blessings
MALLORY