MAY 2002 NEWSLETTER

MINISTERS:

Helen Penfold

Mallory Kretzmann

MINISTER EMERITUS

Rev. Dr. June Jones

Dear Friends,

We have just come through April during which time we experienced a very successful Festival, (which I will report on later) followed by our special Easter Service, and of course all the holidays, both holy and public, inbetween. As I have so often stated, for me, nature is perhaps one of our best teachers; and if we consider what is taking place now, here in the southern hemisphere, we see trees shedding their leaves and a general preparation for a time of hibernation. And do we not all need this time of hibernation ­ a time for going within and just being.

I spoke the other Sunday about the beautiful message in the 23rd Psalm. The whole of this psalm is telling us that when we are mindful of it, we are constantly under God's guidance and protection ­ especially when we change the word Lord to Law. So what we are saying is: "The Law is My Shepherd."

Most of the time in life we are looking for guidance, needing direction, needing answers .. in fact, needing the crooked places to be made straight. Well, when we are working with the law of Life, then we are following the Shepherd and the path is clear and the way is made straight. In order to work with law, we have to change our perception. The law is ­ it never changes. Truth is ­ it never changes. Our perception of it all changes and as this happens, so more and more of what truly is, becomes clear to us.

There are laws and nature follows them.
There are laws and mankind (generally) fights them.
And our main struggle with life is our lack of ability to trust ­ trust the Shepherd. I am talking about the Shepherd who leads us along a narrow pathway that requires our living life mindfully. A way that calls for us to pay attention and be constantly aware.
It is a path we need to follow with intention because there are many detours and distractions. Yet even if we do detour, there is always a way back; the opportunity to heed the law and follow the Shepherd is always available to us.

We read at the end of the psalm: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." When we allow the Lord ­ the Law ­ to be our Shepherd, then we are also aligning ourselves with the admonishment:- "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well." Matt 6:13. Yet it is not enough to read, memorise, and know these teachings of the Christ. We need to implement them in our lives, because:
No matter what the question is
God is the answer.
No matter what the need, no matter how desperate .
God is the fulfillment.
No matter how empty we may feel at times ..

God is the fullness of Life.
No matter what the lack appears to be ..
God is the abundance.
All that is really missing in our lives is a greater experience of God. So as we move into the season of winter, let us use it as nature does ­ a time for hibernating ­ for going within and reconnecting with the Shepherd.

CREATIVE LIVING FESTIVAL: It was interesting to note that in one of the newspapers, the Festival was reported as being an annual event in Port Elizabeth. Well, this was the fourth one, so it does look that way, doesn't it?
Once again, the intention of the working committee; that of bringing the community together in celebration of Life, was carried through, and we have had some very good feed-back regarding the whole event. There is always room for improvement and we intend getting better rather than bigger. It is a very good venue which lends itself to promoting a sharing of energy and ideas. Once again, thank you to the wonderfully dedicated individuals on the committee:- Evy Evlambiou, Maria Markides, Michelle Crowley, Bretten-Anne Heath, and Cornelia Carroll ­ it is really a privilege to work with you all.

DIVINE SCIENCE CLASSES: Although the numbers in the classes are slightly reduced this term, those who are participating in Divine Science I (basics), Meditation, and Bible Old Testament, are certainly doing so with much enthusiasm. If you have missed joining a class there will be classes on offer again next term and details will be in a future newsletter.

IN CLOSING: Embrace the law as you venture along on your own spiritual quest. Let the law be your Shepherd, and as your soul is restored, your cup will runneth over and you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

"All the creative power and intelligence of God fills and surrounds my entire being. This power has created me; out of its substance, my body and my world have been formed. The Presence of God with me and in me sustains, feeds, and nourishes me in soul, in mind and in flesh. Only the Spirit that created me can sustain me. Therefore, I feast upon the Spirit of God's abundance that is now and eternally poured out upon me from the four corners of the Universe. I receive it, accept it, and build it into my consciousness and character. It is my light, my life, and my substance.

I am filled with the wisdom, love, power, and substance of God. They feed and nourish my whole being from within. Refreshed in the knowledge and power of God, I am supplied with the original essentials of life. Being filled with the Spirit and radiant in the consciousness of God's rich abundance, I am an irresistible magnet that draws to me all material things needful to my completeness and perfection."

Bountiful Blessings

MALLORY