CENTRE OF LIGHT
DIVINE SCIENCE EXTENSION CAMPUS

MINISTERS
Helen Penfold
Mallory Kretzmann

FOUNDER
Rev. Dr. June Jones

 AUGUST 2010  NEWSLETTER

I read a story about a bear who approached a hurriedly abandoned campsite and was fascinated by the dancing lid on a kettle of boiling water, left suspended over the still-burning fire. He reached out and grabbed the kettle. As it burnt him, he clutched it to his chest. This is a natural means of defence for bears, so the more the hot kettle burnt him, the tighter he hugged it.

This story very aptly illustrates for us how we so often amplify our problems by hugging them to ourselves. We hold onto them for dear life. Thich Nhat Hanh stated: “We do not suffer because things are impermanent. We suffer because things are impermanent and we think that they are permanent.” Yes, it so often is the impermanent which captures our attention. The only constant in life, is Truth. And each of us in truth is God in individual expression. We are the channels through which the love of God, the wisdom of God, the peace of God, is brought into manifestation and shared in the world.

Each of us comes forth from the one source of all life – God. Should we not be embracing and celebrating this truth; hugging it to ourselves? Well, it seems that sometimes we do and sometimes we don’t, so it is as though we seesaw through life – one moment in uplifted consciousness and understanding, and at other times we are caught up in the struggles of the world.

We cannot believe in two things at the same time; we cannot serve two masters, and as we begin to understand this we are able to get our limited human selves out of the way and seek first the kingdom – the kingdom in consciousness, not of this world. Jesus said: “Know the truth and the truth will set you free.” He did not say, “know about the truth, but know the truth itself. He did not teach anything that he had not proved by his own experience. So, we need our own experience of truth. Words in a song playing on the radio the other day, caught my attention: ‘feel the rain on your skin, no-one else can feel it for you’. So it is with truth; it needs to be our own experience.

Out of our experience of the Presence of God within, truth is revealed to us. It is something that no text book can teach us, but our intention and desire to know, will guide us. The truth is that we are all offspring of the one Divine Father – sharing the same birthright, and we need to be experiencing and embracing that.

Instead of (like the bear) hugging to ourselves impermanent things, let us embrace the Truth that is, and always is, no matter what else seems to be happening in our lives.

SUNDAY SERVICES:

Meditation - 09:30 to 09:45

Service - 09:45 to 10:30

Guided Meditation - 18:30 to 19:00 (with Lee Morgutti)

DIVINE SCIENCE CLASSES:

Helen Penfold is currently presenting the Practitioner Course to two individuals who qualify for this class.

A class in Spiritual Psychology commences on Tuesday 03 August, 2010, at 19:15. This ten week course is being presented by Mallory Kretzmann, and the prerequisite for the class, is Divine Science Basic Principle.

SPIRITUAL CINEMA :

Spiritual Cinema Movie, Friday 20 August 2010 at 19h00 at ACT:

The Yogis of Tibet: There has never been another culture and society quite like the one that existed in Tibet before the communist takeover of the country in 1950. This extraordinary film was written by Barbara King and produced by Phil and Jo Borack with the co-operation of the monks of the Drikung Kagyu tradition. This inspiring and edifying film allows an even wider audience to appreciate the special spiritual gifts of the yogis of Tibet.

Cost is R25.00 per person, and soup and refreshments will also be on sale.

ACT SOCIAL COMMITTEE WALK:

We had a really wonderful and informative walk, doing the Aloe Trail last Saturday. It was great to join up with folk from the Swartkops Trust and learn more about the flora and fauna right on our doorstep. Walking on the edge of the escarpment above the Swartkops River certainly gave us a different perspective when we looked over the valley towards the city.

The next ACT walk will be on Saturday, 21 August when we will be doing the de Stades Silvermine trail in the Maitland Nature Reserve. The trail runs through thick coastal forest with beautiful views of the Maitland beach and its giant sand dune; and also of the horseshoe-shaped Maitland River and de Stades Valley. Wear comfy walking shoes and sunhat and bring water and a snack to have on the way. Don’t be in a hurry, it is very beautiful and peaceful there. We will meet at 9:00am at the entrance to the reserve. For directions or more information, please phone Marlene on: 076-3093781. There is also a list up on the board in the hall for names.

A Common Thread:

A new interfaith way of understanding the Divine – this month, the forum presented by Sandra Ritchie, will take place on Thursday 26 August, at 19:30 – when Dawid Joubert, from Eckankar, will be the speaker.

A.C.T. TOASTMASTERS CLUB:

“There are two things that are more difficult than making an after-dinner speech: climbing a wall which is leaning toward you and kissing a girl who is leaning away from you.” (Winston Churchill)

If you can empathize with this quote, please join us at ACT Toastmasters on the 3rd Thursday of every month. We meet at the ACT Centre at 19:15 for 19:30 and all visitors are most welcome. You will get a chance to hear a range of speeches from beginner to expert and may even get a chance to say a few words if you would like. For tips on public speaking and a fun evening in general….see you there! Call Joy on 073-8809175 for more information.

PRIZE WINNER:

We are happy to announce that the winner of the digital camera we raffled during the month of July, was won by Clive Southee. Thank you for the wonderful way in which you all so enthusiastically participated. Congratulations Clive!

RECORDINGS OF SUNDAY SERVICES:

Recordings of the Sunday service lessons are available on CD.

Please note that CD’s of the monthly forum (“A Common Thread”) we present at ACT, are also available. Orders can be placed on a Sunday morning or phone the office.

MEMBERSHIP AND NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTIONS:

Thank you to those who have responded to the renewal notices sent out recently, and please, should your contact details change at any time, let us know so we can keep our records up to date.

In closing ……..

Be still! And KNOW, - I AM, - GOD.

KNOW I AM in you. KNOW I AM You. KNOW I AM your LIFE. KNOW All Wisdom, All Love, All Power abides in this Life, which is flowing freely through your entire being NOW.

- The Impersonal Life.

Bountiful blessings ……..

Bountiful Blessings
MALLORY