CENTRE OF LIGHT
DIVINE SCIENCE EXTENSION CAMPUS

MINISTERS
Helen Penfold
Mallory Kretzmann

FOUNDER
Rev. Dr. June Jones

  DECEMBER 2010 / JANUARY 2011  NEWSLETTER

MERRY CHRISTMAS

HELEN'S CHRISTMAS LETTER

It was about a man who lived in a village. He was very poor yet in the beautiful white horse he owned, he had a very valuable asset. The people of the village had advised him to sell the horse in order to benefit financially but he had his reasons for not doing so. One morning he found the horse was gone from the stable. The people gathered around and declared: “The horse has been stolen – what a misfortune!” The man objected to this and suggested that they rather just say, “The horse is not in the stable.” This he said was a fact and anything else was a judgment. There was laughter as they all judged him to be a little crazy.
 

Days later, the man’s horse returned, accompanied by twelve wild horses. The people of the village once again gathered round and proclaimed that this was good fortune and a blessing. Again the man said that they were going too far and they should just say: “The horse is back.” He said, “It is only a fragment. You read a single word in a sentence – how can you judge the whole book?” The man’s only son began training the horses, but had a fall and broke his legs. Again the people gathered round to profess judgment, saying what a misfortune this was. The man said to them: “You are obsessed with judgment. Don’t go that far. Say only that my son has broken his legs. Life comes in fragments and more is never given to you.”

A few weeks later the country went to war and because he had broken his legs, the man’s son was spared. The whole town was upset knowing that most of the young men who had gone off to fight would not be returning. They said to the old man, “Now it is a blessing that your son broke his legs.” The man said again, “You go on and on judging. Nobody knows! Only say this, that your sons have been forced to enter the army and my son has not been forced. But only God, who sees the total picture, knows whether it is a blessing or a misfortune.” He continued: “Judge not, otherwise you will never become one with the total. With fragments you will be obsessed; with small things you will jump to conclusions. Once you judge, you have stopped growing, and the mind always wants judgment because to be in a process is always hazardous and uncomfortable.” “In fact,” the man told them, “the journey never ends. God is an endless journey and only those who are so courageous that they don’t bother about the goal, but are content with the journey, can be content to just live in the moment and grow into it.” End of story.

The question is: who do we identify with most easily? the people of the village, or the man? We are constantly judging or being judged, are we not? We have the choice to perceive any situation in the light we wish to see it. This is so clearly shown in the story where the villagers chose to see only opposing sides of the man’s various situations – viewing it as either good or bad. The man became exasperated with them as he tried to explain that they were limiting their vision to a tiny fragment of life and that we are all part of a much greater plan.

And in the greater scheme of things God’s plan is complete, yet we, from a limited sense of being in the world, so often feel the need to be the planners.

H.B. Jeffery, in his book, “Mystical Teachings,” says: “There is a finished fact with respect to everything. In its finished estate, nothing can be added to or taken from it.”

Now this we need to grasp in consciousness, as a spiritual truth, embracing and encompassing all being. We find the same injunction in scripture where we are told that ….. by taking thought, we cannot add one cubit to our stature.

As spiritual expressions come forth from the one true Source, we are complete – in spirit. Yet we spend so much time (and energy) in denial of this truth. How many times is it uttered: ‘after all we are just human, and to err is human.’ No! We are spiritual beings and when we open our minds to understand, and our eyes to see, we will experience a new way of being where truly nothing can be added or taken away.

I read an exerpt from a book by James Cisneros, from the chapter entitled, Trusting God’s Plan, in which he states:

“The more you choose to judge an individual or situation, the more an individual or situation will consume you. The more you judge a brother, sister or situation, the less joy you will experience in your life. This happens regardless of whether you believe yourself to be ‘in the right’ or not. Judgment consumes joy. Again in any moment, you have a choice, and it is between judgment and joy. The one you value more in any situation, is the one you will end up experiencing.

We need to go beyond the duality of daily living. Each time we state that we are rich or poor, ill or healthy, we are judging a fragment. What we are all really seeking is the experience of being in the Presence. The Presence that is the originating Source of all life – this Presence that never leaves us or forsakes us; but becoming obsessed by a transient fragment prevents us from doing just that.”

When we let go of, or surrender, our need to control according to our human status, then we move (through trust) to a state of consciously experiencing grace; and it is in this state of grace that we no longer have to strive for anything, because we know that it already is! We come to a place of resting / trusting, where as Jeffery put is:

“God’s finished treasures face us at every turn.”

In the presence of God there are not judgments or problems – there is only God!

SUNDAY SERVICES:

Meditation - 09:30 to 09:45

Service - 09:45 to 10:30

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


Details relating to services over the Christmas period are to be found in Helen’s letter – see enclosed / attached.

DIVINE SCIENCE CLASSES:

Classes will resume in February 2011, and details with lists for names, for be on the notice board in due course.

Divine Science Basic Principles Class will commence on Tuesday 22 February 2011.

Divine Science Meditation Class will commence on Wednesday 23 February 2011.

SPIRITUAL CINEMA

ACT WALKS

The above items / activities have ceased for the year; and we do look forward to equally wonderful and interesting programmes pertaining to both in 2011. Keep an eye out for information relating to both the Spiritual Cinema and the ACT Walks, in the February 2011 newsletter!

A.C.T. TOASTMASTERS CLUB:

Remember, there is a way to improve your communication skills, in a supportive environment. All are welcome to attend the monthly meetings. Call Joy on 073-8801975 for all the information.

RECORDINGS OF SUNDAY SERVICES:

Recordings of the Sunday service lessons are available on CD.

Orders can be placed on a Sunday morning or phone the office.

THANK YOU!

To the enthusiastic folk who, throughout the year, volunteer their services in support of the Centre in their different ways – your time and deeds are much valued.
 

To those who, throughout the year, so generously make donations in support of the Centre – your generosity (often anonymously) is valued.

We value too, all those who are upholding us in consciousness.

THE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED …..

The office will be closing after the Christmas Morning Service, (please be mindful of the earlier starting time for this service) and re-opening 18 January 2011.

A reminder that the first service in the New Year will be on Sunday 16 January 2011.

In closing…..

I extend prayerful good wishes to you and your loved ones during the Christmas season, and continuous blessings throughout 2011.

Bountiful blessings ……..

Bountiful Blessings
MALLORY