CENTRE OF LIGHT
DIVINE SCIENCE EXTENSION CAMPUS

MINISTERS
Helen Penfold
Mallory Kretzmann

FOUNDER
Rev. Dr. June Jones

  JUNE 2010  NEWSLETTER

Dear Friends,

I am starting this missive by stating that we are all part of an abundant world – and abundant Life. The true prosperity though, is at a level that many of us have yet to experience; and it has nothing to do with money!!

There is a story about a man from a wealthy family who took his son on a trip into the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live. The man and his son spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what most would consider an extremely poor family. On their return trip the father asked his son what he’d learned and was given the following:

“I saw that we have one dog and they have four; we have a pool in the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end; we have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight; we have electric lights in our garden and they have the stars at night; we buy our food, while they grow theirs.” The son then rendered his father speechless by concluding: “Thanks Dad, for showing me how poor we are.”

Now, take note of this story…… A miser had worked extremely hard all his life and accumulated a fortune. One day he decided to take a year off work and have a wonderful time enjoying his wealth. Just then the angel of death appeared to change his plans. No pleading in exchange for his wealth could buy the man even three more days of life. Finally he was granted just three minutes. The miser used the time to write a short note which read: “Oh you, whoever you are that happen to find this note, if you have enough to live on, don’t waste your life accumulating fortunes – live!!! My millions could not buy me a single hour of life.”

Now these two stories have one thing in common – they are both dealing with the human condition, where wealth or poverty are measured by how much one does or does not have in the way of possessions or money. And the second story of course helps us understand just how temporary this human state of being is.

What I want to share with you is another way of being in life – another level of prosperity that is without limits. In Matthew chapter six, we read: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal: for where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.” All in all, this chapter in the book of Matthew provides us with a valuable and practical guide to living.

Being advised not to lay up treasures upon earth does not always sit well with us. We accumulate things such as property and other belongings such as investments, and mostly these serve in making us feel quite secure in our day to day living. When we are urged though to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven – remembering that heaven refers to a state of consciousness – we find it is in consciousness that we build up our true treasure through our understanding and awareness of God. This awareness and understanding takes us to a deeper level of experience where we inevitably reap the fruits of spirit.

When we begin to understand the truth about our origin and our unity with God, through constant practice of this Inner Presence, we will begin to experience the true fruits of Life. This greater and evolving understanding is the way we store up treasures in heaven – in consciousness. The one constant in life is our true heritage. We are in truth, steeped in prosperity – the prosperity of Spirit. Jesus told us that he had come that we might have life and have it more abundantly. How so? Through his Christ Conscious! In his awareness and living of truth – embodying his Christhood, Jesus gave us a practical example, through his teachings, of how to live life.

In the first little story I shared with you, we find a human comparison, quite thought-provoking in its way. Then we have the miser who, in the short space of time he is given, realizes that there is something more to life. And in Matthew, after being given advice as to where to store up the true treasure of life, we go further and read from verse 25 to verse 33. I am going to leave you on your own to peruse these very wise words, which have become my favourite and most useful passage in scripture. Incidentally we find this passage repeated in the book of Luke. Verse 33, holds the key – “seek ye first the kingdom of God”

Find God in consciousness…. In stillness…..become aware of the Inner Presence. And from that state of conscious awareness – from that state of inner communing and understanding and knowing…….all things shall be added unto you.

It is our Father’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom – it is our divine right to experience the fruits of spirit and live life abundantly.

HELEN’S THANKSGIVING LETTER:

Please find Helen’s letter giving you all the details relating to the Thanksgiving Service to be held 20 June. Please note there will be no meditation, so the service will commence promptly at 09:30.

SUNDAY SERVICES:

It was brought to our attention at the Members’ Meeting held on 23 May, that newcomers, and those who don’t meditate are not comfortable with the 15 minutes of silent meditation which begins at 09:30 every Sunday. We reiterate that this period of time is provided for those who wish to join us in contributing to the Holy Consciousness of the Sanctuary, to do so; and for those who do not wish to participate in this quiet time, to join us at commencement of the Service which is at 09:45.

For those who prefer guided meditation, Lee Morgutti, as indicated in our previous letter, provides this service on a Sunday evening at 6.30pm.

SPIRITUAL CINEMA :

SPIRITUAL CINEMA, 18 June 2010 at 19h00 at ACT: MOVIE – No programme available at time of going to print. Please watch the notice board and a mail-shot will be sent out as soon as we have the information.

ACT SOCIAL COMMITTEE WALK:

The next ACT walk will be on 19 June at 9:00am. We will be gong to the Van Stadens flower nature reserve. Drive out on the N2 until you get to the R102 off ramp, which does give an indication for the flower reserve. Turn left and follow the road for approximately 3 km, after which you will see the entrance to the reserve on your right. Don’t be in a hurry, it is a lovely place to spend some time and we can have a picnic after the walk. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring the usual. For more information please call Marlene on 076-3093781.

A Common Thread:

A new interfaith way of understanding the Divine – this month, the forum presented by Sandra Ritchie, will take place on Thursday 24 June, at 19:30 – when Dr. Hugh Laue – Buddhism – a guide to directly realizing the true nature of one’s Own Mind.

HAPPINESS – FOUR WEEK WORKSHOP:

Ben Durham will be presenting this very interesting workshop, based on the book, The Ultimate Happiness Prescription – Keys to Joy and Enlightenment, by Deepak Chopra. The workshop commences this coming Wednesday, 2 June, at 19:15. Fee is R160-00 per person. There is a list on the notice board in the hall, you may call the office to book, or for more information, call Ben in the evenings on: 041-5817233.

NAOMI FABBRI:

We are happy to report that Naomi is back home and well on the mend after her accident.

RECORDINGS OF SUNDAY SERVICES:

A reminder that as from the 25th April Sunday service, recordings of the service have been available on cassette tape as well as CD. The availability of tapes will continue for a short while and then be phased out after which only CD’s will be available.

Please note that CD’s of the monthly “A Common Thread” talks are also available.

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