We Are Back! Wednesday Evening Service In-Person

If the Creek Don't Rise

In American slang, "... the creek don't rise" implies that strong intentions have been frustrated by unforeseeable but uncommon events, like weather! We've been meeting in person for ou mid-week service since the end of 2022, interrupted only once by a downpour of rain that made it difficult to get around Santa Rosa.

Nevertheless, we continue to have a strong commitment to our Wednesday Evening Service and look forward to seeing you at 7 pm. We meet in the Social Hall, where we serve cookies and tea and sometimes home-baked bread! The service is casual, with some meditative music, a message, and sometimes a spiritual practice.

A New Series

We are starting a new series this week, January 25, reviewing a paraphrased, modern English version of the first four chapters of The Science of Mind by Ernest Holmes. Dr. Edward will provide handouts and conduct a fill-in-the-blank process as we go through the paraphrase together!

January 25, The Thing Itself - Dr. Edward

February 1, What It Does - Dr. Edward

February 8, The Way It Works - Rev. Russ

February 15, How To Use It - Dr. Edward

Why a Paraphrase?

The Living Bible, unlike most translations of the Bible, is a paraphrase by Kenneth N. Taylor, written to make the text accessible to younger readers who might have difficulty with the King James Version. Remembering how much I enjoyed reading The Living Bible and how it provided for me a stepping stone to look at other classic translations, I saw how valuable a paraphrase of Ernest Holmes’s classic, The Science of Mind, would be for those beginning their study of metaphysics.

As I began the task of paraphrasing the first four chapters of The Science of Mind and Spirit, it occurred to me that the text resembled language transcribed from a spoken recording. Frequently, I came across paragraphs or sections of the book that more logically belonged in different chapters, as well as phrases that were redundant or awkward in the written form. I went about paraphrasing the text, attempting to present the first four chapters in well-organized thoughts using simplified language.

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Wednesday Evening Service with Dr. Edward Viljoen – New Location Tonight!

Join us for our evening service This Wednesday, October 2, at Congregation Shomrei Torah (2600 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404) from 7:00 to 7:45 p.m . New Location Our usual location at the Center is being used for the High Holy Days celebration, so we’re gathering at this new spot for one night only. The Cathars of France Dr. Edward Viljoen, who recently returned from a European vacation, will lead the evening with a fascinating discussion about how we form our personal beliefs about life. He’ll share stories from his travels through Southern France, including his time in the land of the Cathars—a Christian sect from the 12th to 14th century whose beliefs stood in stark contrast to the dominant church of their time. Their tragic history raises powerful questions about what happens when deeply held beliefs are challenged. How do you respond when your beliefs are questioned? In this casual, engaging setting, Dr. Edward will guide us in reflecting on how we came to our ow...

Sacred Wednesday Singing Event with Karen Drucker on November 20

A Taizé service is a contemplative, meditative practice inspired by a monastic community Taizé in France. Its simplicity, repetition, and silence characterize it, creating a space for deep reflection and prayer. The service features short, repetitive songs that are easy to learn and sing meditatively, helping the participants focus on the divine. Taizé services often include periods of silence, prayers, and readings. The service intends to foster an experience of inner peace, unity, and communion. Karen Druker will provide a Taizé service for our community on Wednesday, November 20, from 7 pm to 8:30 pm. Here is what Karen says about the experience: “Music has the ability to bypass the mind and sink into the heart.” Breathing, stillness, rest, calm, allowing yourself to just “be” and not “do” for a little while. Settling into your heart and dropping into that place of inner knowing. With all that is going on in the world right now, give yourself a “time out” and allow yourself to be...

Wednesday at the Center - Join Us for an Evening of Song, Connection, and Spiritual Unity

Tomorrow evening at 7 p.m., we welcome you to an inspiring community service at the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa, led by Dr. Edward Viljoen. The service will feature music by Christopher Fritzsche and Rev. Russ Legear, creating an atmosphere where spiritual unity, reflection, and heartfelt connection can flourish. What to Expect: In our beautiful social hall at 2075 Occidental Road, we will come together for an evening filled with community singing , powerful call-and-response readings , and moments of meditative peace . This service is designed to reconnect, reflect, and rejuvenate in the presence of like-minded individuals who seek harmony and a more profound sense of oneness. Community Singing Be moved by the melodies of beloved, familiar New Thought songwriters. Imagine voices blending in songs like “I Am So Blessed” by Karen Drucker : “I am so blessed, I am so blessed. I am so grateful for all that I have. I am so blessed, I am so blessed.\ I am so grateful, ...

Wednesday Evening Service

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