Yesterday was our Centre for Spiritual Living Kelowna’s inaugural “let’s try it out” soft opening for our new Sunday Celebration space at Studio 9 on Houghton Road. I think for myself and the 15 people from our leadership team who were there in person, it was a grand success!
As with all ‘first times’, we all saw some tweaks and things that could be better; but on the whole, I think it’s going to be a great place for us as we reconvene our in-person services and where we can also continue to offer the high level of production value that our online livestream service has brought to you over the past two years.
As I shared in my Sunday message yesterday, I love that our newness of location, ideas and experiences is happening right in sync with springtime and all of the various spiritual traditions that observe newness and rebirth at this time of year. There’s a palpable knowing for myself and amongst our leadership that we’ve turned a corner and we are, with delighted anticipation, welcoming who we as a community have the opportunity to become. I know in my heart we are a place where we can support each other in love, in healing, whether that’s in relationships or our physical self. We are a place where we can decide together what the possibilities truly are for a group of people dedicated to inclusivity, diversity, trust and collaboration. And all of this is enfolded by our highest desire to Awaken Humanity to Its Spiritual Magnificence and to be part of something that is creating a world that works for all.
When I got home from Studio 9, I re-watched our service to experience what it was like online. There are definitely some things we’ll improve upon. Watching the replay, the best part for me was being able to read your names, comments and feedback. I loved that I saw some names of people in the comments section, who I haven’t seen for a while, in addition to those of you who are there regularly. It warms my heart so much to feel that you all were part of our day. There was an energy that transcends physicality. It was tangible, so I thank everyone for attending. I really want everyone to know that “I see you!”
Next week is Easter and we’re cooking up something fun and festive to mark the occasion. Needless to say, with Sista B and the Boyz holding down the music end of things, I guarantee a wonderful time! Remember this service will be at the Rotary Centre for the Arts at 10:30am PT along with our livestream on Facebook Live.
Then, the following Sunday, April 24th, everyone local is invited to our Sunday Celebration service at Studio 9, 1180 Houghton Road at 10:30am PT. Doors will open at 10:15am. There is parking at Ben Lee Park (a short block and a half up Houghton Road) and some side street parking as well. Of course, our livestream on Facebook Live will also be running and I know we’ll have some of those tweaks that I mentioned taken care of.
One other heads up: we are finishing Community Chat for the summer. A big thank you to Laura Green (along with Joanne Dallman) for hosting our online Community Chat over these many months. Their service to our community is so valued and appreciated! We will be re-imagining online opportunities to connect. If you have some ideas of what you’d like to see and experience in our virtual world, I’d love it if you would email them to me at revgord@shaw.ca. We have a high desire to serve ALL of our community!
I love you, I appreciate you, and I bless you,
Dr. Deborah
If you missed yesterday’s Sunday Celebration with Dr. Deborah Gordon’s talk titled Endings, Beginnings and Divine Love, you can watch it and other past services on the CSLK YouTube channel.
MIND-FULL MOMENT
“New beginnings are exciting! They become exciting to us because they offer the promise of hope, the anticipation of change in our lives, and the prospect that our dreams
will indeed come true!”
— Squire Rushnell
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