What's Happening This Week at CSL Kelowna
Chop Wood Carry Water, by Rev. John DePalma
June 30: Soul Food Sunday with Rev. Barbara Samuel
Last week’s talk with Rev. John DePalma
Photos! Photos! Photos from last week’s meet and greet
News From the Board
July 14 Workshop with Rev. Bobbi Becker
Inspirational Song of the Week: RISE by Faith Rivera
Join us every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Studio 9, 1180 Houghton Road, Kelowna, BC. Doors open at 10:15 am. Please visit the event page for more details and a map. Everyone is welcome!
Or, WATCH US ON Facebook Live
Chop Wood Carry Water
A Message From Rev. John DePalma
Intentional living is having a spiritual practice that keeps one connected to the enthusiasm, the fire, the “sizzle and zeal” one might have experienced on Sunday or any moment that makes us feel connected to a better idea.
We tend to make a big deal about what a spiritual practice is or judge that “I’m not doing it right”, especially given the level of complexity we each are trying to navigate in our daily lives.
To that end I’m offering this simple poem as a “prescription” to fill that spiritual practice.
Read this poem 2x/day… It can be two times in a row, it can be at the beginning and end of the day, or it can be taken as needed. But do it! For the next 7 days in a row. If you miss a day, start over. Don’t worry about journaling about it, meditating about it or doing anything else about it.
Just read it, preferably out loud.
Or share it with a close friend.
Just do it.
Chop Wood Carry Water: by Maya Luna
When you sweep the floors
Gather your daily regrets in the dustpan
Release them into the afternoon sun
And let the seeds of sorrow plant new dreams
When you wash the dishes
Scrub away the debris of mind
Let each bubble reveal the emptiness
Of your original face
When you cook food
Let your heart pour into every simmer and stir
Let every spice and kernel and grain
Contain
Your holy devotion
To this brief human Life
When you eat
Chew your own Love
Swallow the arms of the Mother
Let them wrap around your belly
With infinite compassion
Let every bite
Be an act of worship
When you bathe
Let your hands become healers
Strip the body of its tensions and confusions
Pour the water of suppleness back into your bones
Baptize yourself into Holy presence
Let your skin drink the nectar of open delight
Let fingernails scratch open your tired old wounds
Until your wholeness is revealed beneath the static
When you walk
Let each toe pressing into earth
Be a thank you note
To the gift of ground
When you breathe
Let each inhale be a love letter to God
And every exhale a blessing to the trees
You are living prayer
And magic in motion
The church of the ordinary
Is the secret of secrets
For it is in the tiny places
That kindness lives
And this kindness
Is the doorway
To God
SUNDAY, JUNE 30
SOUL FOOD SUNDAY
You’re A Blessing to The World
With Rev. Barbara Samuel
"Become the person that when you walk into a room everyone is blessed." -Tosha Silver
We each have our own unique signature like no one else’s. The world would not be the same without each of us. We all belong here to make the world as special as it is.
Last Sunday’s Talk
I WANT TO TAKE YOU HIGHER
With Rev. John DePalma
Rev. John took us higher with an inspirational talk last Sunday. He outlined his ideas and plans for his work as our new Spiritual Director. If you missed his talk, or want to hear it again, click here:
PHOTOS! PHOTOS! PHOTOS!
From Last Week’s Meet & Greet
And what a beautiful night it was. There was a great turnout for last Thursday’s Meet & Greet for Revs. John and Cath DePalma. It was awesome to see some old, familiar faces… along with all the new, familiar ones!
Special thanks to Blair Wilson for donating the space at Forbidden Spirits, and to Jan Mills for organizing the event.
NEWS FROM THE BOARD
Greetings all,
I'm excited for everything that is new as we enter our beautiful Okanagan summer season. I thought I would give you some updates from the Board of Trustees, and let you know I will be away on vacation until the end of July.
At our meeting on Sunday June 23rd, we officially carried a motion to disband our New Minister Selection Committee with immense gratitude for their commitment and selfless service to the Centre. Their work is officially complete! Yay!!!
These 8 beautiful souls were exactly what was required to pull all of the pieces together and call in our new Spiritual Director, Rev. John DePalma. They met weekly for almost a year, created our community profile, were deeply involved in Co-Creation and the crafting of our Sacred Covenant, worked through numerous application packages, reviewed hours of video, interviewed candidates, and invited Rev. John up to spend a weekend with us.
A special shout out to Irene Kowalchuk, the fearless leader (Chair) of this committee. We could not have done it without her beautiful heart, deep integrity, and clear consciousness. It was exactly what was needed.
With much love and many blessings, I share the list of Committee members. I invite you to share your gratitude with them the next time you see them:
Irene Kowalchuk (Chair)
Pauline Weninger
Angela Bearman
Tracy Anderson
Blair Wilson
Fred Blunden
Barb Samuel
Jeanette Vinek
I also want to give you a head's up that we approved our Operations Coordinator Job Description at the same meeting, and it will be posted soon. We've gone about this Job Description a bit differently.
We're learning to filter everything through our Values, and working to create an environment that is respectful, compassionate, safe and accountable. It has been a beautiful process, and we look forward to sharing more about these Values with you soon.
My honey and I are headed into the backcountry to do some camping. I won't see you until the end of July. The work of the Board of Trustees continues in my absence, and I can't wait to see you when I return. Know that you are loved.
Rev. Jeanette Vinek
President Board of Trustees
250-862-2201s
NURTURING YOUR INNER DIALOGUE
WORKSHOP WITH REV. BOBBI BECKER
Sunday, July 14: Rev. Bobbi Becker
From Seal Beach, California, Rev. Bobbi Becker will share an inspiring message on what Science of Mind has to offer the world. She’ll also offer a workshop – Nurturing Our Inner Dialogue – in the afternoon, starting at 1:00 p.m.
The workshop is about 90 minutes, and admission is by a love offering.
Rev. Bobbi will introduce the concept of Affirmative Prayer and its significance in our spiritual tradition. Explore the history of prayer across human culture, delve into the science of belief, and discuss how actively engaging in positive internal dialogue can reshape our brains, transforming our thinking, and ultimately change our lives.
SAVE THE DATE
Friday, October 18th
Rev. John DePalma’s Installation Gala
The plans are still in the works but save the date and plan on being there. Enjoy dinner, followed by a sacred ceremony, and then dance the night away with Sista B and the Boyz!
Inspirational Song of the Week
RISE
Faith Riviera
From the sunny shores of Hawaii, Grammy-nominated, Emmy award-winning Singer, Songwriter, Speaker and Podcast Host, Faith Rivera, opens hearts and transforms lives around the globe through the power of music.
Fans say her inspiring songs are like having your best friend, who knows your biggest dreams & your hardest struggles, sing the perfect message right to you. Whether it’s a healing ballad, an affirmation dance song or a feel-good chant for kids, Faith’s warm soulful style moves listeners & elevates the energy in the room.
MEMBERSHIP
Fill out your membership here, https://www.cslkelowna.org/membership
Regular Events at CSLK
See Upcoming Events on our home page. Stay informed of all the latest news from CSLK! Subscribe now to receive notifications of future blog posts.
Sunday Celebrations start at 10:30am PT at Studio 9, 1180 Houghton Road, Kelowna. Please park on the street or at Ben Lee Park (1.5 blocks from the school). You can also watch us live on Facebook or watch the replay later on YouTube.
Our volunteers are immensely valuable to CSLK! If you can help out with making coffee, setting up and/or after-service taking down, please contact Rev. Corinne Crockett at 250-868-9090 or email corinne_crockett@telus.net.
Do you have an idea for CSLK community opportunities you’d like to experience? We'd love to hear your thoughts! Please contact Rev. Corinne Crockett at 250-868-9090 or email corinne_crockett@telus.net.
Practitioner Support
Our ministers and practitioners are in service to all of us. If you need help to see the Truth in a situation; if you are looking for clarity; if you are struggling; our ministers and practitioners are here to support you. You can contact them through the About page on our website, or you can submit a prayer request on the Contact page.
Bring Nature’s Fare Receipts to CSLK!
Nature’s Fare grocery store receipts are worth a pretty penny to us! Bring your shopping receipts to Sunday service and place them into the receipt box on the table in front of the stage in the Studio 9 auditorium. Nature’s Fare will donate 3% of the total of your purchases to CSL Kelowna! Every receipt helps! Thank you!
Your Support Means So Much to Our Community!
We’re grateful for the ways CSL Kelowna is able to accept donations:
Online via the Ways to Donate page of our website (PayPal or credit card).
By Interac e-transfers sent to donate@cslkelowna.org.
Cheques can be mailed to: Suite 131, 101-1865 Dilworth Drive, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9T1.
For more information, please contact Rev. Melody Bailey.
MINDFUL MOMENT
"The best way to take care of the future is to take care of the present moment"
– Thich Nhat Hanh
Copyright © 2024, Centre for Spiritual Living Kelowna. All rights reserved.
Vol. 1, Issue 21
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