What's Happening This Week at CSL Kelowna

• Sunday, June 29: Resilience in Technicolour, Soul Food Sunday with Rev. Barbara Samuel

• Last Sunday: Divine Love in Difficult Times: The Courage to Stay Connected, with Rev. Melody Bailey

• NEW – Meditation and Connection in Nature – An Experiment: July 5

• Science Corner: The Healing Power of Nature

• Out of the Blue… Abundance

• World Philosophies and Religions: Taoism

• SOAR is Getting Closer

• Inspirational Song of the Week: I’m a Stranger Here, by Five Man Electrical Band

• Connect with Rev. John

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

Sunday, June 29

Resilience in Technicolour

Soul Food Sunday with Rev. Barbara Samuel

“Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.”— Jennifer Lee

This Sunday, we’re celebrating the art of being unapologetically you. Through humour, heart, and a splash of sass, we’ll explore how to live out loud.  With bold colour, soulful courage, and resilient joy.

Life isn’t asking you to be perfect.  It’s asking you to show up, shine bright, and dance to your own theme song. Join us for Resilience in Technicolour.  A vibrant reminder that your authenticity is your greatest gift.

Join us at Studio 9 (1180 Houghton Rd, Kelowna, BC). Doors open at 10:15 am. Enter the property by the side entrance behind the staff parking lot. Look for our signs to guide you! Please use street parking or park at Ben Lee Park (1.5 blocks away).

Or you can always watch our live stream on Facebook Live via Centre for Spiritual Living Kelowna's Facebook page.

Last Sunday’s Service

Divine Love in Difficult Times:

The Courage to Stay Connected

With Rev. Melody Bailey

Last Sunday, Rev. Melody explored how vulnerability, acceptance, and love are not just ideals—but powerful spiritual practices. Inspired by The Color Purple, Ernest Holmes, and voices from the margins, this talk invited us to see God in everyone, especially across lines of difference. She beautifully shared how vulnerability has made her stronger and more resilient.

If you missed Rev. Melody’s talk, or want to see it again, click here:

NEW – Meditation and Connection in Nature

An Experiment

July 5

Have you ever wanted to meditate in nature, surrounded by like-minded souls?  Whether this is your first time or you’re a seasoned meditator, we warmly invite you to join us for a peaceful and meaningful morning in community.

As you’ll read below, science is revealing the healing offered by spending time in nature.

When: Saturday, July 5 at 9:00 AM

Where: Blair Pond Park - 333 Clifton Road

What to Expect: No prior meditation experience is needed.

At a recent workshop, “Is Church Still a Little Too… Churchy?”, Rev. John heard a common longing: to connect more deeply with Spirit through nature. He also encouraged us to experiment. This gathering is a response to that call.

We’ll meet in the serene surroundings of Blair Pond - listening to birdsong, watching ducks on the water, and breathing in the fresh morning air. We’ll begin with 30 minutes of gentle meditation, readings and quiet reflection, followed by 30 minutes of relaxed social time over coffee, muffins, and conversation.

This one-hour gathering offers a simple way to reconnect - with yourself, nature and each other.

Blair Pond has ample parking, and is accessible for those with mobility needs.

A few lawn chairs and yoga mats will be available, but please bring your own if you have one

We look forward to sharing this time with you.

Questions? Contact Maureen at maureendetwiller@gmail.com

The Healing Power of Nature: A Scientific Invitation to Wellness

In light of our upcoming Meditation and Connection with Nature experiment, here’s a short summary about the healing power of nature.

Nature is more than beautiful—it’s medicine. Scientists are discovering what poets and sages have long known: spending time outdoors heals the body and soothes the mind. A walk in the forest, the sound of a stream, or the scent of pine can do more than lift your spirits—they can lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, and improve immune function.

This isn’t just wishful thinking. Studies in Japan on shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) show that even short visits to natural environments can reduce cortisol (the stress hormone), slow the heart rate, and increase natural killer-cell activity, which helps fight illness. Meanwhile, exposure to sunlight helps regulate sleep and boosts serotonin, the brain’s natural mood stabilizer.

Nature also invites mindfulness. Surrounded by trees or waves, we tend to breathe deeper, move more, and think less about our worries. Just 20 minutes in a park can significantly boost mood and focus.

You don’t have to scale a mountain. Sit under a tree. Garden. Watch the sky. Science confirms what your soul already knows—nature heals. And in a world that rushes and overwhelms, reconnecting with the earth might be the most radical act of self-care.

CSL Kelowna’s Blue Abundance Program

Let Your Abundance Surprise You—Out of the Blue!

What if abundance could delight you with its spontaneity? What happens when we acknowledge prosperity showing up like a dime on the sidewalk, a free coffee, or an unexpected windfall we so often over-look?

Welcome to CSL Kelowna’s Blue Abundance Program—a joyful experiment in prosperity consciousness where we train our eyes, hearts, and spirits to recognize and celebrate the surprising ways good flows into our lives.

How It Works:

When you say yes to this sacred adventure, you'll receive the Blue Abundance Journal—a beautiful, intention-infused tool designed to help you track every gift, blessing, rebate, discount, coffee bought, or extra payment that comes your way “out of the blue.”

You'll also receive three envelopes marked “Blue Abundance / Unexpected Income.” These allow you to consciously return 10% of your unexpected income to the Centre—creating further opening to the flow of giving and receiving in a beautiful, reciprocal loop.

Additional envelopes supplied at your request.If you give online, please be sure to make a note on the transaction so we can track and celebrate your unexpected income with you!

Throughout the year, our Licensed Practitioners will lovingly hold you in prayer, affirming that Spirit’s infinite abundance flows to you and through you—effortlessly and abundantly.

Why Participate?

This is more than journaling—it’s a spiritual practice, a shift in consciousness, and a joyful way to live in harmony with the Law of Circulation. As you grow in awareness and gratitude, you’ll start to notice the small and large ways the Universe shows up for you—transforming not only your mindset, but your relationship with giving and receiving.

As Ernest Holmes wrote:

“We do not give because God needs the gift but because the giving increases, broadens and deepens the life of the giver.”

When you participate, you affirm:- That you are open to receive.- That you trust in the flow of Divine Good.- That what you give returns multiplied.

So… are you ready to say yes to unexpected income, unexpected joy, and unexpected grace?

Join us in this uplifting practice and see what happens when you let go of resistance and open to the Blue Flow of Divine Abundance.

Journals are available at the Centre or by request to Rev. Corinne atministercslk@gmail.com

Let the flow begin.

Let your abundance surprise you—Out of the Blue!

Spelled also as Daoism, Taoism is an ancient Chinese philosophy based on the writings of Lao-Tzu that stresses living simply and honestly and in harmony with nature. Due to its focus on harmony and the proper way to live, Taoism is often referred to as simply the Way.

In a quiet mountain village, Maya practiced Taoist meditation beside a flowing stream. She listened—not with her ears, but with her being. “The Tao,” she whispered, “flows like water—soft, yet powerful. It does not resist; it allows.”

Miles away, in a bustling city, Elijah sat in a Science of Mind centre. He read aloud from Ernest Holmes: “We are co-creators with the Infinite. Our thoughts shape our reality.” He closed his eyes and affirmed peace, trusting that his inner state influenced the outer world.

Though separated by distance and culture, Maya and Elijah both tapped into a deep spiritual truth. Taoism teaches that harmony comes from aligning with the natural flow of life—the Tao. The Science of Mind teaches that harmony arises when our thoughts align with universal spiritual laws.

Both paths reject rigid dogma in favour of personal experience and inner knowing. Both see the Divine not as a distant being, but as an immanent presence. Where Taoism speaks of wu wei, or effortless action, Science of Mind calls it “treatment.”

In their silence and sincerity, Maya and Elijah discovered the same truth: that life flows best when we release control and remember we are part of something infinite.

YOU KNOW HOW TIME FLIES….

SO DON’T MISS SOAR

JUST TWO MONTHS AWAY

Centers for Spiritual Living Summer Conference

An Incredible Spiritual Opportunity Right in Our Own Back Yard

A Journey of Revelation, Restoration, and Grace

August 7–10, 2025

Banff, Alberta

An Incredible Spiritual Opportunity Right in Our Own Back Yard

SOAR 2025

A Journey of Revelation, Restoration, and Grace

August 7–10, 2025

Banff, Alberta

SOAR 2025

A Journey of Revelation, Restoration, and Grace

August 7–10, 2025

Banff, Alberta

SOAR 2025 Summer Retreat: A Journey of Revelation, Restoration, and Grace is an opportunity to gather, connect, and be rejuvenated through inspiring speakers, musical performances, experiential workshops, spiritual practices, meditations, and communal meals. 

This year our retreat will head to the heart of Canadian Rockies and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Banff, Alberta.

This intimate retreat has limited space remaining. Register now to secure your place.

Inspirational Song of the Week

I'm A Stranger Here

Five Man Electrical Band

Given that many of the stories in this week’s blog have a “nature” theme, here is a cautionary song about humankind’s impact on nature, from those classic Canadian artists, Five Man Electrical Band. This band was active between 1969 and 1975 with their biggest hit being another environmentally-themed song, Signs (Signs, signs, everywhere a sign – blocking out the scenery, breaking my mind).

Web Site: https://fivemanelectricalband.ca/

LET’S CONNECT

Rev. John DePalma’s contact information

Contact Rev. John via email: jdepalma@cslkelowna.org

He is also available for one-on-one telephone conversations.  To schedule a connection, visit his online calendar:

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:

1. Online via the Ways to Donate page of our website (PayPal or credit card).

2. Using the Donation Station (Debit or Credit Card) at our Sunday Service.

3. By Interac e-transfers sent to donate@cslkelowna.org. 

4. 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

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Vol. 2, Issue 24