Columbia Center
for Spiritual Living
Newcomers Page
Welcome!
We are happy you’ve found us on the web and would love you to visit us in person. As a spiritual community, we believe each person uniquely expresses the Divine and would be blessed by the gift of your presence. Please let us know how we can help you on your spiritual journey ... we welcome your inquiry and look forward to meeting you!
If the answers to your questions are not found on the following links, please call or write us—or better yet, ask us in person.
For
Newcomers to CCSL – Answers to Common Questions
We are
so glad you are considering a visit to the Columbia Center for Spiritual
Living (CCSL). This section provides answers to common questions:
·
Do
we welcome everyone?
Absolutely! We are an inclusive community that welcomes all ethnicities,
religious backgrounds, and sexual orientations. We celebrate and respect
individual differences and similarities. Our spiritual community
believes each individual has many gifts, that when shared, enhance all
our lives.
·
What do we believe?
CCSL is centered upon a spiritual philosophy developed by Dr. Ernest
Holmes in the 1920’s. It is a practical teaching that:
- Believes thoughts are creative. Because humans are always thinking – we are always creating (whether or not we are directing this Creative process).
- Teaches people how to direct the creative process, through mindfulness, as the means to overcome problematic conditions while creating the life they choose.
- Honors the unity of all life.
- Believes all creation is God in expression, that God is within, and that each individual as a direct and personal relationship with the Divine.
- Upholds this “Declaration of Principles”.
- Is associated with Religious Science International (www.rsintl.org).
·
What happens when I arrive?
Our ushers will greet you in the foyer, show you where to hang your
coat, help you with a nametag (optional), and direct you to the Welcome
Table.
If you have children (6 months or older) our greeter will introduce you
to a member of our youth program or to one of our teens.
·
What happens during the service?
Our service lasts one hour and fifteen minutes. We have music, readings,
meditation, and a message from our speaker-of-the-day. Our messages
encourage everyone to think for him or her self. We end each service in
a circle, symbolizing our connection as a spiritual community. After the
service, we have refreshments and socialize. Be sure to take a look
through our expansive Awakenings
Bookstore.
·
How do we support our children?
While parents are attending Sunday service, we have “Funday School” for
children ages 6 months and older. Our teen program, ages 12-19, meets
twice per month after the Sunday Service.
·
What will my children learn in Funday school sessions?
Our goals are to explore the "big questions" of life and help them
develop a strong ethical foundation for truth and meaning. We offer
diverse, engaging, age appropriate experiences in a safe, nurturing
environment.
·
What should I wear?
We believe in being comfortable. Although most members come casually
dressed, some use Sunday as an opportunity to dress up a little.
· Do I need to let someone know I'm planning to attend? No. You may just show up!
· Will I be asked to stand and introduce myself? No. We just ask first time visitors to raise their hands so that we may hand them a visitors’ packet.
Ongoing Activities
We have a variety of regular activities including:
· Book Club (monthly)
· Classes (accredited and of special interest)
· Men’s Group (Meets monthly for breakfast on first Saturday)
· Metaphysical Movie nights
· Meditation Service (2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 7:30pm, at Hawthorn)
· Peace Center events (quarterly)
· River Rafting – annually
· CCSL Outreach – serving Baltimore’s men’s and women’s homeless shelters (monthly)
· Social events (quarterly)
· Women’s Group (monthly)
·
The
Men and Women of Color
(meets the 2nd
Saturday evening of every month)
How to Learn More about CCSL
· Attend any of our new member orientations (held periodically during the year)
· Read the information in your Welcome Packet
· Meet with any one of our Ministers or Practitioners
· Sign up for our online newsletter
· Register for a class
· Visit the Religious Science International website: www.rsintl.org
CCSL Leadership Team
We are blessed with a large spiritual team of four licensed Prayer Practitioners and eight Ministers (who are also licensed Practitioners). To email a minister or practitioner listed below, click on their name.
Our Spiritual Leadership Team:
Asst. Minister: Rev. Gussie Scardina …………….. Adult Education
Staff Ministers: Rev. Lee Blaisdell, RScP ………… Youth Director
Rev. Gary Leard, RScP ………….. Music Director
Rev. Kathy Jordan, RScP ………. Community Service
Rev. Jenna Wexler, RScP ………. Peace Center
Practitioners: Joanna Clark, RScP
Cindy Risser, RScP
Wendy Greene, RScP
Our Board of Trustees:
President - Donni Dingman
Treasurer - Karen Brown
Secretary - Myla Dick
Finance - Ben Clark
Board Member - Bill Barbour
Board Member - Tim McIntyre
Board Member - Kathy Plasse
Directions and Contact Information
We conduct the following services:
· Sundays at 10:00 am
· Mid-week Meditation (2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 7:15 pm)
Our services are held at the following location:
The Hawthorn Center in Columbia, MD
Directions are on our Service & Directions page.
Snow & Inclement Weather Policy
For snow, hurricanes, or other emergency circumstances:
· Members and e-newsletter subscribers may be informed by email.
· Cancellations will be posted on our website's main page.
· Details will be recorded on the Office phone: (410) 730-8559.
NOTE: The decision
to cancel service is typically made by 8:00 am on Sunday.