What's Happening This Week at CSL Kelowna
Message from Rev. John DePalma
Sunday, July 28: Soul Food Sunday, with Rev. Barbara Samuel
Sunday July 28: Science Corner, with Neal Klassen
Last Sunday’s Talk: Imperfect Practices with Rev. Corinne Crockett
Inspirational Song of the Week: Better Than a Hallelujah, Amy Grant
Operations Coordinator position closes July 26
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
MESSAGE FROM REV. JOHN DePALMA
IF YOU ATTENDED last Sunday’s service, you heard Linda Kidder’s rendition of the Amy Grant song Better Than a Hallelujah! It broke me wide open!
God loves the drunkard's cry
The soldier's plea not to let him die
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes
We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful, the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah
These lyrics speak to a profound connection and understanding, at least for me, about my understanding of God. Rather than seeking to appease a God on a throne in the sky (outside of us) through atonement for our imperfections we are giving God a deeper understanding and teaching It what it means to be human.
No matter what is happening “God just hears a melody” – not from a place of indifference or malice but simply because that’s all It can do. It is learning what it means to be human- an inevitable consequence of the creative process.
That which glorifies God can only be found in the deepest regions of the human heart. And it becomes incumbent upon us to courageously plumb those depths. (For God’s sake!)
When challenges come, as they always do, make it a habit to go within at once and focus as much as you can on the inner energy field of your body. Attention is the key to transformation -- and full attention also implies acceptance. Attention is like a beam of light -- the focused power of your consciousness that transmutes everything into itself. (Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now, p. 98)
When we freely accept that it’s ok to be human, is when we start to know God.
Rev. Corinne spoke powerfully about this in her Sunday message on the awareness of her addiction to perfection – something we all share. As she so eloquently stated, “Perfection isn’t self-improvement!”
Stop trying to "fix" yourself; you're not broken! You are perfectly imperfect and powerful beyond measure. (Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You, p. 73)
This is a very different message than what I’ve grown up with and heard most of my adult life. We forego the major benefit of personal development if we cannot at the very least become aware of and curious about our imperfections. It’s a very different message to think that who we have come here to be is to grant God the opportunity to know Itself through our experience.
And perhaps by doing that we become kinder to ourselves, gentler with each other and begin to let go of the unresolved baggage from our past and that of our ancestors. And maybe that can begin to heal our relationships, our country and the world.
If you have forgiven yourself for being imperfect and falling, you can now do it for just about everybody else. If you have not done it for yourself, I am afraid you will likely pass on your sadness, absurdity, judgment, and futility to others. (Richard Rohr, Falling Upward, p. 114)
This is what we’re here to do, to “transform lives and inspire people to make a positive difference in the world." At long last, maybe we can teach God a different melody.
Rev. John DePalma
Sunday, July 28, 2024
Rev. Barbara Samuel
How Will I Ever Be All that I am Meant to Be?
On this sacred path of Radical Acceptance, rather than striving for perfection, we discover how to love ourselves into wholeness. ~ Tara Brach.
Self-love is more than just regarding your well-being or appreciation of your worth. It’s honouring and respecting your authentic self as the soulful and physical being that you are. Join Rev. Barbara Samuel for an inspirational message of beautiful words and music.
Sunday, July 28
SCIENCE CORNER
With Neal Klassen
It’s a Soul Food Sunday, and that means it’s time for Science Corner – where we look at the Science behind Science of Mind.
Last Sunday's Talk
Imperfect Practices with Rev. Corinne Crockett
Rev. Corinne Crockett
Life is imperfect, and the Science of Mind perspective on embracing imperfection and change is rooted in the understanding that life is in constant evolution. Last week Rev. Corinne Crockett reflected on how we grow best when we are gentle, patient, and kind with ourselves and one another. If you missed her talk, or want to hear it again, click here”
Inspirational Song of the Week
BETTER THAN A HALLELUJAH
Amy Grant
This is the song performed by Linda Kidder at last week’s service, and featured in this week’s message from Rev. John DePalma
Amy Grant is an American singer-songwriter and musician. She began her music career in contemporary Christian music before crossing over to pop music in the mid-1980s. Grant has been referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop".
As of 2009, Grant had sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, won six Grammy Awards, 22 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, and had the first Christian album to go platinum. She was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006 for her contributions to the entertainment industry and in 2022, she was announced as a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors.
JOB OPENING
Operations Coordinator
POSTING CLOSES JULY 26
We are currently accepting applications for our new Operations Coordinator position. This position is guided by our Evolutionary Purpose: Transforming Lives and Inspiring People to make a Positive Difference in the World, and is driven by our Values: Extraordinary Respect, Compassion, Safety and Accountability.
This is a part-time contract position. Days per week and hours per day will fluctuate week to week. Working Sundays and attending Sunday Service is an expectation.
Overview:
The Operations Coordinator works for the Centre for Spiritual Living Kelowna (CSLK) to coordinate the day-to-day operations as well as business functions of CSLK.
The successful candidate will understand, embrace and embody our purpose and values, bringing their own unique abilities to support them.
This position will shift/change/evolve over time as the needs of our community shift/change/evolve over time.
Reports to:
This position reports to the Spiritual Director and the President (or designate) of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Centre for Spiritual Living Kelowna.
Core Competencies Required:
Strong administrative/clerical skills.
o Good grammar, writing, communication skills.
Exhibits proficiency in administrative software.
o Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Adobe, Zoom, Outlook, Dropbox.
Exhibits proficiency with the internet and social media.
Skills Required:
Familiar with CSLK’s Evolutionary Purpose Statement and Values.
Committed to extraordinary respect, compassion, safety and accountability.
Must be able to maintain confidentiality.
Exhibits excellent interpersonal skills and has a caring and compassionate presence.
Communicates clearly, effectively, respectfully and comprehensively.
Possesses strong organizational, problem solving and time management skills.
Is detail-oriented, proactive, self-motivated, with creative and analytical thinking.
Works well independently and collaboratively with a variety of different individuals.
Has a growth mindset and is open and flexible with new ideas and/or opportunities.
Ability to lift 20 lbs.
Reliable transportation.
While not a requirement, being an active member of the CSLK community is preferred.
Accountabilities:
In the area coordinating day-to-day operations, we count on the Operations Coordinator for:
First Point of Contact.
o Monitoring and answering cell phone, emails and deliveries in a friendly, professional manner.
In the area of performing ongoing business functions, we count on the Operations Coordinator for:
Keeping up-to-date calendar for organization.
o classes, special events, rentals, groups, meetings.
Creating and distributing schedule for Sunday service roles with the guidance of the Spiritual Director.
Coordinating and Administering organization timelines.
Coordinating:
o Schedule for volunteers in collaboration with Team Leads.
o Rental agreements.
o Class registration and reporting to Centers for Spiritual Living.
o Member and newcomer information.
o Donor information and conscious giving program.
o Dropbox account and storage of electronic files.
o Insurance requirements.
o Special events.
o Equipment needs/inventory/supplies.
o Travel itineraries and bookings as requested.
Relaying all Centre activity details to the Communications Coordinator.
Editing posts from Communications Coordinator.
Research when requested (products, services, themes, etc).
Other duties as requested by the Spiritual Director and/or President of the Board of Trustees (or designate).
In return the Operations Coordinator can count on us for:
Creating an environment that values extraordinary respect, compassion, safety and accountability.
Creating an environment that is safe to ask questions and share new ideas.
Providing orientation and training.
Flexibility in scheduling.
Reviewing our relationship and progress in 60 days, and then every 6 months.
Education:
High school diploma
Post-secondary education preferred
Foundational classes in Science of Mind preferred.
Special consideration given to:
Prior non-profit experience
Facility rental management
Grant writing
Policy and Procedure Manual writing and upkeep
REMUNERATION
For services outlined in the Job Description, the Centre for Spiritual Living Society Kelowna will pay the contractor $2000 per month as invoiced at the end of each month.
You can apply by submitting a cover letter and resume to:
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!
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 24
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