"...the kind of September.
When life was slow and oh, so mellow."
Then you would be living with us here in Chico!
It's been just over a month now and we are pretty much settled into our new home. Don has been great about working around the house with all the projects and unpacking, etc. That has allowed me to work on unpacking and starting all the projects at church.
Last week, I was in Los Angeles for the ICSL/UCSL Integration Conference. This was a major historical event in the New Thought movement because the two primary Religious Science organizations were meeting to finalize the process of integrating (back) into one organization that promotes the Science of Mind philosophy and teaching.
It has been since 1954 that Dr. Ernest Holmes' philosophy had some internal political challenges and split into two factions. Now, after a year of dialogue and prayer, the two organizations presented to it's field minister the culmination into the evolution of Centers for Spiritual Living.
It was amazing to be a part of this new chapter in our history.
For me, it was a unique personal situation as well. Having just relocated to Northern California after having lived in Los Angeles for 40+ years and San Diego for 7 + years, I was now a 'tourist' flying into LAX and staying at a hotel. I was seeing colleagues from my early RSI days (when I first began at the Hollywood Church of Religious Science with Dr. Robert Bitzer); my 10+ years at the Agape Church in Santa Monica; my three plus years at the North Hollywood Church; some San Diego folk; and now my current ICSL colleagues I have been meeting during the past year. I truly am a hybrid of this movement. Or as my grandmother might have said, a Heinz 57 mutt.
The details of the conference are too numerous to share here. I can say that even though all the details are not resolved, the integration is accomplished and people will continue to dot the i's and cross all the t's. Meanwhile, we get to walk the talk of what we teach and preach about Oneness from a new level of truth and integrity. On Sunday, I presented this information to my congregation and it is so exciting to be presenting this to them during our shared time of new leadership and community as we build in newness our Chico church together.
Each day, I am getting to meet more people and learn more of who we are and how we operate. Don and I continue to be touched by the genuine kindness and good nature of the people not only in our church but around the town.
Today, I had a surprise visit from Martha Dunbar to my office. Martha is a practitioner emeritus who is still quite active in the church even though she physically gets around with a walker and assistance from good friends who transport her to places. She and Sally came by to welcome me and brought me a zinnia (for friendship) in a vase and a pound of See's Candy to add to The Pounding (welcome wagon greeting when we got here). They were so cute and amused about the fact of their bringing a pound of candy for the Pounding. This is an example of the thoughtfulness and sweetness (no candy puns intended) of the people here.
Several times a day as I walk through the church, I find myself stopping and looking outside the big windows and appreciating the beauty of the lake, the sky or the geese and ducks who live there. Last night, while I was setting up for an evening meeting, I even introduced myself to a cat who I guesstimate lives on the property. I like having a church cat even if he/she doesn't get to come inside the church. And it is really wonderful to take the time to pause as I am driving out of the parking lot to wait till the ducks amble across the road before I proceed home.
Oh, and speaking of outside cats...
I want to tell you about The Big Liebowski (not the wonderful, quirky film) but this goofy big cat that lives on our block. He is quite the Dude and is often outside to escort us when Don and I are out for a walk. I wish I could describe his galumphing gait that matches his roundness and hospitable nature. It seems that he also has a crush on our Jezebelle because he will come up to the walkway when she is in the window sill or post himself across the street in a neighbor's driveway so he has a better view.
By the way, last night you could smell autumn in the air and we had a bit of thunder and lightning.
Soon it's gonna rain...
Wait a minim.....
Tonight, we rented the new film, "The Fabelmans" and loved it. Incredible performances, screenwriting and story-telling. I espec...
3 comments:
Dear Readers,
Pleased to report that the Yankees won their last game at the original,historic stadium.
And my blogophilic apologies for my chronic misuse of the spelling of "it's" vs. "its". I have good enough friends who know how much I value language and writing to bring it to my attention.
www.geek.com has offered me an understanding of the difference in the useage that I think finally makes sense to me.
whew.
I also love Mr. Lebowski! He is such a kick. He has greeted Duchess and I most every time we go for a walk and leads us to the edge of his territory until we return and then leads us home.
A couple of days ago I saw him outside our window, so I opened the door and shut the screen behind me. He came over to say hello and I saw him look behind me. To my surprise, our shy little Jezebelle was at the screen. Mr. Lebowski marched over to her in his burly cat walk and the two of them touched noses through the screen door! I laughed out loud and listened to a cute little murmur come from Belle as Mr. L came back to get my attention.
I am not sure, but I do not think she has seen me petting another cat since her sister died a few years ago. She was quite perplexed.
Today, Duchess and I drove down our street after having met Bob Dean and his friend for dinner (Bob is from San Diego. Great to see him). We saw a family of three taking a walk, and sure enough, there was our friend Mr. L doing his duty walking beside the family. The mom, dad, and little boy were all smiling down at their escourt with delight. Good job Mr. Lebowski!
D.C.
Rev. Duchess brings a change in energy - an enthusiasm - to us in Chico. We wept a collective tear or two today with her as she shared intimately about her experience coming to us. When she begins with 'how can I love you today?' or 'I am here to love you today',we melt. Oh to be loved simply for being who we are.
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