Which came first? The gifts of life, or our recognition of them? Gratitude is about recognizing what is. The magnitude of wonder that exists in our lives far exceeds what we often recognize. It is not unusual to feel there is a lack of what we "need" in our lives, a lack of what we "want," and a basic sense of limitation. Abundance can only exist (in our experience) if we recognize it. Gratitude is the key. | | |
Rev. Gil Olmstead is RGCSL’s Spiritual Director. Rev. Gil’s ministry and service is grounded in collaboration, community, and compassion. When he first came to RGCSL, he felt it was home. He’s excited about our magical journey together and for what is unfolding.
Rev. Gil also works with his wife, Robyn, in their ministry, Live Inspired. They host "Rockin’ the Love," a weekly podcast, where they share insights from over 20 years of spiritual play, disappointments, triumphs, and growth as a couple.
You can check out their latest episode here:
https://www.youtube.com/live/zWGDnbKQduk?si=iwdkjERPGr0rY0gw
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Susan Clark is RGCSL's Director of Musical Inspiration. A hard-working musician and talented songwriter, she inspires and motivates congregants to dive deeper into spirituality each time she performs. Outside of RGCSL, she shares her talents with Alzheimer's patients and veterans. Susan has received numerous awards and collaborations with New Thought performers. She has produced several CDs, including "Sunlight of The Soul," which contains many of her spiritual songs, specifically crafted with the New Thought community in mind.
For more information about Susan, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/susanclarkmusic/
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Kent Pittsenbargar on drums
Music has always been a huge part of my life; it is deeply spiritual and soothingly healing as well. I am very happy working with Susan Clark, director of music at RGCSL. Susan is a very talented singer, songwriter, pianist and all around a Wonderful Soul. We are Blessed to enjoy her creative talents, and I am grateful to be here with RGCSL.
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Jamie Collins on Native American Flute and Bass Guitar
Jamie Collins shares his musical gifts with our music team on Native American flute and bass guitar.
A musician for more than 50 years, Jamie recently moved to Albuquerque after 23 years in Nashville, where he pursued songwriting and was active in a Center for Spiritual Living community. He is also a poet, author, and screenwriter, and we’re grateful for the creativity and experience he brings to our community.
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Monthly Theme: The Fear and the Furious
CSL Weekly Affirmation: I channel my anger into sacred, purposeful action.
| | Rev. Kamatara's Affirmation from Last Sunday | | |
Birthday Sunday = Hat Sunday = Bring-a-friend Sunday
Ok, you-all, it's time to step up your game and quit keeping this place such a secret. Bring a friend, wear your favorite hat -- play it loud and fun and let's turn this Sunday into a celebration - whether it's your birthday this month or not (and there WILL be cake!). Stay for the town meeting and discover now much there is to be grateful for.
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Sunday, August 2, 2026 • 12:30 p.m.
You're invited to the Rio Grande Center for Spiritual Living Town Hall Meeting—a wonderful opportunity to stay informed, ask questions, and connect with your Board of Trustees.
During this gathering, the Board will share a mid-year financial update, celebrate the progress we've made since our move to San Mateo, and answer questions about the role and functions of the Board of Trustees.
Your presence, insights, and participation help strengthen our spiritual community. We hope you'll stay after the service and join us for this important conversation as we continue building our future together.
| | Solid Grounds Announcements | | |
Solid Grounds is always looking for volunteers to help with the fun on Friday nights. If you would like to be one of the many sets of hands that help bring this awesomeness to life each week, please contact Robyn (818-300-3911 or rcrice1@aol.com).
| | Fun Ministry Announcements | |
Annual Camping Trip
Important addendum:
There is a deadline of August 2 to sign up for the camping trip or the picnic. Please sign up by then so we can adequately provision the event. Also, be aware that there is a locked gate to enter the campground. You will be given the gate code when you sign up.
Our annual camping trip is coming up August 6th through the 9th with the one-day picnic (for non-campers) set for Saturday, August 8. This year, Liza Kerr has found an amazing spot: the Paliza Campground in the Jemez Mountains. In addition to gorgeous scenery, Liza says, “The site has recently been renovated and is pristine. There are dozens of pullouts for cars, campers, RV’s, whatever you might have, and each of them has a place to set up a tent. The bathrooms are newly renovated. The best feature of all is the HUGE ramada. It’s twice as big as the one at Kiwanis. Just…wow, wow, wow!” Nearby is the Ponderosa Winery, and if you get tired of camp food, Jemez Pueblo for enchiladas or fry bread, or Jemez Springs for a bakery and brew pub. Scenic hikes, Soda Dam and nearby hot springs are all part of the package. Suggested donation was changed to $15-20 per family per night for the campout and $20 per person or $30 per family for the picnic. Space is limited. Sign up on Breeze at qrco.de/bguY7I or text Liza Kerr at 505-235-8186.
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Annual Labor Day Picnic
Our annual Labor Day picnic at Elena Gallegos Open Space is coming up on Monday, September 7. Please plan to come and BRING A FRIEND. This is a chance for outreach and to show our friends and neighbors what a fun, cool place RGCSL is! We’ll be grilling hamburgers and hot dogs (with veggie options), and there will be a potluck for side dishes and desserts. Please sign up on Breeze at qrco.de/LDPicnic or text Liza Kerr at 505-235-8186.
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🌵 Come One, Come All — New Thought in the Desert 2026!
September 17–20, 2026 • Las Vegas Center for Spiritual Living
Living the Power of New Thought:
Celebrate! Communicate! Connect!
Something extraordinary is unfolding in the desert this September — a vibrant, heart‑centered gathering that marks a new chapter in our movement. New Thought in the Desert 2026 is not only a celebration of consciousness, community, and connection… it is also the first-ever collaboration between Rio Grande Center for Spiritual Living and Las Vegas Center for Spiritual Living. Two powerful communities, one shared vision for collaboration in the greater New Thought community, and a whole lot of love.
And we want YOU there to represent.
This three‑day conference welcomes participants from Centers for Spiritual Living, Unity, Agape‑inspired ministries, and other New Thought portals for an immersive experience of learning, celebration, and spiritual expansion. Whether you’re a long‑time practitioner, a congregant, a minister, a spiritual leader, or someone who simply loves being in high‑vibration community — this event is for you.
This year’s theme, “Living the Power of New Thought!”, invites us to step boldly into the truth of who we are and the world we are co‑creating. While we are together, you’ll experience:
- Dynamic speakers from across the New Thought movement - Keynote Speaker, Dr. Soni Cantrell‑Smith, Spiritual Leader for Centers for Spiritual Living, our own Dr. Michele Coleman and more.
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Interactive panels and deep‑dive conversations - Rev Raymont Anderson, Liz Raci, Marylyn Kirk.
- Opportunities to ask questions, explore your spiritual playground, and expand your consciousness
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Music, snacks, surprises, and soul‑nourishing connection - the incomparable Faith Rivera; Renee Perkins, and others
- A celebration of the sacred role of Spiritual Practitioners in our communities
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Thursday we will celebrate, Friday we will communicate with a special Dinner and presentations, Saturday we will be blessed with a concert with Faith Revera
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All topped off with a great Sunday experience with Rev Dr Soni Cantrell-Smith.
Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of ministers and practitioners from our centers, our region and beyond have been pouring their hearts into this event, including: Marylyn Kirk — Rio Grande CSL, Joy Lynn Hertz — Albuquerque CSL, Teresa Valenzuela — Washington DC CSL, Rev. Karen Linsley and more.
Because contrary to the old saying, “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,” we know the truth: What happens in Vegas will ripple out and change the world!
You are invited to be part of that ripple!
✨ Registration Is Now Open
Register Here: https://giving.myamplify.io/App/Form/dae34f8b-22db-41ec-8310-95747b10dc4d
Click here for the (tenative) schedule,
| | The following announcements are reruns The full article (newsletter) can be found by clicking on the graphic. | | |
Do You Have News for Our Community?
If so, then please email your *short* article about RGCSL classes, group meetings and news that affects our community to announcements@rgcsl.org by Tuesday at 6 p.m. for inclusion in Thursday's bulletin. The newsletter team will respond to your request with a confirmation email or comments. Thanks!
| | The Quantum Portal & Gift Shop News | | |
10% off for all August birthdays and first timers.
The August issue of Science of Mind magazines are available. June issue is 50% off!
If you want to follow along with Rev. Gil this month as we explore our book of focus, and you haven't picked up your copy of 5 Gifts for an Abundant Life: Create a Consciousness of Wealth, by Diane Harmony, we sold out of our English copies! We presently only have copies available in Spanish. If you can't wait until we get more in (which may not be for another weeks), clicking on the title above will take you to Amazon.
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RGCSL Healing Circle
Dr. Madelyn Fletcher-Stark, DDS, MSD specializes in heart-centered quantum healing. Through compassionate guidance, intuitive energy work, and her writing, she helps individuals find greater peace, clarity, and healing. She has a special passion for supporting those navigating grief, offering hope and the reminder that love remains.
| | Compassion Ministries (CM) is an in-reach Ministry that is about unconditional positive regard for the spiritual health and well-being of our congregants in time of struggle, despair, grief, or in times when there is a temporary need for a supportive lending hand. We are looking for more volunteers for this program. If you have a gift that you wish to share with our congregants, please let us know what you'd like to contribute when a need arises. For further information contact Susan Solari 510-225-5305. | | |
Prayer Support
We are blessed to have numerous Licensed Practitioners, and they are ready to respond to your prayer requests or to schedule a counseling/prayer session. You may also submit an online prayer request. May your strength of faith provide peace to your heart and to your mind.
For guidelines on respectful communication, please see: Respectful Communication | Rio Grande Center for Spiritual Living
| | For a list of upcoming, ongoing events at Rio Grande CSL, click here | | Click here for Spiritual Tools from Home office. | | |
If you'd like to receive the newsletter from Home Office, you can sign up here.
For a free guided meditation, click here.
| | What's Happening at ABQCSL? | | Head to our YouTube channel to view the most recent video from Rev Amani. New videos are uploaded each Sunday. Be sure to subscribe to our channel so you don't miss a video! | | |
The Rio Grande Center for Spiritual Living
Contact us at 505-224-9405 or office@rgcsl.org
Office Hours:
Mon - Thurs 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
www.rgcsl.org
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