Meditation at 10 a.m. 

Service at 10:30 a.m.

Followed by Fellowship in the Social Hall

Discover the power of self-advocacy and learn how to cultivate the confidence and assertiveness to speak up for yourself and others. Whether in the workplace, relationships, or community, join us as we explore practical tools to empower your voice in every aspect of life.

Rev. Kamatara Johnson is RGCSL' s Director of Collaborative Ministries. She is also Executive Director for Circles USA, a nonprofit that’s dedicated to ending poverty in the United States. In addition, Rev. Kamatara is a substitute minister supporting multiple churches in Albuquerque and Las Cruces with regular talks and visitations. Her core mission in all her work is to empower conscious evolution.

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/

Watch Service on YouTube Live

Watch Service Live on Facebook

Monthly Theme: Raise Your Voice

Affirmation of the Week: I confidently speak my truth and advocate for

myself with clarity and strength.

Rev. Kamatara's Affirmation from Last Sunday:

Announcements

Life is a Mirror

by Nancy Bowers, RScP

I love knowing spiritual principal, because understanding them expands my world. Ernest Holmes reminds us that “Principal is not bound by precedent.” In other words, just because things have been chugging along a certain way for as long as I can remember doesn’t mean they will continue that way. The life I experience is the outpicturing of my thoughts. That’s what the whole, “change your thinking, change your life” is about. Energy follows thought and thought, as we know, is creative. Or as my first real metaphysical teacher, Seth (channeled by Jane Roberts), said, “Your environment is the physical picture of your thoughts, emotions and beliefs made visible. You are in physical existence to learn and understand that your energy translated into feeling, thoughts and emotions, causes all experience. No exceptions.”

That’s why in times when appearances could arouse doubt and pump energy into a fear-based existence, I find myself “turning towards the light.” I mean, if life is going to give me more of whatever thoughts are running through my brain, I sure as heck want to be choosing things that return me to a sense of peace – ideas that calm my nervous system, rather than increase my sense of anxiety.

Life always confirms my bias. If I think someone is a jerk, then some part of my brain is searching for evidence that supports that; it will tend to discard all the parts that offer proof to the contrary. Worse, because the Law only knows how to say “yes,” it will keep providing proof of my bias. 

These days, I just notice what stories I am making up, then I ask myself if that story contributes to my well-being or not. Is it a story of love or is it a story of fear, and if it’s a fearful one, what am I afraid of?

New thought teaches us (thankfully!) that the Universe is conspiring in our favor. That’s an empowering belief/story to rest on if life is an outpicturing of those beliefs!

So the next time you find yourself tempted to feel victimized, remember, it’s all about belief.  Choose again. We are all much more powerful and creative than we tend to give ourselves credit for.



“Life is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker what he thinks into it.”  ~Ernest Holmes

Volunteers Needed

Ready to Volunteer? Go see Carol Ann! There are lots of places to volunteer at Rio Grande. You have a special gift just waiting to be discovered in one or more of those places. Call Carol Ann at 505-980-5825 to see where you can volunteer!

Do you have a printer? Can you print bulletins? Text Sheryl Rae at 505-918-8749.

Healing Circle

We are pleased to have Kim Peabody with us this Sunday, offering therapeutic hugs and tantra meditation.

Kim brings eight years practice of tantra, a self-awareness modality used for opening chakras and bringing

forward emotional stagnations. “Being hugged by Kim feels so incredibly nurturing. It's like being in the arms of

The Divine Mother.”

Weekly Fiscal Update

Week 17, 4/23/25 - 4/22/25:

$5,226.17 (budgeted)

$4,118.38 (actual)

- $1107.79

Year to date:

$88,844.89 (budgeted)

-$72,525.62 (actual)

-$16,319.27

Attendance: In Person = 50, Online = 23; Total Sunday attendance: 73



Our total reach for the week between Sunday Service, Solid Grounds, class, and ACIM: 133 people last week

Note: The income for Solid Grounds is included in the budget because we can't add income without adding expenses. The good news is that Solid Grounds has added over $2000 to our bottom-line since it began.

Spirit Bound Bookstore & Gift Shop News

1. The May-June SOM Magazine, Daily Word & Spirituality Health magazines are here.

Please note that going forward the new issue is $11.99.

Given this surprise increase, the bookstore will offer a 10% discount for this issue to help soften the blow. Going forward the price will be $11.99.

2. The Spirit Bound Bookstore's May artist of the month is Brian Kurtz. We are featuring his book: Access the Real You.

3. On 6/28 @ 9:30AM the bookstore will have it's 1st Chakra Scented Candle Making Workshop. The kits are $15.00. Gil will be your candle-maker instructor. Your kit consists of: a 12oz glass jar with lid, raw crystals blessed by our Rev, organic scented herbs, scented oil, a chakra guide chart, coloring dye (optional), an affirmation card to write your personal affirmation & a label to title your Chakra Candle. Sign up in the bookstore. 

Classes

Solid Grounds Announcements

Two for The Road - May 2, 2025

TWO FOR THE ROAD: Allison Davis and Steve Hill had talked on and off for years about getting together to just jam for a few hours. That turned out to be so much fun, they had to continue! Although their musical backgrounds differed somewhat, they found enough common ground to inspire each other. They’ve been busy, creating a repertoire that includes many of the standard ballads, bossa, and swing tunes but with the addition of some blues, folk, and pop.

Mineral Hill - May 9, 2025

Mineral Hill was formed in 2017 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We bring Human Country Funk and eclectic feral Americana… Enthusiastic fans describe us as “surprisingly tolerable” and “the house band at the human dog park.”

The band is comprised of Lauren Addario on drums and vocals; Jonathan Mark on guitar, banjo, mandolin and vocals and John Funkhouser on keyboard, bass and vocals.

They have performed hundreds of times across the Southwest, including the ABQ Museum’s Third Thursday in the amphitheater, Sunport Serenades, and the Old Town Holiday Stroll.

Compassion Ministries

Volunteers Needed

Compassion Ministries is in need of volunteers to drive other members to the center on Sunday. We are looking especially for someone in the area. Contact Susan Solari 510-225-5305 or Sue Klump at 909-496-7338 to volunteer. Thank you!

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

Ongoing Events

2nd Sunday of the month from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. On Zoom

RGCSL Board Meeting: Please note that time and date may vary depending on Trustees' schedules and availability. To attend any board meeting, please text interim Board President Sheryl Rae at

(505) 918-8749.

Tuesdays, 9 a.m. In Person

QiGong: Join us for this moving meditation with YouTube videos in the sanctuary — a perfect way to begin your day! If you have questions, please contact Sherry Noone at

908-486-4442.

Thursdays, 6:00-7:30 p.m. In-person AND on Zoom

A Course in Miracles Group: Join Nancy Bowers at the Center or on Zoom. Everyone is welcome. No prior experience necessary. This class is done on a love-offering basis. Launch Meeting - Zoom Meeting ID: 849 8672 4452 Passcode: 536144

Fridays from 6:30 p.m..-9:00 p.m.

Solid Grounds Music Cafe Come and enjoy a wonderful evening of music and community this Friday! Doors open at 6:30, show is at 7 p.m. Solid Grounds welcomes all to enjoy snacks and music free of charge! Love donations are encouraged and gratefully accepted.

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 Rio Grande Center for Spiritual Living

Contact us at 505-224-9405 or office@rgcsl.org

Office Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Office and Spirit Bound Bookstore Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sunday: 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

www.rgcsl.org