Christ is born in the cradle of tenderness. Love is a greater power than hate. Whatever you say, say it with love. Harm no one. Judge not others. Hate none, love all; behold Christ in all. Think of everything in terms of universality.
Paramahansa Yogananda
Spiritual Diary
Dear Jackie,
We are very grateful to you for responding to our call for volunteers. The Volunteer Fair in November was a success with seven new volunteers signing up for several of our teams that needed additional assistance.
The Center has been researching various assisted listening devices for hearing-impaired devotees. We have purchased an assisted listening system and will inform you when it is operational. Wishing you a Merry Christmas.
Jai Guru.
Gauri Prakash-Canjels
Coordinator
All Day Christmas Meditation Led by Sister Brahmani
Sister Brahmani will lead our Center's all-day Christmas meditation with kirtan on December 2, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Paramahansa Yoganandaji began the tradition of celebrating a “spiritual Christmas” with an all-day meditation. The meditation service will include inspirational readings, meditation, listening to recordings by our Guru and his advanced disciples, and singing Christmas songs and hymns. There is a half-hour break about mid-way through. If you can only attend one part of the meditation, then please join the first part. Please also bring a devotional offering of fruit and a donation in an envelope. Complete instructions can be found at the link below.
All are warmly invited to join us for our Christmas potluck social on December 10, immediately after the morning Reading service. There will be caroling led by Sally Maxton, a performance by the Sunday School children, and a visit from Santa. Please bring a vegetarian entree, fruit juice, or dessert if you plan to attend.
Additional Christmas Meditations
The SRF Greenfield Retreat in Front Royal, Virginia, will hold its all-day Christmas meditation on December 16. For more information, please go to their website.
SRF will also conduct an online Christmas meditation on December 16.
New Year's Eve Meditation
The Center's New Year's Eve meditation will take place from 11:30 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. on December 31. Paramahansa Yoganandaji recommended meditation as a particularly effective method for bringing in the new year, setting new goals, and aligning oneself with Spirit. This service of meditation and devotional chanting follows that recommendation.
Christmas Food Drive
As a service to God and Guru, through caring for others, the DC Center is conducting a Christmas Food Drive to benefit food banks and charities in the DC/MD/VA area. Please place all donated non-perishable food items in the marked containers in the Center's lobby.
The most needed items are: Low-sodium canned soups, beans, and tomatoes; low-sugar canned fruit; peanut butter in plastic jars; and low-sugar cereal. No glass containers, please.
Service Readings This Month
December 3: Vol. 3 #49 - The Three Instruments of Knowledge
December 10: Vol. 3 #50 - Four Kinds of Men
December 17: Vol. 3 #51 - Happiness Through Attunement with Christ
December 23: Vol. 2 #51 - Receive the Christ Consciousness
December 30: Vol. 3 #52 - Higher Achievements in the New Year
Weekly Services
Thursdays
Inspirational Service: 7:30-9:00 pm
Sundays
Meditation Service: 10:00-10:50 am
Reading Service: 11:00-12:00
Special Events This Month
All-Day Christmas Meditation
December 2, 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Potluck Social
December 10
Greenfield and SRF Online All-Day Christmas Meditations
The Caring Friends Team provides support and outreach to members who are experiencing illness, hardships, and personal crisis. For more information please contact Stacey Hawkins at 301-395-9541, callingcardevents@comcast.net.
Online Donations Available
You can make online donations to the Washington DC Center of SRF by clicking on the yellow Donate button below. You will have the option of designating whether the donation is for the General Fund or the Building Fund. Please note that donations made using this button are not tax-deductible.
You can also make donations to the Center by check, mailed to: Washington DC Center, 4911 Niagara Road, College Park, MD 20740. If you wish your donation to go toward the Building Fund, please note this in the memo field.
Tax-deductible Building Fund donations may be made online here, or by making the check payable to Self-Realization Fellowship, noting Washington DC Building Fund in the memo field, and mailing it to the Center. Full details concerning donations are explained on the Center's website Donate page.
Donations made using the above yellow Donate button are not tax deductible. For other donation options use the Donate Website button below, including tax deductible building fund donations.
