posted Apr 23, 2009 4:07 PM by Rev Marcella
It's been a LONG time since my last blog. The whole community has worked together to transform an old building to a bright, new, powerful Center of Light. In these next weeks I'll be giving you a glimpse into this past year, our new Center, our growing community and all the up and coming events. Welcome, again, to the Center of Light, Seattle! |
posted Aug 31, 2008 11:17 PM by Rev Marcella
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updated Aug 31, 2008 11:19 PM
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On September 11th, 2001 I left the Boston Center of Light to help launch the Center in Seattle. That was a surreal time, crossing the country with so many displaced and saddened people in the wake of the events of that time. Now, as we near our 7th year, we are again in the midst of a move and we are preparing for another surge of growth. We've purchased a new home and Center in the University District and have been hard at work clearing, building, painting, cleaning, and moving; but more importantly - praying! As we're faced with the demands and delays of permitting and renovation in our new building we are constantly reminded to surrender the challenges the world presents and have faith that God will (as God always does) provide for us. We left our Greenlake Center this morning after our silent meditation and Sunday service and will be in a temporary space (back at home in our first chapel) until the new Center is ready. I've been feeling such immense gratitude to God for taking care of our needs so perfectly and for coming full circle back to our original space makes it easy to reflect on how God has been so generous in these first 7 years. |
posted Aug 31, 2008 9:46 PM by Rev Marcella
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updated Aug 31, 2008 11:14 PM
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In summer we tend to be drawn out of ourselves and into the world. The weather is better, the options for outdoor fun and activity increase (here in Seattle, where we have a short summer season, people really rush to be out when the sky clears and the sun shines). Because of the pull to be active and out, summer can be a difficult time to stay consistent with a meditation practice and spiritual work. As I reflect on the past few months, I appreciate God’s wisdom in creating the routine for us to retreat with one another in the middle of July. This year we had 3 consecutive weeks of retreats. Our community members spent most of the month coming and going from the Sophia Peace Center in Dolores CO, dividing ourselves into 3 groups and heading off to be inspired, healed, awakened, and active in showing up to be transformed.
Every morning our community sits together for 30 minutes of meditation. In early August I was sitting in meditation looking out on our community and smiled. I thought, “This is a totally different group of people than we were a few weeks ago.” As always I am amazed at how quickly change happens in God’s hands. I felt so happy that each person had decided to dive in, open their hearts and allow Jesus and Mary to work on them from the inside out. Defenses come down, people take risks and decide to trust again and then the whole world changes. I felt deeply grateful to be able to see each of the students and community members in a new light. When we allow our heaviest burdens to be lifted from our hearts, of course we wouldn’t be the same as we were… even a few minutes before. One of the great blessings of working with a Teacher is that the Teacher makes room for you to be new; transformed in the twinkling of an eye. I love that this was done for me and I have the great blessing of serving others in the same way.
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