Celebrations of the Spirit |
| Newsletter |
| Sunday Messages |
| September 5 Who's Right - Who's Wrong Rev. Melinda Angstadt Finding peace amid the chaos September 12 Anytime Now God Rev. Melinda Angstadt Waiting patiently September 19 Staying Centered in the Middle of a Reaction Rev. Diane Trieb We all do it - react, that is. Let's look at what we can do next, and not try to delude ourselves that if we just stay centered, we can be finished with reacting. September 26 The Awakening Heart Rev. Melinda Angstadt Faith, Hope, and Love... but the greatest of these is Love October 3 Spiritual Maturity Rev. Melinda Angstadt A Buddhist view October 10 Surrender in Preparation for Entering the Darkness Rev. Diane Trieb As the hours of daylight wane, our transparency, or lack thereof, becomes more evident. How can we become more transparent, so our Inner Light illumines our way through the darkness of Winter? October 17 We Can't Stop the Waves Rev. Melinda Angstadt But we can learn to surf. Farewell but Not Good-bye Rev. Melinda Angstadt The celebration of the Life of our Ministry |
| Celebrations of the Spirit, Inc. A Nonprofit 501 (C)(3) Organization |
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Newsletter
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Dear Friends,
For the past five and a half years, you have given me the
opportunity to change, and grow, and learn. You have accepted me for
who I was at any given time. I have felt loved, supported, and even
cherished. You have helped me to heal, and given me the courage and
strength to face each and every challenge. For all this…I am immensely
grateful!
In this physical experience though, things change. It is the human
condition. I have also come to believe that it is the only way to grow.
Painful as the experience might be at the time...in the end...I have found
that there has always been a bigger "reward."
Celebrations is going to change...not because we don't have
enough money or attendance, but because we have grown together as
much as we can. And I believe this is the reason that the attendance has
decreased so dramatically. It is as if Celebrations is giving me...and each
of us...permission to move into whatever is God's next mission. And if we
allow this change to wash over us like a gentle wave rather than feeling
like we are being pounded by the sea, God will direct each and every
one of us to our next opportunity to serve. It has how...I believe...that we
all ended up at Celebrations in the first place.
The Board has made the decision to close the current form of
Celebrations as of October 31st. Because the 31st falls on a Sunday, our
last Sunday service will be October 24th. Beginning November 7th and
each first Sunday of the month thereafter, we will meet at The Heritage of
Green Hills which is on Route 10, beginning promptly at 10:00 and
ending by 11:30. I will still lead the group, however, it will be promoted as
more of a spiritual gathering than a church service. This informal setting
will free me from most of the administrative duties and allow me to be
open to whatever opportunities God presents.
I have felt the winds of change so strongly within my life for the last
couple of years. It has been as if God has come in with a bulldozer and
cleared out everything in my way. It has not been an easy journey, but I
am not scared anymore. My trip out west did not change my feelings
about Celebrations...it only re-affirmed what I knew before I left. But what
I did bring back with me was an unwavering faith and peace that is hard
to even explain. I can feel the Hand of God resting heavily, as well as
lightly, on my shoulders... and I am not afraid.
I know that there will be a time of grieving in the next couple of
months for all of us. But I do believe that endings are merely
opportunities for new beginnings...and so I am excited... even though I
have no clue what the future will bring. This is not goodbye. It is merely...
see ya later.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your spiritual journey, I
feel truly honored to have walked this path with you!
The Board has been very generous with me. I will still be collecting
my monthly housing allowance. This will help financially while waiting for
whatever the future brings, and will allow me to earn back some of the
cash donations that I have made over the years. I will also now be
keeping the income from the Wedding Ministry. I will, however, also be
assuming all the financial responsibilities for that Ministry. Essentially,
the only monthly cost after our closing will be my $800 a month housing
allowance. Currently, the bank account will allow for about 8-10 months
worth of payments.
Many of the physical items in the rooms, including furniture, art and
the stained glass were donated to the Ministry by me. In addition to
those items, the Board has given me the right to take whatever other
objects that I might wish to keep. The rest of the things will be offered for
a donation to anyone who would like them. The books that I wish to keep
will already be gone. All others in my library will be available for
adoption. The remaining small items that are not claimed will be given
away, while any large items left will be offered for public sale through the
internet.
As much as I do not like the idea of taking the physical space apart,
this must be done. And because there is a lot of work, I will start now and
gradually work my way through the process. According to our lease, I will
need to re-paint the Worship Room back to white, but I am waiting to
hear from the WCR Board on this.
By Sunday I will have already gone into the Ministry and put a sticky
note on everything that I will be taking with me. Everything else…I hate
to say it…but let’s keep a sense of humor about this…is up for grabs.
If there is something you would like to have…please call the office
number which is 610-743-0467...and leave a message. I will not be
taking requests by e-mail or personal contact.
This will ensure that whoever calls first will have first choice on the item.
It cuts out human (that would be me) error and makes things as fair as
possible.
Please give whatever you feel is appropriate as a donation. If you
are considering the loveseat or chair, please keep in mind that these are
only two years old and used very lightly. The original cost of the loveseat
was $425 (pillows included) while the wing-back chair was $175. Please
place any donations in the extra basket on the table. This will just help
us keep our financial records a little more easily.
The address for Heritage is 10 Tranquility Lane, Reading. From
422, get off at the Lancaster Ave. exit heading toward Rt. 10. At the light
(Queen City Diner), turn left and go 3.4 miles. Turn right into the
Heritage. We will be entering through the main doors so park in the
visitor spaces out front. Upon entering the building, please sign in at the
main reception desk. We will have someone waiting to show you the way
to our new space.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at either the
office number or on my cell which is 610-914-6226.
For the past five and a half years, you have given me the
opportunity to change, and grow, and learn. You have accepted me for
who I was at any given time. I have felt loved, supported, and even
cherished. You have helped me to heal, and given me the courage and
strength to face each and every challenge. For all this…I am immensely
grateful!
In this physical experience though, things change. It is the human
condition. I have also come to believe that it is the only way to grow.
Painful as the experience might be at the time...in the end...I have found
that there has always been a bigger "reward."
Celebrations is going to change...not because we don't have
enough money or attendance, but because we have grown together as
much as we can. And I believe this is the reason that the attendance has
decreased so dramatically. It is as if Celebrations is giving me...and each
of us...permission to move into whatever is God's next mission. And if we
allow this change to wash over us like a gentle wave rather than feeling
like we are being pounded by the sea, God will direct each and every
one of us to our next opportunity to serve. It has how...I believe...that we
all ended up at Celebrations in the first place.
The Board has made the decision to close the current form of
Celebrations as of October 31st. Because the 31st falls on a Sunday, our
last Sunday service will be October 24th. Beginning November 7th and
each first Sunday of the month thereafter, we will meet at The Heritage of
Green Hills which is on Route 10, beginning promptly at 10:00 and
ending by 11:30. I will still lead the group, however, it will be promoted as
more of a spiritual gathering than a church service. This informal setting
will free me from most of the administrative duties and allow me to be
open to whatever opportunities God presents.
I have felt the winds of change so strongly within my life for the last
couple of years. It has been as if God has come in with a bulldozer and
cleared out everything in my way. It has not been an easy journey, but I
am not scared anymore. My trip out west did not change my feelings
about Celebrations...it only re-affirmed what I knew before I left. But what
I did bring back with me was an unwavering faith and peace that is hard
to even explain. I can feel the Hand of God resting heavily, as well as
lightly, on my shoulders... and I am not afraid.
I know that there will be a time of grieving in the next couple of
months for all of us. But I do believe that endings are merely
opportunities for new beginnings...and so I am excited... even though I
have no clue what the future will bring. This is not goodbye. It is merely...
see ya later.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your spiritual journey, I
feel truly honored to have walked this path with you!
The Board has been very generous with me. I will still be collecting
my monthly housing allowance. This will help financially while waiting for
whatever the future brings, and will allow me to earn back some of the
cash donations that I have made over the years. I will also now be
keeping the income from the Wedding Ministry. I will, however, also be
assuming all the financial responsibilities for that Ministry. Essentially,
the only monthly cost after our closing will be my $800 a month housing
allowance. Currently, the bank account will allow for about 8-10 months
worth of payments.
Many of the physical items in the rooms, including furniture, art and
the stained glass were donated to the Ministry by me. In addition to
those items, the Board has given me the right to take whatever other
objects that I might wish to keep. The rest of the things will be offered for
a donation to anyone who would like them. The books that I wish to keep
will already be gone. All others in my library will be available for
adoption. The remaining small items that are not claimed will be given
away, while any large items left will be offered for public sale through the
internet.
As much as I do not like the idea of taking the physical space apart,
this must be done. And because there is a lot of work, I will start now and
gradually work my way through the process. According to our lease, I will
need to re-paint the Worship Room back to white, but I am waiting to
hear from the WCR Board on this.
By Sunday I will have already gone into the Ministry and put a sticky
note on everything that I will be taking with me. Everything else…I hate
to say it…but let’s keep a sense of humor about this…is up for grabs.
If there is something you would like to have…please call the office
number which is 610-743-0467...and leave a message. I will not be
taking requests by e-mail or personal contact.
This will ensure that whoever calls first will have first choice on the item.
It cuts out human (that would be me) error and makes things as fair as
possible.
Please give whatever you feel is appropriate as a donation. If you
are considering the loveseat or chair, please keep in mind that these are
only two years old and used very lightly. The original cost of the loveseat
was $425 (pillows included) while the wing-back chair was $175. Please
place any donations in the extra basket on the table. This will just help
us keep our financial records a little more easily.
The address for Heritage is 10 Tranquility Lane, Reading. From
422, get off at the Lancaster Ave. exit heading toward Rt. 10. At the light
(Queen City Diner), turn left and go 3.4 miles. Turn right into the
Heritage. We will be entering through the main doors so park in the
visitor spaces out front. Upon entering the building, please sign in at the
main reception desk. We will have someone waiting to show you the way
to our new space.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at either the
office number or on my cell which is 610-914-6226.
| With Gratitude and Love I say... See Ya Later! |