Exploring theThe Power of Spiritual Community
How do you experience community?
I experience it as connections… connections that support and look out for each other… connections that serve each other… connections that are dedicated to the best interests of all.
In a world that often emphasizes individualism, spiritual communities are a testament to the strength of collective faith, love, and pursuit of higher understanding.
Let us remember to cherish and nourish our spiritual communities, recognizing their profound impact on our individual and collective lives.
There are few forces in life as powerful as that of community. When individuals come together with shared ideals, beliefs, and goals, they can create something far greater than the sum of their parts.
When we bond over a shared spiritual journey, the outcome is not just a group of people; it’s an assembly of energies that can transform, heal, and uplift our communities and the world.
I am grateful
I am grateful to have found a profound community at Seaside Center for Spiritual Living for the past 20 years, for which I have been one of its ministers. I have found a supportive spiritual community in the larger worldwide community of Centers for Spiritual Living, which I served as the online dean for 16 of those 20 years. I could not have successfully navigated falling and breaking my wrist a few years ago without the community of Seaside. People brought me food, drove me to doctor appointments, and even came over and typed on my computer when I was teaching a class and could not use the keyboard.
I am so grateful. I found profound community when my beloved soul mate suddenly left the planet at age 54. Since we had just moved back home after four years in Virginia and had not yet re-integrated into our spiritual community, I was so grateful to have people all over the world connected with the Science of Mind and Centers for Spiritual Living to support me in light and love in transcending that unexpected loss. And now, with our beloved senior minister, Rev. Dr. Christian Sorensen, experiencing broken and bruised bones after a fall from his e-bike, the Seaside community has stepped up to support him and his family in profound ways. The community comes together even when the leader needs support. That is the true meaning of community.
Events
August 27: Honoring Rev. Dr. Christina Tillotson’s Two Decades of Ministry
I’m grateful that my Seaside Center for Spiritual Living community honored my 20 years as a Minister on Sunday, August 27, 2023 during the 11 AM service, complete with cake!
I am sad that I was not able to speak about community at Seaside Center for Spiritual Living as scheduled this morning, Sept. 3. I guess my body wanted a rest, and I didn’t listen, so it opened up to what may by the new Covid variant. I tested positive on Thursday, August 31. I MIGHT get out of quarantine tomorrow or Tuesday assuming I test negative. I trust my talk can be rescheduled.
I am feeling SO blessed by my various communities, by all the people who wanted to bring me supplies. and all of the virtual good wishes and hugs Thank you, communities. Thank you, Universe.
Rev. Dr. Katherine Econmou jumped in spectacularly this morning. She spoke inpiringly about having a soft heart in a hard world. It was very timely. Thank, you, Dr. Katherine.You gave me some profound food for thought.
Blessings,
Christina Tillotson
20 Years of Ministry
I am thrilled that my Seaside Center for Spiritual Living community acknowledged my 20 years as a Minister on Sunday, August 27. You can see the celebration after the offering at this link: https://seasidecenter.org/watch-and-listen/ and clicking on August 27.
Worldwide Community
Every Sunday, I have the honor of being in community with people all over the world including my sister in Tennessee for my intermediate on-line T’ai Chi Chih moving mindfulness meditation class. Last Sunday during our community connection time after class, my sister commented that she was impressed that there are people from Alaska to Maryland to Puerto Rico in the class. She wondered how I could know so many people all over the world. I replied that, after having created and taught on-line spiritual growth classes certificated by Centers for Spiritual Living to people in 37 states and 11 countries sine 1998, I am honored to have continuous connections for people all over the world. My friend from Puerto Rico, who is now a Minister, was in my first class in 1998 on dial-up in a chat room. I am so grateful that we all survived that clunky technology and stay in community with each other.
(The next on-line beginning T’ai Chi Chih class starts on Monday, October 16, at 4:00 PM Pacific. Click here to register: https://www.learndesk.us/live/6512750463287296/beginning-t-ai-chi-chih-a-moving-mindfulness-meditation)
The power of spiritual community truly transcends geography and time.