. ..And we're off! That's right, it is a NEW YEAR, with NEW BEGINNINGS and NEW OPPORTUNITIES for each and every one of us to create the person we want to be! How exciting is that?

One of our first new beginnings in 2016 is this wonderful new, "mobile-friendly" template for our weekly e-newsletters. Turns out over half of our readers open their email on their smartphones, and this new, simpler template optimizes the view of our newsletter for whatever device we read on, whether it be computer, smartphone, or tablet. No more tiny type for smartphone users!

And speaking of "tiny type," if you were at our first service of 2016 this past Sunday morning you did notice how tiny the type was on the back page where we list our events -- BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MUCH GOING ON! That's right, in order to get everything coming up on one page we had to make the type VERY small. And that's a wonderful "problem" to have, because that means you have LOTS to choose from to jump start your spiritual growth this month. 

We start this week on Wednesday, January 6 at 7:30 p.m. when our Wellness Team hosts a special "Healers Circle." If you are a healer with the ISD Wellness Team, be sure to drop in for a lovely evening of sharing and mutual healing. Healers need healing too! 

Thursday, January 7 we begin our exciting new class taught by Reverend Ken Foor: Kundalini Yoga for Women! The Kundalini class Rev. Foor taught in November was so popular we were excited to keep the momentum going with this special eight-week course offering. 

Saturday evening, January 9 is the first Psychic Fair of the year! Make plans to join us for our bi-monthly "Intuitive Evening," where you can get a reading from one of ISD's wonderfully gifted mediums. 

Sunday, January 10, we'll have our annual "UnDecoration Party," where we all chip in to take down and lovingly store our beautiful Holiday decorations. It's a fun day of teamwork and fellowship, and of course, there's always pizza. Come join in the fun.

Next week, on Tuesday, January 12, we launch our seven-session Psychic Development Circle, led by Rev. Kathy Gregg, which will help participants discover and develop their intuitive skills in an intensive, closed group experience. Attendance at all seven sessions is a requirement for participation, as is payment in advance. Spaces are still available, e-mail Rev. Kathy Gregg at [email protected], or phone her at the ISD office at 202-363-7106.

Wednesday evening January 13 we will also launch a new bi-monthly event, an Evening Meditation led by yours truly. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the new year intensity and join us for some quiet moments in the stillness of the ISD Sanctuary. 

Below are some other listings -- so be sure to click each event link that will take you to the ISD website for more information on each event, and be sure to add these events to your calendar! 

• January 16 - Honoring Your Inherent Gifts with Rev. Fran Wright
• January 17 - ISD Annual Convention
• January 24 - Healing through Akashic Records with Bill Sanda
• January 31 - Winter Wellness Expo

And yes it is January, but now is the time to make plans for the 2016 Retreat, called Metaphysical Magic, held in Shepherdstown, West Virginia May 27 - 30, 2016. The installment plan officially began yesterday, and you can pay a monthly cost each month between now and May to secure your space. See the brochure on the website for more information!

Finally, 2016 really did come quickly! Did you forget to send in your membership renewal and your pledge? There is still time! Please see me, Rev. Patricia Makin or Michelle Loy to do this as soon as you can.