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Paramahansa Yogananda,
New York City 1923 |
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Greetings to all our friends of the Portland Center!
Happy New Year! We are blessed to begin this new year by celebrating our Master's birthday and honoring him through commemorative services and meditations.
In Divine Friendship,
Portland Center of Self-Realization Fellowship
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Portland Center E-Newsletter
January/February 2017 - Vol 8, Issue 1
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| Contact information for SRF and nearby SRF groups |
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From Master
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"Believe in the strong consciousness that God is always with you regardless of what happens. Then you
will see that the veil of delusion will be taken away and you will be one with That which is God. That is how I found my greatest happiness in life."
Journey to Self-Realization, page 371
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Services and Activities
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Winter Events: See Portland Center's
Calendar of Services for a complete schedule. Here are some highlights in the coming months:
January 2017
Paramahansa Yogananda Birthday Commemorative Service
- Thursday, January 5 - 8:00-9:30 p.m.
Paramahansa Yogananda Birthday Meditation - Saturday, January 7 - 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Sunday School Parent Open House - Sunday, January 22 12:00 p.m.
Kirtan Meditation - Sunday, January 29 - 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 10:00 a.m.
For information about the regular monthly schedule and additional special activities in January and February, please refer to the Portland Center website at
srfportlandcenter.org or pick up a copy of the Quarterly Calendar of Services in the foyer at Portland Center.
February 2017
Kirtan Meditation - Sunday, February 19.
Please note: There will be no Kirtan 2/26.
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Paramahansa Yogananda Birthday Commemorative Service
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Please join us in honoring our Guru on his birthday, Thursday January 5. The commemorative service will be from 8 - 9:30 p.m., preceded by an optional meditation from 7:15 - 7:45 p.m. After the service, we will gather in the Sunday School room to share some celebratory birthday cake!
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Paramahansa Yogananda Birthday Meditation -January 7th
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The Paramahansa Yogananda Commemorative
Meditation will be held on
Saturday, January 7th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be
a short break at
1:30 p.m.
If you are unable to attend the entire meditation,
plan to come for the morning half only.
As an expression of your reverence and
devotion, please bring an offering of a fruit.
Be sure to
arrive a little early so that you will be comfortably
settled and calm
before the meditation
begins.
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Monastic Christmas Visit
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We were privileged to have Brother
Muktananda and
Brahmachari Martin with us
December 15th -19th. The weather was cold and the streets were icy for Thursday's
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Brahmachari Martin with devotees
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Inspirational Service led by Brahmachari Martin. He gave an interesting and little known account of Jesus's childhood for those brave souls attending.
The next day was warmer and by Saturday
many people were able to attend the All Day Christmas Meditation.
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| Brother Muktananda greeting devotees after the Service |
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On Sunday the service was led by Brother
Muktananda, whose talk on The Purpose of Life was very
inspiring. Afterward there was a fun and festive Christmas
potluck.
Thank you to the volunteers who decorated our lovely tree and chapel and to the many who helped make these events a joyful success.
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Christmas Craft Sale - Thank you for participating!
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Christmas craft sale items
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A heartfelt thank-you to all who contributed to our Christmas Craft Sale! There were many lovely and useful items to choose from, and the proceeds from the sale will be of great benefit to the Portland Center.
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Announcement: SRF Annual Convocation 2017
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Held yearly in Los Angeles, CA, the Self-Realization Fellowship Annual Convocation is a week of spiritual fellowship, meditation, kirtan, pilgrimages, and classes on the teachings of our Guru, Paramahansa Yogananda. Convocation 2017 will take place August 6 - 12, with main events occurring at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. Online registration begins mid-February at SRF's Convocation Information page. Hotels fill up quickly, so if you plan to attend, be sure to see details on the SRF website. Registration at participating hotels begins February 1st.
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Sunday School Open House
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There will be an Open House on Sunday January 22nd for parents, children and friends of the Sunday School. This is a great time to meet teachers and assistants as well as other families in our community. We'll gather in the Sunday School rooms after the service until
1 p.m. for food, refreshments, and entertainment.
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Sunday School children and parents
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This is an opportunity to find out more about our curriculum, pick up handouts on spiritual parenting, and get a glimpse into the class structure. We hope to see you there! If you have questions, please call or email the Sunday School Coordinator, Sarah Floyd at 971-570-5683 or [email protected].
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News from the C-Team
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Happy New Year! We offer our heartfelt wishes for a joyous and fulfilling 2017. In the first week of the new year, we will be celebrating our beloved Guru's birthday with a special evening Special Service, and also a six hour Commemorative Meditation. What a wonderful way to start the New Year!
The Portland Center is always in need of more volunteers. No specific skills are required! If you would like to meet other devotees and serve our Center please contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Sarah Floyd at 971-570-5683 or email at
[email protected].
 The bi-annual meeting for all committee chairs will be held on Sunday, January 29th after the Inspirational Service. Lunch will be provided.
As always, we welcome your questions and feedback. There is a suggestion box located in the Information Room. If you would like a response from the Coordinating Team to your suggestions and questions, please write your name and phone number on the note. You may also contact us via email at: [email protected].
Jai Guru,
Rebecca Field
Sarah Floyd
Sharon Schaefer
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Bookroom in our Center
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Photos,
DVDs, books and devotional items available in Bookroom
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The Bookroom is open every Sunday after the Inspirational Service. Please stop by to peruse the books, DVDs, photographs and other items for sale. The calendars and day planners make great gifts and are a way to share the blessings throughout the year.
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| Quarterly Calendar of Services & Other Activities |
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Sunday School classes are offered every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. for boys and girls ages 3-13 in the Sunday School Room. All children age 13 and younger are encouraged to attend Sunday School and may enroll at any time.
Sunday Socials
Socials are held on the third Sunday of each month in the Sunday School Room following the Inspirational Service. Light refreshments are provided.
Kirtan
Kirtan meditations, with devotional chanting accompanied by traditional Indian instruments, are generally held on the last Sunday of the month, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
Please note: The February Kirtan will be held on the 19th, not on the 26th. Kirtan Services start
with the Energization Exercises at 8:00 a.m.
During the 10:00 a.m. meditation service, we have devotional chants instead of an opening prayer and a reading. Master strongly encouraged chanting as a way to deepen one's meditations and devotion.
Devotees who do not stay for the full kirtan period may enter or leave the chapel during the chanting at 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Quarterly Calendar of Services
Paper copies of the Quarterly Calendar of Services,
listing services and special commemorative events, are available in the foyer near the front door and in the Information Room. The
Quarterly Calendar for October-December 2016 is currently available on the Portland Center website.
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How to Make a Financial Contribution
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Portland Center of SRF operates solely by financial contributions and volunteers who donate their time.
Some members choose to make regular donations to our Center. One convenient option is to set up automatic bill pay through your bank.
To donate by check, please make your check out to "Portland Center". All checks made out to "SRF" are sent directly to Mother Center.
Thank you for your support!
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March /April E-Newsletter
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The deadline for submissions to our next issue is February 20th.
Thank you!
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In Divine Friendship,
E-Newsletter Committee
Portland Center of Self-Realization Fellowship
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