In the thought of Divine Mother's loving, tender compassion, every human heart knows there is an opportunity for forgiveness. Just as the mother whose son is a murderer or a thief holds him close to her bosom and says to the world, "You don't understand, but I do; I know why he has done these things," so the Divine Mother looks on each one of us in that way. Her compassion, Her love, Her forgiveness are there for us, if we but seek them. That is why I love to think of God as my Divine Mother. In that thought I find all the comfort, bliss, and love that my soul craves.

Sri Daya Mata
U nderstanding the Soul's Need for God (from Finding the Joy Within You , p.22)

Corrections to May Newsletter

The service readings for this month were listed incorrectly in the original May newsletter. Corrections have been made to the appropriate section of the newsletter below. We regret any confusion this error may have caused.

Should you wish to know the title of an upcoming reading while at the Center, please refer to the PDF schedule posted in the lower right-hand corner of the bulletin board.


Greetings!

We were blessed last month to have two monastic visits in April, and we are again being showered with Guruji’s blessings, as Brother Balananda and Bramachari Jeff will be coming to conduct our Thursday night meditation on May 9th prior to the SRF Greenfield General Retreat they will be facilitating. On the following day, May 10th, we will honor the birth of our beloved paramguru, the Great Jnanavatar, Swami Sri Yukteswarji. Please bring a donation and flower for this special service as symbols of your love and devotion to the SRF Gurus. To prepare the DC Center for these special events, we will have a Spring Volunteer Service Day on Saturday, May 4th, from 10am-5pm. You can sign up in advance or just show up when you are able on the day of the event and help out in any way that is needed upon your arrival. Please see additional details about these events and activities in this month’s newsletter. 

In Divine Friendship,

Indira Harris
DC Center Coordinator

Upcoming Volunteer Service Day

Volunteer Service Days are held throughout the year in preparation for special events, as well as general maintenance and sprucing up of the Center. If you wish to be added to the mailing list for these events, which would allow you to see the specific tasks for each day, please contact Wayne Lavallee (wlavallee@verizon.net).

Our next Volunteer Service Day will be on May 4. All are welcome, even if you are unable to sign up in advance.

Monthly Potluck Social

You are warmly invited to spend an afternoon in divine fellowship at our monthly potluck social on May 5. Please bring a vegetarian dish ( warmed to room temperature to facilitate food service ), fruit juice, or dessert if you plan to attend. All are welcome.
SRF Monks to Visit and Lead Service

We will be blessed with a visit from Brother Balananda and Brahmachari Jeff on May 9, when they will lead the evening inspirational service, from 7:30-9:00pm. Light refreshments will be served immediately after the service.
Swami Sri Yukteswar Birthday Service

On Friday, May 10, we will hold a special commemoration service from 7:30-9:00pm to honor the birth of our beloved Paramguru, Swami Sri Yukteswar. Please bring a flower and an offering in an envelope as symbols of your loyalty and devotion to the SRF line of Gurus. Extra flowers and envelopes will be available in the lobby on a donation basis. All who can attend with reverence and devotion are welcome.
Greenfield Retreats This Month

May 10-12: General Conducted Regional Retreat
May 30-June 2: Women's Kriyaban Retreat

There will be two retreat opportunities this month at SRF Greenfield Retreat in Front Royal, Virginia. A sign-up sheet for the General Conducted Regional Retreat will be available on the table in the Center's lobby several weeks before the dates listed above. Please be sure to add your name and contact information if you wish to attend. Further information can be found at this  link .

Please contact Greenfield directly at 540-635-5066 if you wish to attend the Women's Kriyaban Retreat.

Service Readings This Month

May 5: Vol. 1 #18: Sojourn in Freedom: The Astral Universe
May 12: Vol. 1 #19: God's Nature in the Mother
May 19: Vol. 1 #20: God-Mindedness: The Key to Freedom
May 26: Vol. 1 #21: The Cosmic Play of Life and Death

Long Meditations This Month

We will have 3-hour meditations every Sunday evening from 6:00-9:00 pm. There will also be a 4-hour meditation on May 25 from 10:00-2:00 pm. 
Caring Friends Team


The Caring Friends Team provides support and outreach to members who are experiencing illness, hardships, and personal crisis. For more information please contact Stacey Hawkins at 301-395-9541.
Weekly Services

Sundays
Meditation Service: 10:00-10:50 am
Reading Service: 11:00-12:00
3-Hour Meditation: 6:00-9:00 pm

Thursdays
Lessons Study Group: 6:00-7:00 pm
Inspirational Service: 7:30-9:00 pm
Special Events This Month

Volunteer Service Day
May 4, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Monthly Potluck Social
May 5

SRF Monks Lead Inspirational Service
May 9, 7:30 - 9:00 pm

Swami Sri Yukteswar Birthday Service
May 10, 7:30 - 9:00 pm

Greenfield General Conducted Regional Retreat
May 10-12

Four-Hour Meditation Service
May 25, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Washington DC Center of Self-Realization Fellowship
4911 Niagara Road College Park MD 20740
washington.dc.srf@gmail.com
DCcentersrf.org