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Joyous summer greetings to all! The purpose of Self-Realization Fellowship meditation centers and groups is threefold: to bring together truth-seeking souls for group meditation, to hasten the spiritual progress of each member, and to serve the work of Self-Realization Fellowship. We welcome your presence at Portland Center, as we journey onward and upward with one another.

Inspiration from Master "My great wish for you all is that you may find God through Self-Realization teachings – I know that if you follow them thoroughly, with sincerity and devotion, you will find Him. He is only waiting for you to discover Him, for God is hidden from us only by the veil of our own ignorance. In Him I am ever with you, and I send you blessings in the Father, and I know you are blessed by the Great Gurus." Paramahansa Yogananda 

Upcoming Events at Portland Center Sunday June 2 - There will be a one hour General Membership meeting next Sunday June 2 starting promptly at 12:10 pm in the Chapel following the 11:00 service. The purpose of the meeting is to present upcoming projects and a financial update. If you are an SRF Lessons student and have been attending Portland Center for six months or more, we invite you to attend and give us your input. Light refreshments will be available. Please see our Managing Council News below for more information. Saturday June 15 - Day of Service , 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Sunday July 7 - Volunteer Appreciation luncheon following the 11:00 service. Thursday July 25   - Mahavatar Babaji commemorative service Also: Sunday School will be on summer break during July and August, resuming in September Our    Calendar of Services and Events is available on our  website

Mahavatar Babaji Commemorative Service 

"Babaji's spiritual state is beyond human comprehension....One attempts in vain even to picture the avatar's attainment."  Swami Sri Yukteswar, as quoted by  Paramahansa Yogananda in  Autobiography of a Yogi

We invite you to join us on Thursday July 25 as we offer our gratitude and devotion to the great Mahavatar Babaji. A commemorative service will be held from  8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. , preceded by an optional meditation beginning at 7:15 p.m. It is customary to bring a flower symbolizing devotion, and if financially able, a monetary offering as a symbol of loyalty and thankfulness to Babaji.

Easter at Portland Center

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A lively potluck followed our inspirational service, and the Sunday School children participated in our annual Egg Hunt. Fun and fellowship for all!

Day of Service

Welcome to a fun Day of Service on Saturday June 15 beginning with a meditation at 9:30 a.m. Come join other devotee-bees as we beautify the Portland Center.  There will be lots of yard work in the back, digging out weeds and cutting the grass as well as routine cleaning inside. This is a great time to enjoy fellowship with each other while working to beautify our Guru's hive. Lunch will be provided, and everyone is invited!

Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

Dear Portland Center volunteers, in gratitude for all that you give, it's your time to receive! Be sure to clear your calendar for Sunday July 7 to attend a luncheon following the morning services. An official invitation with more details will be forthcoming.

Fall Silent Retreat The Eugene Group of SRF will again be hosting the annual fall Silent Retreat, scheduled for the weekend of  October 11-13 at the Alton Collins Retreat Center , a secluded place of serenity and peace located 40 miles from Portland in an old growth forest setting. The theme for this year's retreat is "Love, Serve, Courage, Faith."

Collins Center Entrance

An informative flyer and registration forms will be available on the  Eugene group's website  in early June. Registration begins July 1, with reservations accepted on a first come, first served basis.

Chapel altar "Harmony with nature will bring you a happiness known to few city dwellers. In the company of other truth seekers it will be easier for you to meditate and think of God."  Paramahansa Yogananda

Self-Realization Fellowship World Convocation 2019

SRF President Brother Chidananda conducts a Convocation opening ceremony

The annual Self-Realization Fellowship 'family reunion' - SRF's World Convocation - will take place August 4 through 10 this year. Complete information can be found on the SRF website .    Devotees who are unable to attend Convocation in person can benefit spiritually by tuning in with the uplifting vibrations in the ether during this special week, as thousands of souls worldwide unite in meditation with the blessings of the SRF Gurus. Please note that there will be no Center Representatives conference this year.

News from the Managing Council

Greetings, members and friends of Portland Center! The Managing Council warmly invites each of you to a general membership meeting , rescheduled for Sunday, June 2 . We will be sharing news about planned building projects, along with an update about Portland Center’s financial standing. We are thrilled that SRF Mother Center is now livestreaming satsangas with our president, Brother Chidananda, and more events such as this are anticipated in the future. Portland Center has been asked to provide the opportunity to view these livestreamed broadcasts as a group in our sanctuary, and the installation of blinds for the windows is essential preparation. While this will be a less expensive project than the chair/carpet project, for this and other upcoming projects your ongoing prayerful and financial support is very much appreciated.  The Portland Center is one hundred percent funded by member donations, and volunteers form the backbone of SRF Centers and groups worldwide. There are many volunteers who serve in more than one position at our Center, and we can always use more help! If you would like to be part of the volunteer crew we offer a variety of fun jobs with a range of skills and time commitment. An application form can be found on our website or you may complete a printed copy, available in the Information Room. The council is looking forward to hosting a Volunteer Appreciation lunch for current volunteers on Sunday, July 7 . This is an opportunity to say THANK YOU to all those who give of their precious time to serve our Guru’s work. Hope to see you at the Day of Service on Saturday, June 15 ! In Master’s Love, Sarah, Shikha, Rebecca, Nate and Sumuki

Other Activities  Sunday School  classes are offered every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until noon 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. Please note that Sunday School will be on summer break during July and August, resuming in September. Sunday Socials  are held on the third Sunday of each month in the Sunday School Room following the Inspirational Service. Light refreshments are provided.   Kirtan Meditations , 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. Paramahansa Yogananda strongly encouraged chanting as a way to deepen one's meditations and devotion. Kirtan services start with group practice of the Energization Exercises at 8:00 a.m., followed by periods of chanting and meditation. During the 10:00 a.m. service, there will be chanting instead of an opening prayer, followed by a reading. If you are unable to stay for the full kirtan period, you may enter or leave the chapel during chanting at 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. ************ How to Make a Financial Contribution  Portland Center of SRF is supported solely by financial contributions from members and friends, and by volunteers who donate their time. Proceeds from our Book Room sales also benefit the Center.    If you write a check to the group, please know that checks payable to "Portland Center" will be deposited locally and used to support our Center's activities, pay utility bills etc. Checks payable to "Self Realization Fellowship" are sent to SRF headquarters in Los Angeles, where they are used to support SRF's worldwide activities. It is customary when writing checks during special services such as commemoratives to make the check payable to SRF.    Some members choose to make regular donations to our Center. One convenient option is to set up automatic bill pay through your bank. Your support is deeply appreciated!

"I will consciously receive the light of the omnipresent Father constantly passing through me." Paramahansa Yogananda / Metaphysical Meditations

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