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The ego attempts to satisfy through material channels the soul's constant, insatiable longing for God. Far from accomplishing its objective, it increases man's misery. The soul's hunger can never be appeased by indulgence of the senses. When man realizes this and masters his ego, that is, when he achieves self-control, his life becomes glorified by the awareness of divine bliss while he is still in the flesh. Then, instead of being the slave of material desires and appetites, man's attention is transferred to the heart of Omnipresence, resting there forever with the hidden Joy in everything.

Paramahansa Yogananda
Where There is Light, p. 95
Greetings!

We at the DC Center would like to wish you and your family a joyous and blessed New Year. So, 2020 is a Centennial year which is a wonderful time of remembrance along with renewed inspiration and gratitude for the spiritual gifts we receive from our Guru, Paramahansa Yogananda. We will have a Live Stream 2020 Centennial event with Brother Chidananda during our birthday social on January 5 th .

We invite you, your family and friends to attend our all-day meditation honoring Yogananda’s birth as well as the commemorative service and birthday social this month. The details for these services as well as some of the special events in January are detailed in this newsletter. 

“Heavenly Father bless us that every day be a new year, a new cycle, of spiritual perception, until we feel Thee in Thine infinite expression.”
Paramahansa Yogananda

In Master’s Service

Wayne Lavallee
Coordinator
Paramahansa Yogananda Birthday Service

We will honor the birthday of our beloved Guru, Paramahansa Yogananda, on January 5th with a special commemorative ceremony, from 10:00-11:00 am; this will replace our regular Sunday morning Meditation Service. Please bring a flower and a donation in an envelope as symbols of your loyalty and devotion. Extra flowers and envelopes are available on a donation basis in the lobby.

Special commemorative services are primarily intended for those who are SRF students, or other devotees who regularly attend the SRF meetings. However, all are welcome who are well enough acquainted with SRF teachings to appreciate the significance of the Guru‑disciple relationship, and to participate in the service with sincerity and reverence.
Paramahansa Yogananda Birthday Social

Our Guruji's birthday celebration will take place on January 5th, following the morning services.    We will have a very special Live Streamed 2020 New Year Centennial presentation by Brother Chidananda in our social room during this event.  Please bring a vegetarian entree ( pre-warmed to at least room temperature to facilitate more efficient food service ), fruit juice, or dessert, if you plan to attend. 

6-Hour Meditation Honoring Paramahansa Yogananda's Birth

We will hold a special 6-hour meditation with kirtan honoring the birth of our beloved Guru on January 11th, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  Please bring a devotional offering of fruit as a symbol of your reverence and devotion for the Guru.  Extra fruit will be available in the lobby on a donation basis.  

Memorial Service in Memory of David Maron

There will be a memorial service on January 19th at 12:15 to celebrate the life of our dear friend David Maron, who passed recently in December 2019. This service will be followed by fellowship in our social room; light refreshments will be provided. The family requests that in lieu of sending flowers, anyone who so wishes should instead make a donation to the Washington DC Center, with a note for the funds to be used for Sunday School. David served as a Sunday School teacher at the DC Center of SRF and will be missed.

General Membership Meeting

All members are encouraged to attend our General Membership after the morning services on January 26th. The purpose of the meeting is to select members to serve on the Nominating Team for this year's Election. Lunch will be provided. 

Service Readings This Month

January 5: Vol. 3 #1:  Attunement With a True Guru
January 12: Vol. 3 #2: Man, Image of God
January 19: Vol. 3 #3:  Meditation: Way to God
January 26: Vol. 3 #4:  How to Rise Above Your Problems

Long Meditations This Month

We will hold our annual 6-hour meditation honoring the birth of Paramahansa Yogananda on Saturday, January 11th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (see details above). A 4-hour meditation will take place on Saturday January 25th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. We will also hold 3-hour meditations every Sunday evening from 6:00-9:00 pm. All are welcome.
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
Bhagavad Gita Study Group: 6:00-7:00 pm
Inspirational Service: 7:30-9:00 pm
Special Events This Month

Paramahansa Yogananda Birthday Commemorative Service
January 5, 10:00 - 11:00 am

Paramahansa Yogananda Birthday Social
January 5, After Morning Services

6-Hour Meditation Honoring the Birth of Paramahansa Yogananda
January 11, 10:00am - 4:00 pm

Memorial Service for David Maron
January 19, 12:15

4-Hour Meditation
January 25, 10:00am - 2:00pm

General Membership Meeting (lunch provided)
January 26, After Morning Services
Washington DC Center of Self-Realization Fellowship
4911 Niagara Road College Park MD 20740
washington.dc.srf@gmail.com
DCcentersrf.org