February 2022
Don't pay attention to hardships on the spiritual path; they are nothing, once you have discovered the peace within, when in meditation you forget this body and this world. Such satisfaction, such a sense of joy and the perfection of divine love! This is what God wants all of you to experience. Everyone can realize the divine perfection of God's love if he works for it. Those who experience this love are not exceptions; they had to make the effort, as you must, to love God and to know Him.

That effort is made by striving to keep the mind fixed on God. While facing the daily problems that come, pray within, "Lord, though sometimes my sea is dark and my stars are gone, still through Thy mercy I see the path. You do whatever You wish with me and my life. All I know is that I love You. Help me to make my love sweeter for You, perfect in every way." What freedom, what joy that brings! Such a relationship with the Divine all can have.

Don't be satisfied with anything less than the love of the Beloved of your souls. His love is all-consuming, all-satisfying. Soul freedom comes when you begin to know yourself as the soul, wed to the one Beloved, the cosmic Divine Lover, God.

Sri Daya Mata
Only Love, pp. 73-74
Greetings!

Welcome to the Washington DC Center’s February newsletter. 

The Washington DC Center is happy to announce the reopening of the Center for the Sunday morning Reading Services which began in January 2022! 

We are happy to welcome everyone back to the DC Center.  We plan to have weekly Reading Services only in February and plan to add the Sunday morning and Saturday 4-hour meditation services in March. Currently, the bookroom remains closed, and we will not have Sunday School. Changes to our services will be sent via email and posted on our website.

Due to the current health concerns, there are some safety procedures we have implemented. We ask all attending to adhere to the new policies and procedures while in the building.
 
  • Masks are required while in the building.
  • There will be social distancing throughout the Center, however, family groups can sit closer together if desired.
  • We will start with silent chanting during the services.
  • There will be additional seating in the overflow room.
  • We will not pass the donation basket, therefore please place your donations in the basket at the rear of the chapel as you leave.
  • We ask that everyone exit the building after the service. Please use the outdoor space if you wish to socialize with your fellow devotees.

Washington DC Center is happy to announce that we will host a monastic visit the weekend of May 13-15th 2022. More details will be provided as we get closer to the day of the event. 

SRF has announced they plan to offer an in-person 2022 Convocation this year on August 14-20th. Registration is not yet available, but you can make your hotel reservations now if interested. Click here for more information.

The cleaning team is responsible for cleaning the Center on a weekly basis and is in need of volunteers. A commitment of approximately 1 1/2-2 hours, once per month is ideal but there is much flexibility in terms of when you can serve and for how long. If you can't commit to monthly cleaning or specific times, please reach out still, as we need cleaning help in different capacities and even ad hoc team members. All help is welcome!

Interested in helping keep our Center clean and welcoming to all? Please contact Petra Smith at email: pmcsmith1@gmail.com; phone 301-367-0955 or Nisha Nagarsheth at email: nnagarsh@gmail.com, phone: 772-349-3229 for additional information.

There is a special blessing one receives when you support Paramahansa Yogananda’s work and the Washington DC Center during this challenging time. The Council wants you to know that we are grateful for your continuing donations and service that have been helpful for the DC Center to cover its ongoing fixed costs. Please see below for more information about how to donate to our Center or SRF directly.

In Master’s Service,
 
Wayne T. Lavallee
Coordinator
Service Readings This Month

Feb 6: Vol. 2 #6 Satan the Cosmic Magician
Feb 13: Vol. 2 #7 The Inner Meaning of Self-Realization
Feb 20: Vol. 2 #8 Curing Psychological Intoxication
Feb 27: Vol. 2 #9 Guru: Channel of Eternal Blessings
Staying Connected

We encourage all to stay remotely connected to the worldwide SRF family:
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, callingcardevents@comcast.net.
Online Donations Available

You can make online donations to the Washington DC Center of SRF by clicking on the yellow Donate button below. You will have the option of designating whether the donation is for the General Fund or the Building Fund. Please note that donations made using this button are not tax-deductible.

You can also make donations to the Center by check, mailed to: Washington DC Center, 4911 Niagara Road, College Park, MD 20740. If you wish your donation to go toward the Building Fund, please note this in the memo field.

Tax-deductible Building Fund donations may be made online here, or by making the check payable to Self-Realization Fellowship, noting Washington DC Building Fund in the memo field, and mailing it to the Center. Full details concerning donations are explained on the Center's website Donate page.
Donations made using the above yellow Donate button are not tax deductible. For other donation options use the Donate Website button below, including tax deductible building fund donations.
Washington DC Center of Self-Realization Fellowship
4911 Niagara Road College Park MD 20740
washington.dc.srf@gmail.com
DCcentersrf.org