Greetings!
Welcome to the Washington DC Center’s March newsletter.
The Washington DC Center is happy to be reopened for Sunday services and we encourage you to attend if possible. Since the DC Center has been reopened attendance has been lower than pre-COVID, so our donations have been low as well. We have had cash flow deficits this year and expect more maintenance expenses soon. Remember you can send your donations remotely; see the “Online Donations” section below for details if interested.
The bookroom will be reopening in April, but the Sunday School remains closed. Changes to our services will be sent via email, newsletter, and posted on our website.
Prince Georges County, MD has reduced its COVID-19 level to low and has removed the mask requirement for places of worship. Since we are following the PG County guidelines, we are changing the mask requirement to those recommended. Due to the current health concerns, there are some other safety procedures we have implemented. We ask all attending to adhere to the new policies and procedures while in the building.
Masks are recommended but not 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 and mental 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.
We will have our annual elections at the DC Center on April 10th after the reading service (approx. 12:15). We will also be able to vote via a zoom link which will be sent by a blast email. Please plan to attend if possible. Also, if you are interested in serving as a service reader, Sunday School teacher, teacher assistant, or Council member and have not notified the nominating committee, please respond to this email with your desired position and I will have your name added to the ballot.
Washington DC Center is happy to announce that we will host a monastic visit the weekend of May 13-15th, 2022. We are still waiting for more details about this visit and will give you an update 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.
There is a special blessing one receives when you support Paramahansa Yogananda’s work, and the Washington DC Center 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.
In Master’s Service,
Wayne T. Lavallee
Coordinator
