December 23, 2021

The Institute for Spiritual Development
Oneonta Chapter
A Metaphysical Church and School for Spiritual Development
“Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. If we think on these things, there will be born in us a Savior and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of hope to the world.”
Calvin Coolidge- Presidential message, December 25, 1927
Our next ISD Oneonta Metaphysical Service
will be on Sunday, January 2 at 10am on Zoom.
Join us for these magical celebrations on the first and third Sundays of the month.

If you are looking for some inspiration, check out some of our previous homilies on our YouTube channel:
A Very Special ISD International Service
All -ISD Virtual Christmas Eve Service

Join our founder, Rev James De Biasio, and ministers from the Institute for Spiritual Development's five sister churches as we all come together virtually for an "All-ISD" Christmas Eve Service. Holiday magic is guaranteed!
This service will be on Zoom on December 24 at 7:30pm. Registration is free but required to receive the Zoom link.
Registration and more information Here
What's Happening at ISD Oneonta?

  • Don't forget to register and join us on Friday December 24 at 7:30pm for our Christmas Eve metaphysical vigil service on Zoom as we celebrate an ALL ISD Christmas Eve

  • Make time for yourself this New Year. Learn how to tune in to your own intuitive connection. Join our 2022 Intuitive Practitioner Program....details below under Adult Education

  • There will be no Wise Wednesday or Thursday morning Dream Message circles for this week and next. They are postponed for the weeks of December 20th and December 27th. Enjoy your holiday celebrations and join us again in January.


Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Instagram and don't forget to check out our channel on Youtube
Time to Renew Your Membership

ISD Oneonta is here thanks to love and support of our ISD Members! We couldn't do this without you!

We are excitedly heading in to our fifth successful year and we can't wait to see what is ahead for ISD Oneonta.
This is the time of year where we ask you to renew your membership and pledge.
Existing members can access the 2022 pledge renewal form Here

And if you are not a member, but you are interested in becoming one, you can find information on joining us Here.

Wishing you all the happiest of holiday joy!
With Love, Diana Friedell, Pastor
ISD Oneonta
Rev. Amanda Hoover, Co-Director
Rev. Renee Ranke, Co-Director
The Season of Giving, The Season of Love


ISD Holiday Charity Support
THANK YOU! You made a difference!
Update on ISD's special collection for the Oneonta Hunger Coalition:
So many of you generously jumped on board and helped us reach our goal- we are SOOOO close at $178.58.
Our goal was $200. If you haven’t contributed Yet, can you help us reach our goal? A few more, and we will exceed it!

Click here for our PayPal link and make sure to add a note that this is for the Hunger Coalition. . .

About the Hunger Coalition of Otsego County (HCOC): The Hunger Coalition of Otsego County is a nonprofit group created to support community services which assure that everyone has the opportunity to receive food assistance. They unite together in a network that shares information and resources throughout the county. 
The HCOC network is comprised of a diverse group of people representing food pantries, community meal sites, seasonal food programs, farmer's markets, religious, educational, nonprofit organizations and agencies, and individuals concerned with food insecurity of our neighbors. To learn more about HCOC, visit http://www.otsegohunger.com/index.html or https://www.facebook.com/HCOCOTSEGO
Please help us to keep offering quality classes, beautiful metaphysical services, and engaging development circles by clicking on the donate button below to make a donation to ISD Oneonta.
No amount is too small! If you are a member making a pledge, please mention that in the comments
Adult Education

Announcing our ISD Oneonta
2022 Intuitive Practitioner Certificate Program
 If you are seeking a deeper spiritual connection with the ability to tune in to your own higher guidance for accurate answers to life path questions,
AND
If you have a firm commitment to your spiritual awakening, with the desire to gain self-understanding as well as to guide loved ones, clients, as well as yourself, with your intuitive gifts,
then this program is for you. . .

Here is a link to the required course work to complete the program:

Thursday January 06 5:30pm
Free Introduction to the 2022 Intuitive Practitioner Certificate Program
 Meet the faculty of the Intuitive Practitioner Certificate Program.
Join us on ZOOM, for an overview of this life-changing & fun year long program. Get to know each faculty member as they introduce their courses, meet fellow spiritual explorers, and decide if this program is calling to you!

Saturday January 8th
1-4pm
New Year's Spiritual Retreat
 Join us in creating closure for 2021, burning regrets from the past, and planting the seeds for your intentions for the New Year thru Diana's unique guided meditations, ceremony and ritual. A time away from time to reflect, release the past, & manifest your dreams. Diana will also give psychic messages to each class participant. What might your Spirit Guide be waiting to say to you? Sit back, relax and tune in.

Sunday January 9th
noon-3:30pm
Breath of Love Breakthrough Experience with Julia Mikk
 On the cusp of the New Year, and new beginnings, Julia Mikk, internationally renowned healer, and founder of the Breath of Love Institute leads us on a profound breath-sound-healing-ceremony that will change your life. Achieve profound emotional relief, deep inner peace, and receive Soul Guidance for your life direction in 2022.

Join us during the week for our open Online Development circles for anyone looking to further their spiritual and intuitive growth!

Join one/two/or join them all!
Take your pick. We have meditation and messaging or 'dream weaving'....please join us and tap into your own spiritual connection

Suggested Donation for these circles is $10 Please click below to make a donation to ISD and note what circle the donation is for
Weekly Circles:

Monday
7-8:30pm EST

Oracle Circle

With Story Ducey. These experimental circles will focus on deep meditation for healing and renewal and seeking guidance, teachings and home work from Spirit.
Click below for additional information:
email interest and to get the Zoom link:storyducey@gmail.com
---------------------------------------------Tuesday
2:30pm-4pm EST

Learning & Psychic Development Circle

With Renee Ranke. These experiential intuitive development circles are designed to be a place to step away from the weight of the everyday world.
Click below for additional information and the Zoom link
email interest or questions:mysticalmomentsremembered@gmail.com
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Wednesday
5:30-6:30 pm EST

Wise Wednesday Meditation and Intuitive Development Circle

Facebook Live meditation and Zoom intuitive development circle with our own pastor and co-director, Rev. Diana Friedell
Click below for additional information:
RSVP to Diana info@dianafriedell.com
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Thursday
10-11:30am EST

Dream Message Circle

With Rev. Story Lucile Ducey. This circle is dedicated to receiving, recording and discussing the messages many of us are receiving in our ‘night school journeys.’
Click below for additional details
RSVP to Story storyducey@gmail.com
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Monthly Circles:

3rd Thursdays
7-8 pm EST
Next circle is Thursday January 20th
Path of the Magdalene Meditation Sessions
Path of the Magdalene Meditation sessions are an opportunity to join together monthly to activate the healing frequencies of Mary Magdalene in your own life.
Click below for additional information
RSVP to Dale to receive the Zoom Link dalecapristo@gmail.com
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Check out our December 2021 events calendar on ISDOneonta.org for upcoming events and remember to like and follow us on Facebook to see our events posted there.

Twas the Night Before Christmas
By Clement Clarke Moore

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER and BLITZEN!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!

Our Weekly Astrological Forecast

Connie’s Celestial Conversations
ASTROLOGY FORCAST (Dec 23 - 30)

The region of space that our Solar System and Milky Way Galaxy has moved into since 2012 is new. We are exposed to, and have the assistance of, entirely new benevolent forces now.

The OPPORTUNITY is available to emphasize and express the best in ourselves and each other. We are in the closing days of completion of the 9th year since our 2012 Total Solar Eclipse Cosmic Alignment with the Great Central Sun (Tula.) We are in the evaluation phase of our recent Age of Pisces. The energies of ages past have been quite punitive. Now we are closing this month, this 9th completion year in Numerology since 2012, with Planetary aspects and signs that have been traditionally harsh and difficult in nature. While it is useful to be honest in our assessments, it is even more creative now to be compassionate and forgiving of ourselves and each other. Look through the lens of Love as you evaluate. Perhaps relax any sense of hyper responsibility.

The Stellium of planets in Capricorn is still with us this week. The Sun, Mercury, Venus and Pluto stand ready to provide assistance. Try to utilize the best attributes of each heavenly body and Capricorn this week. 

We have a powerful day of a direct square between Saturn and Uranus on the 24th. This transit has been with us all year. It will continue in 2022 but will soften somewhat in intensity as the distance of the square widens. The traditional interpretation has been the taskmaster Saturn in an intense aspect to volatile Uranus. Essentially, TROUBLE!

Saturn has been thought of as the taskmaster. Now I might suggest that you shift that a bit to "Favorite Teacher." Uranus is associated with volatile, sudden events. It also has the ability to help Earth deal with the stresses that humanity places on it as we grow in our understanding. Uranus can also help us observe and receive all the most benevolent qualities of our Divinity and the greatly increasing Light of the part of the Universe we are passing into for the Aquarian Age.

The next day, the 25th is another conjunction of Venus and Pluto which happened on Dec 11th. This aspect will repeat because Venus began her retrograde motion on the 19th. As humanity extends our hearts and minds to a more vast expanse of existence we can receive support from outer planet Pluto to move from "Truth or Being Right" to LOVE. The active answer to the idea, "Do you want to be right or do you want to be happy?" This includes the best expressions of compassion, tolerance, and forgiveness. Venus is resplendent as our Goddess, Divine Feminine aspect. She lines up in direct conjunction to aid us all as Pluto influences entire generations and populations. Receive the best flavor of these heavenly bodies.

Dec 28th sees Jupiter pass into Pisces. The move allows Jupiter's expansive nature to combine with the watery, emotional realm of Pisces. Pisces is also the sign that supports great psychic ability. This is a WONDERFUL way to begin 2022 in a few days hence.

Last but not least, do not underestimate the gifts to be received from direct observation and absorption! GO OUTSIDE at dusk. Shortly afterward in the West and Southwest you may view Mercury and Venus close together on the horizon. Lined up behind them extending into the night sky are Saturn and Jupiter. Bask in the energies these friends in our Solar System are emanating toward Earth.

I implore you to go one step further. Ask for guidance and listen. You will receive it!
And the Good News Is!!!!!

  • Sections of a Torah scroll have been turned over to a town in Germany, almost 83-years after they disappeared. Read This fascinating Jewish Telegraphic Agency story about how the sections were hidden during Nazi attacks on Jewish synagogues in November of 1938.

  • “Visions of sugarplums danced in their heads” . Wishing you happy and fruitful dreams this holiday season. This Your Tango article “4 Steps to Having Good Dreams That Are Full of Wisdom & Insight” has some interesting suggestions that might help.

  • An inspiring story for this time of year which proves that our differences can bring us closer together. This heartwarming CBS News article about two Air Force captains who bonded over religious accommodations, even though they both practice different religions. 






Do you or someone you know need some assistance with mental health issues or coping. Here is a link to the US Department of Health & Human Services that will provide you with resources and tools to help deal with the stress.

Did you know that there are other ISD chapters?
It all began with ISD Sparta NJ!
Now there are also chapters in Madison NJ, Washington DC, Sarasota Fla, Treasure Cost Fla, and of course....right here in Oneonta NY.

We would ALL like to welcome you to our new Institute for Spiritual Development Facebook group:

Like and Follow on Facebook
Together we shine love and light to souls around the country and around the world with education, metaphysical services, healing and community.
We support YOU in your quest to explore, build, and develop your own spiritual connection
Just a reminder that we are continuing our Prayer Warriors group, every day at 5pm we pause to pray and send our healing energies where they are most needed right now

Each day at 5 PM EST, we will pause for about 10 minutes and meditate and pray with the intention of sending healing energy to all.
You do not have to be present each day. Requests for healing or suggestions should be submitted to our Healing Program director, Jo Ann Wormuth at the below ISD website link:


Looking for some easy ways to donate to ISD Oneonta?
You can donate your cans and bottles or set up a donation when you shop with Amazon





Got Bottles & Cans to return?

ISD has a CLYNK account at Hannaford in Oneonta. 
How can I help? 
Email Tom Landon at tlfandon51@gmail.com and he will give you a time to pick up stickers at our new ISD headquarters.
Take one to put on each bag that you are bringing to Hannaford- Ask someone there where the bags go. With that correct tag on it, the bottle deposit money goes directly into the ISD Oneonta Account.
Shopping through Amazon this holiday? Use AmazonSmile and choose Institute for Spiritual Development, Oneonta NY as your charity and we will get a donation from Amazon each time you shop.

How to use AmazonSmile on a web browser:
  • Visit smile.amazon.com
  • Sign in with the same account you use for Amazon.com
  • Select Institute for Spiritual Development Oneonta, NY as your charity
  • Start shopping! Remember to checkout at smile.amazon.com to generate a donation for ISD
How to use AmazonSmile using the Amazon app on your mobile phone:
  • Open the Amazon Shopping app
  • Navigate to the main menu (=)
  • Tap on Settings and then select “AmazonSmile”
  • Select Institute for Spiritual Development Oneonta, NY as your charity and then follow the on-screen instructions to turn ON AmazonSmile in the mobile app
  • Once AmazonSmile has been activated in your app, future eligible app purchases will generate a donation for ISD
What is the Institute for Spiritual Development?
It's both a metaphysical church and an educational center originally founded 40 yrs ago in Sparta, NJ. With the belief that all paths lead us Home, ISD is dedicated to helping each spirit walk their path with courage and joy.
We stand for each individual’s right to seek their own personal Truth, as they respect the same right for others. We honor the sacred texts of all traditions of the Light.

The Oneonta NY chapter of ISD was Lovingly created by Rev. Diana Friedell & her sister Rev. Sue Landon. We are now led by a powerful leadership team, and executive board.

ISD is a spiritual community that focuses on healing and intuitive connection, and the joy of finding the spirit connection within rather than being told how it should or could be experienced.
We welcome those who want to belong to a spiritual group of like-minded people, in which you can explore and find your own path in a community of love and support.

There are classes, services, events, and a sense of community and fellowship. Energy healing and intuitive messages are delivered as a regular part of the worship service. Classes offer many tools which will help you on your life path, and the community we are creating together is one of openness and acceptance, and the ability to adapt with change and growth.
Welcome Home!!!
We could use your help. If you would like to volunteer to help with our Metaphysical Library, event planning, service planning, website, office tasks, or anything else- Just call or email! Diana!
ISD Oneonta Board of Directors
Shown left to right, Kimberly Winsor, Rev. Amanda Hoover
Kimberly Winsor - President
Sali Dellysse - Treasurer
Susan Owens - Secretary
Tom Landon - Trustee
Maggie Kilbride - Trustee
Story Ducey - Trustee
Melissa Stagnaro - Trustee
Renee Ranke -ex officio
Amanda Hoover - ex officio
Diana Friedell - ex officio

Our ISD Leadership
Shown left to right, Rev. Diana Friedell, Rev. Story Ducey
Diana Friedell - Pastor
Amanda Hoover - Co-Director
Story Lucile Ducey,
Adult Education/Programming Chair
Ministry Training Program
Renee Ranke – Co-Director, Adult Education/Programming Co-Chair
& Newsletter Editor
JoAnn Wormuth Director of Healing









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