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July Global Theme: Rolling In the Deep

Weekly Theme: Go Deep 

Your CSL newsletter for July 31, 2025

Stay informed, engaged and inspired with Centers for Spiritual Living

Quote of the Week

“What I know is that I am proud of you, for the depth of work you are doing, for the layers you are uncovering, for the changes you made when you learned that what you thought was rock bottom was just a reflection of a sound you were making called need. … How diligent your breath for staying deep. And all the noise that bounces off our lives. How powerful we are when we’re together. … We could change the entire story with what we know. That this is not the bottom, this is life. This is not the floor, this is not even a wall, this is our air.”  

― Alexis Pauline Gumbs, "Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons
From Marine Mammals," page 130

Table of Contents: In This Issue

Click a link below to visit a topic or enjoy the entire newsletter by scrolling down.

There is a link to "Go back to Table of Contents" at the end of each article.

You're Invited to a Special Listening Circle: Let's Co-Create Your Path to Abundance

The CSL Revitalization Pilot Program is now live!

What does this mean for you and your CSL community? It all starts with a FREE Listening Circle. Work with a consultant to achieve your desired results in 2026 and beyond.
 

Join us on August 18, September 4 or September 9, where expert CSL consultants will guide a heartfelt and energizing conversation about what’s thriving in your community — and where you’d love to see more alignment, clarity, growth or connection.
​​

Whether you're looking to deepen board alignment, clarify your strategic direction, boost fundraising or strengthen the energetic pulse of your community, this is your space to be seen, heard and supported.

Through this process, select communities will be chosen for additional one-on-one work with a consultant to achieve desired results. As part of CSL's Revitalization Pilot Program, scholarships up to 90% of the value of the consultant engagement are available. 

Sign up today as these Listening Circles are limited to 48 participants. Here are the dates, times and links to register:

August 18: 1 to 3 p.m. PT (2 to 4 p.m. MT / 3 to 5 p.m. CT / 4 to 6 p.m. ET)
Registration link: https://pub.csl.org/e/1087013/egister-MYKI94ovQzWq4BlcjCefrQ/dk6gsf/1732302384/h/eVqoxYoMxUHlyWSmIzAkSKHJKdkFxjvJzAJP3VWGguA
 

September 4: 9 to 11 a.m. PT (10 a.m. to 12 p.m. MT / 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT / 12 to 2 p.m. ET)
Registration link: https://pub.csl.org/e/1087013/egister--gULzIUDTxCfQOQWjyHoJQ/dk6gsj/1732302384/h/eVqoxYoMxUHlyWSmIzAkSKHJKdkFxjvJzAJP3VWGguA
 

September 9: 4 to 6 p.m. PT (5 to 7 p.m. MT / 6 to 8 p.m. CT / 7 to 9 p.m. ET)
Registration link: https://pub.csl.org/e/1087013/egister-KspBTGR4QiKrZYL2pyssKg/dk6gsm/1732302384/h/eVqoxYoMxUHlyWSmIzAkSKHJKdkFxjvJzAJP3VWGguA

Congratulations to the Sanctuary for Spiritual Living on 70 Years As a Community!

I wanted to share some good news! I was blessed to be asked to help the Sanctuary for Spiritual Living in Covina, California, celebrate 70 years as a spiritual community. Rev. Dr. Kris Collins is one of only three ministers who has served that center since its inception! What a wonderful demonstration of longevity, commitment, love and faith. They also have a beautiful facility that has served as their home for those 70 years. It's an honor to help them celebrate this extraordinary milestone.

Congratulations!
Rev. Dr. Deb Gordon
Leadership Council Chair

 Last Day to Apply for the
Evergreen Pilot Grant

CSL international home office exists to serve your community’s spiritual and operational needs. Regardless of size or location, you are invited to apply for the Evergreen Grant Pilot Program. This grant program is intended to support a short-term strategic initiative in your community. The Evergreen Pilot Grant is being made available through a bequest from Rev. Franklin M. Privette, and CSL is deeply grateful.

Selected communities will receive up to $4,000 in seed funding for a growth initiative. It is the intention of CSL that repayment will be made in the future knowing your community will achieve measurable success using these funds. Repayment will be returned to the Evergreen Grant project to perpetuate the grant program so others may benefit.

Up to five (5) Evergreen Grant Pilots will each be provided with $4,000 to be used in a creative and an expectantly sustainable program. The program is yours to develop, lead and manage, knowing that the funding will serve as a catalyst to inspire action, strengthen resilience, and unite individuals and your community to become even more robust, resilient, stable and sustainable. We encourage creativity in presenting your initiative so it sets your community apart from others.

This Pilot Program is being managed by CSL’s Resource Development Committee. Applications became available on July 1, 2025. Applications must be returned to Michael Schlut, Director of Philanthropy, at MSchlut@CSL.org, and are due no later than 5 p.m. MT on July 31, 2025. Evergreen Grant recipients will be notified by email with awards expected within 45 days.

CSL’s intent is to keep the application simple, but if you have any questions or would like additional information, contact Michael at MSchlut@CSL.org or 720-279-1629.

On behalf of CSL, I encourage you to bring your creative, engaging and robust ideas to fruition. We look forward to receiving your application and learning about your project.

Sincerely,
Dr. Tye Minckler
Acting Executive Director

July CSL Connection! Call Rewatch

At the June CSL Connection! Call, we heard:

• Welcome, opening prayer and CSL Leadership Council recognition:
  Dr. Deborah Gordon, Leadership Council Chair

• CSL Financial update: Dr. Tye Minckler
• CSL Education update: Rev. Ryan Alexander
• ​​​​​​Evergreen Grant Program and Resource Development Committee update: Michael Schlut
• Closing prayer: Rev. Dr. Soni Cantrell-Smith

Science of Mind Foundation Tithe Nomination 2025 Due July 31

SUBMISSION DUE DATE IS JULY 31, 2025, 5 p.m. MT

The Science of Mind Foundation is seeking to tithe to outstanding programs or initiatives that have made a meaningful impact between Summer 2024 and present.

We invite nominations of past and current efforts that have:

• Empowered individuals or communities in their journey toward freedom, wholeness and transformation.
• Fostered equity, empowerment and meaningful change in alignment with CSL's shared values.

Please note: We are not currently funding future programs. This tithe is intended to acknowledge impactful work since Summer 2024.

If you or someone in your network has led or participated in such an initiative, we encourage you to share that work with us by submitting a nomination form.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to spiritual enrichment, progress and community transformation.

Need clarity? Contact Director of Philanthropy Michael Schlut at 720-279-1629.

Name Change for
Retired Ministers Committee

On behalf of the Retired Ministers Committee, I’m delighted to announce that CSL's Leadership Council has approved a name change. This committee is now known as the Alumni Ministers Wisdom Committee.

The Alumni Ministers Wisdom Committee is committed to honoring, supporting and uplifting "retired" ministers who have been licensed in the organization for five years or more, who do not have an active letter of call and who are in good standing.

These ministers have dedicated themselves to the heart and vision of the Science of Mind teaching, and their wisdom and spiritual leadership continue to be a vital part of our community. This committee ensures that ministers remain connected, celebrated and represented within CSL. 

Ministry is a lifelong commitment, and the thought is that this new name will have a broader appeal to ministers who are no longer under a letter of call but continue to serve and be an inspiration in a myriad of ways.

The committee also ensures that those who do not have an active ministry in a community, focus ministry, teaching chapter or chaplaincy continue have a voice in conducting CSL business. 

Its members are committed to connection, communication and support. They welcome newcomers to attend their activities which include the monthly Golden Hour and the annual Elder Speak program. If anyone would like more information, contact myself or committee Chair Rev. Lari Goold at LGoold@ATT.net.

Rev. Dr. Deb Gordon
Leadership Council Chair

Update from Camp Cedar Ridge

Values-Based Leadership:
Free Workshop in September

Created for Spiritual Leaders and open to all
Date: Saturday, September 27
Time: 2–4 p.m. MT (1 p.m. PT / 3 p.m. CT / 4 p.m. ET)
Facilitated By: Rev. Ryan Alexander
​​​​​​Program Cost: Free | Online
Presented by the CSL School of Spiritual Leadership

Explore the essence of meaningful leadership in this free, live two-hour workshop designed especially for CSL leaders. Grounded in Science of Mind teachings and CSL’s shared Global Vision, this session helps you identify your personal values and apply them as a guide for heart-centered leadership.

Why join us?
This workshop reflects what the CSL School of Spiritual Leadership is all about — practical, values-driven training that prepares spiritual leaders to lead with clarity, courage and compassion. Whether you’re already in leadership or feeling called to more, this session will help you put spiritual principles into motion right where you are.

• For current CSL leaders and those exploring leadership
• Free to attend

Step into aligned leadership. Register now: https://pub.csl.org/e/1087013/387/dk6gtb/1732302384/h/eVqoxYoMxUHlyWSmIzAkSKHJKdkFxjvJzAJP3VWGguA

Questions? Email PD@CSL.org

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Life Circles Grief Facilitation

Life Circles: Grief Facilitator Program
Course dates: Saturdays, October 4–25, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. MT (9 a.m. PT / 11 a.m. CT / 12 p.m. ET)
Applications due: September 26, 2025 (You may apply at any time.)
Facilitated by: Rev. Ryan Alexander
Program Cost: $247

Grief touches all of us — sometimes through loss, sometimes through change. As we navigate a world that continues to shift, the need for spiritual companionship through grief continues to grow.

This program is designed for those who feel called to hold space for others during shifting times. It will prepare you to lead two six-week CSL Grief Circles in your local Center or broader community. These circles offer sacred space for people to name their grief, share their stories and find new rhythms after loss — all supported by spiritual principle and compassionate presence.

The training includes practical tools for facilitation, a spiritually grounded framework for support and ongoing guidance through periodic facilitator sessions. This program is ideal for CSL practitioners, ministers and individuals with experience in grief support or related fields who are ready to serve in a meaningful and spiritually aligned way.

Admission is by application, and acceptance is required to enroll.

Questions? Email SpiritualDevelopment@CSL.org

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What Calls You to Ministry

Discover the School of Spiritual Leadership

Are you feeling called to deepen your spiritual practice, grow as a conscious leader and make a meaningful impact in the world? The School of Spiritual Leadership offers a transformative path for personal evolution and professional spiritual development within the Science of Mind tradition.

Whether you're discerning a call to ministry or simply seeking to live your values more fully, our heart-centered, dynamic program is here to support your journey — every step of the way.

Learn more and begin your journey today.

Questions? Email Registrar@CSL.org

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Our Voices: Global Community Stories - Temple of Light 

Introducing "Our Voices: Global Community Stories"

We're excited to launch "Our Voices: Global Community Stories," a new section in the newsletter where global CSL communities share what's unfolding in their communities. You'll hear directly from our global family about the inspiring work, creativity and connection taking place in their communities.

This month, we're honored to feature Rev. Michele Senegal, Senior Minister of Temple of Light in Kingston, Jamaica.

Rebecca Hiraoka, RScP
Director of Global Programs
Global Support Services

Presentamos Nuestras Voces: Historias de la comunidad mundial

Nos complace presentar Nuestras voces: Historias de la Comunidad Global - una nueva sección en el boletín donde las comunidades globales de CSL comparten lo que está sucediendo en sus comunidades. Escucharás directamente de nuestra familia global sobre el trabajo inspirador, la creatividad y la conexión que tiene lugar en sus comunidades.

Este mes, tenemos el honor de presentar a la Rev. Michele Senegal, Ministra Principal del Templo de la Luz en Kingston, Jamaica.

*Este es un video en youtube. Youtube permite activar los subtítulos en español.

Questions? Email RHiraoka@CSL.org 

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Ecclesiastical Endorsement Renewals 

It's that time of year when all endorsed chaplains renew their ecclesiastical endorsement. This renewed commitment maintains your chaplain ministry in good standing. 

Please note: If you no longer require an ecclesiastical endorsement for your employment, contact Rev. Susan Overland at the email below.

The payment window is open in July and August, and you can access the payment submission form by logging into "Our Community." Once there, follow "Organization Resources," "Chaplaincy Resources," "Chaplaincy EE Fee."

Rev. Susan Overland
Global Support Services
Chaplaincy Committee Chair

Questions? Email FSCommunity@CSL.org

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Spiritual Practice of the Week:
Go Deep

There is something calling us deeper. As Alexis Pauline Gumbs writes, “There is something that I need, but I have to go so deep to find it. There is something I have to give but I have to give it on my own time. There is something I’m going to tell you, but first I have to make a language for myself … .” ("Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons From Marine Mammals," page 153).  

Allow yourself to dive deep within the confines of your own soul, without being crushed by the weight of the expectations of others. In the words of Ernest Holmes, “We must learn to live by inspiration. That means that we should let the spiritual depths of our being flow through our conversation and into our acts. Living by inspiration does not mean living chaotically. Our whole purpose is to make the intellect an instrument for the Spirit. We must become artists in living. To live by inspiration means to sense the divine touch in everything; to enter into the spirit of things; to enter into the joy of living” (Ernest Holmes, "This Thing Called Life," page 34). 

Go deep. Spend some time in quiet reflection. Write a poem, story, or song about a part of you that you have historically resisted. Allow yourself time to breathe deeply as you embrace this part of you.

*This week's Spiritual Practice is provided by the 2025 Global Themes Team

Questions? Email Communications@CSL.org

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SOAR 2025 Summer Retreat
August 7-10

There is just one week until SOAR 2025 summer retreat: "A Journey of Revelation, Restoration and Grace." This is an amazing opportunity to gather and connect through inspiring speakers, musical performances, experiential workshops, spiritual practices, meditations and communal meals. 

Follow these links for more information on

• The schedule
• Travel - Includes discount codes for flights.
• Lodging - Our block is sold out, but this link includes a discount code and instructions for finding nearby lodging. Airbnb and vrbo are also options. Please check out the lodging options before registering.

Questions? Email Communications@CSL.org

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