Agenda: 2024 Spiritual Living Convention

Opening General Session

In this new era, we are awakening to the interconnectedness of all life, recognizing that our individual journeys are interwoven into the fabric of a collective consciousness that seeks unity, compassion, and love.

Featuring:

A Welcome to Charleston by Rev. DeMett Jenkins, Director of Education and Engagement for Faith-Based Communities, International African American Museum
A Welcome Message from Rev. Michelle Arellano, Executive Director, Centers for Spiritual Living
Awakening Unity-Soul to Soul to Soul a Keynote Talk by Rev. Soni Cantrell-Smith, Spiritual Leader, Centers for Spiritual Living
In this new era, we are awakening to the interconnectedness of all life, recognizing that our individual journeys are interwoven into the fabric of a collective consciousness that seeks unity, compassion, and love.
Music by the CSL Convention Band!

Mini-Gatherings

Member Gathering: The Spirit of One, Power of Many Hosted by the CSL Member Council
This session provides an overview of the CSL Governance with a focus on the role of the Member Council. It will highlight the history of the Council and how we live our mission of being a resource and representative for the general membership.
Practitioner Gathering: Rise and Shine! Hosted by the CSL Practitioner Council
Join your Practitioner Council as we rise together! This 90-minute get together will focus on the importance of connection and collaboration in achieving our goals. We will share ideas on ways to leverage our strengths and work together to overcome challenges and support each other's growth, inviting us to live into our full potential. Our time together will include interactive activities and group discussions to foster a deeper sense of community and support among participants that we can take back to our centers and communities.
Minister Gathering: Lead! Light! Love! - Bring It! Hosted by the CSL Minister Council
Hooray!!!! We are FINALLY able to come together IN PERSON! Don’t miss this opportunity to be with your colleagues to celebrate the LIGHT within each of us and our collective light.

General Session: An Evening Celebrating Black History Month

Featuring:

Christal Brown Heyward with the Gullah Geechee Choir, Lead Psalmist, St. John's Chapel, Charleston
Talks by:
- Moving Your Soul with Rev. Darrell Jones, Spiritual Director, Soul Gym The Center for Spiritually Integrated Arts
  Whenever we experience our soul or the soul of life, rarely is it contained in a single thing, rather it is a feeling. Something is moving, something is stirring within us that is moving our soul. What is moving your soul this year? Keep that fresh and near you and watch the Soul of life meet you in a wonderful dance!
- A Relevant Recipe for Success with Rev. Staci Hylton, Co-Minister, Las Vegas Center for Spiritual Living
- Science of Mind 4.0 with Rev. Dr. Raymont Anderson, Founding Minister and the Spiritual Director, The Center for Spiritually Integrated Arts
  Dr. Holmes said in the Sermon By the Sea, "I am not Religious Science, you are..." That being said, what now? What are we to do with this? What are we called to be and do from this point forward?
Music by the CSL Convention Band!

Morning General Session

Featuring:

CSL Communities Thriving in Challenging Times
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- Becoming a Center for Spiritual Living with Rev. Elisha Christopher, Senior Minister, Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Cruz
- With the CSL Global Vision as our guiding light, CSL Santa Cruz has transformed in just under two years, from a small insular church to a thriving community center. How did we do it? We operate from Principle, in service to a higher purpose, Spirit does the rest.
  - Using the global vision as our guiding light, our Interfaith collaborations and becoming a socially active community.
  - Really is about the shift from thinking of ourselves as a SOM church to being a spiritual community center.
    - Resources: CSL Santa Cruz Calendar / Action/Commitment Statement
- Healing Race Consciousness with Rev. Dereca Blackmon, Senior Minister, East Bay Church of Religious Science, Oakland, CA
  How do we heal race consciousness? What is our responsibility at a personal level? In our Centers and the communities in which they reside? As a movement? Learn three key messages to inspire and implement the kind of change that heals the world!
- Its Time to change Everything with Rev. Dr. David Alexander, Spiritual Director, Spiritual Living Center of Atlanta, Atlanta GA
  Abnormal Thoughts for an Abnormal Age
- Developing Resources Beyond Money with Rev. Dr. Petra Weldes, Spiritual Leader, CSLDallas, Dallas, TX
  Dr Petra has grown and empowered thriving ministries for 40 years and is doing so once again post-pandemic. She has 5 significant tips for you to take home to your community – some are reminders of the obvious and others may surprise you. All of them are practical and applicable to any size or type of community. Each of them are tried and true over years of leadership, board, and community development
  - Resource Page

- We Created This With You In Mind with Rev. Ryan Alexander, Co-Founder and Co-Director, Soul Evolution Collaborative
  Imagine if just a subtle shift in perspective could open the door to lasting impact? We are being called to such a shift in our personal lives, our ministries, and our communities. We will explore the shift, the impact, and the implications for creating creative and engaging spaces of belonging.

Music by the CSL Convention Band!

, Evening General Session

Featuring:

A Special Panel Conversation About Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion within CSL Communities
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- Moderated by: Rev. Stephen Rambo
- Panelists:
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  - Rev. Sunshine Michelle Coleman, Spiritual Director and Senior Minister, Oakland Center for Spiritual Living
  - Rev. KC Taylor, Senior Minister and Co-founder, Spirit Uncensored
  - Rev. Ryan Alexander, Co-Founder and Co-Director, Soul Evolution Collaborative
  - Gabrielle Claiborne, CEO, Transformation Journeys Worldwide
Keynote Address by Dr. Shawn Ginwright
Music by the CSL Convention Band!

Morning General Session

Featuring:

Power Talk: CSL Teen Council Representative: Solè Davis
Talks By:
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- Love Will Always Find A Way!! with Rev. Dusty Rippelmeyer, Spiritual Director, Triangle Center for Spiritual Living Raleigh, NC
  What do Story People, Hallmark Movies, and The Most Exotic Marigold Hotel have in common with each other? And how do they co-create a space for Lighting the Way of Love … Soul to Soul to Soul
- Love is Fierce with Rev. Michelle Wadleigh, Founding Spiritual Leader. Center for Spiritual Living North Jersey
  Enough of the Hallmark card version of Love. Love is the power that creates, heals, and transforms. You, as a Lover, are a force to be reckoned with when you step into your power. And what our world needs more of today are people who stand in the power/their power of Love.
Music by the CSL Convention Band!

CSL Connection Sessions I

Stump the Director of Operations with Rev. Barbara Bue
- I’m here to answer your questions about how Home Office works: The move to be a remote workforce? What does that policy mean anyway? When, where, how and what is that lockbox thing? What have you always wanted to know? Or, just stop by and say hello/farewell.

A Tour Global Services with Rev. Kathleen Sibley
- Take a peek at what is going on in the Global Services Department and around the world. Discover what this department is doing, how you can participate and benefit from this work, and get some ideas from your colleagues outside the U.S.

CSL Connection Sessions II

Bringing enlightenment to your doorstep because even the spiritual journey needs reliable Field Services with Rev. Julie Lobato
- Are you interested in finding out more about World Ministry of Prayer, the Virtual Practitioner Program, Teen Camp and Youth support, creating a new community, licensing or affiliating Ministers and Practitioners, transferring a license, applying for an open pulpit, 501c3 letters, serving on committees, board of trustees support, Interim Ministry, communities in transition, path to ordination and so much more! Come play with us and explore all of Field Services!

All things NEW in Education with Rev. Dr. CC Coltrain
- Rev. Dr. CC Coltrain, Senior Director of Education at CSL, will provide information as to what is happening that is new and fresh and exciting in all areas of education. Do you have a deeper call to become a practitioner or minister? Do you feel a need to expand your mind and soul? Join us to talk about what's happening there. CSL needs you! Bring your questions and ideas and join us to see the NEW that is happening NOW!

Hefferlin Foundation Resources and Grant Information with Rev. Pattie Mercado, Rev. Dr. Michael Kearney and Rev. Suzette Wehunt
- Discover the multiple areas by which Centers and individuals can apply for financial assistance. Available for Youth and Family programs, Center building and grounds projects, Education programs, Technology and Streaming services, And Ministerial Students scholarships.

Closing General Session

Featuring:
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Universal Soul a Power Talk by: Rev. D. Jacquelyn Edwards, Staff Minister, East Bay Church of Religious Science
There are some Principles that are common throughout religious and spiritual traditions around the world, and across time. As we incorporate the idea of a power for good that can use us, we are simultaneously anchoring in Ancient Wisdom and stepping out into New Territory. Soul to Soul to Soul, we got this!
Talks by:
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- Soul Melodies and Body Beats with Rev. Kris Alexander, Spiritual Maverick and Global Change-maker
  We are taught to listen to the melody of our soul, but how often do we tune in to the beat of our body? On our spiritual journey it is easy to view the body as a tool that needs to be maintained rather than what it actually is, an incredible and sacred aspect of Spirit Itself. We often try to force our body into a narrow definition of "whole, healthy, and complete," seeing our body's expression of Oneness when it easily fits into that mold. But what about when it doesn't? How do we change our beliefs about what it means to have a "good" body? What does "healthy" mean for someone who is chronically ill? Can mental illness and being "whole" ever go hand in hand? How does an accident change a person's ability to be "complete"? And is perfection even the goal? Let's tune in to the beat of our body together.
- I am a Religious Scientist with Rev. Josh Reeves, Lead Minister, Mile Hi Church
  I have often found that one of the hardest things for a Religious Scientist to do, is to explain, “What is Religious Science?” As our churches/centers have evolved, this may be even more difficult to answer today than ever. Tonight, we’ll explore what it means to be a Religious Scientist today and our roles in co-creating what it will mean to be a Religious Scientist tomorrow. Religious Science has evolved, but how might we be called to evolve, so that Religious Science can become, through us, the spiritual movement humanity is longing for?
- THE IMPACT: HIGHS, LOWS, AND IN-BETWEEN with Rev. Marquita Pierre-McAlister, Spiritual Leader, Center for Spiritual Living of Southern Nevada
  Life has impacted us and all the while we are impacting Life. To what degree are we aware of what’s happening? They say hindsight is 20/20 but 20/20 insight can develop spiritual freedom and lead to an expansive power.
A Closing Message by the CSL Executive Team
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- Rev. Alice Reid, Chair, Leadership Council, Centers for Spiritual Living
- Rev. Michelle Arellano, Executive Director, Centers for Spiritual Living
- Rev. Soni Cantrell-Smith, Spiritual Leader, Centers for Spiritual Living
Music by the CSL Convention Band!

Convention Agenda