Honoring Everyone.

I used to attend Unity and wanted to find something similar for my kids and myself. I first came in 1989 when it was located on St. Clair Street in downtown Dayton. At that time it was called The First Church of Religious Science. On my first day I felt like there was something there that I wanted more of. And, on that first day, I met Jean Morehead, the love of my life and my joyous partner now for many years.

There are so many things I love about the Center for Spiritual Living. I love the philosophy of Science of Mind - that we are one with each other and with all there is in the universe. I love that the services are a celebration of joy and love and the feeling of unity with others. The support and love I receive from others at CSL inspire me to give love. I enjoy the meditations and affirmations that always fill me with a feeling of being one with all people.

I come back for the fellowship, the friends I have made, the inspiring messages, to reinforce within me the truth that we are all one and for the awesome celebration music of Kenny Rice, the band and the opportunity to sing along.

Affirmative prayers have changed my thinking and have changed my life. Knowing there is One Power and One Presence transformed my whole outlook on life which has affected my personal and professional life in a million positive ways. I use affirmative prayer in my daily program and in my daily life to show gratitude and to ward off selfish thinking and depressive thoughts.

The most valuable lessons for me have been knowing there is One Power and One Presence in the Universe - God the Good, Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent. Knowing this Presence is in me and as me and through me. Setting and affirming goals and having so many positive people and things materialize all around me.

I have loved experiencing all the Eat, Play, Love and Cooking with God events I have attended over the years. I love the services, the luncheons, the holiday dinners, games and so many fun events. I have made lifelong friends through CSL.

I'm Sarah Hartfield, president of the Board of Trustees. I also lead the youth team on Sunday mornings. My husband died of cancer in Illinois. I came back to Ohio, my home state, to help my stepfather. I had planned to go to Unity in Huber Heights because I was attending a Unity in Port Richey, Florida. I have two dogs now. The first dog, Sammy, I would take for walks. We were walking on Benfield Rd, and suddenly he was pulling me across the street. We crossed the street and he pulled me up to the front door (of Center for Spiritual Living). I see the sign and we go home. Two weeks later, same thing. He pulled me into the parking lot and up to the back door, then around to the back yard. I wondered what is this Center for Spiritual Living thing going on here? I looked it up and read about Ernest Holmes, about us taking responsibility for who we are, that we are one. I've always believed that there's one light and we make up that light. We are (each) a particle of that light. The teachings of Ernest Holmes, his messages, fit me and work for me. (It) has given me purpose doing outreach for the Kettering Backpack program, for the food pantry, for Christmas donations. And it's a purpose of giving oneself, of service. That is very important for me, and why I stay here. (There are) amazing, good-hearted, loving people here. We do our best to work our best, and we are open. This is where I'm supposed to be. All signs point to here, so here I am.

I had been looking for a church to attend. One day I was driving around when I came upon CSL. I came to CSL for the music, the people and for healing. The music inspires me the most. I love the non-judgmental attitude and acceptance I receive from the people at CSL.

Forgiveness for me has been an ongoing process and not a one-time event, which makes it very freeing. I can't always find the words to express myself and feel safe doing that. Art allows me to say what I want without fear.

I went to Bowling Green State University and Sinclair Community College. I don't consider myself a gifted artist. I just used to draw a lot starting when I was four years old. My favorite piece of art is a self-portrait that I drew in pen and ink. I like it because it was a new technique that I had taught myself and it turned out very nice.

Okay, well, I got into spiritual living back in probably '85, '86, something like that, when I was living in Denver, Colorado. I was working with a lady who had left her job, where I worked, and had moved to China. Oh, wow. And she came back, and when she came back, she said, "I have looked all over the world for meaning in my life, and I found that it's with me," and she suggested that I go to this church in Aurora, Colorado, which was based on Ernest Holmes. And she also told me at a Christmas party "Say anything you want, just think about what it is you want." And I said, "I would like to move from Denver, Colorado, to Ohio to be closer to my family." That was in December, and in May of the next year, I'm in Ohio. And I said, "Wow, there's something to this church!" But because I grew up Baptist, it took me over 20 years to actually come to a Center for Spiritual Living, I only came after my mind was opened through a 12 step program, where I got a chance to hear and talk to people from all different types of religions: Buddhists, atheists, all types of people. And so then I became more willing to join the Center for Spiritual Living back in 2000 when I went to the church where I am now. And I stay because I'm constantly amazed at how true it is that I've created my life with my thoughts. And so, that's why I stay, because it's really a powerful thing to know that I am really a creator, also.

I had just come out of a very serious, five-year relationship and found myself on my own for the first time in a long while. I was rediscovering who I was and found spirituality in a way that truly resonated with me. I wanted to explore it more deeply. I actually heard about CSL when asking Chat GPT for recommendations for "alternative" churches, and it felt aligned right away.

I'm learning what true community feels like. I've never been very close with my family, and from the first day I walked into this building, I felt a sense of love and value that was new to me. It has shown me just how important and healing community can be.

CSL really resonates with me. It feels like a breath of fresh air and a grounding reminder of my values and beliefs, things that are easy to forget or lose sight of in the fast-paced world we live in. It fills my spirit and my soul, and I genuinely love to see everyone who attends.

I love the sense of oneness. We are all very different, yet we share the belief that we are one. That makes me feel understood and not alone. I am happy contributing anything I can. While I don't have a lot of financial support to offer, I would love to contribute in other ways, whether that's assisting with technology, yard work, cleaning or helping with events. If I'm available, I am more than happy to give my time and energy.

What brought me to this church was... I had never really felt like I was making any connection in the churches that I went to. This church is different. I felt immediately (that) this is what I had been looking for. And I was accepted and loved as soon as I walked in. That makes a big difference. What keeps me coming back is that I'm nourished in my soul by being here and having positive relations with everyone in the congregation.