Remembering Nelson Mandela
—Dr. Kenn Gordon

As the world mourns the death of Nelson Mandela, may we take a moment to be grateful for this man who showed all of us what can happen when you live the Divine qualities of love, peace, and forgiveness. Coming from the darkness of the injustices of apartheid, his Divine light opened our hearts and minds to understand that we are always at choice. He chose love over hate, forgiveness over bitterness, mutual understanding over conflict.

When Mr. Mandela became South Africa's first black president in 1994 he said, "The time for the healing of the wounds has come. The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come." May we, as Religious Scientists, honor this man by continuing to help heal the wounds and bridge the chasms that remain in our world.

Centers for Spiritual Living is dedicated to creating a world that works for everyone. Today I bow my head in thanks for the man who showed us how this can be achieved and by doing so, changed not just his country, but our global consciousness.

The Light of Christmas
Ernest Holmes

Christmas Eve
I bear witness to the Light.

Out of the darkness of ignorance, Man comes at last into the Light of Knowledge—knowledge of the nature of his own being. We are indeed “become as gods having eaten of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,”—for we have learned that “there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.” And so we come, bearing witness to the Light of the Truth which makes us free. “It is done unto us according to our belief.”

Christmas Day
Peace on earth—goodwill to men.

“Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Heaven is harmony, and harmony is many tones in unison. One note is not harmony, and one-alone would not be Heaven. The One manifest in the many, and the many recognizing the One in all. This was the teaching of Him whose birth we celebrate today. As we harmonize with all mankind, the Great Chord of the angel anthem peals forth its message of “Peace on earth—goodwill to men.”

Every expression of love, in thought, word, or deed expands both the personal and the [collective] consciousness. Thus, Christmas, by emphasizing love, glorifies the world we live in.

May love surround and glorify all gifts and words of cheer this Christmas.

Excerpted from “Daily Readings” by Ernest Holmes, Science of Mind magazine December 1929. You can read this entire issue at Science of Mind Archives.

Mark Nepo—Living a Poetic Life

In a conversation with Oprah Winfrey, Mark Nepo shares his perspective on how his life experiences have influenced his poetry and how each of us can live a more poetic life.

Jazz Up Your Holidays with Lisa Ferraro
—Kent Rautenstraus

Lisa Ferraro is jazzed for the holidays.

This beloved musician, who frequently serves Centers for Spiritual Living in national music leadership and voice, is offering a smooth, easy-listening Christmas CD that will enhance the holidays entitled Jazz Up the Holidays. 

The independent CD distributor, CD Baby, recommends this live Christmas concert recording as one of the best of the season. Jazz Up the Holidays features a ten-piece ensemble comprised of three horns, three strings, piano, bass, guitar, and drums. Lisa fronts this group of “jazzers” (which includes the acclaimed drummer Roger Humphries) who play knock-out band arrangements by Mike Tomaro. Lisa’s warm vocals bring added joy to Christmas favorites including “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Jingle Bells,” and “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.” She also compels with the classic medley “Ave Maria/O Holy Night” and the soulful “With a Christmas Heart.”

Lisa has sung in many New Thought centers and was Music Director at several Religious Science conferences beginning in 2000. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Lisa grew up singing jazz and rhythm and blues in clubs and churches. One of her first professional “gigs” was singing in an “R and B, soul, top-40 band.”  

Years ago, Lisa was invited by friends to sing at a Religious Science center in Pittsburgh. Her friends said that her music was “so Science of Mind.” She discovered her alignment with the teachings of Dr. Ernest Holmes, founder of the Science of Mind and Spirit, when she heard a cassette tape of Dr. Roger W. Teel, senior minister at Mile Hi Church, in Denver, Colorado. She resonated with what she heard about living an empowered, spiritual life. She was quickly hired as Music Director. Later, along with a few close friends and members, Lisa cofounded the Pittsburgh Center for Spiritual Living. Her life and her musical ministry expanded with the Science of Mind and Spirit teachings, along with the meditative practices of Paramahansa Yoganada, whose teachings she has practiced since 1990.

Lisa now calls Berkeley, California, home, where she lives with her music and life partner, musician Erika Luckett. She has recorded ten CDs to date, including several musical collaborations with Luckett. She is excited about the release of her latest CD entitled Leaning Toward the Good. Lisa is also cochairing along with Rev. Doug DeBow from the Global Truth Center in North Hollywood, California, the Music Archives Program, which documents the history of music through the years in the Centers for Spiritual Living, formerly United Church of Religious Science and Religious Science International.

Thousands of Religious Scientists are grateful to Lisa for her dedicated work and talent that she shares so generously year after year. She’s definitely jazzed up the movement, says one fan in appreciation.

Enjoy a sample jazzed-up favorite from Lisa Ferraro.

1. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

2. Winter Wonderland

For more information about Lisa Ferraro and to order her CDs, please visit www.lisaanderika.com.

Maya Angelou—Spiritual Hero for 2013

Coming in our January issue, Science of Mind magazine honors Dr. Maya Angelou as our Spiritual Hero for 2013. You won’t want to miss this issue!

Thank you, dear readers, for spending part of 2013 with Science of Mind. Our staff sends you best wishes for a joyous holiday season!