January 2021
Dear Friends,
We hope that many of you were able to join us for the special events commemorating our Guru’s birth anniversary: the satsanga and meditation led by Brother Chidananda on January 5th, and the long meditation held last Saturday, January 9th. How grateful we can be that during these challenging times we have the blessings of our Guru, and the divine compass of his teachings, showing how we can draw upon the peace, strength and security of our souls.
As our Christmas Eve Zoom Social was such a success, we want to let you know that we will be having another Zoom Social for our Glendale Temple family on Sunday, January 31, at 12:00 p.m. A meeting invitation link with further information will be sent out soon. We hope you can attend.
We want to say a special “thank you” to those of you who have responded for our requests for support to help with various projects, as well as the expenses of maintaining the grounds, costs of utilities, and other general expenses necessary to maintain the Temple during these many months of closure. Because of your support we are able to keep the grounds and buildings in good shape and will be ready to welcome you again once conditions return to normal.
Brother Bhumananda
Minister in Charge, Glendale Temple
We do have some significant maintenance projects coming up in the weeks ahead. The Glendale Fire Department during their annual inspection requested that we replace some corroded fire sprinkler heads, and we also are replacing the system’s main drain valve, for a cost of $2200. We also will be applying a protective roof coating to portions of the Sunday School building to address some leak issues and provide long-term protection, for an estimated cost between $4000–$6,000. If you would like to help with these and the Temple’s ongoing expenses, please visit the Glendale Temple donations page and choose from the options provided: Donate. Please know your assistance is always welcome and deeply appreciated.
In recent days a common question for devotees is: “How can I keep my mind positive and strong when the world around me is so troubled?” A new resource of spiritual counsel was just made available on our SRF website, giving helpful guidance from our Guru and the SRF presidents for facing challenges in today’s world. Yogananda.org/spiritual-light-for-these-challenging-times
I personally have found it helpful to limit my intake of the news and online material that emphasizes the negative. What has been very strengthening and uplifting for me is to daily study and absorb the teachings of the Guru. Just recently I was reading in one of the Supplement Lessons (Lesson 20) some beautiful reassuring words of Paramahansaji that really speak to the need of the hour. He said:
Fix your mind on God….Feel His love. Practice His presence. Be fearless. There is no greater fortress of protection from evil or negative vibrations than the castle of His presence. Nothing can touch you if you inwardly love God.
Our best wishes and prayers are with each of you in this New Year. Please know that through your meditations and prayers, your financial assistance to Guruji’s divine work, and your love for God, you are making a real difference.
May the love and light of God ever guide, protect, and sustain you.
In divine friendship,
Brother Bhumananda
Minister
SRF Glendale Temple
Portions of the Sunday School building where protective roof sealing will be applied.
If you would like to help us to cover our monthly Temple expenses of cleaning, gardening, maintenance, and utilities, please visit the Glendale Temple donations page and choose from the options provided.
Thank you for your generous support throughout the past challenging year. May God bless you for your kind and selfless help.