Since January the Building Maintenance committee has performed a hand over hand examination of the sound system that eventually led to the replacement of the amplifier and the cleaning out of the buzzing debris in ceiling speakers.  All the electical circuits have been mapped and drawings made in preparation for having an electrician correct some potential overloaded circuit problems. A material assessment of the condition of the kitchen was made identifying 19 items of disrepair or low functionality.  This was documented and a proposal submitted to the council to remodel this space.

The committee has completed updating its contribution to the committee binder with a major addition of a reoccuring maintenance task list with instructions on how to perform each task.  A new building committee working binder is being assembled that will contain building drawings and all sorts of other useful information specific to the committee that is too voluminous to be included in the kitchen binder. We are also in the process of creating a new filing system to keep up with and manage all our information demands.

Our tri-yearly inspection was completed in April and the result of this was an action item list of 103 items including outstanding maintenance requests. 22 items were carried over from our previous list.  A copy or the resulting prioritized list is kept in the Building Maintenance section of the Committees Binder in the kitchen. The committee is currently looking to have contractors correct the weakened ceiling joist in the kitchen, repair dryrot under the Parent/Infant room, correct electrical problems, repair the 3 South chapel windows, and possibly some exterior paint work.

 

In April of this year the EPA released new rules and recommended practices concerning lead paint. Oregon Department of Human Services added more stringent requirements to the EPA rules.  The Building Maintenance committee is reviewing these new rules to see how we may need to adjust our maintenance practices.

Major goals for this year are to address the peeling exterior paint and repair the chapel windows. Volunteers who would like to be a part of keeping the Center beautiful may contact Russ Swan, 503-327-3067, russellss@peoplepc.com


 

If you are planning to attend the annual Self-Realization Fellowship World Convocation, August 1 - 7 in Los Angeles, and need a roommate, the bulletin board in the Parent-Infant room can be used to post your request.  Please have a member of the Managing Council initial your request prior to posting. 

The SRF edible garden started last year.  We had a flavorful and abundant harvest and continued through the winter with leeks as a March through May harvest.  The methods we use are organic, frequent use of heirloom seeds and transplants, intuition, composting, various tea mixes, and practicing the presence of god while tending the garden.  Our primary focus comes from Master  "Grow your own vegetable garden, .." and  "Keep life simple and enjoy what God has provided, ..." pg. 25,  World Crisis, Paramahansa Yogananda.

 

We harvest primarily for Sundays and when there is abundance for Tuesday evening or Thursday evening. All produce is free. You are welcome to help. Our needs now are watering and later harvesting.

 

Some of the summer produce we may have will include, tomatoes, chives, peppers, green beans, onions, carrots, kale, winter and summer squash, and possibly moon and stars watermelons.

 

Currently Michael O'Keefe and Teddy Taeger are the primary people who play in the garden. We keep it simple fun and enjoy it. Teddy in addition is responsible for the beautiful ornamental landscape out front.

 

Contact Michael O'Keefe 503-750-6524 okeefemichael@yahoo.com to help or if you have any questions about the garden or want any tips on growing anything edible.

 

 

The Managing Council has named Ms. Sharon Schaefer into the new position of Musical Director. This is a permanent assignment, giving Sharon broad authority over all things musical at Portland Center. We would like to thank Sharon for her willingness to help train, encourage and oversee those who play music at Portland Center. 

 

 

 

 

All the power you use - to think, to speak, to act - comes from God.  As soon as you actually realize that, a flash of illumination will come and all fear will leave you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BHAGAVAD GITA 9: 26: The reverent presentation to Me of a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water, given with pure intention is a devotional offering acceptable in My sight. (God Talks With Arjuna, pg. 763)

Master teaches us that offering ourselves completely is the greatest gift and that God happily accepts and is well-pleased with any offering given with the right spirit.

On Sunday, June 6, 2010, I gave a presentation on making offerings to God. The special theme was focused on sharing ourselves-our lives, our experiences, our love-with God. We imagine that our offerings must somehow be perfect in order to be pleasing, but the message of scripture and the testimony of saintly souls say that the spirit with which we share is more important than the gift itself.


Homework Assignment

So the spiritual homework for this month of June, 2010 is to make offerings by sharing yourself with God. To have the full experience of God's loving acceptance, try sharing yourself with God during random moments of your day, as the remembrance arises in your mind. So, whatever you are thinking, feeling, experiencing at the moment you remember God-share those things. The thoughts might be pure or impure, the attitude sweet or sour; it doesn't matter, just share! In the sharing try to concentrate more upon God than upon yourself and as you do, feel the consciousness being lifted and any burdens becoming lighter.

Jai Guru, Bro. Satyananda

 

 

 

We hope you have enjoyed this newsletter and welcome your feedback.  Thank you to all the contributors to this newsletter.  We welcome each of your ideas and articles for possible inclusion in this monthly newsletter.  Pictures are also welcome.  If you have a picture or short inspiring article you'd like to share please send it to newsletter@srfportlandcenter.org.  Please note that concerns or questions not related to the newsletter should be communicated to the Mother Center or to a Managing Council member.

 

In Divine Friendship,