This year, October is the month immediately preceding the November elections, and there is a lot of door to door canvassing taking place. This means that every time the doorbell or knocker sounds, you never know whether you'll be facing a trick or a treat. I'll leave it up to you to decide which is which.

I personally experienced my first canvass when I was 13, when I went door to door for the Bobby Kennedy campaign. (I know, I'm really dating myself). I actually got to meet him one Saturday, and within one week, he had been assassinated. This hit me very hard at the time, and I was hurt and very angry at God.

A very wise friend of mine posed an interesting question. She said, "When a person is hanging between life and death, and we pray to God to save them, if they end up living, we tend to say, 'Thank God! She lived!' If they die, do we then spit on God? If so, then what is the meaning of God in our lives?"

I had to really stop my mind and look at the answser to that question for myself. What I learned was that I saw God as this powerful tyrant who didn't really give a hoot about what I thought or wanted. I wasn't important enough to have God actually listen to me and grant me my wishes. God wanted things a certain way, and there was nothing I could do about it except hope that every once in a while he would want things the way I wanted them.

Today, that definition has transformed (much to my relief!). God always wants things my way. God always plans for my best happiness and best interest. If I listen, allow myself to feel inside myself for the right decisions—not necessarily the easiest decisions, and not necessarily the least fearful ones either, but the right ones, it is then my job to take action. As a human being, I have been given choice, and the talents to make my choices say something to humanity at large. I do what I can, and then leave the results to God, knowing that God has already grown me in the process.

When people look at me today, do they see that I stand for something? Prayer is not all God wants from me. God wants me to live my prayer. We must say, "Thy will be done," but it is not enough, if we want to be grown by God. We must act for what we would like to see, so that God can be our workout trainer.

In the next month, God has a chance to grow each of us in character in ways we cannot even imagine. Let's start with opening the door to a canvasser (it might even be me!), and saying to them, "Thank you for your courage and conviction," even when we don't agree with them. Add to that your own courage and conviction by volunteering to a cause. Become a canvasser, phone banker, letter writer, sign maker, speaker. Let people see what you stand for.

Do this, and God will make you stronger. Do this, and God will give you amazing new friends. Do this, and God will remove lifelong fears from your heart. Do this, and life will become exciting in a way never before realized. Do this, and win or lose, you will be able to say "Thank God!"

Blessings for a great month,

Casey

This month is an election month in an election year. On November 2, our country went to the polls and some of us exercised our right of choice through vote. There has been much speculation as to whether or not our right of choice was actually honored in some places. This leaves many people feeling disenfranchised and apathetic, powerless and hopeless—just the opposite what we're supposed to feel!

At these times, God appears to be far from us, and we may ask the age old question, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" This phrase, which Jesus made famous, comes from the Psalms. The Psalms are an ongoing conversation with God about our experience of life. We rejoice, we cry, we despair, we mourn, and we express thanksgiving.

The first Noble Truth of Buddhism tells us that, in life, we will suffer. The second Noble Truth is that we suffer because we become attached to things, people, outcomes, ideas. That attachment causes us pain and suffering when things, people, outcomes and ideas don't adhere to our desires. The third Noble Truth is one of hope. It says we can overcome our suffering if we are willing to be less attached.

I have found myself dealing with my despair and disappointment by canceling my newspaper for a while, not watching the news, and focusing my energy on my family, my work, and my joy for the good things I have. This does not mean I am like an ostrich sticking my head in a hole in the ground. It means I need a break from my attachment to things I cannot, at this time, do anything about. In other words, I have a choice as to how I use the excess energy being exuded from my anger and frustration. I can become depressed and do nothing; I can become destructive and hurt others with words or actions; or I can detach from situations and cares for a while and use my energy constructively to create something positive.

God is here waiting to help me use my excess energy to create a good in this world. Instead of yelling at God for letting things happen a certain way, or begging God to change things to suit me, I tell God I want to make something good, and look to God for guidance. Sometimes I can even feel the release of tension as the negative energy turns relaxed and free. In this state, I think better, I work better, and I see better. If I want to change the world for the better, the best thing I can do for myself is find a way to release my anger so that the black cloud of it doesn't blind me to ideas which may be useful.

Regardless of your response to this month's election, remember that positive energy will overcome the world at its worst.

Blessings for a wonderful Thanksgiving,

Casey

It's hard to believe Chanukah and Christmas are upon us already. So much has happened this year that the days and months seemed to fly by.

I'm always open to trying something new, so here's a bit of a Portland Center Holiday Letter:

Hi Everyone,
Hope this year has been happy, healthy and propserous for you. 2004 for Portland Center began with the sale of our 4th home on Ramona, continued with the sale of our 5th home on Sherret, took a break for Casey and Berdell to perform 215 gay/lesbian marriages between March 3 and April 20, and for Casey and Berdell to get married themselves on May 1, their 21st anniversary, in Victoria, BC.

In June, a property was obtained that turned out to be a possible treasure, so the home on it was remodeled and rented to a family indefinitely. The property, with 9100 SF of land and a 1400 SF home, is on NE 100th, in the Portland Gateway Renewal Area. The day after we signed the purchase agreement, the property was rezoned RX, which means we could build a multifamily high rise. Casey is in touch with some architects to see what can be built. This may help to fast track our way to owning our own worship center.

In August, offers were made and accepted on 3 homes. The first was sold in November, the second goes on the market by December 5, and the third is waiting patiently for work to begin.

In all, Portland Center remodeled 5 homes this year and paid down our original loan to about $80,000. We believe another successful year will see a positive cash flow into the actual building fund.

Thank you all for your patience with our project. We know it's been a while since we've held classes and workshops, and had a traditional setting for our services. And thank all of you who have continued your diligent support of our ministry through your time, talent and contributions.

We wish for all of you a successful and fruitful 2005.

Blessings for a Happy Chanukah, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year,

Casey & Berdell

Dear Friends,

I'm still reeling from Y2K, and here we are 5 years later. Can you remember what you were doing when the milennium changed? Who were you with? What was your five-year vision? Did you make one, or at least think about what life would look like on January 1, 2005?

Here are some soul searching questions for the New Year: 1) Has the past five years brought you more prosperity or sense of prosperity? 2) Are your relationships better, stronger and happier? 3) Are you healthier? 4) Do you feel that you are making a more positive difference in people's lives? 5) Are you closer to doing more of what you enjoy each day? If you could, would you turn back the clock for yourself to January 1, 2000, or would you prefer to stay right here in 2005?

To what do you attribute each of your answers? In other words, what has made you more or less prosperous? Why are your friendships the way they are today, etc.? How much of your positive changes do you attribute to practicing New Thought principles?

These are all questions Berdell and I asked and answered when we did our end of the year inventory. We answered Yes to the first 5, and neither of us would trade today with Y2K.

New Thought is called Practical Spirituality with good reason. When our minds are utterly convinced that these principles work unconditionally, we practice them. That means we pick them up and play them everyday to some extent. The more we practice, the better we "sound" (or demonstrate) God's reality and greatness. Progress is guaranteed.

When looking at our own lives, we find there are areas where we seem not to be demonstrating God's power. This self-inventory can be a very effective tool toward overcoming those difficulties, if we are willing to make the following statements to ourselves:

• When I am spiritually aligned with these principles I must demonstrate success.
• Since I am not demonstrating the degree of success I desire, I am not as aligned with one or more of the principles as I might believe.
• God, help me be free of my ego, be open to ask for and hear your honesty and guidance, be willing to acknowledge the truth of that honesty, and convinced enough to make the changes necessary for me to more fully align with your principles, which are your power.

This New Year, 2005, can be a transformational year for you. We invite you to take your spirituality even more seriously than you have in the past, put it to work to the best of your understanding, give it precedence in your life, and share the miracles as they appear.

Our prayers are with you for a healthy, happy, prosperous and joy-filled 2005. Blessings to your new beginnings.

With love, hugs and lightness,

Revs. Casey & Berdell Moffett-Chaney

Happy February Everyone ,

Ah, the month of love and presidents is upon us. For some reason, at least in the Portland area, February is more like April or May is supposed to be. Lots of sunny, even warm, weather. The crocuses are lulled into a false sense of security, and they come parading out at the first hint of sunshine, often only to experience unexpected freezing temperatures.

I try to relate to them. How many times in my life did the sky seem to be clearing of its clouds, only to catch me without an umbrella when a storm hit? I could have become curmudgeonly over these unanticipated and unwanted weather changes. In fact, I remember a point when I decided I would never allow myself to be hurt again, and I closed up my emotions. What I didn't realize was that by closing myself off to pain, I also closed myself off to great joy. We can't have one without the other; it's just the way it works. Closing off feelings means closing off all feelings. When I finally realized what had happened to my joy, I opened myself willingly to pain. And boy did I get it...and then came the joy, greater than any I had ever imagined.

Someone once told me that in order to fully know white, I must also know black. In other words, part of realizing joy is having had experiences contrary to joy so I can ascertain and appreciate the difference.

This month, take some time to look at your life as it compares to the innocent response of a crocus. When opportunity presents itself, do you rise to greet it? or do you stay covered for fear that it may be false hope? Just as the crocus jumps at the chance to show itself, so can we.

Blessings for a crisp, sunny February!

Love,
Revs. Casey & Berdell Moffett-Chaney

What day of the year is a command?
Answer: March 4th!

I learned that riddle when I was a kid. I think it came from the Weekly Reader. Today, when I think of it, I'm reminded to keep moving forward instead of glancing backward with regret or standing paralyzed in one place.

The 23rd Psalm reads, "...yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil..." This says to me that I will not become encompassed in fear as long as I keep moving. "Yea, though I walk through the valley..." infers that I'm not pouring a concrete foundation and building a permanent residence there. It simply acknowledges that there are times in my life when I feel a sense of despair, depicted by the words valley (a low point) and shadow (a dark place), and death (imminent change), and that these moments are temporary and transitional, as long as I keep marching, one foot in front of the other.

Sometimes, that's all it takes to get through challenging times. 23 years ago, while living in Las Vegas, Nevada, I took a job as a manager of a fast food restaurant so I could pay my bills, take some classes, and get my teaching credential in Oregon. This particular job was not exactly my cup of tea. In fact, I was absolutely miserable; but I didn't know what else to do at the time. So, I would drive to work, sit in my car a few moments and get myself psyched to make it through the next 13-14 hours (fast food management shifts are long with unpaid overtime). Then I would open the car door and watch my left foot swing out and step on the pavement. I'd say out loud, "Okay, Casey, just one foot after the other—don't think about anything else." By the time I would reach the door of the restaurant, open it and step into my role, I had momentum. It wasn't long after that I gave my notice and found other, more tolerable work.

One foot after the other I moved to Oregon. One foot after the other I completed 3 years of ministry school. One foot after the other Berdell and I raised a fine son. And one foot after the other, we are building the capability to own our own worship center.

Whatever challenges you are experiencing, God has provided you with the tools to face and overcome them. Faith, momentum and determination will see you through. No matter the depth of the valley or the density of the shadow, keep moving, or as God seems to command me, "March!"

Blessings to you and yours,

Casey

Spring is my favorite season, and March is an exciting month for me. It challenges the seeming stagnation of life, the cold starkness of Winter. Suddenly, we see what appear to be buds on barren trees and shrubs. In Portland, the sun starts peeking through more often, the days warm, and up come white, purple and yellow crocuses who are sure the long wait for freedom is now over. It's almost as if they smile with joy at getting a breath of fresh air and a face full of sunshine.

These creatures of the earth do much to remind me that life is ever changing and renewing, always offering another chance at starting anew. In New Thought, the term "baptism" has nothing to do with a religious experience—it is a spiritual experience that occurs numerous times in our lives as we become aware of new truths about ourselves. It's that moment we realize we are different than we were; more mature, less fearful; we may find ourselves handling situations differently and more effectively than before. What this usually means is that we have performed some personal, internal spring-cleaning on ourselves. We've looked at how we react to challenges, have resolved to do better, and have affirmed that God has the power to support us in permanent change.

Some of us, using last month's "mantra" God will show me how to face [fill in the blank], and make me amazingly effective in the process, have found a new courage, wisdom and faith in ourselves and in God's real-time activity in our personal lives. We can now extend that mantra to others. God will show [fill in a name] how to face [fill in the blank] and make them amazingly effective in the process. And again, include us all together: God will show us how to face [fill in the blank] and make us amazingly effective in the process.

This is the true Rite of Spring. Faith in God's power for ourselves, others, and us all, in the face of overwhelming difficulty, confusion, hopelessness, fear, and despair. The hard part is acting as if we have this faith before we actually do. The result is our own amazingment, awe, and even surprise at God's reality in the right-here and right-now.

Use this month of March to be amazed as life is rebirthed, and practice reminding yourself that this new life, new opportunity, is expressed through you, too.

Blessings,

Casey