Temple Opening
Sunday, September 26 | Meditation 9:00 am | Lecture Service 10:00 am
To help us prepare for the day, we are asking everyone to register so we know how many attendees to anticipate. Please sign-up by clicking the button.
The doors to our new Northern California spiritual home will soon open for our first Sunday Services. Our Temple Minister, Brother Jayananda, and our Assistant Minister, Brother Ritananda will be leading the day.
We anticipate a large number of attendees and we are doing all we can to make certain everyone can be accommodated. Indoor seating will be available in the chapel with safety guideline spacing, and outdoor seating will be available with audio.
Parking
Our parking lot has 78 parking spaces and street parking in the area is very limited. We are asking that as many as possible to utilize the following transportation methods:
- Carpooling
- Taking public transportation – to Walnut Creek BART station
- Parking in the Walnut Creek BART parking lot which is free on Sunday
Walnut Creek BART is 0.5 mile (~10 -12 min walk) to Temple
FAQ
Questions have been asked regarding what buildings will be open and ready to receive attendees.
The chapel is open fully. The restrooms and foyer area of the Fellowship Hall is open for attendees. The Social Room, however, is mostly full of various committee boxes, equipment, and furniture. A small portion is being opened for over-flow seating.
Does the chapel have new carpeting.
We had hoped to have new carpeting for opening day, however delays from carpet stores have prevented installation.
Are the pews being used in the chapel and have the cushions been replaced.
The pews will remain in place and will not be replaced by individual chairs. The cushions have not been changed. The color is a deep maroon and will compliment the carpeting that will be installed.
Has the garden area under the Oaks been renovated?
No, the area under the Oaks is still under consideration and remains somewhat uneven.
Will the Bookroom be open?
Yes
Temple Day of Service
Saturday, September 25 | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
SIGN UP
SCHEDULE
9:00 am – Welcome & Meditation
9:30 am – Temple Maintenance Projects – Indoor & Outdoor
12:15 pm – Short Meditation/Clean up
MASKS
Regarding the wearing of masks, per Contra Costa County guidelines:
Masks are required in all indoor Public Spaces regardless of vaccine status. Please stay home if you are not feeling well and join us a later date.
Brown Bag Lunch
The temple will provide bottle water and packaged snacks. Due to Covid 19 guidelines, lunch will not be provided.
Fellowship with Brother Jayananda – Recorded
Recorded, September 17, 2021
Past Meetings are also found on the same Temple website.
Fall 2021 Schedule – Bay Area Temple Services
Minister Sundays | Meditation 9:00 am | Service 10:00 am
Plans for our Fall schedule have been finalized and it is with great joy to share with you that the Bay Area Temple will hold services twice a month on Minister Sundays.
Many discussions have taken place regarding the best course for holding services to accommodate Covid 19 regulations while adjusting to our new temple. Brother Jayananda believes it is best to hold services during the Fall on those Sundays when ministers will be visiting.
In caring for everyone’s wellbeing, below are some safety issues being addressed:
- Touch-free hand-sanitizer units, soap dispensers, and sink fixtures.
- Outdoor seating will be provided.
- We will not be passing the offertory baskets during the services.
However, after the service there will be baskets available where you can place your donation gifts.
Regarding the wearing of masks, per Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and local government guidelines, masks are required indoors for everyone while outdoors they are optional, although encouraged, for the vaccinated and are required at all times for the unvaccinated and partially vaccinated.
If all goes well with the Sunday services, more temple activities will be introduced.
Sunday School and the Teen Group will resume at a date to be announced in 2022.
The schedule is subject to change and we encourage everyone to keep up to date with the Temple Newsletter and our Bay Area Temple website.
New Times
Meditations will be held at 9:00 am and the Lecture Service at 10:00 am.
This Fall will be a trial period for these earlier times for the Sunday Services. The earlier schedule will help avoid the higher temperatures in Walnut Creek during the warm months and will also allow those traveling from distances to arrive home earlier for Sunday afternoon activities.
Thank you for your support and understanding of changes and modifications as we move through new and ongoing circumstances.
Temple Outreach Committee
The isolation felt by everyone and especially those who live alone during this time of pandemic restrictions remains an ongoing concern to our community.
The Temple Outreach Committee has suggested we all participate in connecting to our fellow devotees and friends by making phone calls. Hearing each other’s voices can be uplifting and change the course of one’s day in a more positive direction. In this age of technology when social communication has been abbreviated into texts, emails, and other medias, the human voice, our most powerful tool of communication is being silenced.
Gail Jarocki, Chairperson for the Outreach Committee, is helping to coordinate community members who are available to help in phoning others.
___________________ SRF / YSS NEWS ___________________
SRF WORLD CONVOCATION
AUGUST 8 – 14, 2021
The full program of events are available on the SRF website.
YSS Online Dhyana Kendra
Donate to YSS Covid 19 Relief Fund and Other Causes
Upcoming Calendar of Online Meditations and Special Programs
Online Meditation Center
SRF – Yogananda Seva | YSS – Dhyana Kendra
Meditating together increases the degree of Self-realization of each member of the group by
the law of invisible vibratory exchange of group magnetism.”
– Paramahansa Yogananda
Meditations and Study Groups | Monday – Saturday
Join devotees around the globe for daily online group Meditations and Scripture Studies via the newly established online SRF Meditation Center.
Daily group meditations, SRF Lessons and Scripture Study groups are now available for SRF members and friends around the world.
All sessions are scheduled in Pacific Time.
SRF / YSS Sign-Up
To participate in the online group meditations, sign-up is available with the international community of SRF/YSS members via the following links:
 |
 |
|
“Spiritual Light for These Challenging Times” Resources Page
As our world continues to go through difficult times, we would like to call your attention to a valuable resource for encouraging and practical guidance to help you gain perspective. There you will find counsel from Paramahansa Yogananda and the SRF presidents to give you a renewed faith in God’s protection — and your own ability to move forward with strength, understanding, and compassion for all.
Affirmation for Fearlessness
I am fearless
I am made of the substance of God
I am a spark of the fire of spirit
I am an atom of the cosmic flame
I am a cell of the vast universal body of the Father
I and my Father are one
Joining Worldwide to Pray Throughout the Day
SRF has announced a new worldwide prayer initiative. In the Self-Realization Fellowship and Yogoda Satsanga Society of India ashrams of Paramahansa Yogananda, all the monastics will be praying for the world and all those in need at specific times of the day, and we invite those who wish to do so to join in this collective effort — at those times or any other time that fits into your daily routine.
Following are the times that the monks and nuns at the SRF International Headquarters and other locations in California will be offering these healing prayers: (All times in PDT)
7:50 – 8:00 am 12:50 – 1:00 pm 6:50 – 7:00 6 pm
To read the full article: → Read more
Prayer Requests
Monks and nuns of the Self-Realization Fellowship Prayer Council pray daily for all those who request prayers for physical, mental, and spiritual healing and for world peace.
They are joined by SRF members and friends around the globe who are part of our Worldwide Prayer Circle.
All prayer requests are confidential and will remain with our Prayer Council for a period of 3 months.
