Soaring Spirit Church

* Worship location: Grant Howald Community Youth Center at Iris

and 5th Streets, Corona del Mar

* Church telephone: (714) 641-8335

* Denomination: Independent

* Year church established: 2001

* Service time: 10 a.m. Sunday

* Minister: The Reverend Margaret Elizabeth Muegenburg

* Size of congregation: Approximately 15

* Make up of congregation: Muegenburg describes the congregation

as a group of dynamic men and women, each of whom is willing to

accept responsibility for his or her own life.

* Type of worship: Meditation and affirmative prayer are

incorporated into the one-hour service. Music is provided each Sunday

by one of a variety of soloists who brings old favorites and

current-day music to life as a way of empowering the congregation.

* Type of message: Muegenburg draws from the principles of

metaphysics to provide a practical application of the truth to

everyday life issues. She uses the philosophies of a wide variety of

spiritual traditions, including the teachings of Religious Science,

Unity, Buddhism, Joel Goldsmith on the Infinite Way, Existential

Metapsychiatry and the Bible, as well as the teachings of some

contemporary philosophers. The focus for each service is based on a

central theme chosen for that Sunday.

* Recent and upcoming messages: On Oct. 6, Muegenburg will give a

talk titled “Soar,” as Soaring Spirit Church celebrates its one-year

anniversary. The message will include reflections on the life of a

falcon and will look at how each person has the wherewithal to soar,

in every moment, like a falcon. On the remaining Sunday mornings in

October, Muegenburg will share her understanding of a titled, “The

Call.”

* Visitors: Members of the Soaring Spirit Church welcome

visitors. Muegenburg sees the congregation as “small, but mighty,”

giving each visitor the opportunity to become part of the group,

which is like a family. According to Muegenburg, members enjoy

newcomers and believe each one adds to the ever-expanding

consciousness of peace and love in the universe.

* Dress: The dress style among the group is California casual.

Muegenburg said, “Be prepared for a minister who speaks in her bare

feet. I’m definitely a California girl. My bare-footedness allows me

to feel grounded.”

* Building and facilities: Grant Howald Community Youth Center

provides a room overlooking the park. Floor to ceiling windows let

the Corona del Mar sunshine flood the room. There is plenty of

parking. Muegenburg said the church plans to meet at this location

for a while because it allows the Sunday gathering to “provide a

beacon of light for the community as it celebrates the beauty of

Spirit within.”

* Mission statement: Soaring Spirit offers a warm and loving

atmosphere for individuals to connect and be transformed through

celebrating the beauty and grandness of their spirit. Affirmative

prayer is offered every Sunday to assist those facing health,

financial, relationship or other challenges in life.

* Interesting note: Muegenburg currently works full-time for the

Orange County Social Services Agency. She sees her work as an

outreach of her ministry. She believes her background in education,

business and spirituality provides a strong base for her to draw her

messages on each Sunday. Muegenburg is a breast cancer survivor and

serves on the Board of Directors for Breast Cancer Survivors, an

organization that provides financial resources for women facing

breast cancer without resources for shelter, food and other expenses.

Of her own brush with cancer, Muegenburg said, “Breast cancer was the

best experience I have had in my life. It gave me a strong faith and

powerful compassion.”

-- Michele Marr