Center for Spiritual Discovery

* Address: 2850 Mesa Verde Drive East, Suite 111, Costa Mesa

* Telephone: (714) 754-7399

* Service times: 9:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Sunday * Ministers: The Rev. James Turrell, lead minister; The Rev.

Kathleen Scott, assistant minister

* Size of congregation: 250

* Child care: Licensed and bonded child-care professionals are

available during both services

* Type of worship: The services open with an upbeat musical

presentation by the church’s professional six-piece jazz/blues band

with piano, bass, drums, synthesizer, guitar and saxophone. Two songs

led by Scott follow the opening music.

Music is a big part of the services and sets the tone for the

morning’s message. Turrell delivers the message after a time of

affirmative prayer and a song by a guest soloist. The guest artist

performs another musical offering after the message, and the service

concludes with the “Peace Song” or the upbeat gospel-style song “I

Release.”

* Message: Turrell’s messages are always centered on ways to

realize and practice the principles of love, peace, joy, harmony,

forgiveness and unity. The teachings of the church are inclusive and

honor all the world’s great spiritual teachings. It draws from their

wisdom while maintaining a focus on the practice of affirmative

prayer. The need to honor all people as expressions of the Divine

Presence, whatever their awareness of that truth may be, is

emphasized.

“Through the practice of unconditional love, affirmative prayer,

the continuous study of spiritual principles and service to others,

we believe it is possible to stay peaceful and centered -- no matter

what is occurring -- and to be of real assistance others in their

awakening to the positive and powerful goodness within themselves,”

Scott said.

* Recent messages: Turrell spoke on “Awakening the Consciousness

of Peace,” using the principles discussed in Don Miguel Ruiz’s “The

Four Agreements” to demonstrate how this can be accomplished.

* Upcoming messages: From now until the New Year, the church has

aprogram called “PAX 2K” -- “pax” from the Latin word for peace and

2K referring to the new century. During this time, Turrell’s messages

will focus on practical ways in which peace can be a daily

experience, regardless of circumstances.

* Church programs: The church offers eight-week classes

throughout the year, in addition to periodic three- and four-week

classes. Turrell is teaching a three-week class titled “Visionary.”

The class meets Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday

morning from 9 to 11 a.m. The class is designed to help create a

personal vision for the new year.

In January, two new classes will begin. “The Nature of Effective

Prayer” will meet Tuesday evening beginning Jan. 7 and Wednesday

morning beginning Jan. 8. “The Mind-Body Connection” will meet on

Thursday evening beginning Jan. 9.

The church has a very active and growing youth program. In the

past year, its teen program grew from three to 23 members. The

church’s K-6 group meets during the 9:30 a.m. Sunday service, and the

teens meet during the 11:15 a.m. service.

* Welcome wagon: Information packets that explain the church’s

belief system and spiritual practices and provide a brief history of

the origin of its teachings are available to all newcomers. The

church also publishes a bi-monthly newsletter called “Discovery,”

which includes articles by Turrell and Scott along with an overview

of upcoming events and classes.

* Dress: Casual. Turrell wears Hawaiian shirts from Father’s Day

to Labor Day, joking with members that “You can’t tell your minister

from your waiter at the Chart House.” He wears suits from Labor Day

to Father’s Day.

* Church design: The church meets in a business office complex,

part of which has been transformed into its sanctuary. There is a

meditation fountain and a grassy courtyard with flowers and a

bricked-patio social area outside the sanctuary. In July each year,

the congregation holds an outdoor barbecue and blues concert in the

courtyard.

* Mission statement: “Here at the Center for Spiritual Discovery,

we focus on teaching oneness, healing ignorance, practicing prayer

and encouraging spiritual growth,” Scott said.

* Outreach programs: Members are encouraged to become involved in

a variety of volunteer programs.

This year, a large group of members refurbished a home being used

as shelter for homeless women and children. The group installed new

appliances, painted the home inside and outside, landscaped the front

and back yards, made repairs and generally spruced up the place.

The congregation helped a local social worker provide supplies to

young, needy families. The church donates food to needy families at

Thanksgiving and new gifts at Christmas. Members also volunteer in a

variety of community service-oriented activities at nursing homes,

for Habitat for Humanity and for ARK Services for Abused Children,

among others.

-- Michele Marr