The Spirit of Service

"Life should be chiefly service. Without that ideal, the intelligence God has given you is not reaching out toward its goal. When in service you forget the little self, you will feel the big Self of Spirit." - Paramahansa Yogananda

"Harmony first!" - Paramahansa Yogananda

Through his teachings and the example of his life, Yogananda shows us that our personal happiness is linked with the happiness of all.

Viewing our goals in positive terms and avoiding the negative help us in our service, along with striving to minimize fixed rules by better organizing the framework of our service.

Ways to cultivate Harmony

• Practice the Presence: Keep our minds on God as we serve.
• Be responsible: Follow through with what we have agreed to accomplish.
• Be respectful: Have patience with and tolerance for the vast differences and abilities in fellow temple members.
• Be cooperative: At times it may be more important to be harmonious than to be right.
• Be there and be ready.

"You should serve others as you serve me. Remember God dwells in all. Don't neglect any opportunity for pleasing him." - Paramahansa Yogananda

There are always tasks at the Center that need extra hands. Service Teams do most of the hands-on work at the Center. Please consider volunteering to serve.

The committees marked with an asterisk are filled by annual elections. Please contact the Center Coordinator if you are interested in serving in those capacities. Anyone who attends regularly may serve on the other committes. Please contact the listed committee chairs.

Our Center welcomes suggestions or concerns for improving our service to devotees.  We recommend that these comments be voiced to the Center’s Managing Council through the appropriate Committee Chairperson.

For a description of the D.C. SRF Center Volunteer Teams, click Here. The Council Officers and Team Chairs/ Co-chairs are listed below (2/1/2009).

• Coordinator – Wayne Lavallee
• Treasurer – Rin Saunders
• Secretary – Jean Ho

Volunteer Service Teams:

• Bookroom:Jim Harrison and Roslyn Turner
• Cleaning: Brandon Fleming and Ed Boucher
• Flowers and Room Set-up:Jamie Caroland and John Puddy
• Fund Raising for New Building: Philip Hellmich and Jackie Valone
• Greeters: Elaine Chen
• Kirtan: Wayne Lavallee
• New Volunteers/Volunteers' Fair: Jim Harrison
• Newsletter: Jackie Valone
• Renovation Team: Wayne Barber
• Service Readers: Richard Ludwick and Sally Maxton
• Social Events: Sara Park and Marietta Gittens
• Sunday School: Marietta Gittens, Jackie Valone, and Marilyn Dixon
• Ushers: Steve Damours
• Volunteers for Renovation: Marietta Gittens

"When you realize that life is a joyous battle of duty and at the same time a passing dream, and when you become filled with the joy of making others happy by giving them kindness and peace, in God's eyes your life is a success." - Paramahansa Yogananda

* Elected position