You can find them hugging strangers outside the grocery store and discussing universal scientific principles at the Hawthorne Center in Columbia.
In a culture that values science, “we know to be true invisible, [scientific] principles that always operate the same way for everybody,” said Jenna Wexler, who will be ordained as a minister in July for the Columbia Center for Spiritual Living. “We also know to be true spiritual principles that always operate the same way for everybody ? without exception or favor.”
The Law of Attraction applies to all, said Nancy Stepp, 69, the third senior minister for the Columbia Center for Spiritual Living since 1984 when the Rev. Earle Talman founded the Columbia group.
“If you decide you?re going to have a lousy drive to the office, you?ll focus on negative aspects and attract negative energy,” she said.
Formerly the Columbia Church of Religious Science, the center teaches the principles of Dr. Ernest Holmes, who blended the word?s great religions to form Religious Science, Stepp said.
Media mogul Oprah Winfrey catapulted Religious Science to national attention in February 2007 when she interviewed the author of “The Secret,” Rhonda Byrne. Byrne and members of the Center of Spiritual Living believe people can create the life they want through thought and being aware of how they think.
“It?s an empowering teaching,” said Annette Cameron, who is one month away from becoming a minister. “We are co-creating with the spirit our own experiences; it?s very freeing to know you have power and control.”
Stepp teaches principles in “The Secret,” but there is more to the faith than what is covered in the book, she said.
“Our whole intention is to spiritually nurture. It?s not only about getting what you want,” she said.
“As individuals, we really serve the planet when we come from a loving place,” she explained. “And I say that not being schmultzy about love ? giving service truly is the biggest thing.”
The center supports two shelters in Baltimore and national efforts that provide medical supplies to those in need in Africa. We?re either motivated by love or fear, center member Heather Wandell said. “Love opens us up; fear shuts us down.”
Wandell, raised Methodist and Presbyterian, joined the congregation five years ago after not practicing a faith for a long time, she said.
“I felt like there was something missing; traditional teaching just wasn?t working for me,” she said.
“Everybody that comes in remarks on the joy and love in the room; it?s tangible,” Wexler said. “They say I finally found my spiritual home.”
