CHURCH HISTORY
Spiritualist Chapel of the Pines was founded on
October 29, 1981 by Rev. Francis Scher when she moved from Southern California to Colfax, California. She was accompanied and assisted by Loll Washburn, Certified Medium. The church was started in their home in Colfax and gradually outgrew these quarters. They then rented a house in Auburn which soon was not large enough to accommodate the new members. The church then rented space in a complex on Auburn Ravine Road and as the membership outgrew these quarters, it was moved to the so-called Quonset hut building and from there to the existing location, 457 Grass Valley Highway, # 7, Auburn.
The church has been in this location for over 20 years. Membership is growing steadily. Membership is open to the public and the public is invited to attend Sunday service at 10:00 AM and an All Message service on Fridays at 7:00 PM. Classes and meditation circles are open to the public.
What is Spiritualism?
Spiritualism is a common sense religion, one of knowing and living. We accept all truths and endeavor to prove their validity. Truths are found in nature, both physical and spiritual, in other religions, in writings, in science, in philosophy, and in Divine Law. Truths are also received through spirit communication.
A number of the tenets of other religions are found in the beliefs of Modern Spiritualists, and are reflected in the Declaration of Principles which appears in this brochure. One constant in all religions is the Golden Rule, expressed in many ways, conveying the message of humanity and love in all interactions.
The Modern Spiritualist movement began in Hydesville, New York in March, 1848. Two sisters in the Fox family began to hear rationally unexplainable rappings in the house. With time, communication with a spirit began first with “Yes” and “No” raps, and then with raps identifying letters of the alphabet. The Fox sisters were invited to a number of public forums in which they were asked to demonstrate their mediumistic abilities to a skeptical audience. Their gifts, and those of a number of legitimate psychics and mediums, spurred great public interest in Spiritualism into the early 1900s when that interest lagged. In the present day, there appears to be a renewal of spiritual awareness as people look for answers in troubled times.
Definitions of Spiritualism
Spiritualism is the Science, Philosophy and Religion of continuous life, based upon the demonstrated fact of communication, by means of mediumship, with those who live in the Spirit World. (1919)
"Spiritualism Is a Science" Because it investigates, analyzes and classifies facts and manifestations demonstrated from the spirit side of life.
"Spiritualism Is a Philosophy" because it studies the Laws of Nature both on the seen and unseen sides of life and bases its conclusions upon present observed facts. It accepts statements of observed facts of past ages and conclusions drawn therefrom, when sustained by reason and by results of observed facts of the present day.
"Spiritualism Is a Religion" because it strives to understand and to comply with the Physical, Mental and Spiritual Laws of Nature, which are the laws of God.
A Spiritualist is one who believes, as the basis of his or her religion, in the communication between this and the Spirit World by means of mediumship and who endeavors to mold his or her character and conduct in accordance with the highest teachings derived from such communication. (1914, Rev. 1938)
A Medium is one whose organism is sensitive to vibrations from the spirit world and through whose instrumentality, intelligences in that world are able to convey messages and produce the phenomena of Spiritualism. (1914)
A Spiritualist Healer is one who, either through one's own inherent powers or through mediumship, is able to impart vital, curative force to pathologic conditions. (1930, 1993)
The Phenomena of Spiritualism consists of Prophecy, Clairvoyance, Clairaudience, Gift of Tongues, Laying on of Hands, Healing, Visions, Trance, Apports, Levitation, Raps, Automatic and Independent Writings and Paintings, Voice, Materialization, Photography, Psychometry and any other manifestation proving the continuity of life as demonstrated through the Physical and Spiritual senses and faculties of man. (1950)
What Spiritualism Is and Does
It teaches personal responsibility
It removes all fear of death, which is really the portal of the spirit world
It teaches that death is not the cessation of life, but mere change of condition.
It teaches, not that we have a soul, but that we are a soul and we have a body.
That we are spiritual beings now, even while encased in flesh.
That as we sow on earth, we reap in the life to come.
That those who have passed on are conscious not asleep.
That communion between the living and the "dead" is scientifically proved.
It thus brings comfort to the bereaved and alleviates sorrow.
Spiritualism is the Science, Philosohpy and Religion of continuous life, based upon the demonstrated fact of communication, by means of mediumship, with those who live in the Spirit World. It brings to the surface our spiritual attributes, such as inspiration, clairvoyance, clairaudience and healing powers. It teaches that the spark of divinity dwells in all.
That as a flower gradually unfolds in beauty, so the spirit of humanity unfolds and develops in the spirit spheres.
Spiritualism is God's message to mortals, declaring that "There is no death..." That all who have passed on still live. That there is hope in the life beyond for the most negative.
That every soul will progress through the ages to heights, sublime and glorious, where God is Live and Love is God. It is a manifestation, a demonstration and proof of the continuity of life and of the truth of the many Spirit manifestations recorded in the Christian Bible.
It demonstrates the many spiritual attributes with which humanity is endowed, but which through want of knowledge, have been allowed to lie dormant, or through prejudice have been violently and unjustly suppressed.
Love Offering by Mail:
Make your contribution payable to:
The Spiritualist Chapel of the Pines
457 Grass Valley Hwy #7
Auburn, CA 95603
