About Calgary First Spiritualist Church (CFSC)

The Calgary First Spiritualist Church (CFSC) has a community of like-minded people who are forward-thinking because they have an awareness of a larger reality. People here are learning to be attentive to the energy that supports the growth of humanity's consciousness.

"As the human race grows, you will find that the world in which you live can be developed, too, and that you can have a richness of life such as you never before dreamed possible.”

- Silver Birch

CFSC has operated continually in Calgary under official charter since 1920. The church is located in the community of Hillhurst at 1603 - 6 Ave. N.W. CFSC is operated almost entirely by volunteers, with a volunteer board of directors, and has a volunteer minister who is also a medium.

The church provides the community with regular services, courses and energy healing, and passes along information to those who want private readings. Most of the events are held throughout the week during the evening or on weekends.

The church has two libraries, one of which is reserved for members.

The church has charitable donation status which provides an income tax receipt at the end of the year for those who contribute to the regular services and other public events held at the church throughout the year.

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Historical Background

The Calgary First Spiritualist Church (CFSC) was founded in 1920 near Calgary City Hall following several years of regularly scheduled meetings that began during World War I. The church has operated continuously since that time. Church pioneers bought a building on 7th Avenue S.E. for their first church and paid the mortgage by 1929. The church operated there until 1972 when the City expropriated the property for what is now the Calgary Police Service parkade. Church members then purchased the property at 1603 - 6 Avenue N.W., our present location.

Throughout the years of the Great Depression, the Second World War and the years following, a group of people who had a different view about the truth of spiritual wisdom kept their awareness intact. They valued and trusted a direct connection with God rather than going through an intermediary. There were times when the knowledge could be more visible and other times when the knowledge was buried under ground. Church members navigated the shoals that existed while maintaining the course for those who would come here later.

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What is Spiritualism?

Spiritualism has been defined as being a science, a philosophy and a religion.

Spiritualism is a science . . . because it has used observation, measurement and experimentation in the areas of clairvoyance, clairsentience, clairaudience, automatic writing and trance communication as proof of the manifestation of spirit presence. (Note: In the 21st century the scientific approach is more about parapsychology, psychology that deals with psychic phenomena.)

Spiritualism is a philosophy . . . because it is based on ideas about how the natural world and the spirit world operate. It studies the laws of nature, both seen and unseen, and integrates the wisdom from the past with present day knowledge.

Spiritualism is a religion . . . because it strives to understand and to comply with the physical, mental and spiritual laws of nature which are the natural laws of God.

THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF SPIRITUALISM

Spiritualism has seven guiding principles that allow for freedom of interpretation. Shown here are a modern version and a traditional version of the principles:

THE SEVEN MODERN PRINCIPLES

1. A Divine Source recognized as God.

2. The unity of all life.

3. The communion with, and guidance from, the spirit world.

4. The continuous existence of the soul.

5. Personal responsibility for every thought word and action.

6. Reward and consequence for all deeds according to God's natural laws.

7. Eternal progress open to every soul.

THE SEVEN TRADITIONAL PRINCIPLES

1. The fatherhood/motherhood of God.

2. The brotherhood/sisterhood of humanity.

3. Communion of spirits and the ministry of angels.

4. The continuous existence of the human soul.

5. Personal responsibility.

6. Compensation and retribution hereafter for all the good and evil deeds done on earth.

7. Eternal progress open to every human soul.

About Our Logo

The church logo has an interesting story behind it involving two church members during the 1990s. Norm Strobbe and Stephen Craig had a psychic experience together. They astral traveled to the place in spirit where Norm’s spirit would go when his earth journey was finished. Norm’s father and sister were waiting for him and he introduced Stephen to them. Stephen says that he saw Norm’s family linked together with their arms outstretched in a line that went on into infinity. Seventeen days after this experience, Norm’s earth journey did end and he joined his family in spirit.

The vision of the outstretched arms with everyone linked inspired Stephen to develop the logo. The logo’s seven spirit people linked together, represent the Seven Principles of Spiritualism. The open space illustrates a place that is filled when we leave the earth plane and join our families in spirit. The scattered stars represent the heavens.

Since it was developed, the logo can be seen on church pins, on letterhead and envelopes, on the church sign, the website and enlarged in frames inside the church.

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What is Mediumship?

Mediumship refers to the practice of using clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience, automatic writing or trance communication to bring through messages from human beings who have crossed over into spirit.

At our church, a medium is an ethical person who has developed the skills needed to act as a conduit for the person in spirit who has a message for a relative or friend on the earth plane. The medium can often see and hear the person in spirit and learns to interpret images that may accompany the message. Mediums may also see geographic locations, historical periods, children, pets and objects that may help the intended recipient understand who is bringing the message and why.

Mediumship development circles

CFSC has several mediumship development circles. Each of these is for the beginner, the intermediate and senior levels. The circles are primarily for members who have completed two courses:

1. Orientation to Spiritualism (a weekend course offered several times a year)

2. Introduction to Mediumship (an 8 week course usually offered in the Fall)

And because the church is operated almost entirely by volunteers, we ask that people demonstrate their commitment to the church by regularly attending services and by volunteering to help us with the work of the church. Please visit the church for a handout about the steps required for admission to a mediumship development circle. We feel that it is worth taking a bit of time to get to know one another first.

Why mediumship development?

Mediumship development provides an opportunity for people to develop the qualities of connecting with Spirit that are inherent within all human beings. These practices of connection cover a broad spectrum and evolve from:

• a beginning where you learn to recognize your guides;

• working with your guides to bring through a communication from Spirit;

• or by deeply opening yourself up to guidance from higher masters and angels.

The purpose is to expand the force of love, to communicate the interconnections of all life and all existence and to uplift the consciousness of the world.

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