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I believe we can all agree that the year of Violet Fire just completed has been one of intense learning and powerful initiations. We now look forward to a brand new year filled with new ideas, new experiences and new memories; a time of new opportunities, gifts and blessings from our Father-Mother God! How will this new year manifest? Will it be one where peace naturally and easily permeates every atom of our beings and worlds, or will it be one where we must constantly struggle to find peace within the chaos that surrounds us? The choice is ours, beloved ones, in the way in which we consciously choose to respond to the world around us.

During the last quarter of 1998, the monthly services, sacred festivities and ceremonies that lead up to the New Year Conference created a wonderful space in which the activities could unfold, clear and unhindered by distractions of any kind, so the energy received, intensified and released during this sacred and holy season was at a level far beyond anything the chelas have experienced before. The sacred ceremony of Saturday, September 19, when our beloved Lord Gautama moved to his new location, was a beautiful signal to all chelas worldwide that their service to life over the years has truly been successful. The silent meditation which took place on November 30 to celebrate Humankind's Harvest was wonderful to experience and was well received by all in attendance. I am pleased to announce we shall be incorporating this form of worship on a regular basis from this time forward. We also plan to schedule teaching sessions and informational meetings on a regular basis throughout the year for the local students to attend.

Now for some really exiting information! Many of you may not be aware of the following, but this year marks the 45th. Anniversary of the official incorporation of The Bridge to Spiritual Freedom, Inc. Back on September 11, 1954 at 5:00 PM in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the first meeting of the seven original incorporators, beloved Ascended Master El Morya gave them a tremendous responsibility. As he spoke through our beloved Geraldine Innocente. He ended his address to them with the following words: "... This newborn child I give to you now each one. Guard and guide it well and protect it unto this day! Beloved Frances (Ekey), beloved Mary (Innocente), Beloved Charles (Krick), beloved May (Purnell), beloved Lucy (Littlejohn) and beloved Orville (Conner) let this be my first act through the veil to you in my endeavor. Thank you. "

Since that day much has taken place within the organization. We have had three name changes and worked from several different locations until we settled on the property in Fort Salonga, New York. Over the years, many people have come with their various gifts and talents to offer not only their services but to study the higher spiritual teachings as well. Many have moved on to other endeavors but they often still incorporate what they received from The Bridge into their daily lives and spiritual activities.  

To each and every student or chela who has stepped across our threshold, I wish to say thank you. Thank you for what you have done, what you are doing now and for what you will accomplish in the future to make this world a better place for all people everywhere. To assist in this ongoing service and in honor of our anniversary, many of the articles and addresses published in the Journal this year shall be taken from the First Volume of The Bridge. We offer them again for your enlightenment. As we now enter this new and shiny year, through the Grace of God, may we all find Peace! So Be it, beloved I AM!  

Rebecca Ann Laycock

President