Center of Enlightenment Committees

At Center of Enlightenment, we believe that religion is about more than just attending services or reading books. It's about finding meaning and purpose in life, connecting with something greater than ourselves, and living with intention and compassion. Whether you're just starting to explore your spirituality or you've been on this journey for years, we invite you to join us and discover all that Center of Enlightenment has to offer. Our community is warm, welcoming, and supportive, and we believe that everyone has something valuable to contribute.

Our Membership Drive is happening now through the first of the year. You can join at any time but this is our annual sign up time. This is our membership renewal letter that has been sent to current members and some past members.

Dear Member or Past-Member;

In 2025, we achieved a year of growth, connection, and resilience, as described in the following pages
— and your support made it all possible.

We are truly proud of what we’ve accomplished together—and even more excited about what’s

ahead in 2026. We are planning a full calendar of events, classes, and services to help you

grow, learn, and thrive—and we would love for you to be part of it.

The ministers and ordination students chaired Sunday services every Sunday, including a couple of emergency ones on Zoom because of bad weather. The speakers, music, inspirational readings, prayers, and jokes all combined to enlighten and inspire our congregants for the upcoming week.

On July 20, our Sanctuary was dedicated in honor of one of our founders and original ministers Rev. Kenneth Nowaczewski. Rev. Carol Willis gave a wonderful sermon, and we had a delicious luncheon. Thank you again, Rev. Ken, for all your teachings and friendship.

On Aug. 3, Rev. Lisa Argo chaired a special service celebrating Rev. David Shaw’s 40th sobriety anniversary. We are glad you chose life, Rev. David.

In September and October, Rev. Lisa Argo and Rev. David Shaw led nine students through a new version of the Mediumship course. They continued to lead the group in twice monthly practice sessions preparing for an All-Message Night Student Gala on Friday, March 20.

We had many 1st Saturday Workshops on a variety of topics. Thank you to organizer Rev. Lisa Argo and your instructors.

On the Second Tuesday of the month, Patty Shaw led the Higher Self Meditations, helping people raise their vibration and their awareness. Thanks again, Patty.

The Reiki Share for Practitioners on Second Sundays met throughout the year, sharing healing with those who offer healing to others. Thanks go to Patty Shaw and Rev. Lisa Argo, leaders of this event.

We had a variety of activities at our 3rd Friday Fundraisers. Thank you to all who led them and attended.

The 2nd Annual Spirit Faire was a great success and raised more than $500 for the church. Thank you to organizer Rev. Lisa Argo and your many volunteers.

The CoE Choir gave inspiring musical performances at several Sunday services. Thank you to Rev. Kathleen Hellenberg, Rev. Carol Willis, Rev. David Shaw, Rev. Gina Hampton, and Troy Guinn-Bailey. Also, Mindy Liteman sang beautifully for us at two Sunday services. We thank her as well.

The Décor Committee continued to do a great job of beautifying the church’s interior spaces according to the seasons. Thank you to Rev. Lisa Argo, Bridget Morris, Cheryl Trotter, and Sammi LoPiccolo.

The Garden Committee kept the outside looking good through the summer. Thank you to Patty Shaw, Rev. David Shaw, Rev. Lisa Argo, Nikki Dalla Santa, and Shonette Nedbal.

The Newsletter and Public Relations Committees continued to generate paper and digital newsletters, and paper flyers for our many events. Thanks to Rev. Lisa Argo, Rev. David Shaw, and Patty Shaw.

Go Daddy placed us in the top 5% of most active websites. New attendees are finding us because Google searches are sending them to our website. Thank you to Rev. Lisa Argo for maintaining our great website.

The Board of Directors voted to try using rectangular tables in the Letia Woods Fellowship Hall instead of the round tables, and it was such a success that we sold the round ones.

In January, we successfully transitioned to new Board Officer positions Vice President Rev. Gina Hampton, Secretary Patty Shaw, and Treasurer Richard Harrison. Public Relations Director Rev. Lisa Argo and Trustee II Joanne Wise continued their great level of service to the church starting another two-year term (2025-2026).

At the October 2025 Board and Member Meeting, President Rev. David Shaw, Treasurer Richard Harrison, and Trustee I Randy Letwak were reelected to two-year terms (2026-2027).

Rev. David Shaw started the required 5-year review of the Bylaws, which the Bylaws Committee will finish in 2026.

The Board of Directors voted to purchase a 24” x 36” weather proof frame to publicize church activities on the front door. Thank you to Tony Vader for installing it, and to Rev. David Shaw and Patty Shaw for generating the posters to fill it.

We thank Randy Letwak, who completed many maintenance and improvement projects around the church, including: fixing steps on the front porch; fixing paving stones between the street and the sidewalk; adding two hand rails in the interior stairway; mounting the photo and plaque honoring Rev. Kenneth Nowaczewski; and doing repairs to the church’s front doors.

Thanks to Rev. David Shaw for transitioning the ministers’ email accounts from GoDaddy to Gmail and saving the church $480 per year.

We thank Richard Harrison for continued improvement to our audio/video equipment so that we can share services and events through Zoom.

Thanks to Joanne Wise, who supervised the professional cleaning of the carpeting and the fabric on the pews and healing stools. 

Thank you,

Center of Enlightenment

Board of Directors and Ministers