Click here to view a photo slideshow from MSIA’s Staff Holiday Party.
There are lots of good reasons to serve on the MSIA staff, and at the moment the MSIA Staff Holiday Party tops the list. In addition to the MSIA crowd, there were staff from all of the organizations founded by John-Roger including: the University of Santa Monica (USM), Insight, Peace Theological Seminary (PTS), the Heartfelt Foundation, the Institute for Individual & World Peace (IIWP), EduCare, and Esprit Travel. Members of John Morton’s staff were also present. Well over 150 people filled the Prana (now Peace Awareness Labyrinth and Gardens) foyer and the large & small seminar rooms to enjoy the Spirit of the occasion.
The event started at noon with an hour of good old fashioned spiritual exercises. Back in our bodies (well, sort of) we strolled out to the labyrinth where John Morton placed a blessing for us all.
Next was the lunchtime feast, and feast is no exaggeration. The buffet was every bit as gourmet and abundant as the most exclusive five star restaurant, and everything was prepared without onion or garlic. Somehow the cooking staff, headed by Claudie & Guillaume Botte and Kelly & David Funk, managed to create sumptuous dishes to accommodate the daunting diversity of dietary requirements of the participants. And don’t ask about the dessert table that ran fully 1/3 the length of the dining room, featuring homemade sweets as well as amazing creations from the acclaimed Urth Caffe. There was even a crew on hand to make swimming pool sized cups of latte and those other high octane coffee concoctions. There was plenty of Urth’s Mystical Traveler Tea, too.
Barely able to move after lunch, we were treated to a program of stellar entertainment technically supported, recorded and videotaped by the folks at NOW Productions. Music was provided by Deborah Martinez, Penelope Bright & Arissa Bright delivering a sweet a capella rendition of The Little Drummer Boy, Karen Hassett masterfully executing an exquisite piano piece, and Angel Gibson and Barbara Wieland singing a beautiful prayer of the Mother Mary. Lest anyone think we were too serious, there was a side-splitting skit based on the 60’s TV show Laugh In presented by the PTS staff, all of whom could have careers as professional comediennes. We also heard a rousing rendition of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by the newly formed MSIA Men’s Choir and Precision Marching Team. (And, yes, they were all sober, no matter what it looked like!) We were also honored with a guest appearance from Jsu Garcia, star of stage screen & seminars. Jsu sang a few lines from numerous Christmas songs and danced a very sensual Tango with the lovely and voluptuous… Paul Kaye.
Wondering what could possibly be better than what we’d been treated to so far, we came to our feet to welcome John Morton to the stage. If anything, John’s talk intensified the Spirit of joy that was already so present.
By 5 pm the gray skies had turned dark and people began to head for home. The crew of volunteers who had so joyfully and energetically served us, began the cleanup, ably directed by Rick Green. Despite the drizzle and dreariness of the evening, I’m sure we illuminated the city with the Light that filled us as we made our way.
