Spiritual Arts Center A New Thought Church

at the Actors Temple

While I mostly write about theatre, my real motivation to write is caused by events that stir emotion in me, inspire me, move me, and that’s why I will be telling you about church. Not just any church, but The Spiritual Arts Center NYC-A New Thought Church that I attended today at the Actors Temple on West 47th Street.   I went on a lark really, only to support my dear friend Dorothy Bishop who told me she would be singing.  What impressed and delighted me were so many things really.  The place was packed with a diverse group of people, many from the entertainment world.  This is a church that accepts all people. The openingsong was We Are Family sang by the whole congregation.  This is when the emotions started.  It’s an electrifying feeling when people share a bond, and I was all of a sudden part of this new family, if only for a short period of time.  The content of the service takes a metaphysical approach to the Bible.  It’s nothing new, but it’s very fresh as delivered by Minister Paul Tenaglia.   Amens are replaced by ‘so it is’, and the never ending affirmation is ‘God’s got this’!    There was a reading that was followed by applause (so Broadway, I love it), and show tunes of inspiration, as it was when Musical directors Luis Villabon and Dorothy Bishop sang a beautiful rendition of Sunday in the Park with George, by Stephen Sondheim.  Imagine we joke that we don’t call Sondheim by his first name, but  by ‘God’ in the theatre community, and here he is in church today.   Singer Teri Ralston also sang  It’s Today by Jerry Herman, with a voice that you know is Broadway.  Both numbers were followed by standing ovations.  Simple  but encouraging  messages were presented in the homily, like don’t give up, keep showing up, and those words of central importance…’God’s got this’!  I’ll leave you with this parting thought inspired and partially quoted from todays service.  If you are having a bad day, or having a good day, or whatever kind of day you are having you should definitely check this out one Sunday at 11am.  Let your good be known, and let angels help you.  Maybe you will find your angel, or maybe you just might be an angel to someone else,   I think they’re onto something. 

-ThisbroadSway 11/1/15
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