When parishioners are not currently on a service at the church, they still want to remain in touch and the church is organized to encourage this. Each church publishes its own magazine which keeps parishioners abreast of news, recent course and auditing completions, upcoming events such as seminars or celebrations and the like. Church staff maintain contact with parishioners by mail and help arrange their return for further service.
Scientologists celebrate several meaningful occasions throughout the year, among them L. Ron Hubbard's birthday, the New Year, the anniversary of Dianetics and Auditor's Day. Parishioners are briefed on important church affairs and activities and updated on the overall expansion of Scientology. In addition to the thousands attending at the central location (which varies from event to event in cities around the world), events are also telecast to all Scientology churches across the globe, such as Los Angeles, New York, Toronto, London, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona, Sydney, Milan, Johannesburg, Copenhagen, Clearwater and scores of other cities in numerous countries. These events draw parishioners by the thousands to their local churches or public auditoriums to enjoy the event telecast. As well as being informative briefings, these occasions instill a sense of unity among Scientologists everywhere.
Individual churches also regularly host smaller events for local parishioners, in- cluding tape plays of L. Ron Hubbard's lectures, Sunday church services, briefings from top auditors and open houses for those new to Scientology and members of the local community.
The church makes every effort to let a person find out for himself what Scientology has to offer in accordance with Mr. Hubbard's principle that, in Scientology, it is only what you find true for yourself that is true. Regular introductory lectures are conducted on basic Dianetics and Scientology principles. Free personality testing is offered to help people isolate the exact areas in their lives they can improve upon and gives them direction as to how this might be accomplished. Films are shown which explain different Dianetics and Scientology concepts. Church staff are always more than happy to answer questions. In particular, the church Registrar is an expert regarding church services and assists individuals in selecting those services which best help them to advance on the Bridge.
Churches offer an array of services designed for a new person. These are delivered in a part of the organization separate from the HGC and the Academy, catering mostly to beginning students. Here, a person just finding out about Dianetics and Scientology can receive services at an introductory level.
Although many Scientologists live some distance from their churches, the church continues to remain a focal point in their lives even when they are not actively involved in an auditing or training service. A Scientologist who has completed professional auditor training and established a practice in the field, for instance, can receive case supervision services and materials from the church.
If a parishioner has difficulty moving up the Bridge or hindrances in any part of his life, the church Ethics Officer helps him apply ethics technology to improve his condition. And when traumatic or personally upsetting situations arise-perhaps a marital quarrel or a dispute with another Scientologist-the Chaplain is always available.
Each Sunday, the Chaplain conducts services open to anyone of any denomination who shares the hope of a better and happier future for man. For the person new to Scientology, this is an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the religion. For the Scientologist, it provides the chance to gain further insight into familiar concepts.
The Chaplain also performs Scientology weddings, christenings and funerals for parishioners and their family members.
Scientologists form numerous groups to aid local programs, particularly in the areas of social reform, education, drug abuse and neighborhood betterment. The church also lends its support to many community-sponsored organizations, and often provides facilities to those who work toward similar goals.
All Scientology activities in the local area fall under the Executive Director and his Executive Council. He is in charge of the church and sees to the well-being of church members, his staff and the expansion of Dianetics and Scientology in his city or area.
But there is even more to a church than what goes on inside. As a central point from which dedicated Scientologists come and go, applying what they have learned to help those around them, the church, in turn, becomes a central point of betterment for the whole community. Thus as the church itself flourishes, so too do those around it.
Scientology events, celebrations and briefings are held several
times a year and are attended by thousands of parishioners.
Events held at a central location, such as this New Year's gathering,
are telecast to churches around the globe. Here, Church leaders
have an opportunity to talk to other Scientologists and brief them on
Church activities and expansion news from different parts of the world.
