One thing about Scientology in Clearwater is that as a Scientologist, no matter where you are from, eventually everyone you know will show up here.

I've had problems with this sometimes. I've met people in New York, Texas, San Francisco, East Grinstead at Saint Hill, in Clearwater and in Los Angeles. Sometimes I'll run into someone I know really well and just can't place them until I remember where I know them from!

Because Scientology is the "mecca" for Scientology - that place where all Scientologists come to do their most advanced spiritual levels, it is "home" to all Scientologists everywhere.

The other day I was talking to someone about one of the Scientology Human Rights groups the Church of Scientology sponsors - Youth for Human Rights International. In the course of the conversation we realized we had several mutual friends, each of whom is involved in this group but who all hail from different places.

Scientologists often travel in support of the social programs we are involved in. For example, many Scientologists from Clearwater traveled to New York in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks and helped in the rescue efforts as Scientology Volunteer Ministers. Scientologists have also traveled to France and Germany to support our churches there in their work to establish religious tolerance, not just for Scientology but for all religions.

I'm very proud to be a Scientologist. I have gained so much from it personally and helped many other people, and it is also so gratifying to know I am part of a religious movement that is really helping in society.

My friend Jenny just put up a new blog about the "Freewinds".

The Freewinds is a religious retreat for members of the Church of Scientology. It is usually cruising the Caribbean.

Freewinds

Here is a page from www.scientology.org that tells more about the Freewinds and the services it delivers.

The Freewinds is also known as the Flag Ship Service Organization or FSSO.

Many of my friends are going to the Freewinds this week to participate in a convention that commemorates the ship's maiden voyage in 1988. Hard to believe that was 16 years ago!

In the local area, the Freewinds is also known for its participation in jazz festivals such as pictured here: Jazz on the Freewinds

Mary Story is the Vice President and Director of Community Affairs of the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization: the Scientology headquarters in Clearwater Florida.

According to the Tampa Bay Partnership
"The parishioners of the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization contribute 170,000 hours ofvolunteer work annually in service to the Tampa Bay area working with community groups to strengthen neighborhoods, help the needy, improve literacy, fight drug addiction and abuse, promote the arts and provide wholesome entertainment to the community. These volunteer hours are contributed both to community betterment groups throughout the area as well as groups established by Scientologists. Church staff and Church members are active in over 100 charitable groups in the Tampa Bay community."

One area in which Scientology volunteers are particularly active is in the use of Scientology Study Tech. Study Tech is a very simple technology developed by L. Ron Hubbard. He originally formulated Study Tech to help Scientology ministers learn the technology of Scientology counseling, but it has application in any area of study.

The fact is that schools don't teach kids to study. They try to teach their subjects and often fall short of providing an adequate education because students don't now the more basic skills of how to study in the first place.

What is most exciting about Scientology study tech is that once they master these simple skills, students can learn anything. The self-confidence and self-respect a student gains from being able to learn any subject is startling to see.

Here is more information on Scientology Study Tech.

Study Tech Library Based on the Works of L. Ron Hubbard - Study Technology of L. Ron Hubbard Bookstore

Scientology Study Technology

What is Study Technology?

L. Ron Hubbard: Study Technology

Scientology Study Technology: Learning is fun.

Applied Scholastics International: Study Tech