OUR CHURCH TEACHES SUNNY OUTLOOK NEW CHATSWORTH CONGREGATION BEGINS TO GROW.

Byline: Holly Andres Staff Writer

CHATSWORTH - When the members of this Religious Science congregation talk about Our Church, they mean it literally.

``We kept talking about other names while we were discussing what we wanted for our church,'' said Judy Duncklee, a member of the recently formed Our Church of Religious Science. ``We were saying `our church' often enough that nothing else felt right.''

Duncklee was part of a small group of people who formed a new church with the Rev. Carrie Lauer as their spiritual leader.

Lauer and the group started having vision meetings that resulted in a test service on March 11 in Chatsworth - a site chosen in part because it was at least 10 miles away from other Religious Science churches so as not to draw potential members away from established congregations.

``A lot of people felt they were powerless in their church. The one thing I was hearing over and over was that people wanted to have a voice,'' said Lauer, a grief recovery specialist who had been serving at Church of Religious Science North Hollywood.

``Our Church is about community and family-building character. Chatsworth fit the bill perfectly.''

Even at this early stage of its development, Our Church has a number of offshoots. The congregation plans to have a junior church specifically designed for children as the church becomes known in the West Valley area and grows in members.

Colleen Kite was an enthusiastic participant as part of the planning group. Her dream was to have the new church in a natural setting with a sense of peace, community, music and love.

``I feel at home in Our Church. This is the first time that I've felt a closeness, like being a part of a family. There's no feeling of politics,'' Kite said.

``Religious Science is very open. It's a positive atmosphere.''

The philosophy used in Religious Science churches can be found in ``Science of Mind,'' written by the church's founder, Ernest Holmes, and first published in 1926.

Teachings from the Bible, the Koran and other holy texts are also used when appropriate. It is estimated that the United Church of Religious Science has 40,000 members worldwide.

Religious Science has been called the thinking person's church, a church for intellectual and independent-minded people, Lauer said. But studying the philosophy is the key.

``I like it because it's upbeat and it's positive. It teaches you to live in the present,'' Duncklee said.

On Earth Day, Lauer spoke on American Indian spirituality, another week on the four truths of Buddhism. For a future service, dance will be used to express prayer.

Lauer said she suspects that people have left Religious Science services because they realize that this is not a Jesus-based church.

Religious Science is also not Scientology, a frequently asked question.

``There is a lack of dogma. It appeals to the unchurched. We have people of other faiths who continue to go to those services,'' Lauer said. ``But one thing about Religious Science, everybody is welcome.''

The Rev. Carrie Lauer will deliver the message ``Step Up'' at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service. Meditation at 10 a.m. Our Church of Religious Science meets at the Radisson Hotel, 9777 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Chatsworth. Call [phone].

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Photo:

Those instrumental in forming Our Church of Religious Science include, from left, Colleen Kite, the Rev. Carrie Lauer and Judy Duncklee. The 2-month-old congregation meets at the Radisson Hotel in Chatsworth each Sunday.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer