PARISHIONERS BURN FOR A FRESH START RITUAL JETTISONS THE BAD, BRINGS IN THE POSITIVE.

Byline: Holly J. Andres Staff Writer

GLENDALE - Taking stock of your life is a time-honored exercise as one year comes to an end and a new one begins.

The congregation at Glendale Church of Religious Science invites the community to join in its annual Burning Bowl ceremony on Sunday, when the focus will be releasing bad habits and psychic wounds in order to make room for a happier and positive life.

Participants will write down the negative aspects of their lives on a small slip of paper that they'll sign and date. Then, assembling outside the church sanctuary, they'll tear up the papers, burn them in a bowl and view the ashes.

``It's a physical and emotional ritual to me,'' said singer-actress Roxanne Reese. ``There are a lot of obstacles in this world, and we have to be in a constant state-of-being, like a shield. We need to learn a love of self. When we change ourselves, things in our life change.''

Addictions to a variety of substances are a broad category that the Rev. Bonnie Rowsell has had people tell her that they're releasing. But ``the biggie'' release, she said, concerns the hurts and the guilts of relationships with family members.

``This service is geared for new beginnings. I'm going to ask people to recognize the areas in their life that block their happiness,'' Rowsell said. ``The lesson is we have the power to choose.''

The Burning Bowl ceremony, one of the few rituals found at services in churches of Religious Science, is designed to make an impression subconsciously and publicly.

Participants are to view the signed and burned releases as agreements with God. Taking part in the ritual with a group reinforces that commitment to get rid of whatever is burdensome and allow a positive life change to occur.

The best thought of the ages from spiritual religions, philosophies, literature and science is how Rowsell described the philosophy of Religious Science.

``Religious Science is totally supporting the individual as a child of God. It's most practical. It teaches us to be mindful and, when we make conscious choices, they make an effect,'' Rowsell said. ``Most important, there's no punishment taught here, no original sin. I love it because it gives people a way to live in the here and now.''

Reese, who initially came as a guest soloist at Sunday services at Glendale Church of Religious Science, said her whole outlook on life has changed.

``I felt a lot of love. They were very giving and open to me. You feel the God-consciousness there,'' Reese said. ``It changed my way of thinking. I can't praise this way of being and believing enough.''

The Rev. Bonnie Rowsell will lead the service and Burning Bowl ceremony at 10 a.m. Sunday, Glendale Church of Religious Science, 2146 E. Chevy Chase Drive. Meditation at 9:30 a.m. Call [phone].

Holly Andres, [phone]

holly.andres(at)dailynews.com

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The Rev. Bonnie Rowsell of Glendale Church of Religious Science is looking forward to a fresh start.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer