The Prayer for Protection described the atmosphere at the Living Spirit Church on Wood Avenue in Florence on the morning of Sept. 18.

“The Light of God Surrounds Us.”

The white building with the colored windows is an all-faiths-inclusive church following Jesus’ practice of “the religion of the heart,” according to Spiritual Leader Vicki Goldston.

Her message is that the light of God is in all people regardless of race, beliefs or actions. That light of God and connection with others is what she and her congregation focus on in every person that enters their doors.

“The Love of God Enfolds Us.”

“Our doors are open with love, and we never know what we are going to get with our doors open,” Goldston said. “On Thursdays for 12 to 2:30 p.m. we have open door where we serve lunch. We never know who is coming, but there is always enough food to go around.”

She said that many churches have the saying “What would Jesus do?” but her church really practices what Jesus would do by loving all people.

“The Power of God Protects Us.”

Goldston, a native of Chicago, and her husband, from Sheffield, are the founders of the church. They were always believers of the New Thought Spiritual Community but had no place to go.

“We are very different and we hug a lot,” Goldston said.

The key to the power of her ministry, she said, is that practice makes perfect. She and her church family, sometimes just simply artists passing through or long time followers, practice meditation and prayer as a way to find the peace, love, compassion and joy of God.

“The Presence of God Watches Over Us.”

Even though Living Spirit Church is nontraditional, all people can learn something from the service in the white building, according to Hailey Boeck from Atlanta. A freshman at UNA in the Honors Program, Boeck said that Living Spirit made her appreciate church. Through the teaching of facing challenges through changing one’s perspective and prayer, Goldston and fellow minister Camille Bennett are happy to help anyone craving positive spiritual teaching, living and giving to find his or her place.

“I love speaking to young people,” Bennett said. “When I speak, my messages are definitely youth based.”

“Wherever We Are God Is.”

In sorting out all the puzzles of this world, Goldston said one must start with oneself. Quoting spiritual statistics in her message, she said that by one person centering his or her life through prayer and scriptural practices, thousands can be affected.

People who attend the church have open arms for new guests. Through poetry readings, chants, prayers, and other forms of self-expression, Living Spirit Church welcomes all that have an attitude of love into their ranks.

“All Is Well and That’s the Truth.”