new this issue - Edgar Cayce

A.R.E. News 7 Around the WorldMember AppreciationCheryl BirchMarina Del Rey, CALife Member (Member since 1999)WHY I GIVE BACK TO THE A.R.E.:“I appreciate the opportunityto explore spirituality, whetherthrough the A.R.E.’s library or theconferences it offers. I think it isimportant to ensure that theseA.R.E. programs are available toothers as well.”Background/Profession:Cheryl’s career has taken herfrom MCA/Universal Studio’snetwork television division where she negotiated dealsfor “Murder, She Wrote” and “Coach” to ParamountPictures where she worked on the “Star Trek” series,“JAG,” and “Wings.” She now serves as CFO at the USCInstitute for Creative Technologies. Cheryl has alwaysbelieved that one person truly can make a difference.She co-founded Compassion in Action/The TwilightBrigade, which is dedicated to the mission that no oneneed die alone. Their volunteers are recruited, trained,and placed at the bedsides of the terminally ill. Cheryl’sinterest in the phenomenon known as the “near-deathexperience” prompted her to help establish local IANDS(International Association for Near-Death Studies) chaptersin both Los Angeles and Virginia Beach.Gifts to A.R.E.: “My past gifts were focused on the A.R.E.Library and in upgrading the audio/visual equipment toenhance conference experiences. Most recently, given thechallenging economic conditions, I’ve chosen to provide unrestrictedcontributions so that the A.R.E. management teamcan determine where the greatest need is and meet it.”special a.r.e. memories: “I enjoy A.R.E.’s New Year’sconferences, as they are a wonderful way to welcome in theNew Year. I also enjoyed having the opportunity to meetauthor Glenda Green shortly after having read her bookLove Without End (the story about how she came to paintJesus’ portrait) at an A.R.E. conference. The author wasvery accessible during breaks, and I appreciated being ableto personally ask questions I’ve pondered for years.”personal activities: “I serve as convener of the FinanceCommittee for the A.R.E.’s Board of Trustees and enjoyinteracting with the other Board members on importantissues facing the organization. For pure fun, I enjoy takingLindy Hop/Jitterbug dance classes.”Want to contribute to A.R.E.’s work?Contact Development Director Patrick Belisle at757-457-7126 or patrick.belisle@EdgarCayce.org.eBay donation program updatedThe eBay Giving Works! Program (managed by Mission-Fish), which the A.R.E. participates in, has been updated tomake it easier for users to donate to their favorite non-profits.Now anyone making a purchase through eBay.com has a“Give at Checkout” option that allows them to add $1 or moreto their purchase, which is then donated to their designatednon-profit. There is no cost to the A.R.E. to participate in thisprogram, which also allows sellers to donate a portion of theproceeds from any sale to their choice of non-profit. For moredetails, see A.R.E. News, Jan-Mar ’10.50-year staff member and volunteerpasses awayJoseph (Joe) Fiutko, who spentover 50 years as an A.R.E. staffmember and volunteer, passed awayon April 28, 2010 at the age of 88.Visitors to A.R.E. Headquarters inrecent years may have encounteredhim walking from building to buildingdelivering mail or at the staff-led noonmeditation, where he was a regularattendee. A casual observer might notJoe Fiutkohave seen the deep love and dedication he felt for the Edgar Caycework, as he humbly went about his daily routines. He was described as“spectacular in a quietly unspectacular way,” and served as an inspirationto both the A.R.E. and Quaker communities.Joe read the Cayce biography There Is a River while he was studyingto be a chiropractor, following his service in the Navy in WorldWar II. He joined the A.R.E. in 1948, and made his first visit to VirginiaBeach two years later. He felt at home being around people with thesame philosophies and beliefs, and believed they shared past-livestogether as a soul group. He left his home and chiropractic work inNiagara Falls to work for the A.R.E. maintenance department in 1959.Joe tried to emulate the life of Jesus, in service, compassion, andhumbleness. He believed strongly that the power of the mind is withoutlimit, and that “mind is the builder.” He spoke of the concept of onenessand that we don’t go to heaven or hell, but grow to heaven “in thearms of our brothers,” and grow to hell with selfishness and isolationfrom God. He believed that God always listens to our prayers, makingreference to the Cayce readings, “…all prayers are answered when theindividual doesn’t tell God just how to answer them.” (4028-1)He was recognized in December, 2009, for his 50 years of serviceas both a staff member and volunteer. To illustrate Joe’s dedication,CEO Kevin J. Todeschi said, “During one of our hard times when wehad to cut back staff, he was let go as a staff person and came in thevery next day as a volunteer.” Joan Grasser, a director at A.R.E. recallsthat day, “I asked him what he was doing at work when he was laidoff, and he said, ‘The mail has to be delivered.’”Joe was diagnosed with leukemia the day before he passed away,quietly and comfortably, at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital.He had officially retired from his volunteer duties at A.R.E. just weeksbefore. His family said he “touched the hearts of everyone he met,”and while his life will be celebrated, his presence will be missed.30 7 EdgarCayce.org