CLEARWATER, Fla., Nov. 26, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On November 19th 2015, the Public Affairs Office of the Church of Scientology in Clearwater held a reception for local businesses and members of the Chamber of Commerce. The center is housed in the Historic Clearwater Bank building, located at 500 Cleveland Street, downtown, Clearwater.
Thirty-three guests representing twenty-one different businesses, churches and organizations attended the special reception, including St. Pete College, Peace Memorial Church, Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and the Residence Inn Hotel. Guests were served hors d’oeuvres and refreshments while socializing and networking.
“Building a strong community and a stronger economy starts with getting to know each other and these events bring us together so we can do that," stated Amber Skjelset, the Manager of the Scientology Public Information Center.
Ms. Skjelset showed the guests, “Inside a Church of Scientology” which provided a brief overview of Scientology religious services and ceremonies.
The center features displays covering basic Scientology tenets, interviews with Scientologists, the Parts of Man, an Introduction to Dianetics, and a brief overview of the life of Scientology’s founder, Mr. L. Ron Hubbard.
After the reception the attendees visited the adjacent Church-sponsored humanitarian program centers on Fort Harrison Avenue: United for Human Rights, The Way to Happiness, Foundation for a Drug-Free World, Criminon, Scientology Volunteer Ministers, and Citizens Commission for Human Rights. The tour informed them of what these programs offer to the community to help alleviate social ills.
Each guest received a copy of the Freedom Magazine, Building a Great City with a summary of the 2014 Economic Impact study of the Church of Scientology done by Florida State University and which detailed a $917 million impact on the area. They also received a copy of a DVD providing a short biography of the extraordinary life of L. Ron Hubbard.
After the event, one guest stated, “The collaborative partnerships formed through this interaction are invaluable.”
Throughout the Holidays the Church of Scientology is holding the following events for the community:
Charity Coalition Luncheon at the Historic Fort Harrison
December 2nd, 11:30am-1:00pm
Open House during Miracle on Cleveland Street
December 5th, 5pm-10pm
Annual Holiday Brunch at the Historic Fort Harrison
December 13th, 11am-2:00pm
The Center is open to the community from 10 am to 10 pm daily. For more information call 727-467-6966 or e-mail amber@cos.flag.org.
The Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization
The Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization is the international religious retreat for Scientologists all over the world. This Clearwater Church makes its historic Fort Harrison available free of charge to non-profit organizations to hold community events and supports area non-profits. Scientology’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard once said, “A community that pulls together can make a better society for all.”