I remember first coming to Cassadaga and all the people working  together. It happened to be Gala Day. However, through my many visits before {I moved here}, I saw consistent cooperation and desire to make everything run smoothly and help visitors understand what Cassadaga is all about.
 
There were individuals who had lived here for several decades yet still gave their time and donations because what they did was so important to their spiritual path. Reverend Eloise Page, Reverend Lolly Weigel, Reverends Nick and Jean Sourant, Reverend Dr. Don Zanghi and Marie and Reverend Dr Louis Gates were tireless in their endeavors. Most of them have since crossed over.
 
Marie and Louis are still holding firm here in Cassadaga.  Yes, many others are also givers and have been for years. I mentioned the previous group due to the longevity of their giving. I personally want to thank all of them. Those who are in spirit and those who are still here giving on the earth plane. I learned much and have enjoyed their friendship tremendously. 
 
I feel giving strengthens a person. Giving opens the door to receiving. Giving also helps us build strong connections with others. To all the givers out there, Thank you! I hope many others step up to the plate and give, you will be so glad you did.

​Written by: Trish Smith,  SCSCMA Certified Medium, Healer & Teacher 

You may wonder why the name is sooooo long. Here is a brief explanation of our name.

Southern Cassadaga:  Cassadaga (a Seneca Indian word meaning, “Water beneath the rocks”) is a village in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The village is located within the northeast corner of the town of Stockton, east of the hamlet of Stockton, south of and immediately adjacent to Lily Dale in the town of Pomfret, and north of the village of Sinclairville. (Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassadaga,_New_York)

Residents from our Northern “sister” community of Lily Dale desired a warmer Southern location in which to spend the winters. Think “snowbirds.” 

George Colby, a young Spiritualist from New York, believed that Spirit had commissioned him with the task of locating such a place. In 1874, with the guidance of his five spirit guides, Colby, along with about twenty others, traveled via Flager’s infant rail system, from New York to Jacksonville, Florida. From Jacksonville, they boarded a steamboat for a 120-mile cruise down the St. John’s River to Blue Springs Landing (which was then a commercial wood port). From Blue Springs, on foot with pack mules, they traversed the raw, tropical wilderness searching for a place with seven hills and interlocking lakes. Spirit brought them to what is now Cassadaga, Florida.

Spiritualist:  Cassadaga, Florida, was incorporated in December of 1894, as a Spiritualist community. Spiritualism being a science, religion and philosophy based on the continuity of life. That life continues after the change called “death.”

Camp:  There were no dwellings in the new-found Cassadaga. The first visitors camped in tents.

Meeting:  Cassadaga, Florida, was initially a place to hold Spiritualist conventions during the winter months. A place for those of like-mind to meet and fellowship during the cold Northern winters.

Association:  Webster’s Dictionary defines association as being “an organization of persons having common interests, purposes, etc.
Thus, you have it. If Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp Meeting Association is too much of a mouthful, just try SCSCMA!

​Written by: Cara Cobb 

Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp provides people the opportunity to learn and grow in their own unique Spiritual beliefs. This Spiritual Religion called Spiritualism provides the freedom to choose, to develop and grow an individualized spiritual perspective. It’s quite radical and refreshing currently.

Think about it!  How truly radical and refreshing this religion is.  Coming from a religious background that had specific dogmas, rules and a creed to follow became very constrictive in my search for spiritual truth as an adult.  As a child I feel that it was a wonderful beginning to my spiritual path. But as an adult my spiritual beliefs were expanded beyond the physical 5 senses. I knew something else was happening deep within and that I had to begin my journey and search for my spiritual truth. This spiritual journey was frowned upon by the very religion that I grew up with. The feeling of needing answers to the many spiritual questions started a path of searching.

Like most people in search for spiritual answers beyond the physical; I came to learn that the answers came by way of searching into the metaphysical realm.  Most of us have touched upon the metaphysical by way of prayer.  Praying is acceptable and encouraged by all religions. But something happens when you allow yourself to go deeper into the silent moment of prayer. My prayers became different.  I would ask or say the typical religious prayer as taught but then would linger in the moment of sweet bliss and love that happened when I held the love that I felt within.  An “A Ha” moment happened when I learned what I was really doing was meditating and connecting to a real infinite consciousness beyond myself and listening to the guidance. 

Services in Colby Temple provide moments to reflect upon the guidance that has been given to you. Whether the guidance has come to you by way of prayer, a deep intuitive knowing, a personal message from a deceased loved one, or by way of meditation. You are encouraged to listen, discern and follow the spiritual guidance given. This is your spiritual journey.  It is encouraged and supported here at Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp.

There is an opportunity here at the campus to listen to speakers who provide a wide range of topics for you before the temple service. This is held in a forum called Lyceum which is an Adult Sunday School. There is no religious dogma taught. Only opportunities to think and discern what spiritual perspective resonates with you. Lively discussions are held, and everyone has a wonderful time. If you are seeking a one-to-one spiritual guidance session for connecting with a deceased loved one or for every day spiritual guidance, you can schedule a Reading with a Medium.

The many Mediums, Healers and Intuitive Teachers that provide classes on the campus or online have a goal to inspire you along your spiritual path. They want you to learn the truth that is waiting to be connected within yourself.  You hold the key to learning and exploring your own Spiritual truth.  

If you aren’t quite ready to participate in person then come to the Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp Book Store. Here you can find a book that you resonate with to nurture your spiritual hunger.  

This Spiritual Religion called Spiritualism provides you the freedom to choose, to develop and grow an individualized spiritual perspective.  You can keep the beliefs you learned as child in the religion you grew up with and expand them in the realm of Spiritualism.  You can be a free thinker with others like you who seek spiritual freedom.
 
 Written by: Sandra Lord 
 
 
 
 
 

 Sunday Service at Colby Memorial Temple in Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp, 1250 Marion St., is something to experience at least once in one’s life. It’s why I started participating in Sunday activities. The building is made out of sandstone brick and the numbers on the front of it read: 1923. The Sunday service starts at 10:30 a.m. The first part of the service is the healing guided meditation in which people may remain seated in the pews, or they can go back to receive a hands on healing. The speaker gives a lecture on topics related to Spiritualism, which includes Natural Laws. Of course, we pray, sing songs and have announcements just like any other church service. Finally, the speaker returns to give messages to several in attendance. This is intended to prove the continuity of life and to demonstrate what we as mediums do.  If the speaker is not a medium, the pastor provides one because it is an important part of our service, to prove the continuity of life. As Spiritualists, we have our Declaration of Principles, which are already published on our site and are below:
 
When you read them and contemplate them, think about how they relate to you and your thoughts about religion. I truly believe a lot of people are Spiritualists and don't even know because of something they may have heard about the religion. Really think about them:

1  We believe in Infinite Intelligence
2  We believe that the phenomena of nature, both physical and spiritual, are the expression of Infinite Intelligence.
3  We affirm that a correct understanding of such expression and living in accordance therewith constitute true religion.
4  We affirm that the existence and personal identity of the individual continues after the change called death.
5  We affirm that communication with the so-called dead is a fact, scientifically proven by the phenomena of Spiritualism.
6  We believe that the highest morality is contained in the Golden Rule: “Whatsoever ye would that others should do unto you, do ye also unto them.”
7  We affirm the moral responsibility of the individual, and that he makes his own happiness or unhappiness as he obeys or disobeys Nature’s physical and spiritual laws.
8  We affirm that the doorway to reformation is never closed against any human soul, here or hereafter.
9  We affirm that the Precepts of Prophecy and Healing contained in the Bible are Divine attributes proved through Mediumship.
 
Blessings of Peace and Love
Submitted by Lori Carter, certified medium, healer and teacher of the SCSCMA