COME TOGETHER-One Spirit Rev. Dennis Merritt Jones stands on the pulpit inside the worship sanctuary. Rev. Dennis Merritt Jones wrote the hymn "O, What a Light" 15 years ago. The song, explained Jones, sums up what his One Spirit Center for Conscious Living in Simi Valley is all about.

"The light is a symbol of God's or spirit's presence-the eternal light. Keeping the light in front of you reminds you of God's presence in your life," Jones said. "In dark times-those challenging times-- that's when you most need to remember the presence. When you do, it brings light to whatever you're going through."

The One Spirit Center, at 1756 Erringer Road, celebrates its 21st anniversary this year with its Third Annual Harvest of Abundance banquet. More than 100 people plan to attend the event tonight at Simi's Grand Vista Hotel.

The keynote speaker will be Terry Cole-Whittaker, a nationally known lecturer and author who's made appearances on "Oprah," "Larry King Live" and "Good Morning America." One Spirit Center, Cole-Whittaker said, is one of his favorite stops on his tour.

"Part of my work is speaking at churches, assisting ministers and helping them to grow their churches," Cole-Whittaker said. "I experience many congregations and ministers. Dr. Dennis stands out among the top people I've worked with. He's such a dedicated, sincere and knowledgeable person. He's an excellent leader."

The event will also include the presentation of the annual Bea Thompson "Make a Difference" Award to a group or individual making a positive difference in the community. The recipient of this year's $4,500 award is the Simi Valley Samaritan Center.

The One Spirit Center recently changed its name from the Simi Valley Religious Science Church. While it is still a Religious Science Church, there was a twofold reason for the name change.

"One Spirit is more inclusive. We believe in God's presence in and through all that is," Jones said. "What better way to acknowledge that than to know there is only one spirit."

The other reason for the name change was concern over people confusing Religious Science with Scientology or Christian Science.

Dr. Ernest Holmes founded Religious Science in 1926. The "Science of Mind" teaching draws from the Bible and Eastern religions. The focus is that thoughts, feelings and deepest beliefs manifest as experience in daily life.

"We're more about spirituality than religion. It's more about real

izing that life is a spiritual experience," Jones said. "Realizing that you live in a spiritual universe makes every person sacred, every event sacred."

Jones graduated from Cal PolyPomona with degrees in marketing and music. In 1977, after a 15-year career in music, he began his studies in "Science of Mind." After becoming an ordained minister, Jones founded a church on Patricia Street in Simi Valley in 1985.The church grew to more than 200 members and moved to its present location at Erringer Road in 1989.

"It's the nondenominational, one spirit view that attracted me. You don't need the rules and the regulations and the don'ts," said Kathy Fowler, a Simi resident who joined the church in 2000. "We're all united. Spirit dwells within you-that's what it's all about."

In addition to services, the church has a TV ministry, "One Power," on Time Warner Cable and at www.wisdomteachers.com. Jones is also the best-selling author of "The Art of Being, 101 Ways to Practice Purpose in Your Life."

Jones and his wife, Diane, are longtime Simi Valley residents. Diane recently retired as director of the city's Department of Community Services. She brings her administrative skills to the church. The couple has a daughter, Merritt, 21, a student at San Francisco State University. Jones' extended family includes two adult stepchildren and two grandchildren.

Music is still a big part of Jones' life. The Sunday service includes the professional One Spirit Band and guest artists from Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Jones also shares his musical talents with the congregation, singing songs he has written, like "O, What a Light."

"We teach and practice spirituality. I refer to us as the 'unchurch,'" Jones said. "We resonate with people who seek a deeper meaning, one that is real and applicable to their daily lives."