Competition arises when we fear not having enough, not being good enough, or when we begin behaving in any way that implies that we live in a world of limitation. If I get the goodies, you don't. If I am right, you must be wrong. I do not want to lose, so I make sure that I get mine first.

 

The fourth storm comes about through defensiveness. If we feel that we are missing something, our tendency is to think that we can get it from someone else, or to blame them for the lack we feel. If I am feeling somehow unworthy or not confident, when my husband chooses to watch a program on TV that I don't enjoy, I may say something like, "You always get to watch football. I never get to see what I want to watch." Of course, that's not true, so his tendency would be to get defensive and argue: "We just watched Project Runway last night! What do you call that?!" I have judged him to be uncaring. He has judged me to be shrill. We have both become defensive, and are more interested in proving ourselves to be "right" than in finding our common ground.

 

How do we go about untangling all of this conflict and finding peace? Rev. Dr. Simmons explains that we were given the keys in Jesus' commandment to love our enemies:

 

"To love means to accept, to embrace, to value. To bless means to endow something or someone with the capacity to be good in your life. To do good means to do the right thing. To pray means to give your thoughts to God. It's a four-step process toward your center - love, bless, do good, and pray."  --I of the Storm, p. 42

 

One of the hardest things we must learn along our spiritual journey is how to stay present, open and receptive to Good when conflict arises. It is not easy work by any means. It is surely not fun. And, we CAN do this. With willingness to be Love in a troubling situation, to find and claim the blessing that is always available, to actually DO the compassionate actions we discern, and become non-resistant to what is, we find ourselves living the peace that we claim to want.  

   

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YOUTH EDUCATION UPDATE  

Sundays, 10:30 am (Parents, please remember to sign your kids in and out of class)  

"Back to school" time seemed like a great time to update you on our Youth and Family Ministry (YFM). Licensed Unity Teacher Cindy Cawthorne serves as our YFM Director, and would like you to know that we have Sunday School and Youth education available for the younger crowd. We offer child care for the preschool set, Unikids for the K - 5th graders, and Uniteens/YOU (Youth of Unity) for grades 6 -12.

Our teachers love children and have a solid grounding and understanding of spiritual principles. They have a talent for relating to children and articulating spiritual ideas in language your child can readily understand. They embody and live their faith, providing excellent role models for children of all ages. Many of them are parents and can readily relate to your children's needs, knowing how to interest them and hold their attention.

We teach the five basic principles of Unity through the use of Bible lessons, art, music, games, story-reading, meditation, prayer, laughter, and joy. Our mission is to provide an atmosphere that supports family values, encourages self-discovery, God-discovery, and self-responsibility for all living things.

For grades 6-12, our Uniteens and Y.O.U (Youth of Unity) come together to learn Unity principles and to share loving spiritual fellowship. All youth activities are designed to create a balance of individual study, spiritual lessons, service, and fellowship which involve, motivate, and stimulate young people to be an expression of what they are, Children of God.

Each Sunday a spiritual lesson is offered to assist the youth in understanding spiritual laws and their practical application to daily life. Time is also spent in prayer and meditation to develop the consciousness of Oneness. These experiences provide an opportunity to practice spiritual principles in daily life interactions with their peers and  provide a loving place to build friendships, develop self-esteem and have a terrific and fun time learning and growing with each other.

If you have a young person in your life, or know a family who might enjoy visiting, we encourage you to invite them to come for a visit.

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SEE CLASS: Emmet Fox's Sermon on the Mount

Wednesdays, 10/5 through 11/9 (NO CLASS ON 10/12)

Offered twice each week: 10:30am - 12:30pm and 6:30 - 8:30pm

Nita will facilitate this exploration of the major teachings of Jesus as explained by New Thought pioneer Emmet Fox. Whether you are new to New Thought or have been around the metaphysical block a time or two, you will surely enjoy fresh insights from this perennial classic. Unity Institute elective credit available.

SAVE THE DATE FOR A VERY SPECIAL MUSICAL EVENT

Sue K. Riley and Sloan Wainwright in Concert

"Positive, Empowering Music That Matters"

Saturday, October 22, 7:00 pm, $10.00 suggested donation

We are blessed to be hosting these two very talented women on their Fall Tour. We'll be featuring their music on Sunday mornings, and you may also visit their website to hear more.  

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UPCOMING EVENTS:

YOUTH EDUCATION FAMILY PORTRAIT FUNDRAISER

Friday 9/30 and Saturday 10/1

Has it been awhile since you've had a "real" picture taken? Our annual Youth Family Portrait Fundraiser will take place on Friday, 9/30 and Saturday, 10/1. In return for a $10.00 contribution to our Youth programs, you will receive a beautiful, professional portrait. You will have the opportunity to purchase other photos, but there is absolutely no pressure or obligation to do so. These make great Christmas gifts! Reply to this email for more info.

GOODS AND SERVICES SUNDAYS

After church on two Sundays, 10/9 and 10/16 - SIGN UP NOW!

We've got a lot of entrepreneurial folks in our congregation - this is your opportunity to let everyone else know what it is you have to offer. And- even if you don't have a service or product to offer, since many of our members are tithers, you will most likely be helping to increase our church's income by doing business with the folks. If you'd like to reserve table space to participate, please get a sign-up form in the sanctuary, or reply to this email and we'll put you in touch with event coordinators Kira Quinn-Worrall and Shelly Stock.

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