Happy Birthday To Us!   Greetings! Six years ago today, on Oct. 12, 2005, Barb McLawhorn got the happy, happy phone call- Unity Church of Peace had just been approved as an officially authorized expansion ministry by the Association of Unity Churches (now called Unity Worldwide Ministries). She called me, and we celebrated together over the phone, then realized- hey- we had a lot of work to do! For those of you who were already with us, you might remember that the next Sunday there was a "Welcome To Unity Church of Peace" sign displayed at our meeting space for the first time, since that was the first time we were legally allowed to use the name. As of that Sunday, our study group became a church. Of course, there was cake and food (where do you think our tradition of potlucks came from, anyway??) In the years since, we've moved out of the bookstore, into and out of 1, then 2, then 3 separate storefronts at Lakeside Business Park, and almost two years ago, we moved into our current location. We've had our really confused and difficult times, and we've had some really wonderful times. Just like any other family. Our church exists because of an idea held in the mind of Barb McLawhorn. When she shared that idea with me, I accepted it as mine. In April of 2005, I sent out 7 emails inviting folks to an initial gathering to discuss this idea. Barb made some  phone calls and sent out one or two emails. From that idea, held in Mind at that point by about 15 people, we have done what we are told that we are to do: live the Truth that we know. That means, take what you understand as good and True, focus on it, pray on it, act on it, and expect your Good. We have surely got great cause to celebrate! We have a healthy, active, growing community of over 200 individualized expressions of God on this distribution list, and generally speaking, over 50 of you are showing up each Sunday. New friends are finding us. It seems appropriate at this time to take just a moment to recognize those who have played major roles in helping us get to this point. Without a sponsoring minister, we would not have been able to proceed. Rev. Maurice Guerette, from Unity in the Valley in Green Valley received our request, prayed over it, and did what Spirit guided him to do- which was to say Yes! He continues to support our community through his service as our sponsoring minister, and we honor and bless him for his willingness, and for his wisdom at those times we really, really needed to hear a wise voice. Barbara Richman, Licensed Unity Teacher, came out of retirement, did what she needed to do to reactivate her teaching credential, and taught the classes that Cindy Cawthorne and I needed to complete our paths to credentialing. She continues, of course, to serve in our Sunday School, teaching Principle to the young Ones. Our first Spiritual Leader, Diana Runge-Hatch, LUT, signed her name on the dotted line as our first credentialed leader. Rev. Bob Feldhaus, Ph.D and Carol Tobin, M.Div. stepped up to assume leadership at the close of Diana's tenure. We are thankful and appreciative of the many gifts that each of these willing souls brought and shared with us. Revs. Larry and Mary Ellen Swartz pioneered the Unity Movement in Tucson, and created the beautiful space in which many of us had that very first feeling of "coming home" to Unity. Of course, over the years, you have also played a role, keeping us in prayer, baking treats, taking classes, and volunteering in any number of ways. Mostly, you have been willing to have "ears to hear and eyes to see" and do your best to live the Truth that Unity teaches. And you have been and continue to be generous! Unlike some denominations, Unity churches receive no financial support from their national headquarters. We are blessed with the opportunity to create our own prosperity consciousness, and you have helped us to not only survive, but thrive. To each of you, know the following: We Love You, We Bless You, We Appreciate You, and We Behold the Christ That You Are! With much, much love and gratitude to you, to Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, to all of the friends and teachers on whose shoulders we stand, and most especially of course, our Elder Brother, Master Teacher, and WayShower, Jesus, the Christ, Thank you. Nita Strauss, LUT Spiritual Leader, Unity Church of Peace Our Website