Looking at the March, 2011, Unity calendar, I see the focus is "Get Healthy".  It seems that this winter an unusually high number of people experienced the "crud".   While Unity was founded on prayer and healing, this is not to say that we are free of health challenges.   This led to me thinking, "What is ours to do if we do become ill?"  The answer came that it is ours to cooperate  with Holy Spirit and care for our body temple.    This then seemed to translate to life in general.   Thus, cooperation  is a great analogy for living since it requires our inner listening to Spirit along with taking proper rest and  consuming healthy food - both spiritual and physical.

The Virtues' Project, a global grassroots initiative to inspire the practice of virtues in everyday life, says:

"Cooperation is working together for the good of all.  It is the willingness to stand side by side and use the different gifts each of has to offer.  We seek common goals in service of a unified vision.  We blend our abilities to create something none of us could achieve alone.  Conflict and contention drain us.  Cooperation can fuel our dreams.  With cooperation, we help one another to share the load.  We willingly do tasks that others ask of us (whenever possible).  We look for ways to be helpful and ask for help when we need it.  We do not isolate or harbor our loneness.  

We can practice cooperation  using this series of affirmations, again from the Virtues' Project:

I invite partnership.

          I trust the power of unity.

          I offer my help and ideas freely.

          I have the humility not to do it all myself.

          I know I don't have to be alone.

          I work with enthusiasm for a common goal.

I am thankful for the gift of Cooperation.

It brings me into community.

As we move into the Lenten season let us come into cooperation  with Spirit.  In the Bookstore is this year's Lenten study booklet.  Each of us using the same text during our morning or evening preparation increases the power of our study.  I invite you to join with me in this study during Lent.  

May the blessing of spring fill your heart and soul with new growth.   

Rev. Sondra

MARCH:  GET HEALTHY

"Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you,  

           which you have from God."                    

I Corinthians 6:19  

As airfares have increased considerably and are more than we can comfortably cover at present, your participation in helping get Rev. Jim from Florida to Texas and back would be greatly appreciated.  If you have any air miles or points for a Continental ticket that you would like to donate, please contact Rev. Sondra as soon as possible at 409.842.0271 or unitysetx@yahoo.com.  Thank you.    

Sunday, March 20th

Morning Service 11-Noon

Light snack lunch 

Afternoon Workshop 1-3p.m. (Love offering) 

Rev. Jim Rosemergy  

Many of you are aware of or know Rev. Jim through his books, website, and/or his talks and workshops in Unity churches.  He is an ordained Unity minister whose focus is spiritual awakening.  He's a regular columnist for "Unity Magazine" and the author of 13 books, including Even Mystics Have Bills to Pay, A Closer Walk With God and Attaining the Unattainable:  The Will of God.  He is currently senior minister at Unity of Fort Myers, Florida.

We are honored and delighted to welcome him back to our church for Morning Service and an afternoon Workshop.

The workshop will be based on Rev. Jim's latest book, The Gathering:

"Prayer is a challenge for many of us.  What should we ask of God?  Is anyone listening?  Why aren't our prayers being answered?  The hard truth is this:  God doesn't fulfill needs.  For thousands of years, humanity has brought needs to God with little success, often resulting in disillusionment.  Now is the time to try something new:  A nine-step prayer practice called "The Gathering".

Copies of The Gathering are now available in our bookstore. 

New Wednesday Night Book Study

Wednesday, March 30th, 7-8:00p.m.

"Metaphysics I, Part 1" 

from Rev. Paul Hasselbeck's

Heart-Centered Metaphysics

A Deeper Look at Unity Teachings

During this course we will explore some of the fundamental Principles of Spiritual Law and how they can be applied to your life for greater love, health and prosperity.  By studying the works of prominent Unity writers, as well as specific metaphysical and theological views, you will be encouraged to awaken your awareness and understanding of spiritual Truth.  Through the consistent use of these practical principles, you will realize more of your spiritual potential and find that your life is transformed.

Topics explored in the this class are:

     -  Metaphysics and Truth

     -  Life is Consciousness

     -  Spiritual Evolution, Building Consciousness

     -  Our purpose, Divine Will, Divine Plan, Divine Guidance

     -  The Silence

     -  Meditation

     -  Prayer

     -  Praying with Others.

S.E.E. credit course facilitated by Susan Dimaline and Rev. Sondra 

Please get your textbook early from the bookstore

so we'll know whether or not we need to order more copies. 

Along with Unity churches and centers around the globe, we hold a 30-minute Silent Unity Prayer Service each week, using that month's script from Unity Village.  At Unity of Southeast Texas we create a sacred space with a circle of chairs at the front of the sanctuary.  In the center is a small table on which are our Prayer Request Box and a lit candle.  Meditative music is played in the background.

When we have blessed the prayer requests and added our own to them,  Rev. Sondra begins by reminding us that "It is not I (ego) but the Christ within who does the work" and inviting us "to embrace our conscious connection with Spirit as we begin this time of prayer." 

After a few minutes in the Silence, the next person in the circle reads the first affirmation.  We repeat it together twice, and then she/he reads the meditative words to us.  And so it goes around the circle - Silence, affirmation, words for thought, Silence - as in the following sampling of this month's service.     

I am centered in the peace of God:  As I turn within, I am reminded that I am made in the image and likeness of God. Peace is the natural expression of who I am as a child of God. I am one with all beings. As I rest in this awareness, peace washes over me and expresses through me as harmony and love. I relax and allow my soul to radiate peace as I rest in the Silence ...

Divine guidance gives me clear direction ... etc    

I am a living expression of God's perfection ... etc   

I am a worthy and powerful co-creator ... etc 

The spirit of God moves through all people to manifest peace on earth ...

And we close with the Prayer for Protection.

We'd love to have you join us for this mid-week spiritual refresher.

Wednesdays 11:30-Noon & 6:30-6:55p.m.  

Help Wanted

              Sunday

                   9:45 to10:00 a.m.        Meditation

                   10:00 to10:45 a.m.      Adult Class

                   11:00 a.m. to Noon      Sunday Worship Service & Youth Education

                   1st Sunday  

                    After Morning Service  Community Feast

                   7:00 to 8:30 p.m.        Mindfulness Meditation

                   Wednesday

                   11:30 to Noon            Silent Unity Prayer & Meditation Service 

                   6:30 to 6:55 p.m.        REPEAT of Silent Unity

                   7:00 to 8:30 p.m.        Adult Class