Easter arrives with traditions, symbols and embedded beliefs from our childhood.   There is beauty in the pageantry and music.  There is hope and love in much of the message; however, there is one part of the message that I would like to examine so that we might see a greater beauty in the Easter story.

It is often said that Jesus died on the cross for our sins; however, focusing on the cross is missing the mark.  It is a detail that was required so that Jesus could demonstrate overcoming the physical world.    

This is the point in spiritual awareness where man's focus of interest pivots from body-centered to spirit-centered.  It provides us with the symbol for the challenges and problems we experience in life that we lift up and carry.  It is the evidence of the great potential that is in each of us to overcome the situations we experience as demanding.  Yet this is only the beginning.

It is the crossing-out of fear that moves us to the celebration of the Easter gift.

Affirmation adapted from Ernest Wilson:

I believe in good outcomes.  I expect the good.  I await its fulfillment.   I let patience have her perfect work.  I work as I wait; work as if everything depends on me, and pray as if every depends on God (which is one the same).  In quietness and in confidence I find my fulfillment.

The crucifixion was needed so that its central message could be confirmed.  The overcoming of death - the validation of eternal life was what this teaching was provided.  It is a teaching that there is much more to life than that of our bodies.  Jesus assured us that Spirit is the focus of our existence. 

Jesus said, "It is finished."  And yet it is just beginning.  The beginning of a new understanding, a new peace, and a new joy.  Life is eternal.

From Thomas Moore:

When "from the lips of truth" one mighty breath

Shall like a whirlwind scatter in its breeze

That whole dark pile of human mockeries: -

Then shall the reign of mind commence on earth,

And starting fresh as from a second birth,

Man in the sunshine of the world's new spring

Shall walk transparent like some holy thing!"

Holy we are.  Jesus taught that he lives; thus, we know that we live, also.  You are the light of the world; live fully, live in this knowledge of Spirit.

Blessings for a continued awakening to Truth.

Oceans of spring time love,

Rev. Sondra 

APRIL:  STEP OUT IN FAITH 

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for,  

           the conviction of things not seen."                    

Hebrews 11:1   

Wednesday Night Book Study

April 6 and May 11 - times are 7 to 8:30pm  

All Other Wednesdays - 7 to 8:00pm

"Metaphysics I, Part 1" 

from Rev. Paul Hasselbeck's

Heart-Centered Metaphysics

A Deeper Look at Unity Teachings

Topics explored in the this class are:

     -  Metaphysics and Truth

     -  Life is Consciousness

     -  Spiritual Evolution, Building Consciousness

     -  Our purpose, Divine Will/Plan/Guidance

     -  The Silence

     -  Meditation

     -  Prayer

     -  Praying with Others.

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

Guest Speaker Rev. Lei Lanni Burt

Sunday, April 10

Guest Speaker Rev. Lei Lanni Burt  

After facilitating the Prayer Chaplain Trainer's Workshop here Thursday, April 7^th, through Saturday, April 9^th, Rev. Lei Lanni Burt will give the Sunday Lesson: "How Big Is Your Frying Pan?".  We are honored and delighted.  She is a jewel and a joy.

Rev. Lei Lanni is Executive Director of Light & Love Ministries, an alternative ministry dedicated to empowering people through  

Pastoral Care Education.

She is the founder of the Prayer Chaplain Program which is a model for empowering lay people into service.  

Rev. Lei Lanni has been in Unity for 40 years, graduating from the Ministerial Education Program at Unity Village in 1988.

Lei Lanni was Director of Pastoral Care at Unity Church of Phoenix for seven years, pioneered her first ministry in Nevada and held a Senior Minister position in California before coming to Arizona.  She has served the Association of Unity Churches International as a member and Chairperson of the Licensing and Ordination Team, was on the Board as a Trustee and currently serves the Board of Trustees as Keeper of the Flame.

Easter Week Services

April 21, 6:30pm, Maundy Thursday

Please join us in this moving service  of Foot-Washing and Communion as part of your personal, metaphysical preparation for Easter.

Maundy Thursday is the Christian feast or holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter which commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples.

The word Maundy is derived from the Latin mandatum (commandment): "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.  Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." Jesus spoke these words in explanation of the significance of his washing the disciples' feet.  

April 22, 6:30pm, Good Friday 

Continuing with our Easter preparation, we hold a service around the seven last phrases spoken by Jesus on the cross and how they remind us what this process can mean to each of us as individuals. 

Charles Fillmore wrote that "The word crucifixion means the crossing out in consciousness of certain errors that have become fixed states of mind; the giving up of the whole personality in order that the Christ Mind may be expressed in all its fullness."

April 24, 11:00am, Easter Sunday

This Service of Transformation includes special music as well as meaningful resurrection ritual.

Easter's "inner meaning and spiritual significance is the awakening and raising to spiritual consciousness of the I Am in mankind..."  (Charles Fillmore).  

Love Thy Neighbor

April 26-May 7

Lessons of Hope & Healing

Arising from the Holocaust

As a member of Beaumont's Interfaith Ministry, Unity of Southeast Texas supports Temple Emanuel in its "Love  Thy Neighbor"' programs which are being held to "inspire Southeast Texas to become the kind of community our children deserve".

The series "will utilize Holocaust Remembering as a platform to provide inspiring programs that stimulate community-wide discussions and create opportunities to enhance awareness, sensitivity and understanding throughout Southeast Texas."

Tue, Apr 26: "Albanian Muslim Rescue Photographic Exhibit"

Fri,  Apr 29:  "Interfaith Shabbat Worship"

Sat, Apr 30:  "The Texas Premier of Letter to Warsaw 

Sun, May 1:  "Holocaust Remembrance Day

Sat, May 7:  "Family Day Butterfly Project  

For further details, please contact the Temple Emanuel office:  409-832-6131. 

Mother's Day Tea 

Saturday, May 7

Mother's Day Tea 

Coordinator(s) needed to help organize  

snacks, gifts/prizes, games, flowers, etcetera.

Please contact us a.s.a.p.

at unitysetx@yahoo.com

if this kind of thing is one of your gifts/passions.

Saturday, June 18 

Health Fair

If you are interested in having a booth at the Fair or participating as a volunteer to help in publicizing and setting up, please contact  

Leo Stewart as soon as possible: leoarkad@yahoo.com

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.    

Around the circle we participate in repetitions of  the Silence, affirmation, words for thought, the Silence - as in the following sampling of April's service.     

I am one with Divine Presence.  I am at peace.  I begin by releasing any thoughts about the busy-ness in my life today.  I let go of any activity I have been involved in, and for this moment, I am right here, fully present.  I let worry and judgment slip away as I center myself in peace.  I focus my attention on the gentle, peaceful Christ presence within.  I am released and soothed, for I am one with Divine Presence.  Peace flows through me now.  I take time to experience this peace in the Silence ...  

In the quiet, I am aware of divine possibilities ... etcetera     

I am renewed by the healing power of God ... etcetera  

I give thanks that I am now and forever one with Source ... etcetera   

I share the peace in my heart with the world ... etcetera   

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.  

              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