Carnival! Celebration! As most of you know, Mardi Gras begins after Epiphany or Three Kings Day and culminates on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. Fat Tuesday - also known as Shrove Tuesday (from shrive, meaning to confess) - is about the eating of rich, fatty food before the ritual of fasting for Lent. The celebration includes wearing fancy masks and costumes while dancing and parading through town.

At the ballet in Orange last night, there were a number of Carnival-costumed people. The costumes were fabulous - very creative, dramatic and bright in color. I was amazed at the time and effort that must have gone into building those Mardi Gras outfits.

Looking on Unity's February calendar, I see the focus to be Divine Order:

When I put God first, order is established in my life.

Although we may not have considered it, Divine Order can express in our lives through celebration, play and merriment. The order of the universe is a celebration in and of itself.

Let's enjoy this period of celebrating, with God at the top of the list in our lives and our activities.

After Mardi Gras, the Ash Wednesday service begins the use of Lenten Lessons, which we will incorporate on Sunday mornings. Lent can be a quietly joyous time of reading and introspection as we share through these lessons, as well as in our Sunday Morning study of Eric Butterworth's classic Discover the Power Within You. 

And the Lord shall guide you continually

and satisfy your soul with rich food;

and strengthen your bones;

and you shall be like a watered garden,

and like a spring whose water fails not.

ISAIAH 58:11

Abundant blessings,

Rev. Sondra                                                 

FEBRUARY:

DIVINE ORDER 

When I put God first,  

order is established in my life.

Continuing  

February 1, 8, 15 & 29

7-8:30 p.m. 

 

"Origins & History

of the Books of the New Testament"

Facilitated by Joe LaGrange 

 

1st Sunday, February 5th

During Service - "Pennies for Go-Go's" Collection

"Go-Go" is the Zulu word for grandmother.  African poverty and HIV AIDS is the burden grandmothers now bear.  Please bring your collected change to give to "Pennies for Go-Go's", an organization run by two Unity ministers.  Today we are beginning a regular 1st Sunday "Pennies for Go-Go's" collection. 

    

After Service - CommUnity Feast

Time for another joyous meal together.  Please bring food to share.

4th Sunday, February 26th 

Music Ministry Fundraising Meal  

So that we are able to bring in out-of-town Guest Musicians from time to time - like one of our favorite Austin musicians, Kit Holmes who plans to visit us July 1st (and who was in the first round of the Grammys nominating procedures!) -   as well as purchase more music supplies, we are offering 4th-Sunday Music Ministry Fundraising Meals at $8 a person.

Scheduled Activities

Sunday

9:30-9:45am Meditation

9:45-10:30    Adult Class

10:30-11:00  Fellowship

11-Noon        Worship Service

1st Sunday of Month

After Service   CommUnity Feast

4th Sunday of Month

After Service   Music Ministry Meal      

Monday

7-8:30pm      Mindfulness Meditation

Last Monday of Month

7-10:00pm    Songwriters Group

Tuesday

5:30-6:30pm "Unity Singers"Practice

Wednesday

11:30-Noon   Silent Unity Service

7-8:30pm      Book Study

Thursday

7-8:30pm      A.C.I.M. Class

1st Thursday of Month

6:30-8:30pm Golden Triangle Body Mind Spirit

3rd Thursday of Month

6:30-8:30pm L.G.B.T. Group

3rd Saturday of Month

10am-1pm     Songwriters Group

Office Hours

Mon-Thu 10am-4:30pm

(schedule varies when required)

www.unitysetx.org  

unitysetx@yahoo.com  

revsondra@yahoo.com

tel 409.842.0271 - fax 409.840.6194

In emergencies call 409.504.5099

Bookstore Hours

Normally open during Sunday activities & regular office hours

(Please phone first)