Glady McMelor

Centered in Spirit, the UnityCR Board of Trustees is a safe place where we mindfully serve the congregation.

Your UnityCR Board of Trustees has been very busy in its activities to support our vision as stated above.  Among other projects, we have been carefully working these past two months to strengthen the infrastructure by:

·       meeting quarterly with the ministry team leaders;

·       developing an internal financial controls policy; and

·       better informing the congregation about finances, board agendas and outcomes.

Our spring retreat was held on a rainy March weekend for a total of 12 hours.  Our accomplishments included building team processes through:

·       orientation to roles of our newly licensed Unity leaders,  Susan Liddell and Janith Griffith; 

·       the development of a UnityCR Board Ethics/Commitment document; 

·       a team-building activity with our own experienced and impressive Jim Healy leading us; and

·  the establishment of the board's top three priorities for 2010, as facilitated by Rev. brenda.

As always, we invite and encourage your input. Please keep in touch. 

Jim Healy

How are we doing financially?  Sounds like a straightforward question.  The answer depends on how one defines 'doing well.' If 'doing well' is defined as paying our bills on time, making minimum monthly mortgage payments and maintaining a positive balance in our checking account, then we are doing okay.  Contributions (tithes) along with revenue from classes and fund-raising activities minimally exceeded cash-flow requirements during the first quarter of 2010. 

If 'doing well' also includes reserving cash for big-ticket repairs, maintenance and paying off our mortgage in less than 20 years, we are not doing so well. Your Board of Trustees prefers a strategy that:

• fully supports our Prosperity Plan for the year as approved at the annual meeting;
• provides long-term financial stability by setting aside reserves for future improvements and the unexpected; and
• allows congregants to plan their financial support for UnityCR with clear and supportable long-term objectives.   

Therefore, your board will be forming a Financial Strategy Task Force.  The charge of the task force is to research and formulate financial strategy options that will help us meet these criteria.  The task force will submit its findings and recommendations for the board's consideration. Once the board has adopted a long-term strategy, it will become the basis of our prosperity planning process for future years.  It will give us a clear set of criteria against which to answer the question, "How are we doing financially?"

Sharon, Laurie, Richard, Pat, Frank, Angie, Barb & Aimee

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

A warm welcome to the following new members who joined UnityCR on March 28:  Aimee Anderson, Sharon Burrows, Pat Coon, Lonnie Hagerman, Angie Kosirog, Laura Moritz, Richard Moritz, Frank Niedermeyer and Barb Sherman.

TRANSITIONS

We bless Leland Walker's sister, Rhonda Walker, who made her transition on March 8.

We bless Craig Lekin's daughter's fiancé, Brian, who passed away on March 21.

We bless Ben Burns' mother, Millie Burns, who made her transition on March 22.

We bless Sue Wyrick Anderson, who made her transition on April 2.

We also bless Ozzy-bear, Bill Graham and Rev. brenda's beloved dog, who departed March 31.

WEDDINGS

Congratulations to Joanie Copper and Bruce Tuttle, who were married March 22.

CALLING ALL GRADUATES

In June we will recognize our Unity members who are graduating from high school or college.  If you are graduating or have a graduate in your family, please contact the church at 393-5422 or unitycedarrapids@aol.com 

Cynthia Johnson

Songwriter and composer Cynthia Jordan will perform May 2 during the 10 a.m. Sunday service. Cynthia wrote "José Cuervo," the country music song made popular by Shelly West in 1983. Cynthia's inspirational book Butterfly Moments  tells about her musical journey from "Jose Cuervo" to composing the "Peaceful Journey" series. She is currently performing and giving her fun, inspirational keynote to audiences nationwide. Her new book, Unlocking the Power of Music, will be released in May 2010. Learn more at www.cynthiamusic.com. She will also be performing through the Iowa Theatre Artists Company (www.iowatheatreartists.org).

ICARIA DVD TO BE SHOWN AT UNITYCR
The DVD of Icaria, the workshop (musical) of songs by Merrill Sparks, will be shown at UnityCR at noon on Sunday, May 2.  The musical was performed in May 2008 as a fundraiser for UnityCR and in June 2008 as part of the Iowa Arts Festival in Iowa City. The DVD was taped and edited by Jean Lloyd Jones of Iowa City.  UnityCR performers were Tracy Price, Kate Gregor, Jim Greene, Rick Robinson, Susie Primrose, Nancy Dearborn, Tom Zimmerman,and Sue Jorgensen.  Other Unity friends who contributed were Carl Swanson, who videotaped the musical, Judy Junge, who created posters and programs, and Beth Parker and Ann Scholl Rinehart who provided publicity.  Everyone is welcome!

POINT OF POWER CLASS STARTS MAY 5

If you're wondering how to apply metaphysical principles to your life and are seeking mindful living, join Barb Buchanan, Licensed Unity Leader candidate, for Point of Power class. Based on Paul Hasselbeck's book, Point of Power, this class will provide a fun learning environment. If you are excited about transforming your life and realizing your magnificence, please join Barb on this journey. A sign-up sheet will be on the bookstore door. Class meets from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 5, 12, 19, 26, and June 2.

LAURIE MORITZ TO OFFER WORKSHOP, MOVIE SCREENING MAY 8

On Saturday May 8, from 1-4 p.m., Laurie Moritz will offer an introduction to Reconnective Healing and a screening of The Living Matrix, a documentary on evidence-based research in bioenergetic medicine that reveals energy and information fields-not genetics-drive human physiology and biochemistry. Dr. Eric Pearl, founder of Reconnective Healing, is in the film.

Laurie also will share an introduction to Reconnective Healing, which is a powerful form of healing that uses frequencies of energy, light, and information. Some audience members will have an opportunity to experience Reconnective Healing. Laurie will also share information about Reconnective Kids and gauge interest about scheduling an event in the area. The Living Matrix DVD will be offered at a discount to congregants.  Pearl's book will be offered at a discount to all attendees. For more information, contact Laurie or Richard Moritz at 319-731-0236 or lmoritz@imonmail.com.

Gail Kidd

Gail Kidd has stepped forward to lead the Social Action/Outreach Ministry Team. Gail is originally from Decatur, Illinois. She taught middle school science and English in Illinois and Indiana for eight years.  Gail received a master's in curriculum and instruction from Purdue University and is a Ph.D. candidate in curriculum studies at Indiana University. Gail moved to Cedar Rapids over a year ago to begin working as an enrollment counselor at the Cedar Rapids campus of the University of Phoenix. She has two dogs, Sadie, a 5-month-old, longhaired miniature dachshund, and Macy, a 5-year-old Maltese.  She spends many Saturdays and Sundays with her dogs at Thornberry Dog Park in Iowa City. If you're interested in getting involved with this important ministry, contact Gail at gkidd@indiana.edu or call 812-322 -6574.

ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY MAY 1; VOLUNTEERS DESIRED!

BUILDING AND GROUNDS MINISTRY TO MEET JUNE 6

If you are interested in joining the Building & Grounds Ministry, please attend a meeting at 11:30 a.m., June 6, in the Strong classroom. Questions? Contact Barb Buchanan at 364-5875,

WELCOMING MINISTRY MEETING JUNE 13

If you serve as an usher or a greeter, please attend the Welcoming Ministry meeting on Sunday, June 13, at 11:30 a.m. in the Strong classroom. Interested in serving on this important ministry? Please contact Barb Buchanan at least two weeks prior to the meet at  364-5875.

LABYRINTH SERVICE JUNE 21

Celebrate the Summer Solstice at UnityCR on Monday, June 21, with a 7 p.m. service presented by the Healing Prayer Circle. We will welcome the light and fullness of summer as we begin in the sanctuary and move outdoors to walk the labyrinth. This healing prayer service will also include candles and drums. Please join us.

Barb Buchanan

MAY: BUILDING AND GROUNDS

If your gifts are in the areas of painting, electrical, plumbing, carpentry or cleaning, the Building part of this ministry is seeking you! We would welcome your service to UnityCR!

If your gifts are in the area of landscaping; horticulture; if you have tools like chainsaws or hedge clippers; or are willing to do general clean up of the grounds, the Grounds part of this ministry is seeking you and welcomes your service to UnityCR!

The Building & Grounds Ministry is an overall general maintenance of UnityCR, inside and out. Types of projects include changing light bulbs, taking used batteries to the Re-Store, taking our fire extinguishers to Hawkeye Safety for their annual check-up, purchasing batteries, or picking up trash on the grounds.

The Building and Grounds Ministry is essentially 'project' driven, although there are many ways in which to serve. Interested? Join us at our meeting June 6 at 11:30 a.m. or contact Barb Buchanan at 364-5875.

JUNE: SOCIAL ACTION/OUTREACH

Please see article with Gail Kidd's photo, earlier in the newsletter.

Jan & Susan

Jan Griffith and Susan Liddell are UnityCR'S first Licensed Unity Leaders.  To receive that title, they completed the 250 course credit Personal Development portion of Spiritual Enrichment Education classes (SEE), 120 course credits of Leadership Development classes and a yearlong practicum at UnityCR. They then completed a week-long Skills Demonstration Seminar at Association of Unity churches before earning their license.

So what does this mean for UnityCR? Susan and Jan will serve as spiritual leaders and direct assistants to Rev. brenda.  Susan will facilitate Unity 101, and both Susan and Jan will teach Unity 102 classes. In 2011, each of our Licensed Unity Leaders will teach at least one Unity credit course. Susan will coordinate leadership development and is the board liaison for Member Services and the Volunteer Coordinator Team. Jan is the liaison for all the prayer teams and pastoral care visitors. Jan is a member of our Great Lakes Regional Licensed Unity Teacher Ministry Team and assists with conference planning, presentations, and submits newsletter articles for publication.

Check out our NEW Podcasts at www.unitycr.org!

We're on TV in Cedar Rapids!

9 p.m., Monday, Mediacom
Channel 18
8 p.m., Tuesday, ImOn Channel 5

We're on TV in Iowa City!
4 p.m., Thursday & Noon Sunday, Mediacom
Channel 18

We're on the Radio!
7:15 a.m., Sunday, WMT AM-600