FROM OUR MINISTER

By Rev. brenda s. ehret

As I reflect on 2010, I am enjoying many highlights from this eventful year. Leadership development was a key focus for us. Our Licensed Unity Leader, Susan Liddell, brought together our Ministry Team Leaders on a quarterly basis.  We were always energized after every meeting, witnessing the electric energy that flows from the synergy of dynamic folks coming together. Our other Licensed Unity Leader, Jan Griffith, focused on prayer ministries. The pastoral care team is up and smoothly running. Time and again, congregants express appreciation for the loving attention they received from this invaluable team. We had special prayer services every quarter. We held our first annual Praying for the Pray-ers service in October. Unity is founded on prayer and these precious ones deserved to have their own souls nourished!

Our second annual 40-hour Prayer-a-Thon in December was an inspiring success. Board member Josh Haun created this phenomenal event. Many congregants joined us for prayer, supplied us with delicious sustenance and pledged to support those who were praying. We cannot thank you enough for your support.

As we wrapped up the end of 2010, your board went into high gear. I cannot say enough about the folks you've elected to serve you. They take their job seriously and endeavor to live their personal lives according to Principle. 

Rounding the bend of my third year as Senior Minister, I am reminded of the phrase, "I'm dancing as fast as I can." Our activity level continues to increase, our circles are ever expanding and our vision continues to guide us. I've never felt more supported and surrounded by leaders of excellence.

Of course, I can't start a new year without a new cheesy tagline! Here goes: "Creating Heaven in 2011."   What if each of us made a personal commitment to bringing heavenly circumstances into our everyday lives? As we stand on the threshold of a fresh new year, I invite you to ponder that vision, make a little list of what you can do to create that and take that first step.

FROM OUR BOARD PRESIDENT

By Glady McMellor

The UCR Board of Trustees wishes you a most peaceful, inspiring and prosperous 2011! We always pray for enlightenment, wisdom and clarity of thought at the onset of our board meetings. Our next membership meeting will be the UCR Annual Meeting after the service on Sunday, Jan. 23. We continue to welcome your ideas as we share our prosperity plan, goals and ideas for 2011. Please mark this important date on your calendars.

Personally, I want to express to you my gratitude for your ongoing support during my board presidency this past year. I have been in this position on other boards and, as you might guess, have found this 2010 experience at UCR to be quite different. Why? Partly because all involved know that this venture must be based on prayer in order to discern the most important and to move forward. What a privilege to be bathed in Unity's foundation of prayer! I feel great satisfaction that this year's board has worked hard and accomplished much, especially in communicating with you, strengthening our infrastructure and, most importantly, in holding the Sacred Trust for our congregation. Thank you for this life opportunity.  

I represent your board in repeating: Centered in Spirit, the Unity CR Board of Trustees is a safe place where we mindfully serve our congregation.

FROM OUR PROSPERITY CHAIR

By Jim Healy

I am nearing the end of my first year as your Prosperity Chair/Treasurer. It has been an interesting and rewarding experience. The thing that makes it all worthwhile is the responsiveness and ownership demonstrated by this spiritual community. When the call goes out, you show up and step up every time. As a result we will be putting 2010 in the "win" column!

We are in the final stages of developing the 2011 Prosperity Plan. It is an exciting process designed to do two things: to set goals and priorities to assure we are true to the UCR purpose and vision and to develop a plan to assure our ministry stands on a solid financial foundation.   

Toward that end, the Financial Strategies Task Force presented a powerful case for developing some long-term strategies to accelerate the payment of our mortgage and designate funds to maintain our property in a timely and prudent manner. They also encouraged the board to do a better job of informing and educating congregants regarding the fiscal aspects of our spiritual community. We are taking that advice to heart and will share a Prosperity Plan at the annual meeting in January that we believe will inform and inspire congregant engagement. We will ask you to join us on the spiritual journey toward our vision, supported by an understandable and viable financial plan. We truly want you to be in a position to make an informed decision regarding your level of commitment and engagement.

I like the motto, "Talk early and often." When we live by this, facts are revealed, concerns are directly addressed, feelings are shared and needless rumors are quieted. If you ever have questions, please contact any board member. Thanks for sharing your time, talent and treasure with UCR!

AUTO-TITHING: SAFE, EASY & CONVENIENT

UCR is a spiritual community that relies on the prosperity consciousness and financial commitment of our congregation to support our sacred work. A safe, easy, convenient and consistent way to support your spiritual community is through our auto-tithe program. Here's how it works: You fill out a form to have a regular tithe automatically withdrawn from your bank account on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis. Think of it as your church receiving a regular paycheck. This program is a wonderful way to help us confidently cover our monthly expenses.  It's also convenient for you because you do not have to remember to bring your checkbook to church or take the time to mail us a check when you are not able to attend a service. To learn more about enrolling in this program, please contact the UCR office (393-5422).

BUILDING & GROUNDS, FLOWER GARDENS MEETING SET

The Building & Grounds & Flower Gardens Meeting will be at 11:45 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 9, in the Strong Classroom. Everyone who is interested in helping out may attend. Questions? Contact Barb Buchanan.

BOARD NOMINATION PROCESS IS UNDERWAY

The 2011 nomination team (Polly Gould, Ray Smith, Mary Beth McGuire and Rev. brenda) met twice in December to mindfully prepare a slate of highly qualified nominees for the 2011 board elections to be held during our annual meeting on Jan. 23.  Watch for the final slate of nominees, along with personal bios, to be posted via UCR e-Newsweekly and in the foyer. 

There are currently three positions up for election:

·       Mary Beth McGuire has completed her three-year term and will be stepping off the board. She has served with great commitment and dedication. We deeply appreciate her sacred service and bless her in her next leadership position!

·       Glady McMellor, board president, has concluded her appointed term, completing a previously unfulfilled term. She is therefore eligible to run for election and plans to do so.

·       Jim Healy, prosperity chair, has also concluded an appointed term, completing a previously unfulfilled term. He also plans to run for election.

UPCOMING MUSIC

Jan. 2: Steven Kristopher, guitar/vocals

Jan. 9: Nancy & Katie Andreasen, vocals

Jan. 16: Doug Jackson & UCR Spirit Choir

Jan. 23: Maggie Grundy, violin

Jan. 30: Danny Caldwell, guitar/vocals

CLASS: THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES

According to "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman, each of us has a unique Love Language. The Five Love Languages are Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Physical Touch, Quality Time and Giving / Receiving Gifts To discover yours and the special Love Language of your children, teens, partner/spouse, friends and coworkers, please join Susan Liddell LUL for class, Mondays, 6-8 p.m., Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31 and Feb. 6. We'll be using Chapman's book, so please purchase a copy in our Sacred Grounds & Books. This class promises to be fun and very interactive. You will also learn much about yourself and the people who are significant to you. With this information, you can experience more effective and peaceful relationships. Questions? Contact Susan Liddell (389-3132).

REV. BRENDA TO OFFER S.E.E. CREDIT COURSE IN FEBRUARY

Rev. brenda will offer a five-week Spiritual Education & Enrichment (S.E.E.) credit course, starting Thursday, Feb. 10. Class will be 6-8 p.m. Please watch for more information.

BLOOD DRIVE FEB. 28

Outreach Ministry will host a blood drive with the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center on Feb 28 from 3-6:30 p.m. at UCR commUnity room. Please watch for sign up in the foyer.

UNITY 101 CLASSES SCHEDULED TO BEGIN EARLY MARCH 

If you want to learn more about Unity, its history, infrastructure and theology, consider Unity 101. Classes will begin on Sunday, March 6 from 11:45 to 1:30 p.m.  The three remaining sessions are scheduled for Sunday, March 13, 20 and 27.

If you're ready to become a UCR member, please contact Kip at the office, or fill out one of the bright yellow New Member cards (by the guest registry in the main foyer) and turn it in to the office. Unity 101 is also open to UCR members who want to know more about our basic tenets. Please note: In order to participate in our new member ceremony on Sunday, April 3, you must plan to attend each of the four class sessions (unless prior arrangements are made with the minister.)

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

Dottie Burger  1

Kazuko Walton  1

Shelly Vermazen  2

Verna Galvin  3

Jonathan & Jameson Maynard  4

Carol Turner  6

Paula Land  7

Cindy Hathaway  7

Taka Walton  8

Taylor Blackwell  9

Jill Shaw  9

Rev. brenda ehret  10

Jeanne Steiner  13

Susan Lour  14

Yvonne Epley  16

Patricia Albin  23

Kim Myhre  25

Sherie Moose  27

Lu Barron  30

Maggie Brigl  30

John Kaufman  31

Mona Grundy  31

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

Mack Hersey  2

Kathy Weldon  2

Brayden Schultz  4

Debbra Galland  8

Barb Sherman  8

Angie Bohling  10

Claire Hanson  11

Valerie Preston  11

Meredith Fisher  12

Benita Price  14

Brianna Zumhof  14

Chance Maynard  15

Denelle Beauchaine  15

Raymond Dutchik  15

Leland Walker  15

Mary Beth McGuire  16

Pam Richardson  16

Noah Swanson  17

Nancy Kaufman  18

Gary Matthews  21

Lynda Black Smith  23

Aubrey Schultz  25

Jennifer Blair  25

Nathan Myhre  27

Bill Graham  27