THIS WEEK AT UCR

Friday:  7 pm, Drum Circle

Sunday:  10 am, Service with Rev. brenda; Guest Musician, Melinda Yehyawi and friends; 11:45, Blessing of Backpacks

Tuesday:  5:30 pm, Board Work Session; 6, Intenders; 7, A Course in Miracles

Wednesday: 6 pm, Meditation; 7, Choir Practice 

Thursday:  6 - 8 pm, 4 Spiritual Laws of Prosperity Class

FROM OUR MINISTER

By Rev. brenda s. ehret

Over the past few months I've had four opportunities to visit other Unity centers. I do this because I am passionately interested in observing how other spiritual communities "do church." I look for "curb appeal," paying close attention to the signage, the grounds, the building, even the parking lot. Inside, I have an eagle eye out for the welcome team-are they glad to see me? Do congregants greet me? Is the interior warm and welcoming or just the opposite? Is there a lovely space to talk before and after the service?

Their bulletin goes under my reverend microscope, too. Is it cluttered or clean? Does a short novel of loose pages tumble out? Then I hone in on the order of service: Is there a nice flow or fits and starts?

Finally, I experience the intangible: the overall feel of the place. Do I sense that "welcome home" feeling that can't really be put into words-yet is so essential to the Unity experience?

After my "visitor" experiences, I can say without a doubt UnityCR has it goin' on! We have an energy, a feeling, a movement that flows from a place of Divine Love, Zeal and Life. It's palpable. Perhaps, more to the point-it's more noticeable when it's missing.

I return from my time away feeling mighty proud. I believe UCR is the epitome of the Unity MOVEMENT - that upward spiral of consciousness that always propels us to our next, best greatness. We are blessed and privileged to be a part of this spiritual commUnity named UnityCR.

FROM OUR BOARD PRESIDENT

By Paula Land

Your participation in the Community Visioning Workshops was terrific. About one-third of our membership attended and shared what they value about UCR and how they envision our future. The energy generated from your conversations was then used to identify themes and share your input with UCR leadership. At our upcoming retreat at the end of September, the Board of Trustees and the Licensed Unity Leaders will take your feedback and identify goals around our areas of intention to Attract, Engage and Strengthen UCR. From there, our Ministry Team Leaders will engage their teams to generate goals and strategies that will help us achieve our Vision Community. We are so filled with Zeal as we seek Understanding to create our future. We know that we are Spirit-led as we co-create a place that fills us with love, spirit, and joy! We truly are an expanding, thriving community of engaged people who share a passion for spiritual exploration. Stay tuned for more information as we share this unfolding process and the greatness that we co-create each time we come together.

FROM OUR PROSPERITY CHAIR

By Jim Healy

Your Board of Trustees, with the advice of the Financial Strategies Task Force, set some aspirational financial goals for 2011. We wanted to be more specific about how we planned to accelerate the payment of the mortgage and address the building and property expense associated with an aging facility. We asked you to help make this transition by committing to an increase of 13 percent in contributions.

We are delighted to report that we are on course to meet these goals! In fact, because we have been reserving for improvement projects, we were able to pay cash to replace the heating and air-conditioning system this past July. Just one year ago, this would have been a significant financial challenge. What a difference planning and disciplined budgeting makes. More importantly, what a difference YOU, our committed congregants, make!

Your Board of Trustees extends thanks and appreciation to you for your continued support of our spiritual home. Please continue to share with us your suggestions and questions. If you would like to see our financial reports, they are always available by contacting Kip in the UCR office.

WEDDINGS

Congratulations to Leland and Mary Walker who were married on July 9.

TRANSITIONS

Our sympathy goes to Stuart Bohling whose mother, Darlene, made her transition on June 28.

BIRTHS

Ann and Ken Rinehart welcomed their first grandson, Owen James Caldwell, on Aug. 10. Parents are Jess Boyer and Danny Caldwell.

REV BRENDA'S FALL PROSPERITY CLASS STARTS SEPT. 1

Do you have a burning desire to master the art of abundance in your life? Have you been afraid to commit to tithing because there's "not enough"? Are you aware that intention and forgiveness have a great deal to do with your prosperity? We'll address these and much more in Rev. brenda's upcoming class series, Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity. Unity's prosperity queen, Rev. Edwene Gaines, wrote our text. Join us from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 1, 15, 22, 29 and Oct. 6. IMPORTANT NOTE: Because of our annual World Day of Prayer on Thursday, Sept. 8, we will meet Wednesday, Sept. 7, from 7-9 p.m. instead of that Thursday. For more information or to register, please see the postings on the door to Sacred Grounds & Books. Rev. Gaines' book is required. Undecided if this is for you? Join us for the first class and find out!

OFFICE CLOSED

The office will be closed on Monday, Sept. 5, for Labor Day.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER SEPT. 8

Thousands of people will join Silent Unity on Thursday, Sept. 8 for the 18th Annual Unity World Day of Prayer. This year's theme is, "Together We Shine." The affirmation is, "We are channels through which Spirit illumines the world."

At UCR, we will have 12 hours of silent prayer in our chapel starting at 7 a.m. Please join us for any portion of that time. If unable to be present in person, join us in prayer-filled Spirit wherever you are. At 7 p.m., join us for a commUnity prayer service around the theme "Together We Shine." On Sept. 7 you may tune in for a live streaming of the Unity Village World Day of Prayer services via www.worlddayofprayer.org.

UNITY 101 SET FOR SEPT. 11

Do you have questions about Unity? Are you considering membership? Consider joining us for Unity 101 starting Sunday, Sept. 11 (11:30 am. - 1 p.m.) and for the following three Sundays. The class is open to anyone seeking more information about Unity. If you want to become a UCR member during the New Member Sunday, Oct. 9, you must attend all four classes. Interested? Questions? Contact Susan Liddell.

EVENT TO COMMEMORATE 9/11

The Inter-Religious Council and the Cedar Rapids police and fire departments will present a free event, "Remember - Reflect - Respect," at 2 p.m., Sept. 11, at Veterans Memorial Stadium. UCR's Nina Swanson will perform. Gates open at 1:30 p.m. This community-wide service allows us to come together and celebrate our oneness in Spirit with each other and our world. Through a shared prayer consciousness, we can make a positive difference in our community, fostering healing and wholeness.

UCR TO HOST BUDDHA RELICS SEPT. 23-25

On Sept. 23-25 UCR will host a most remarkable event: the first Iowa visit of the Maitreya Project, the Buddha Relics. The Buddha Relics are a rare collection of relics of the historical Buddha and other Buddhas throughout history, which were released by the Dalai Lama to tour the world and spread the message of loving kindness. They are small, marble sized objects that were found among the cremation ashes of the Buddha masters throughout history, resembling beautiful, pearl-like crystals. Buddhists believe the relics embody the master's spiritual qualities of compassion and wisdom and are deliberately produced by the master at his death.

The organizers have enlisted our assistance, along with the Iowa City Zen Center, The Peoples Church and the Venerable Hong Yang of the Bhikshuni Sanghain Ames.

Join us for a pet blessing with the relics at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, and for a special time reserved for UCR congregants from 9-10 a.m., Sunday, Sept. 25. The display opens to the public at 10 a.m. Volunteers are requested to help with this event. If you can assist, please contact Susan Liddell.

PET BLESSING OCTOBER 2

Our pets are an important part of our lives. They bless us daily with unconditional love. Now it's our turn to bless our furry loved ones. Rev. brenda will lead our annual Pet Blessing on Sunday, Oct. 2, at about 11:45 near the peace garden at the southeast corner of the parking lot. Plan to bring your blessed ones to this informal, but important, ceremony.

PRAYER FOR THE PRAY-ERS SERVICE OCT. 7

Please join us to honor and support our UCR Prayer Ministry Team through a special service at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 7. Our Prayer for the Pray-ers service honors those who serve on the Prayer Room, Prayer Tree, Member Prayer Contact, Meditation Circle, and Pastoral Care Visitor teams. Our theme is "Gathering to be Channels through which We Illumine Our World."

PRAYER/MEDITATION MINISTRY TEAM TO MEET OCT. 9

Please join us at 11:45 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 9, for our quarterly Prayer/Meditation Ministry Teams Meeting.

REV. BRENDA OUT OF OFFICE

Rev. brenda will be out of the office on quarterly silent retreat from Monday, Oct. 10 through Friday, Oct.14. She will also be out of the office Sunday, Oct. 16 through Sunday, Oct. 23, attending the Great Lakes Unity Regional conference in Louisville, Ky.

INTERESTED IN ATTENDING GREAT LAKES REGIONAL CONFERENCE?

UNITY 102 STARTS OCT. 17

Are you wondering about some specific Unity topics? Unity 102 starts Monday Oct. 17 at 6-8 p.m., and will meet for the next three Monday evenings. Unity 102 takes an in-depth look at several important aspects of Unity teachings, including Unity's Five Principles, Prayer and Meditation, the Twelve Powers and Metaphysics and Metaphysical Bible Interpretation. Please contact Susan Liddell to register, or if you have questions

IMPORTANT UPCOMING OCTOBER MEETINGS

Please join us after the Sunday service on Oct. 30 for our fall CommUnity meeting. Our board will share important information regarding your spiritual home and invite you to ask questions or share comments or concerns.  

A Ministry Team Leader meeting will follow. Our agenda is to help bring the UCR Vision Community into its next phase of realization by identifying goals and budgets for each ministry. MTLs are expected to attend this meeting. If you are unable to attend, please contact Susan Liddell, LUL.

UPCOMING MUSIC

Sept. 4: Beaucoup Shakti (Sharon Bousquet and Phoenix Jordan), guitar/vocals

Sept.11: Danny Caldwell, guitar/vocals

Sept. 18: Unity Spirit Choir

Sept. 25: Deep Dish Divas, instrumentals/vocals

Oct. 2: Carol Montag, guitar/vocals

Oct. 9: Olivia Price, vocalist

Oct. 16: TBA

Oct. 23: Anji Kosirog, guitar/vocals

Oct. 30: Unity Spirit Choir with Doug Jackson 

S.E.E.D. EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND ACTIVATED

In December 2010, a congregant gifted UCR with money to establish a Spiritual Enrichment, Education & Development (S.E.E.D.) program. Proceeds from this fund are available on a semi-annual basis. Any active member with a passion for spiritual development may apply for scholarship. Interested? Contact Rev. brenda, Licensed Unity Leader Susan Liddell or Board Members Paula Land and Glady McMellor.

SUSAN LIDDELL TO OFFER CLASS STARTING OCT. 20

UCR'S own Susan Liddell, Licensed Unity Leader, will lead the class, "Jesus and his Teachings," starting Oct. 20, from 6-8 p.m. This five-week class is available for S.E.E. credit. We'll explore Jesus as the great example and not the great exception. We will look at the three synoptic gospels and the first part of Acts to explore how Jesus taught, prayed and healed, as well as exploring the great commission. What's his message for you? Please join us for soup and get to know Jesus as master teacher. Interested? Contact Susan Liddell.

CELEBRATING DOUG JACKSON BENEFIT CONCERT TO BE HELD; DONATE NOW 

Our beloved friend of UCR, Doug "DJ" Jackson, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008. After being on disability for 8 months, he is now working part time. However, chemo forces him to miss 10 days every three weeks. Let's help Doug and his family focus on his healing and wholeness by donating to the "Benefit for Doug Jackson" account at Collins Credit Union (or watch for online donation option to come at http://celebratingdj.com). Also mark your calendars: "Celebrating DJ" benefit concert, Nov. 5 at Theatre Cedar Rapids. Rev. brenda will kick off the event with a prayer. A silent auction will start at 6 p.m.; concert at 7; and a dance at the Longbranch begins at 8 and extends after the concert. Some of the top musicians from the area will perform at the concert, including Doug and the UCR Spirit Choir, under the direction of Nina Swanson. Please help spread the word! Together we hold the vision for Doug's perfect health. Questions? Contact dougs_team@aol.com, or watch for information at http://celebratingdj.com.

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Robin Schuster 1

Jennifer Cira-Debban 2

Joshua Haun 6

Stuart Bohling 7

Phillip Peterson 7

Sheri Mealhouse 8

Cindee Zobec 9

Diane Hathaway 9

Denise Houlahan 11

Wayne Tate 15

Lucy Hawkins 16

Pat Schomburg 17

Gail Kidd 18

Kaitlyn Hersey 18

Sally Eggleston 20

Paul Lundy 20

Beverly Lawrence 22

Pat Coon 22

Nina Swanson 23

Carol Woodson 27

Sharon Stewart 28

Megan Land 29

Laura Meade 30

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

Kate Gregor 1

Olivia Hawkins 1

Jim Barger 3

Aimee Anderson 4

Melanie Miller 4

Benjamin Burns 5

Jim Greene 6

Ruby Matthews 9

Bronwen Jones 9

Joel Myers 10

Brian Schumacher 10

Frank Niedermeyer 13

Joan Gronert 14

JoAnn Willmsen Boyle 15

Steven Newell 16

Laurie Moritz 17

Christopher Mullenix 20

Ann Alliger 20

Melissa Hawkins 21

Ray Smith 23

Sheryl Ann Barger 29

Teri Schumacher 29