Heart Thoughts

March 31, 2016

New In this issue:

Another week rolls by, and it seems like just a blink of the eye since my last post. So, what is the news for this week? Our new youth program is underway. We are experimenting with a new process. Like anything new, it doesn't come all neatly packaged. We have to try things out and find what works and what doesn't. So patience and prayers are welcomed. That being said, on Sunday we celebrated Rev. Elizabeth as she has stepped away from the role of heading up our youth ministry after nearly four years. Elizabeth shared with me in an email a reflection from her time at Unity of Greater Portland, and I have asked her permission to share a portion of it with you that pertains to our program.

Words from Elizabeth:

"I started coming to Unity on a weekly basis in May of 2005. I had come a couple of times in 1997/1998 and been reading Silent Unity since 1992 but did not call Unity my home until 2005. I had not thought of it before this process, but I have been in a position of service since first coming to Unity. When we started, Jordan was 2 years old. He did not feel really comfortable around people he did not know, so Tom and I would help out with the youngest children. At that time, we were in the music office and just sat and played with the children. No program existed for that age group at that time.

As my role here changes (and I am not exactly sure of what that looks like at this moment), I want to take a moment to ask you to hold a vision with me. As Rev Pat mentioned yesterday, this children's program has grown so much in the past 4 years. We now have a service for each one of the age groups. This is HUGE! As Rev Pat also mentioned, these children are our future. Not just at Unity but in the world.

Many of us have watched Jordan and Ashley grow up. As I mentioned, when Jordan came to Unity at 2 years old he was very shy with people he did not know. He hardly ever spoke at church. People would ask me if he spoke at home and I would laugh as he has ALWAYS talked a lot at home. I am sharing this with you so that you can see the importance of this program. For those of you who do not have children, the children's time at the end of the service may seem tedious. But, Jordan has grown from a small child not wanting to talk to anyone but his parents to the young man who is a leader within the children's team and this community. The love, support and encouragement he has received from this community allows him to be so sure in himself and function in the larger community with ease. It is so easy for him to speak in front of large groups of people, to lead a project and be in service in the world. THIS ALL BEGAN AT UNITY OF GREATER PORTLAND with the encouragement and love of this community.

May we all continue to BE that LOVE in the world. Support each other and our children's program."

This past Sunday, I started a series on our core values. Unity of Greater Portland's vision, mission and core values are the result of a workshop that took place in November of 2012 and they help us answer these questions, "why are we doing what we are doing", "who are we" and "what is most important to us."

Core Values affect decisions, goals, change, priorities, conflicts, and spending. They motivate people to create a meaningful ministry, touch the heart of those within the ministry, and stir people into action.

Each of our core values have a definition as well as behaviors for us individually, as well as a community to live by. Every Sunday we speak them as a community and I most always end by saying this is who we say we are...and we must live them.

So our first core value is loving. The dictionary definition of loving is: Adjective: feeling or showing love or great care; Noun: the demonstration of love or great care.

Unity of Greater Portland's definition of loving is: The attracting, harmonizing and unifying power of love enables us to live in Oneness with all.

Individual Behaviors

I see all others as a reflection of myself and hold them and myself in love.
I love UGP and if I see something that needs doing, I do it, like picking up trash, cleaning up a spill, putting chairs back in their place, helping in the kitchen and yard work.
During our Sunday service greeting (Namaste) I make eye contact with others and give a hug, handshake or bow as appropriate.

Spiritual Community Behaviors

We welcome and greet everyone lovingly.
We teach the power of love to overcome every situation.
We express love in the world through sacred service.
Our programs support our children and adults as the perfect creations of God that they are.

New Thought writer and author Emmet Fox says this about love: "There is no difficulty that enough love will not conquer: no disease that love will not heal: no door that enough love will not open...It makes no difference how deep set the trouble: how hopeless the outlook: how muddled the tangle: how great the mistake. A sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all. If only you could love enough, you would be the happiest and most powerful being in the world..."

So as you go through your week practice being the love you wish to see in the world knowing that love is the healing balm to all of our difficulties. To hear the talk in its entirety, click here or go to www.unitygreaterportland.org.

Join me this Sunday for our next core value, which is "Accepting."

You are a blessing in my life,

Rev. Patricia Bessey

P.S. Mark your calendar to join Rev. LeRoy and me on Wednesday, April 13 for the I of the Storm class. This is a class in Peace Literacy. The book and workbook are available in our bookstore.

If you are having a birthday in April, I have a gift for you. It is meeting with me and completing an Annual Spiritual Checkup. This can be done in person or by phone. Let me know when your birthday is and that you would like to schedule a time to receive your gift. You can email me at revpatbessey@gmail.com or

revpatb@roadrunner.com.

If you wish to send a tithe/donation to Unity of

Greater Portland, please click the PayPal button below.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Prayer Shawl Team

DATE CHANGED FOR APRIL

April 17, 12:15 - 1:45 pm

The Prayer Shawl Team usually meets on the second Sunday of the month but for April it will be the third Sunday. Please join us, no experience is needed. If you do not know how to knit or crochet we will teach you and get you started. Any questions you can contact Jan Strout at janstrout@juno.com..

"The most ethical diet just so happens to be the most environmentally sound diet and just so happens to be the healthiest."

~ Dr. Michael Greger

Featured Recipe this Week: Easy Vegan Fried Rice

http://minimalistbaker.com/easy-vegan-fried-rice/

This recipe's name does not come close to adequately reflecting its pure deliciousness! If you haven't been a fan of squishy tofu in the past (lots of people aren't), try the method recommended here! The tofu is first baked to remove moisture and give it a different texture, and then cooked with vegetables and rice in the most delicious sauce you've ever had. I strongly encourage you to make extra sauce - you might want to drink it. Amazing. Trust me...and enjoy!!!

If you have any questions or comments, or would like more information on vegetarian/vegan eating, email Steph Plourde, Certified Wellness Coach, at unitychurch@roadrunner.com.

New in the Bookstore:

Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth, with essays from Joanna Macy,Thich Nhat Hanh, Richard Rohr, and more.

From Amazon:

Our present ecological crisis is the greatest man-made disaster this planet has ever faced. A central but rarely addressed aspect of this crisis is our forgetfulness of the sacred nature of creation and how this effects our relationship to the environment. There is a pressing need to articulate a spiritual response to this ecological crisis and this book does just that.

This book will be the guide for the class "Beholding Nature: Spiritual Ecology Through the Eyes of the Heart" beginning in May.

Also, this Sunday, April 10th, is Super Saver Second Sunday in the bookstore - everything in the bookstore is 15% off!! Does not apply to already discounted items.

Bookstore Hours:

Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 10:00-3:00

Sunday before and after service

Feedback for the bookstore?

Please email Steph Plourde at unitychurch@roadrunner.com.

We appreciate your business!!

Unity Kindness Revolution
Upcoming Activities:

APRIL DATES

April 6, 11:00 am - Singing at Florence House

April 8, 6:00 pm - Pizza and Sing at Logan Place

April 11, 10:30 am - Preble Street Soup Kitchen

April 20, 11:00 am - Singing at Florence House

MAY DATES

May 4, 11:00 am - Singing at Florence House

May 9, 10:30 am - Preble Street Soup Kitchen

May 13, 6:00 pm - Pizza and Sing at Logan Place

May 18, 11:00 am - Singing at Florence House

For more information contact Rev. Elizabeth Peterson at:

unitykindnessrev@gmail.com

Saturday, June 4

10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please sign-up on Bulletin Board for

Volunteers, Crafters, and Healers.

CLASSES & EVENTS
LOVE OFFERING UNLESS DESIGNATED
Sign-ups on UGP Bulletin Board

THE I OF THE STORM

Embracing Conflict, Creating Peace

Wednesdays -April 13 - June 1

6:30 -8:30 PM

With Rev. Pat and Rev. LeRoy

Have you ever failed in a relationship? When a relationship ends or when there is conflict, do you make yourself or the other person wrong? Let's face it managing tension in relationships often brings us to the edge of our resourcefulness. But the truth is, when we feel judged or threatened, we instinctively move to protect ourselves.

Benefits from taking the class:

Learn new insights into dealing with judgment and criticism based upon truth principles
Learn how to impersonalize and redirect the energy of conflict in to positive avenues of healing and transformation
Learn clear and simple methods for dealing with stressful and challenging situations
Gain relevant skills for creating harmony and managing conflict as it arises in your personal and professional lives

Available for SEE Credits

I of the Storm Book required (available in bookstore)

Andras Corban Arthen

Sunday, April 24

Guest Speaker 10:00 am

Workshop 12:15pm - 3:15 pm

Andras Corban Arthen is the founder and spiritual director of the EarthSpirit Community, an international religious and educational organization, established in 1977, which is dedicated to the preservation and development of Earth-centered spirituality. EarthSpirit has been hosting the internationally-recognized Rites of Spring festival since 1979.

Arthen is also the Vice-Chair for the Parliament of World Religions, and is a recognized speaker, author, and advocate for Pagan Spirituality around the globe.

Morning Talk - 10:00 am

Andras will offer a shorter talk on an animist perspective on the Mystery at the core of every religion.

Presentation: People of the Earth - 12:15 pm
"Indigenous Spirituality of Old Europe"

The cultures and religions of Old Europe that were labelled "pagan" actually represented the original indigenous traditions of Europe. These peoples were, in fact, the "Indians" of Old Europe, and they have much in common with other indigenous, earth-centered cultures around the world. Some of these original traditions have continued to exist into the present, primarily in remote rural locations throughout Europe. Andras Corban Arthen has traveled extensively throughout Europe studying these survivals, especially those of Lithuania and other eastern European countries. The presentation includes digital slides and videos from these cultures.

Suggested Love Offering of $20, however, no one will be turned away.

Discover the Power Within You

Facilitated by Louise Flynt, LUT

Saturdays, April 30 - May 28

9:30 to 11:30 am

Eric Butterworth, Unity's beloved author, raises the question: "What did Jesus really teach?" How does the answer to this question impact all of us in this time of confusion and global turmoil? In his book, Discover the Power Within You, he makes clear that "the philosophy of Jesus is a workable philosophy, a way of life," no matter what is happening in the outer world. This book is a must read for all Unity students seeking for the way of truth in these troubling times. In this class we will explore and discuss Butterworth's insights on how to maintain an unwavering connection to God using the words, actions and life of Jesus.

oks are available in the bookstore

Available for SEE credit

Beholding Nature:

Spiritual Ecology Through the Eyes of the Heart

Led by Jack Seery and Cynthia Froehlich

Mondays, May 9 - June 20

6:30 - 8:00 pm

How beautiful the world is when one looks at it without searching, just looks, simply and innocently. ~~ Hermann Hesse

In human relationships, the most honoring thing one person can do for another is to truly see them, to look deep beneath the surface and affirm the unique being within. This is how God sees. In this class, we will work with a variety of practices to broaden and deepen our perceptions of the other-than-human world, practices that will open "the eyes of the heart" and help us to perceive Nature apart from our projections. We will do this in Unity's own backyard.

We will also be reading essays from Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth and exploring responses to the impacts of human doings on the earth. Through the 3 points of witnessing, tender-heartedness, and prayer, we will try to discover what action may be required of us without becoming overwhelmed. We want to engage with Earth as an infinitely creative, intelligent, and adaptive system-being, and step into the role of partner and servant rather than rescuer. Through deep-heart relatedness, we hope to craft brand-new strategies for thriving.

Bio: Jack Seery has been a member of Unity of Greater Portland since 2004. He has been teaching classes on compassion and nonviolence for several years. He is a spiritual director and leads days of silent retreats. In the past he worked in a soup kitchen and engaged in various forms of nonviolent resistance.

Bio: Cynthia Froehlich is a member of Unity of Greater Portland. In 2009, she began three years of study with Pam Montgomery (author of Plant Spirit Healing) and with Stephen Buhner (author of The Secret Teachings of Plants and The Lost Language of Plants). Through these teachers, both of whom worked extensively with the HeartMath Institute, Cynthia has received training in "heart-centered perception" in nature. She is also a certified herbalist, Master Gardener, and holds an MA in English from Ohio University.

Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth required (available in bookstore)

Susan McKenzie

May 15

Guest Speaker 10:00 am

Workshop 12:15 - 2:15 pm

Talk Title: Green Faith: A Call to Act from a Christian Perspective

Workshop: Nature as a Gateway to God

In nature we glimpse the sacred mystery of the Creator. We feel connected to one another, to God, and to the universe. In this experiential workshop, we will reflect on how nature befriends, teaches, and heals us as we explore nature as God's sacred revelation, and its significance in our life's journey.

Bio: Susan MacKenzie, Ph.D.

spiritual director for two decades, Susan works with those who seek to embody their faith and to become more attentive to their spiritual gifts. Susan leads retreats on topics including prayer, nature, environmental justice, and sustainability to faith-affiliated groups throughout the Northeast. A master naturalist, she leads kayak, hiking and snowshoe trips to help people reconnect with nature. Susan is a member of Pleasant Street UMC in Waterville Maine, teaches in the Environmental Studies program at Colby College, and serves on the Board of the Natural Resources Council of Maine, the state's largest environmental policy advocacy organization.

A Walk on the Wild Side

with Cynthia Froehlich

Saturday, May 21

9:30 - 12:30

Location TBD

Join us for a Saturday morning walk through spring woodlands, wetlands, and fields to see what's growing. Spring ephemerals should be in full swing, and several early-blooming wetland shrubs should be in full blossom. We will learn identify plants once used for food and medicine, and listen to what the plant guilds have to tell us about their habitats. We will take time to see from the "unused side of the eye," as Thoreau put it, looking at small details and making interesting connections that we often overlook. In addition, fresh air, exercise, and good company. A refreshing time for body and spirit.

Dress for wet ground and possible ticks. Bring water and munchies.

Bio: Cynthia Froehlich is a trained herbalist who has led nature walks for Forest Works! of York County. She also developed and headed up a naturalist program for high school students in alternative education.

Todd Glacy

"Instrument of Love" CD Release Concert!

May 22, 12:15pm

Join us as we help celebrate the release of Rev. Todd's new CD "Instrument of Love" with this afternoon concert event. Todd will perform many of the songs from the CD, as well as share stories about the creative process. Afterwards Todd will be available to answer questions and sign CD's.

You can listen to the song "Instrument of Love" here.

NON-UNITY EVENTS

Happening at UGP

Awaken the Passionate Heart Workshop

Saturday, April 23, 2016

9:00 am - 4 pm

with Irene Tomkinson & Karen Fitzgerald

Ladies, this workshop is for you!
To quote one happy participant, "This workshop changed my life!"
Let it change yours.

Awaken to passion.

Light up with fun.

Enliven yourself.

Your dreams are not done.

Irene Tomkinson and Karen Fitzgerald certainly know how to wake you up!

As an author, coach, therapist and workshop leader, Irene has helped thousands to unfold their potential while uncovering their deepest desires. With our shared stories and our shared dreams, she guides us to connect more fully with ourselves and others. Described as a 'teacher of teachers", she is also a hoot!

Karen Fitzgerald leads the way with her one woman solo show, "Hot Mama Mahatma," her comic tour of reinvention from New Hampshire to New York, with a stop in India. Eat, Pray, Love it wasn't, but it opened her eyes and it will open yours! A hit in NYC and NH, Dr. Christiane Northrup raved: "Great piece. SO SO SO much in here for EVERY woman! Bravo!!!" As a Hay House webinar leader, coach, performer and Huff Post blogger, Karen will dance you into your own joy.


Karen Fitzgerald


	Irene Tomkinson

$55.00 suggested donation

NO ONE IS REFUSED BECAUSE OF MONEY

For more information contact: Irene @ 603-964-7090

www.IreneTomkinson.com or itomkinson@comcast.net

ONGOING ACTIVITIES

Sun Morning Prayer Circle 9:15 a.m. in Unity Hall with Rev. Pat

Meditation 9:30-9:45 a.m. in Sanctuary

Service 10:00 a.m. in Sanctuary

A Course in Miracles 12:30-2:00 p.m. Contact: Randall Sawyer 749-4205

Mon * Preble Street Soup Kitchen (2^nd Mon) 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

AA Women's Step Meeting 7:00-8:00 p.m.

Tue Men's Spiritual Progress Group (3^rd Tue) 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Women Empowering Women (3^rd Tue) 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Wed * Florence House Sing (1^st and 3^rd Wed) 11:00 a.m.-12:00

Fri * Logan Place Pizza Party/Sing-along (2^nd Fri) 6:30 p.m.

Cancer Support Group (3^rd Fri) 1:00-2:00 p.m.

Sat Team Leader's Meeting (2^nd Sat) 9:30-11:30 a.m. - closed group

* Unity Kindness Revolution Events

GENTLE REMINDERS

Online Church Directory

Join our Online directory - It's simple. Just contact the office at unitychurch@roadrunner.com or call 893-1233 Tuesday -Thursday, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and ask for Steph, or leave a message on box 1. We ask that you have been actively attending services and/or classes for at least 3 months and if you no longer are attending to please let us know that you no longer want to be on the directory. We do have to pay for the number of people who are on it and would prefer to pay for those who are actively using the directory.

You are welcome to join our online directory to be able to connect with one another for social and outreach reasons - We ask you refrain from using it as a marketing tool. Your compliance if appreciated. If we receive a spamming complaint, you will be removed from access to database.

God is our Source and provides us
with many

CHANNELS OF SUPPLY.

Some of those channels are the following:

When ordering through Amazon, if you go through Amazon Smile (smileamazon.com) and designate Unity of Greater Portland as your chosen charity, .5% of your purchase will be donated to Unity of Greater Portland. It will show up as Unity Church of Truth, our official name, but it is us! This deal is not quite as beneficial as the old Amazon Associates Program but, if we use it, it will add up. This is a great way to still support UGP!

Do you shop at Staples?

Many members of our Unity family shop at Staples and collect a few "Staples Reward Points" each month. But if you're like me, they seldom amount to enough to really save me much money. Then I found out that I can use the Staples Rewards Number for Unity of Greater Portland. My points are added to those of many other members and help the church save money on much needed office supplies.

Staples Rewards Number for Unity Church

5000266261

Unity Recycles Ink Cartridges and gets reward for that too!

Also, if you want to you can drop cartridges at Staples

and use our number and we get credit there as well.