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Greetings!
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 Celebration of Life for Jim Spurling will be held
this Saturday, Apr.6, 1:00pm.
Join us as we celebrate our friend's life!
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The Lenten season has recently come to completion with the celebration of Easter last Sunday. Some of you have been participating on a daily basis, some on a not-so-regular basis, others have chosen not to participate at all; and each of you has made the right choice. As with all things in Unity, our observance of Lent is grounded in the free-will choice to consciously do that which will best support our own individual spiritual growth
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When we were kids, we may have asked our parents to measure how much we had grown physically by making marks on a door jamb. Completions allow us to mark lines in our spiritual growth chart, which is very satisfying to our human ego. There is a sense of accomplishment in observing "that is where I started, and this is where I am. Yay me!" Since an important part of our journey is spiritualizing the ego, completions can be helpful.
Completions create an opportunity to pause, and intentionally observe where we are in our journey. Was my morning commute just a little tiny bit more peaceful? Did I recognize that my partner was stressed and allow them to vent without feeling attacked? Perhaps I even remembered once or twice to pause and breathe, centering myself in Love before speaking difficult words? Forty days on the calendar will not necessarily completely change everything in our lives, but if we consistently look for signs of transformation- gently and lovingly - it is likely that we will find those signs present.
We can also look at this as an opportunity to claim completion with past "issues". Sometimes we have simply gotten in the habit of carrying around old mistaken beliefs. Each of those beliefs served us at some time in the past, but they really aren't useful anymore, and we would certainly be happier if we just let them go. When we consider that thoughts "take up space" in our minds, it becomes apparent that we would do well with a bit of dusting and de-cluttering! Just because you "always" feel uneasy in certain situations doesn't mean you have to do so in the future. Just because you "always" feel insecure around your always-does-everything-perfectly-superstar cousin Martha doesn't mean that you can't just smile at her and choose to enjoy an afternoon of perfect peace as she tells you about her latest promotion at work.
We are free to claim our Good at any moment. Part of claiming our Good involves releasing that which doesn't feel so good. As an end-of-Lent celebration, why not invest a few moments of simply considering what it is that you're tired of carrying, and see what it feels like to let it go. In your imagination, just set it aside and see how it feels. You may realize that you genuinely wouldn't miss it. You may feel lighter or more at ease. You may feel a little awkward, but basically fine. You may find that you really do still have work to do in that area and wish to invest time doing that work. Either way, you will move forward with valuable information.
Every day you begin the next portion of your spiritual journey. Why not choose to make the last step of your Lenten journey an intentional one? Our Lenten study guide this year suggests this affirmation:
"Today I rest in the completion of my Lenten process. I give thanks for the transformations now expressing in my life. I am open to my resurrection. I accept my good. I leave the final step to God. I am at peace."
And so it is, and so we let it be. Amen.
Thank you for joining me in this Lenten adventure. I look forward to seeing what is next up on our journey together!
Namaskar (which means, the Divine in me recognizes the Divine in You)
UPCOMING EVENTS...
We've got a lot going on. Keep reading and you're sure to find something that calls to you.
Spiritual Development SEE Class: Lessons in Truth Saturdays, through April 27
10:00am - 12:00noon
Facilitated by Rev. Nita
In print and read by New Thought students for over 100 years, Lessons in Truth is considered to be our foundational text. The nature of Being, thought, freedom, faith, spiritual understanding, and other topics of vital importance along our spiritual journey will be discussed. As always, the intention in Rev. Nita's classes is that you learn how to implement these ideas into your life. Talk is fun, but life is what is really important! Wherever you are on the spiritual path, you will find valuable and useable information. There is never a charge for SEE classes at our center; love offerings will be blessed. (For those on the path to becoming credentialed Unity leaders, this is a required class.)
NAMI Walk This Saturday, April 6 at 7:00am We have a team participating in the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) 5k and 3k walk this Saturday, April 6. The walk is being held at the Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2500 E. Ajo Way. Registration begins at 7 AM. Walk start begins at 9 AM. Not walking? Bring a chair or blanket and listen to the entertainment from 7 AM to 12 PM. If you'd like to walk or have questions, please respond to this email, and we'll put you in touch with the right person. Evening Meditation Wednesday, April 10th, 5:55pm to 6:55pm Theme is: Newness This is an opportunity to be part of a candle-lit, sacred reading and pockets of silence experience blended with music to chant by. Doors open at 5:40pm and close 7:10pm. Love offering welcomed, yet not required. We look forward to seeing you! Interfaith Community Service Update
Volunteer Opportunity
Susan Smith, Outreach Director One of the areas of service which ICS provides is helping seniors and individuals with disabilities stay safe and independent. The most requested service they provide is free transportation and grocery shopping. East side volunteers are currently needed to help those who are ambulatory but unable to drive or take public transportation. Volunteers use their own vehicles to drive recipients to destinations such as medical appointments, grocery shopping and other errands. Volunteers also do grocery shopping for homebound folks who are unable to shop for themselves. Assignments are usually 2-3 hours Mon - Sat. Flexible schedules allow volunteers to decide on their availability. Mileage reimbursement is available. I have had the good fortune to be in a position to volunteer to provide this service for the last couple months and have found the experience very rewarding. The recipients are so very grateful and I have been enjoying the opportunity to meet and connect with them. Please let me know if you have any questions about this volunteer opportunity or any other ICS volunteer opportunity. Also you can contact, Sandi Brickley, ICS Volunteer Resources Manager, either by phone at 520-297-2738 ext. 217, or via email at sbrickley@icstucson.org for more information about volunteering with ICS. Information is also available at their their website Referrals are available: Interfaith Community Services provides a wide range of services for seniors, disabled individuals and people in financial needs. Please contact me or Rev. Nita should you have any questions about ICS services. My email address is: ssmith1491@yahoo.com
MOVIE NIGHT
Life of Pi - winner of 4 Academy Awards*
Friday, April 26th
Doors open at 5:40pm, movie starts at 6:00pm (FREE)
After a cargo ship carrying passengers sinks in a violent storm, a solitary lifeboat remains bobbing on the Pacific ocean. Inside there is a resourceful Indian boy named Pi, a handful of zoo animals, and a fierce tiger, the only survivors of the wreck. Life of Pi is a tale of faith, hope, and the fight to survive.
*A NOTE FOR PARENTS FROM REV. NITA: This is a wonderful movie, which is rated PG. It is also a very intense movie, and there are "cycle of life - survival of the fittest" scenes which are difficult to watch. Most of the parenting websites I checked suggested age 12+, while a couple said ages 8+. You know your children!
Enjoy popcorn, wholehearted snacks, a great movie and discussion afterwards! See you there!
Child care and Sunday School is always available for kids
Our Sunday School teachers look forward to sharing Unity principles with your children aged 4-12. If you've got questions, please speak to our YOU teachers: Cindy Cawthorne, LUT, Barbara Richman, LUT, Judyth Willis, and Sunni Adams. Our nursery is available for the very young ones, as well.
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Upcoming Sunday Lessons
04/07: Now What?
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