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Many, many years ago, very early into my training as a potential licensed Unity teacher, I nearly quit taking classes because of the title of the next required text in my curriculum: Jesus Christ Heals. At that point in time, I had some strong "issues" around Christianity in general and Jesus in particular, and my personal image of my own spiritual path had nothing to do with either. Ultimately, I had to decide whether my past beliefs (and resentments) or my newly-sprouted awareness of Truth was more important.
Although he doesn't put it into the context of Advent, chapter IV of that book is called "Producing Results", and the steps outlined there by Unity co-founder Fillmore mirror the activity of the four weeks of Advent: Faith, Peace, Love, and Joy. During these weeks leading up to Christmas, I invite you to claim a gift of Spirit. With the expectation of Good, open your mind and heart to the possibility of transformation.
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Faith is one of the faculties inherent within us; it is one of our Twelve Powers, the power through which we perceive life and shape substance. There's nothing especially mysterious about faith; it is simply what we believe, what we know to be True. The primary principle upon which we place our faith is that there is One Power - God, Good, Omnipotence, All-Wisdom, everywhere present. From that, we move into the principle that if we are created by and out of that One Power, and if that One Power is indeed everywhere present, It must also be within us and must be the True Nature of What we are. We must also be Good. We must also be divine.
The experiences of our lives reflect the beliefs we hold, and are a record of where we have placed our faith. Are we living lives which reflect Truth? Are we thinking thoughts which reflect our belief that we have that One Presence known as God - Divine Mind, Heavenly Father-Mother, the Universe, Infinite Field of Pure Potential- within us? Myrtle Fillmore's transformative thought was, "I Am a child of God and I cannot inherit sickness." Are you living with faith in your Divine Source or does the evidence of your life reflect belief that you are somehow inadequate and not quite acceptable as you are?
There are many things in the outer world telling us we're not okay. Every advertisement is aimed at selling us something to make life more complete, and at this time of year they are even more prevalent. Our parents and loved ones, in their desire to protect us and to teach us how to survive may have taught us that the world is a scary place and that we must always be on guard. The messages we have absorbed along our path to adulthood may reflect fear, lack, and limitation. We may have grown up being bullied and believe (have faith) that the best defense against life is a strong offense. Biblically, we're taught that, as we believe it is done. So if we believe life is hard and scary, it is. If we believe we must fight and kick and scream to get our way, we will have plenty of opportunities to do just exactly that.
Without recognizing it, we may have structured our entire lives from a stance of needing to be protected, needing to be fixed, needing to be saved. Without recognizing it, we may have accepted the message that we must somehow be made complete through finding the perfect partner, the perfect career, a certain size number on the label of our new jeans, or a certain dollar figure on our bank statement.
Do you really believe (or are you willing to believe) that you are "made in the image and likeness" of God? If so, does your life reflect that belief and willingness? For most of us, life is a collage of good-and-bad, ups-and-downs, better things and not-so-great things. For the next week, be willing to question your beliefs. Be willing to observe, without judgment, where your faith has led you. When you notice yourself making choices, observe whether you are choosing from a belief - faith - that you are indeed the child (individualized expression) of God or whether you are choosing from a belief - faith - that you somehow less than that. Cultivate the willingness to recognize that some of the beliefs you have held in the past are not really true, and begin living with the willingness to change your beliefs to more clearly reflect that which you claim to believe.
Allow your prayer this week to be "I believe that there is only One Power active in my life. I believe I AM created whole and complete in the image and likeness of that One Power. I believe that transformation is possible and that it is possible for me. I AM thankful for my willingness to live this belief."
And... if your next prayer is, "Dear God, help my unbelief...", that is okay. Your willingness to ask implies a core belief- genuine faith- that it is possible, and as Jesus said, by your Faith you are made whole.
The Light I AM recognizes, blesses, and honors the Light You Are-
Namaskar- Rev. Nita
Holiday Outreach: Heifer International
Once, again, our Sunday school students are taking the lead in our holiday outreach, collecting your spare change (or dollars!) for Heifer International. Their mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and care for the Earth.
How it Works
Heifer International empowers families to turn hunger and poverty into hope and prosperity - and their approach is more than just giving them a handout. Heifer links communities and helps brings sustainable agriculture and commerce to areas with a long history of poverty. Heifer animals provide partners with both food and reliable income, as agricultural products such as milk, eggs and honey can be traded or sold at market.
Passing on the Gift
The core of their model is Passing on the Gift. This means families share the training they receive, and pass on the first female offspring of their livestock to another family. This extends the impact of the original gift, allowing a once impoverished family to become donors and full participants in improving their communities. Visit their website
Upcoming Services:
12/8, Sunday: The topic is Prayer; Susan Smith, USCoP Board Member and nearly-graduated Licensed Unity Teacher student will present the message at our Sunday morning service. 10:30am
12/15, Sunday: "Gratitude" - Susan Smith will again present our lesson. 10:30am
12/22, Sunday: "Joy to the World" - Rev. Nita returns with the first of our holiday services. 10:30am
 12/24, Tuesday: Christmas Eve Candlelight service, 5:00pm. 12/25, Wednesday: Christmas Morning service, 10:30am. Join Rev. Nita for an informal "family-style" Christmas morning. 12/25, Wednesday: Christmas Potluck, 11:30am. Please join us! Bring your favorite dish and join the friends you know and some you haven't yet met. 12/29, Sunday: The Twelve Days of Christmas, 10:30am
12/31, Tuesday: New Year's Cleansing Bowl Service, 6:00pm. Rev. Nita and LUT Candidate Susan Sellers will present this meaningful service. 1/5/2014, Sunday: Living in This New Moment, Rev. Nita
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. Our nursery is available for the very young ones, as well. We provide professionally trained and screened childcare for those ages 0-3, so that you may enjoy attending service while knowing that your little ones are well cared-for.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
There are many things which need to get done here in our center, and Susan Smith is working to make it easier for you to become involved. Please check at the information table to see what might be fun for you to do.
INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES (ICS) RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES
To volunteer through our affiliation with Interfaith Community Services, you can contact, Sandi Brickley, ICS Volunteer Resources Manager, either by phone at 520-297-2738 ext. 217 or at their website
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If You Could Benefit from ICS resources, referrals are available
Interfaith Community Services provides a wide range of services for seniors, disabled individuals and people in financial needs. Please contact Susan Smith or Rev. Nita with questions about ICS services. Contact Susan via email.
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