In each of our gathering spaces over the years we have constructed some type of altar. Metaphysically, altars represent the point in consciousness where the human and the Divine within meet. The physical altars we construct declare our intention to live our lives at that point of union, which is the meaning of our name, Unity. In our center, the altar at the front of our sanctuary represents our acknowledgement to the Eternal One, the Absolute: unchanged, unchanging, unchangeable, It is the One Power, One Presence upon which we can always depend. Not something outside of us which must be sought, but That Which Is. Omniscience, Omnipotence, Omnipresence.

Even though the One Power (by whatever name you choose) does not change, we DO change in relationship to It. Our relation to Truth is always changing as our understanding changes. We don't necessarily recognize how our understanding changes from day to day, but every now and again, we realize that we are living our lives a little more fully, with a little more meaning and intention. Similarly, our physical altar remained fairly static for a long time. We came together in certain level of collective understanding, and we built an altar, which was left mostly unchanged. But over the years, as we have journeyed together, that level of collective understanding has changed. We understand more now than we did ten years ago. Our collective consciousness has been changed by each one's individual, personal spiritual growth. Our collective consciousness has been changed as we have invited others to join us in our journey, and as we have welcomed those who have accepted that invitation. We have been very, very blessed by those of you who have found us along the way and chosen to become part of what Unity Spiritual Center of Peace is.

It seems right and proper, then, that our altar to That-Which-Is-Changeless should reflect our new, higher understanding of It. That our altar should reflect not only the collective consciousness of those of us who created it originally, but that it should reflect the fuller community we have become. So we now have some color. We have some tokens which remind us of the larger community of Spirit we have become. We honor our strong, firm, unchanging center of Peace, which has always been present and will continue to be present. We honor the Light we are, which is eternal and will never fade. We honor the sacred stories of our history in relationship to/with/as the Sacred Source of All.

These things: the Light, Love, Peace, and Wisdom which we are will never change. They may look a little different to us every now and again as we realize our perspective has shifted. The colors on the walls of our shared sacred space should and will change every now and again as we remember that we are not meant to remain in static devotion to what our understanding was. Truth- Spirit - God - Divine Mind- Source does not change. We - expressing that Truth - are constantly changing! We are growing, and the Faith within us grows ever-deeper as we learn to express the timeless Eternal Truth which is without beginning and will be without end.

We honor the willingness of those who birthed our community (and learned yet again why the birthing process is called labor!). We honor the willingness of those who have joined in the journey and become part of the Wholeness we are. We honor those as-yet-unknown friends who will join us in the future as Divine Order unfolds and reveals the next phase of our journey together. We honor those who no longer walk in physical form with us, yet are surely smiling with us on this special occasion. Thank you for being part of this particular community of Spirit, and thank you for recognizing your importance in the expression of Divine Consciousness as Wholeness. We truly are One. I am very thankful for and blessed by your Presence and supportive consciousness of Truth. Happy Birthday to Us!