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We've entered that time known as Advent, which is a four-week period of preparation for Christmas. In Unity, we dedicate this time to Faith, Peace, Love, and Joy, beginning this week with our focus on Faith.
You may have thought of faith as something that some people have and others do not. Or something that must be strived for and sought after. In Lessons in Truth, Emilie Cady has this to say: "The word faith is one that has generally been thought to denote a simple form of belief based mostly on ignorance and superstition. It is a word that has drawn forth something akin to scorn from so-called "thinking people"..."Blind faith" they have disdainfully chosen to call it...not a practical thing on which to establish the everyday business affairs of life." As long as we think of faith in these terms, we have very little reason to wish to cultivate it. However, once we come into the understanding type of faith, we realize that there is nothing superstitious about it. Unity writer Winifred Wilkinson Hausmann explains:
"Faith has been defined in many ways. The writer of Hebrews referred to it as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1). Understood in this light, faith is that quality in us which enables us to look past appearances of lack, limitation or difficulty, to take hold of the divine idea and believe in it, even though we do not see any evidence of it except in our minds."
Put even more simply, faith is our ability to believe. It is not something mysterious that we have to strive for, or something that only a select few achieve. As one of our twelve powers, faith is already part of what we are. And... faith is something we use every day, whether we realize it or not! Every time you put the key into the ignition of your car, you are expressing your faith that the engine will do everything it needs to do to allow you to drive where you need to go. Every time you place an envelope into the mail you are expressing your faith that the US Postal Service will deliver it where it needs to go. Every time that you walk into a grocery store with a shopping list, you are expressing your faith that everything you need to overcome the appearance of lack in your pantry will be provided. Faith, like all of our twelve powers, is also neutral. It has no knowledge of "good and evil". We can use our faith in helpful ways, such as those above, or we can use it in less-than-helpful ways. Whenever we worry, we are expressing our faith that something undesirable will come to pass. Every time we find ourselves repeating a phrase such as "I KNEW this was going to be a bad day!" or "I ALWAYS get a cold in the fall" or "I NEVER get what I want" we are demonstrating our faith. This Advent season, I invite you to be thankful for your power of Faith, and use it wisely! Listen to your thoughts and your words. If you experience thoughts of lack or limitation, remember that your birthright at a spiritual Being is to enjoy the full abundance of Life. Become quiet, go within, and use your power of faith to look beyond the apparent lack and express what it is that you really believe; that there is only One Presence, One Power. Whether you call that Power by the name of God, Oneness, Holy Spirit, Love, Truth, or any other name, align your behavior with your belief and know that by doing so, you are expressing your understanding Faith. Use the following affirmation, or - better still!- write one of your own...
"I choose to engage my power of Faith in productive and useful ways. I believe that God - Life - Love- is all-Good, all-Power, all-Wisdom, always and in all ways present and available within me. I cannot be separated from my Good!"
Blessings and Namaskar (the Divine within me blesses and honors the Divine within you)
   (If this email seems familiar, your memory is EXCELLENT! I'm currently enjoying some downtime; this was originally sent in 2010)
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Gino Walker returns!
Join us on Dec. 6th, 10:30am
We've established a nice tradition of enjoying the wonderful singing and inspiring wisdom of Gino Walker each December. Don't miss this annual event!
... and at 12:30... Stay for Gino's Workshop!
The Power of Positivity Now
It's time to recognize that all of our Power is in the "Now" as we begin to focus on the now and live in the now we will truly learn how Powerful we truly are.
Working with experiential exercises, mirror work and asking the questions that take us deeper into an understanding of "the Power within us"
Longest Night Service December 22, 2015,5:00 pm
Please contact Susan Smith if you have any questions about the service.
People have been recognizing the winter solstice for centuries as a way to celebrate the end of darkness and the coming of the light. Please join us as we invest time in meditation and fellowship to honor the passing of the longest night of the year and to celebrate the longer days of sunshine that are to come.
For many of us the holiday season can be a dark time. During this busy season we are investing time to pause, recognize and release the pain we may be experiencing due to missing loved ones that have gone to their next stage of being, a change in our life circumstances and/or relationships, or the myriad of other challenges that arise during this time of year. Please feel free to bring a small token to place on our altar that represents that which you are honoring during this time. We will release the pain and then affirm the truth of the love that we are, that we share and that restores us to the true wholeness that is our birthright as expressions of Divine Spirit. For your information this service will not include any holiday music since some of us can find the traditional songs painful. Join us for some light refreshment and time in fellowship after the service.
Upcoming Holiday Services:
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Thursday, 12/24, 6:00pm
This evening will feature a retelling of the Christmas Story from a metaphysical viewpoint. We'll sing traditional Christmas Carols, and honor the Christ presence within each of us. Jesus' story is our story.
Christmas Morning Service
Friday, 12/25, 10:30am
Please join us for this informal celebration of the birth of Jesus, as well as the birth of increased awareness of our own divine nature. Lots of laughter, lots of singing, lots of fellowship. It is a birthday party, after all!
Christmas Potluck Service
Friday, 12/25, 11:30am
You're invited to join us for our annual Christmas Day potluck luncheon. Bring your favorite dish, and enjoy good company on this special day together.
New Year's Eve Release Ceremony
Thursday, 12/31, 6:00pm
It is good to pause periodically and consider where we've been, what we've been doing, what worked, and what hasn't been working. This will be an evening of release and intention, music and meditation.
So you know...
Some of our participants have breathing problems which are exacerbated by fragrances. Fragranced products can adversely affect people with allergies, asthma, migraines. Thank you for considering lessening or eliminating your fragrance use when attending classes or other events
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Support Unity Spiritual Center of Peace through AmazonSmile
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 You can help support our center every time you shop at Amazon.com just by selecting us to receive a portion of each purchase. You pay nothing extra, and we'll receive .5% of every purchase. (Please Note: When you search for us, look for Unity Spiritual Center of Peace Tucson. Thanks!)
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CHILDCARE IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE DURING SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE
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 ICS, contact their Volunteer Coordinator, Tori Carlson, either by phone at 520-297-6049 ext. 217 or visit their website
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