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Welcome to 2016! The holiday season has more-or-less subsided, and most of us have probably begun the process of returning to our "normal" routines, whatever that may mean.
I've previously mentioned my lack of enthusiasm for the making of New Year's resolutions, but I do think it is good to pause every now and again to reflect upon our spiritual journey. It's a good thing to balance your checkbook each month, to take a look in the pantry before you go grocery shopping, and it's a good idea to look at whether our patterns of behavior are reflecting our intentions.
What are your intentions? They don't have to be grand... one of mine is simply to drive peacefully from point A to point B each time I get in my car, even though it seems every road on my journey is under construction (literally as well as metaphorically!). Another is to balance my work-life with activities I enjoy, such as going to the movies with my husband, drawing, and working my way through a chronological viewing of the entire Star Trek series.
Some intentions are relationship-oriented and involve others. It's my intention to express gratitude directly to everyone who in any way makes my life function more smoothly. I intend to remain present to those in front of me, and acknowledge the UPS delivery person, the postal worker who sells me stamps, the cashier who rings up my purchases, and the server who pours my coffee.
One of the most life-changing realizations I experienced during my ministerial training was the, despite what I said and thought, I was not really honoring everyone's right and need to find their own path to God. I came to realize that honoring all paths to God means more than just honoring peoples' religious choices. It means recognizing that we are each on a unique, valuable, and necessary journey of spiritual unfolding, and I don't necessarily have a clue what will most benefit someone else in their journey.
As a teacher and spiritual leader, I understand the difference between instructing those who have asked or shown an interest in learning, and trying to coerce someone into making changes before they are ready. As the very human personality known as Nita, this is probably the biggest challenge I face in honoring my intentions. I can be so very certain that if others would just listen to me, and follow my oh-so-wonderful advice, everything would be just about perfect for everyone. So, one of my intentions is to be mindful of what is about to come out of my mouth and honor everyone's path to God, allowing them to walk through the journey which contains exactly the right curriculum for them. I still have a LOT of work to do with this intention!
Of course, I do have what I consider quite grand intentions as well. Without doubt, the grandest of all is to facilitate the arrival of peace on earth, with universal good will to ALL: everyone, everywhere, no matter who, no matter what. I've come to understand that it isn't really helpful for me to judge my intentions as successes or failures. It is helpful for me to pause every now and again and see if my patterns of behavior are actually in alignment with my intentions, and make adjustments as needed.
Thank you for sharing your consciousness, and the gifts of Who and What You Are with me on this journey of awakening and intentional spiritual growth. You are an important portion of the Wholeness we are, and I appreciate your willingness to open your mind and your heart to the ideas that I share in these messages. Your path to God is the right and perfect path for you, and I appreciate the honor of traveling alongside you for this segment of the journey. May we each enjoy Peace on Earth and good will towards everyone. No matter what.
Blessings and Namaskar (the Divine within me blesses and honors the Divine within you)
  
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Video Series: Joseph Campbell: The Power of Myth,
Saturdays, January 16, 23, 30
9:30am - 12:30pm (Bring a lunch or snack if you wish) (love offering)
We'll be viewing and discussing the classic PBS Bill Moyers series. Videos will be shown from approximately 9:30-11:30, with open discussion following until 12:30. Rev. Nita will host.
Sunday Lesson Series: Lessons in Truth Sundays Through February 28th, 10:30am Rev. Nita's Sunday lessons will focus on this most foundational of all Unity books. Whether you've read it many times or never heard of it before, you're sure to find this book to be an important stepping-stone along your spiritual journey.
Sharing Our Stories
Sunday, January 31, 11:30 (During Potluck)
If you would like to join in a conversation about how Spirit works in our lives, please be sure and join us during Potluck lunch on Jan. 31st when we will be sharing real-life stories that demonstrate the power of the Divine.
If you'd like more information, just reply to this email and your questions will be forwarded to Barbara McLawhorn, LUT.
Spiritual Education class: Breaking (Unscrambling) the Ten Commandments, Thursdays, Feb. 4 - March 3,
9:00 - 11:00am (love offering) Participants will explore one of Eric Butterworth's most intriguing books. Butterworth suggests it is time to "break" the Ten Commandments and live from them rather than by them. Learn to unscramble the Ten Commandments and unlock the deeper, metaphysical meanings. Sue Nyhus, LUT Cand.will facilitate the class.
Spiritual Education class: Keep a True Lent
Wednesdays, Feb. 10 - Mar. 9,
10:30 - 12:30pm (love offering) Probably the clearest and most accessible of Unity co-founder, Charles Fillmore's books, Keep a True Lent not only defines and explains many New Thought concepts, but provides a daily practice of transformation. Rev. Nita will facilitate the class, which may be taken for Unity Institute elective credit. A limited number of books will be available in class, or may be obtained through your favorite online bookseller.
Aviva Children's Services - Bags For Kids
Saturday, February 13, 10:00am - 3:00pm
Because Every Child Matters -Aviva provides services that improve the quality of life for children who are victims of neglect, abuse and poverty and who are in the care of Child Protective Services. We'll be making duffle bags for the children Aviva provides services to. Come spend the day with us and/or drop in for an hour or two! No sewing or other experience is necessary, and we've got lots of different things that need to be done. Please download the flyer for complete information!
Celebrate your Valentine at a
Re-commitment of Vows Ceremony for all couples
Sunday, February 14, 2016, 12:00 noon, after Sunday services.
Please reply to this email to RSVP, and you'll be connected to one of our Licensed Unity Teacher Candidates, Lynne Booth and Sue Nyhus.
Annual Membership Meeting and Leadership Council Service Opportunity
Our annual meeting will be on Sunday, Feb. 28 at 12:00pm
Please plan to attend. If you are already a member, attend regularly, and are interested in becoming more involved in leadership, please speak to Nita or any current Leadership Council member.
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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