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Unity Spiritual Life Center
January 1, 2014 ~ Weekly Update
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MISSION
To be a center of positive, practical, progressive Christianity devoted to helping people awaken to the Spirit within and to inspire one another into a grater experience of God and life through prayer, meditation, education, and service to others.
VISION
To create a loving and engaged Unity Truth Community that transforms the spiritual consciousness of the planet...one thought, one word, one action at a time.
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Sunday, January 5, 2014, 10:30 am
LESSON FOR TODAY: The White Stone Ceremony
When you overcome , when you do your spirit work and come into a new way of being...it is as if you are born again. Your new name emerges from this new consciousness. It is a name that only you will know and one that will reflect your potential in the coming
year.
SPECIAL MUSIC: Sandy Hemenway
Childcare provided for the service.
MEET & GREET follows the service ~
spend time munching and mingling,
as you greet old friends and meet new ones!
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PAULA'S PERSPECTIVE
2014...the Year of Peace
The beginning of 2014 brings us more of the same. There are many conflicts throughout the world. Most recently these wars of one against another have presented as suicide bombings in Russia, conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Mideast, and mass executions in Sudan. On American soil, war started with the American Revolution in 1775-1783, the Civil War 1861-1865 , the attack on Pearl Harbor and World War II 1941-1945, the bombing at the Alfred P. Murrah building in Oklahoma City in 1995, and the attack in New York City at the World Trade Towers in 2001. It continues, almost daily in the form of shootings, murder and suicides.
Are you tired enough of all of this conflict to make a change? Deepak Chopra in his book Peace is the Way says that "Peace is love in action. If you and I demonstrate that peace is more satisfying than war, the collective consciousness will shift". And when this consciousness shifts we will no longer understand the idea of violence as a means to accomplish peace or security. We will understand that there is not a way to peace...but that peace is the way.
Peace isn't accomplished by praying that it will happen some day. Peace is not about leaving it up to someone else who is 'in charge'. Peace is not about waiting until the time is right, until everyone agrees to a set of rules. Peace is not about walling off our country from the rest of the world thinking that somehow that makes us more safe and that it can bring us peace.
Peace is about each of us making a conscious choice every day, with every one, in every situation and circumstance to come from love. It is about putting love in action and contributing to a shift in consciousness that will result in an end to violence, conflict and war. This personal transformation approach to peace is one that is gaining traction and the ONE WAY that will actually work...if enough of us are willing to commit to it.
Please join me in making the practice of peace, the expression of love from your heart your New Year's resolution. We can change the world.
Peace always
Paula
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Silent Meditation: 9:30-10am Sunday
First Friday of every month: 7-8:30pm - Fun First Friday
SPECIAL EVENTS
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
PRAYER AND HEALING MINISTRY SCHEDULE - Fillmore Chapel. The Prayer and Healing Ministry will be offering bi-monthly gatherings for all who are interested. We will be meeting in the Fillmore Chapel on the first Sunday of a month (after service) and the third Monday of a month at 7:00 p.m. The hour includes time for healing prayer and a guided meditation with the opportunity for a brief hands-on healing. Very relaxing and uplifting. NEXT GATHERING: SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2014. Note: There will be no gathering Monday January 20th as it is the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.
FUN FIRST FRIDAY, January 3rd, 7-9pm. Our Creativity & Play Ministry will be holding our popular annual Dreamscaping playshop to help you visualize your goals and visions for 2014. After a brief introduction and guided meditation, you will create a Dreamscape (or Treasure Map, Vision Board or Goal Collage) with the provided scissors, paste and poster board. Please bring old magazines to share. Join us for this beautiful and powerful way of setting intentions for the new year. If you plan on attending the playshop, please sign up in the back of the sanctuary or email Robin at reallyveryhappy@gmail.com.
WHITE STONE CEREMONY, Sunday, January 5th Revelations 2:17 - "To everyone who overcomes...I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it." Receive your new name from the God of your being. An amazing way to begin the new year.
BOARD ORIENTATION, Saturday, January 11th, 9am-noon. Are you curious about what is involved in being on the Board here at USLC? Do you want to know what goes on "behind the curtain?" Cher & Bil Holton will be presenting a short workshop to answer questions and help us understand how Boards can most effectively serve their congregations. You DO NOT HAVE TO MAKE a commitment to SERVE ON THE BOARD!!! in order to attend. This is an information session. Sign-up is required.
WORSHIP ASSISTANT MEETING, Sunday, January 12th at noon. Worship assistants help during the service each Sunday by reading Announcements, distributing Welcome Packets to visitors and presenting an inspirational story, daily word, or other appropriate and uplifting reading. If you currently participate in this ministry or wish to participate please join Rev. Paula for
this brief meeting after the service.
COMING SOON
PRAYER PRACTICE WORKSHOP, Sunday, January 19th, 2:30-5:30pm. There are many forms of prayer, but what exactly is prayer? What is the most effective way to pray...for our self and for others? Join Rev. Paula for this interactive workshop that will include presentation of ideas, discussion and time to practice in the stillness and aloud. Energize your prayer practice! All are
welcome. Love offering.
NEW MEMBERS CLASS, Saturday, January 25th, 9am-noon. Are you ready to commit (or re-commit) to developing a greater awareness of the power and presence that is God in your life? Is it time for you to allow the gift that you are to be known here at USLC by tithing your time, talent and treasure to this spiritual community? Is 2014 the year you decide to step out in Faith to participate in the transformation of your self and the planet? Join Rev. Paula for Unity Basics and make a decision to open up and show up. All current members invited, too.
BOOK STUDY GROUPS FORMING. Living Originally, by Robert Brumet. First week in February. We will order books on January 15th and they will be available on Sunday, January 26th. Groups will begin meeting the first week in February. Please sign the sheet in the back of the sanctuary if you want a book (cost $15.00) . More details to follow.
ANNUAL MEETING, Sunday February 9th. Mark your calendars.
DINNER AND DISCUSSION, Wednesday, February 19th. New once peer month event. Details to follow.
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WOW!
2014
On the 1st of January 2014 something very rare will happen. We will start the first day of the new year with a New Moon. This almost never happens, in fact 19 years ago was the last time we had a New Moon on a new year. A New Moon is all about new beginnings and fresh starts.
This year we can truly wipe the slate clean and start the new year, a new you. Make 2014 your year.
Unknown
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YOU CAN HELP USLC GET FREE MONEY
***HOW?***
* Pick up a gift card from Carla; $5 is already on it to get you started.
* Take it to Kroger Customer Service Desk and put your grocery money on
the card.
(Be sure you do this at least 12 hours before you plan to use it. It takes time for it to be put in Kroger's system.)
* Go grocery shopping with the gift card.
This does not affect your regular rewards from Kroger.
Every time you use your card to buy groceries or gas at Kroger, the amount is credited to USLC toward a 5% reward when our total reaches $5000...that's $250 for the Center.
You continue to receive all your regular Kroger rewards. Encourage friends and family to join our fund drive.
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Opportunities to Serve at USLC
Sunday Service Ministry
Co-directors Rev Paula and Renee Piere. This ministry takes on the responsibility for an exciting and inclusive experience for all who attend Sunday Services. Most team members arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of the service and some stay after everyone is gone to put our space back in order.
* Hospitality Team: Sets up coffee, tea, refreshments, and snacks and puts hospitality area and kitchen back in order at the end of fellowship time.
* Collection Counting Team: Two members count the Sunday collection and fill out the forms necessary for accurately recording tithes and love offerings.
* Greeter/Usher Team: Greets visitors and members, hands out bulletin, and collects the offering during the service.
* Sound Team: Sets up microphones, checks sound with musicians, provides sound control during the service, records service ,and provides CD's for purchase after the service.
* Worship Assistant Team: Reads announcements, provides inspirational reading, and hands out welcome packets.
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COMMUNITY ZONE
Wishing you the blessings of a spiritual, loving, abundant, and joyful 2014
SERVICE PROJECTS
Non-perishable food collection for the Durham Rescue Mission
Bring in boxes, cans and jars of food to share with those less fortunate. We will collect food through the end of January. No outdated items please! Pick up a grocery bag on your way home today.
KEEPING UP: What's happening in your neighborhood? Are you traveling, hosting visiting friends or relatives, having a yard sale, announcements, other activites? Send your information to rodgers.jean@gmail.com by Tuesday of each week.
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FEATURE ARTICLE
Growing Spiritual Muscles
Excerpts from Chris Cade Newsletter
A lot of people say they want bigger physical muscles but aren't willing to do the painful work to "break" their existing muscles and create room for something new. Growing spiritual muscles is basically the same.
... Most of us do not want to delve deep into our pain (or challenge) and be with it with Presence and Truth. Most of us just want (comfort). The thing is, understanding our pain (challenge) through Presence is what actually releases it.
Unless we're willing to "break" our spiritual muscles, at best, comfort is all we'll really get.
Most people want bigger, better, more abundant lives. But they aren't willing to do the serious inner inquiry to "break" their existing limiting beliefs and painful stories to create room for Presence to fill them up with the gifts of understanding and true transformation.
...shred the spiritual muscles of comfort knowing that the following growth will be beautiful and wonderful beyond the wildest imagination.
How to grow spiritual muscles:
Step 1:
Intensely exercise our skills of self-awareness to the point of seeing the limiting beliefs, painful stories, and traumas that are holding us back.
Step 2:
Once those stories and limiting beliefs "break," use the powers of Presence and Truth to heal the break.
Step 3:
Notice how our Spiritual Self develops a greater capacity to handle future situations, including the same adversities which we had to "break" in the first place.
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MINISTRIES
Creativity and Play Ministry: Director: Robin Johnson. This ministry schedules an event each month that is fun and provides an opportunity for fellowship.
Bookstore Ministry: Director: Janice Escott. Many people love to browse our books and gifts after the service on Sunday. Team members are available to ring up and record purchases.
Music Ministry: Works on special singing projects during the year including Christmas and Easter. Team members sing on Sundays.
Healing and Prayer Ministry: Co-directors Lisa Giragosian and Rev Paula. Twice monthly this team conducts healing and prayer service. Team prays with members requesting prayer one on one and also prays for requests dropped into our prayer box. One member carries the prayer box at the Offertory during the Sunday Service.
Youth Education Ministry: This essential ministry provides Sunday lessons from an established curriculum for our youth during the 10:30 service.
Adult Education Ministry: Director: Rev Paula. Unity classes are offered for credit and other classes for spiritual enrichment by Rev Paula and other teachers.
Media and PR Ministry: Co-director: Jeanie Rodgers and Renee Piere This team handles all things media...social, print, electronic and visual.
Earthcare Ministry: This team is focused on activities related to caring for our planet. If you are called to this ministry you can help guide us into the next greatest expression for how we accomplish this goal.
Community Service Ministry: Giving to our community and to the world is important at USLC. This team helps identify ways we can do this and organizes our efforts.
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| Sundays:
9:30
Silent Meditation
Fillmore Chapel
10:30
Celebration Service & YOU/Uniteen classes
(Childcare available) | | |
Directions: Exit 175 off of I-85. Turn NORTH on Guess Road; Turn right onto Carver Street. Go approximately half a block; USLC is located in the small business park on your left. |
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