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Unity Spiritual Life Center
February 5, 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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Every moment of life is a spiritual experience. Michael Singer
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Sunday, February 9, 2014, 10:30 am
UNITY THEME FOR 2014: Teach Compassion
Affirmation: I behold the Christ in others.
Check out unity.org/resources.
LESSON FOR TODAY: Radical Self-Acceptance
This kind of acceptance has nothing to do with our self-image or sense of self in relation to others. Radical self -acceptance includes the practices of non-resistance, non-judgment, and responsible action. So, what is it that I am accepting?
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
HERE COMES THE JUDGE
"Self judgment resides where self acceptance wishes to be." don Miguel Ruiz, Jr.,
The Five Levels of Attachment
For your whole life you have been creating your idea of who you are. This idea is composed of your beliefs about life...how it works and what it's all about. It contains your beliefs about your family, friends, loved ones and co-workers...how you perceive them and what you think about them. This idea you have created about who you are is based on where you grew up, how much money you make, your education, your friends, what kind of job you have, the family you have created, who you love, how much success or failure you have experienced, if you've had cancer or MS or diabetes or any other life changing kind of illness...and a myriad of other things.
Your whole life has been about building the image of yourself in relation to the 'other stuff' in your life. You are a survivor and victim, a success and a failure, rich and poor, well thought of and despised, inspired and depressed, loved and abused, intelligent and stupid, a people pleaser, a doormat, a confidant, the best and the worst, fearful, in need, hopeless, triumphant.
We can look at the 'other stuff' and judge our self based on what or where we think we should be, what we should have done or how we might have done something different. We have this idea that our life should look a certain way. This is where our judgment resides....in our thoughts and ideas about who we think we are or who we think we should be. If judgment resides in thoughts and ideas then you might realize that you have the power to change them...to decide on a different story about who you really are.
You still have the same life history...but you are not bound to it. You still have the same body...but you are more than your body. You are in the same life circumstance...but you are not ruled by it. You see...self acceptance can take the seat...it can reside in your consciousness without changing one single outward circumstance.
Self acceptance is being our self without judgment...to be our whole, unique and amazing self...with all our bruises and all of our gold stars...and to be happy with the package.
Today...be the best YOU that you can be.
Peace
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Silent Meditation: 9:30-10am Sunday
Fun First Friday every month: 7-8:30pm
SPECIAL EVENTS
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
FUN FIRST FRIDAY, February 7th, 7pm. Share the Love! Join us for our February Fun First Friday as we create valentines to share with the community. You've heard of Random Acts of Kindness - now we will share Random Acts of Love! Materials will be provided for you to create valentine cards and share them with anyone you happen to meet in the coming week - store clerks, mail people, random strangers on the bus, etc. Let the power of our love for all of humanity radiate thorughout Durham and beyond this month!
ANNUAL MEETING, February 9th. Get involved at USLC...let's build community! Jim Kimbrough is our nominee for Board service. Jeanie Rodgers is a nominee for re-election. Ginny Brendlen will present our 2014 budget. Jeanie Rodgers has a few words to share about ministry teams. And Rev. Paula will make a short presentation on where we've come from and what we are moving toward in 2014. Please commit to being here for this important meeting. All are welcome. Special Reception for Renee Piere after the service. Please join us in honoring Renee and the work she has done over the last four years as Board President at USLC. Show your gratitude and enjoy fellowship, food and fun!
SMALL GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL BOOK STUDY, Living Originally by Robert Brumet. Two Groups will be meeting...one on Tuesday evenings at 7pm and one on Thursday evenings at 7pm. The Tuesday meeing will be held at the home of Janice Escott, 126 Essex Drive, Chapel Hill, 27514...10.6 miles from the Center. The Thursday meeting will be at the home of Jeanie Rodgers, 605 Quartz Drive, Durham, 27703...8.3 miles from the Center. Join us as we discover how to "live originaly". Next week: Tuesday, February 11th and Thursday, February 13th.
DINNER AND DISCUSSION, Wednesday, February 19th, 6:30pm. Sign up for this fellowship event! We will be serving chili (meat & vegetarian), side salad, crusty bread, and tea or coffee. BYOB...Bring your own BOWL! Cost is $10.00 Reservations required and money due by Sunday, February 16TH. Topic: Getting to know Rev. Paula and USLC 2014.
COMING SOON
BOOK GROUP MEETING with Rev. Paula - Monday, February 24th,
7-8 p.m.
A time for
connecting with others who are practicing Radical Self-Awareness & Deep Self-Acceptance as presented in Living Originally, Ten Spiritual Practices to Transform Your Life by Robert Brumet. Do you have a question or want to share an experience? Join Rev. Paula for this open discussion.
ON-GOING
PRAYER AND HEALING MINISTRY GATHERING. Healing prayer, guided meditation, and opportunity for hands on healing. Be still and know. Every 1st Sunday at noon and 3rd Monday at 7pm, Fillmore Chapel. Next meeting: Monday, February 17th at 7pm.
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WOW!
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Trust Your Inner Voice
The inner voice that has guided you through countless struggles in the past is always there for you. Slow down, listen, and have faith in your own inner wisdom.
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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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Join us on Meetup.com
And forward this newsletter to your friends!
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COMMUNITY ZONE
Thank you to all who donated food for our Durham Rescue Mission project in January. There gifts were received with open arms and warm smiles.
GRATITUDE RECEPTION, Sunday, February 9 at 11:30am honoring Renee Piere...4 years as President of the USLC Board of Trustees. Please join us in thanking Renee for her enduring commitment and outstanding work during times of change at USLC. The Annual Meeting will be held at 12:30pm.
PRAYER AND HEALING MINISTRY SCHEDULE
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: Monday, February 17th at 7pm.
CD's of Sunday Lesson available for $3.00. Check at the Sound Booth after
the service.
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
Is This the Life You're Meant to Live?
Living the life of your dreams goes beyond ticking things off your should-do list. It's about developing the confidence to truly listen to your self and having the wisdom to follow the whisperings of your heart. So what's your real purpose in life? If, like most of us you don't really know, you need to take time for introspection. Be willing to look at your life as a journey that is much bigger and has much more purpose than you can imagine so far. To get started on your path, it's important to ask the right questions. Here are 10 to move you in the right direction:
1. Am I happy?
2. How often do I take time for stillness?
3. When have I felt the most radiant?
4. Do I trust my own inner guidance?
5. Can I let the past go?
6. Do I always expect a certain outcome?
7. What are the greatest wounds that I've healed?
8. Do I follow my heart or listen to my head?
9. Do I view life as abundant?
10. Do I believe I can create the life I want?
Your thoughts, actions, and emotions all determine what your life looks like. When you don't believe you are powerful, you allow others to hold the key to your life and happiness. And when you allow others to hold the power, you limit the options available to you. Sometimes it may take a leap of faith, but know that by listening to your heart and your inner guidance, you truly can create...and live...the life you want. All is possible.
Eden Clark and John Germain Leto in
Prevention, February 2014
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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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