enews
 
Advent Series 2015
with Reverend Brandon Nagel
and Jan Chapman as The Story Teller
Sunday, December 13  
"Joy from Mt. Crumpit"
 
Charles Fillmore wrote that Joy was
"the happiness of God expressed in humankind."

Our Advent Series continues this Sunday
with an exploration of Divine Joy as the
Story Teller shares with us Dr. Seuss'
How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Reverend Brandon will explore the strength and transformation that Divine Joy brings to us.  

Vocalist, Kelly Potter joins our amazing music team for a joyful Advent Sunday service you will definitely want to experience! 


It's also "Selfie Sunday!"  So snap some fun selfies and post them to your various social media accounts. Remember to tag "UCOP."  Then the person with the most "likes" on their selfie by the 19th will win a $25 gift certificate to our UCOP bookstore!

We look forward to seeing you there!
 
  
A Video Invitation from Rev. Brandon Nagel

Reverend Brandon shares what we have planned for you this Sunday at UCOP!

And in case you missed the second Sunday of our Advent Series and would like to catch up, just click on the link below!

Sunday, December 6 
Advent Series: Week Two  
"Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem" by Maya Angelou  
 
Youth & Family Christmas Show - December 13

It's Christmas time and the Youth & Family Ministry has a really great show just for you! It's an amazing evening of songs and dancing, funny skits and jokes to make you groan! Our kids have been hard at work rehearsing, making costumes and building sets and they can't wait to share their joyous efforts with all of you! Rumor has it that Harriet, the Dancing Hippo, may even make a return appearance, not to mention The Big Guy in the Red Suit. You know who we're talking about! So bring the whole family and join us for a fun-filled evening that will make your cheeks hurt you'll be smiling so much! And bring a batch of cookies to share at the Cookie Potluck downstairs after the show with the cast. We got hot cocoa too!
 
Christmas CD Sales - December 13

CD Sales
Sunday, December 13
in the lobby
"A Kansas City Christmas: New Music for a New Age"
 
In the mood for some new and original Christmas music with a definite New Thought feel? Then this is the album for you! This CD features Steve Epley, Erin McCabe, Chris Foster, David Hakan, Cindy Novelo and UCOP's very own Millie Webb. All artists are local, New Thought singer/songwriters and have donated their talents to this project. All proceeds will go to Hope House, a local support center for people affected by domestic violence. CDs are $10.
"Have a Sustainable Christmas"
December 13 there will be a table in Harmony Hall upon which you may donate Christmas cards, ornaments, Christmas lights, decorations, wrapping paper and other decorative holiday items for which you no longer have a need but that may be a treasure for someone else. At the same time, feel free to take whatever you can use (love offerings gratefully accepted, of course). What a great way to save time, money and reduce waste while giving new life to objects created to bring a little holiday cheer!
 
For more information, contact Mike McCord at 913.907.4061.

 
YOU Bake Sale to benefit UCOP - December 13

Our Youth of Unity love to bake delicious holiday treats! And this year they plan to bake a lot of them to help raise money for their church home, UCOP. So plan to pick up some yummy Christmas goodies, baked with love, after services on Sunday, December 13.
 
Giving Tree for SafeHome
Giving Tree (Sponsored by Women in Unity)
November 29 - December 13
 
Calling all warm hearts! You can help warm the bodies and spirits of those in need at SAFEHOME. Approximately 7,500 individuals are helped at SAFEHOME each year. SAFEHOME provides a healing atmosphere where survivors of domestic violence can gain inner strength, build self-esteem, explore options and establish a life free of violence. You can help by "decorating" our Giving Tree in Harmony Hall with hats, gloves and scarves. The tree will be in place as of November 29. As you make your lists for your holiday shopping, please consider adding this gift of warmth, love and support.

"Elf" Movie Night & Cookie Potluck- Dec. 18
Come celebrate the JOY of Christmas with your church family Friday night, December 18. We'll be showing the hilarious movie, "Elf," in the Sanctuary, starring Will Ferrell. Then after the movie, we'll enjoy a cookie potluck and hot cocoa down in Harmony Hall. So bring a batch of your favorite Christmas cookies and come on down to church to "get your elf on!"
NOTE: The wearing of elf hats, ears and shoes is a perfectly acceptable form of self-expression on such an occasion.

Touching Hearts in Haiti Volunteer Spaces Open
"Touching Hearts in Haiti" Volunteer Spots Open
 
Our global outreach project, in partnership with Heart to Heart International, is now scheduled for March 28 through April 3. The mission is to work on a health care clinic in Leogane, Haiti. Five travelers are confirmed to go and five slots are open to new volunteers. The cost will be approximately $1800 per person. $700 is due immediately, and $600 is due by December 20. The remaining balance will be due January 24th and will be dependent upon our fundraising efforts. Travelers will land in Port-au-Prince and spend the night before leaving for Leogane the next day. There will also be a day of sight seeing in Port-au-Prince at the end of the trip. We are told that Wi-Fi connections are good over there. And all travelers will need a current passport and malaria shot.
If interested please contact Cheryl Schroeder at [email protected] as soon as possible.

 
Got some holiday shopping to do on Amazon?

Many of us do our holiday shopping these days from the comfort and convenience of our own homes using the Amazon marketplace.
Did you know that if you go to our website first, and then enter the Amazon site through our link, the church will then get a small percentage of that purchase?  It's like free money for the church!  And it doesn't have to be a spiritual book or something church-related either. We will get a small percentage of anything you purchase on Amazon, if you go through our site first on your way there. How cool is that?!  It doesn't cost you anything to help support your spiritual community because you were going to shop anyway, weren't you!  Now you can do it and help UCOP at the same time. Just click here and it will take you to the UCOP Amazon access page.  You can also find the Amazon access page from a link on our Homepage as well at www.ucop.org.

So happy shopping and thank you for your support! 
We truly appreciate you.


Women in Unity Meeting - December 19
Women in Unity Saturday Meeting
December 19 in Harmony Hall
10:30 am to 12:30 pm

This month we'll be making jewelry with Gail Simmons and Karen Gains! 
Perfect for homemade gift ideas!

 
Upcoming Special Holiday Services!
Celebrate the Joy of Christmas with your church family!



Release all that no longer serves you and make space your good in 2016!



Declare your intention for the New Year and affirm that truth
by writing it upon your white stone!



 
Guest Speaker December 27 - Michael Perrie
Guest Speaker, Michael Perrie
Sunday, December 27
"Unwrapped Presence"
 
We all have a bit of "imprisoned divine splendor" within us. We shall explore how to unwrap that gift of Presence and let it shine forth in our lives.
 

Michael Perrie is a 3rd year student at Unity Institute and served as our UCOP intern this past summer. Michael entered his first Unity church in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1975. Along the way he has served his deep spiritual calling as a founding board member of the Unity Center of Peace in Chapel Hill, NC; as a spiritual practitioner, chaplain and small group leader for the Living Enrichment Center in Wilsonville, OR; and as a founding board member for New Thought Center for Spiritual Living in Lake Oswego, OR. Michael was first certified as a Spiritual Practitioner in 2003, licensed as a Religious Science Practitioner in 2008 and he most recently served Unity of Beaverton, OR as platform assistant, prayer leader and ministerial intern.
 
Michael has developed professional business, administrative and entrepreneurial experience through establishing and operating two jewelry businesses, one in Boston and one in North Carolina; through licensing and marketing in the financial services industry; and as a public procurement officer for local government in Portland, OR for 16 years.
 
Since arriving at the Village, Michael has gladly served the community as treasurer and student affairs representative for the Student Association Board, as a volunteer for the World Day of Prayer, student chapel services, Vespers services, Daily Word services, and many other volunteer activities. A daily practice of the Living Presence of Spirit is the consistent striving of his life.

 
In the Presence Meditation
This month, experience the special "All Is Calm, All Is Bright" meditation, a traditional favorite for over the last ten years. Bring your family and friends for a transformational holiday experience.  
This meditation provides the opportunity to go into a deep, deep experience of the Presence. Meditation does wonderful things to our human bodies, giving them time to revitalize and heal themselves. At the same time, our souls experience their real, true selves, going to the place inside that is timeless and eternal. After the meditation, there will be a sacred prayer circle to share and honor one another's prayer intentions. You'll experience such serenity you'll want it to go on forever.
 
Class Fee: $15
REGISTER HERE 
 
Debra Baker is a spiritual counselor, energy worker, Reiki master, Oneness blessing giver and teacher who has been helping people heal their lives since 1988. A gifted medium and intuitive, Debra is the author of Amazing Intuition, Expanding Your Most Important Resource, which is available in the UCOP bookstore.
Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University Returns!

 
We all need a plan for our money. Financial Peace University (FPU) is that plan! Through video teaching, class discussions and interactive small group activities, FPU presents biblical, practical steps to get from where you are to where you've dreamed you could be. This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely and much more!
 More than 1.5 million families have taken FPU. The average family completing the course pays off $5,300 in debt and saves $2,700 in just 90 days. That's a $8,000 change in position! Whether you're struggling to make ends meet or you're a millionaire, Financial Peace University has something for you. This isn't some stuffy economics class! You'll laugh as you learn money skills from Dave and participate in entertaining class activities.
 
Rob Jones will be available to talk with you about the class and answer any of your questions at a registration table in Harmony Hall after services on December 13 and January 3. You may also learn more about this amazing class and register for it by visiting
Class Fee: $93
 
Preview Class: Sunday, December 13 at 12:30 pm
 
Rob Jones, MS, MAEd, AFC, CSA is a financial counselor and educator for the Hutchins & Haake CPA firm. Rob holds two master's degrees - one in family financial planning and the other in adult education. He is an Accredited Financial Counselor and specializes in helping families set financial goals then uses proven techniques to help folks reach those goals through dumping debt and planning for the future. Rob is a long-time member of Unity Church of Overland Park and volunteers to coordinate the Financial Peace University course as a way to share his time and talent with the church and community. We offer FPU at this time of year because folks are focused on their New Year's resolutions of getting their financial life in order and getting organized and Financial Peace University can be a great benefit in reaching those goals. If you have questions about the course, you can reach Rob at 913 620-7148.
 
Joining Rob as co-coordinators for this course will be Deb and Jim Filby. The Filbys have been attending UCOP since 1999. Deb has served on the Board of Directors and is currently a prayer chaplain and the Volunteer Coordinator. They have completed Financial Peace University (FPU) and are happy to help you work through any questions you might have about the program.


Yoganetics Fall Series
Begin again. 
With each breath we are rewriting the body.  Yoganetics is a
core-based, slow-motion approach to increasing flexibility, reducing stress, and relieving chronic pain.  
Poet Laureate of Kansas Emeritus, Wyatt Townley, has been teaching Yoganetics for decades.  Her Yoganetics book was deemed an "Editor's Choice" by Yoga Journal, and her work has been featured in Self, Dance Magazine, Parents, Body and Soul and The New York Times. 
 
To learn more, call (913) 381-1984, or go to www.yoganetics.com
(Note: this class closes with a waiting list, so register early.)

 
Changes to Couples Group Brunches
There will be no Couples group Brunches in December.  Brunches will resume in January 2016, but they will be on every SECOND Sunday, rather than on 3rd SundaysSo the first one will be January 10, 2016.

The UCOP Couples Group meets for brunch every month at the First Watch restaurant at College Boulevard and Highway 69 in the private dining area. It's fun, food and fellowship! Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Singles Group Sunday Brunch 
Singles Group

Want to connect with other singles at Unity Church of Overland Park? Each Sunday at 12:30 this group meets at various local restaurants. Put these dates and locations on your schedule. We'd love to have you join us. 
  
                 
December 13 - Bo Lings, 9055 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park
December 20 - Jose Peppers, 10316 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park
December 27- HyVee Buffet, 8501 W. 95th St, Overland Park
 
 

Contact Linda Brozanic for more information at 913-219-7538.
Please arrive at the restaurant no later than 12:45. 
  
CommUnity Books & Gifts
20% off   
Everything in the Store    
in December!   
 
Bookstore hours: Monday-Thursday 12 to 5pm
Friday & Saturday closed /Sunday 8:30am to 1:00pm

Donate
Does Unity Church of Overland Park feed you spiritually? Your gifts and tithes are greatly appreciated and lovingly accepted. Gifts are made through PayPal, a safe and secure way to make online donations. Make an online donation today. 
 
New Artists in the Spotlight Gallery
 
For the months of
November and December,
we feature the works of
The Senior Arts Council


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Small Groups Webpage
You can view all the latest information on our new small groups on our website. Learn what groups have formed and how to get involved with them. Learn what steps you can take if you're interested in forming a new small group yourself.  You can find the Small Groups page under the "Get Involved" tab of our website homepage at www.ucop.org.  Or, you can just click right here!
 
About Us
Unity Church of Overland Park
10300 Antioch Rd., Overland Park, Kansas 66212
913.649.1750, www.ucop.org

Office Hours:     Monday-Thursday:  9am to 5pm
Building Hours:  Sunday  8am to 1pm; Monday-Thursday: 9am to 9pm
 
We offer practical, spiritual teachings that empower abundant and meaningful living.