enews
 
TONIGHT
New Year's Eve Burning Bowl Service
Join us this evening at 7 pm
with Reverend Brandon Nagel 
and Reverend Jan Stromseth 
     
Tonight we release all that which no longer serves our highest good and let go of 2015 as we look forward into the New Year!
Kelly Potter lends her beautiful voice to this sacred evening.
We look forward to seeing you there!


Sign language interpreter available

Then be sure to come back Sunday morning for our very popular White Stone Sunday Services.
 
Discern your intention for 2016 and claim it as your own
by writing it upon your white stone.
Vocalist, Molly Hammer, kicks off the New Year with Fred Albers and our amazing band!

See you there!
 
    
Touching Hearts in Haiti Volunteer Spaces Open
"Touching Hearts in Haiti" Volunteer Spots Open
 
The Unity Church of Overland Park global outreach project, "Touching Hearts in Haiti," in partnership with Heart to Heart International, is now scheduled for March 28 through April 3.
We were blessed to receive guidance and support from Church of the Resurrection in the use of their well-tested mission program and procedures as a resource in developing our own mission program. The mission is to work on a health care clinic in Leogane, Haiti.
Five travelers are confirmed to go from UCOP and five slots are open to new volunteers within the Greater Kansas City Unity community. The cost will be approximately $1800 per person. $700 is due immediately, and $600 is due by January 15. The remaining $600 balance will be due February 15 and will be dependent upon our fundraising efforts.
Travelers to Haiti 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 cheryl_j25@hotmail.com as soon as possible.
The "Taste of Haiti" fundraising dinner and reception, hosted by Chef Gary Hild, is scheduled for Saturday evening,
January 16 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Additional tickets for that event will be available online HERE and after services on Sundays, January 3 and 10.
Tickets are $25/person or two for $45.

 
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
 
 
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.


Rev. Brandon's Installation - January 31

Join with your UCOP family in officially and formally blessing Reverend Brandon Nagel into service as our new Senior Minister. Reverend Patricia Bass will return to officiate this sacred ceremony, during which we not only bless Rev. Brandon, but also have an opportunity as a community to commit with Rev. Brandon, the staff and the board to the vision and mission of this church that we all love so much.


And to celebrate Reverend Brandon's big day, the Men's Group would like to treat the entire congregation to a homemade breakfast with eggs and bacon and sausage and and fruit and pancakes and "all the fixin's" you can imagine!  So don't fill up at home that Sunday morning.  Bring your appetite and help us celebrate our new Senior Minister!



In the Presence "Twelve Powers" Meditation
As we explore the 12 Powers in 2016, described by Charles Fillmore as "expressions of the divine power inherent in each of us," Debra Baker will lead a deep meditation each month to help us expand and explore these innate gifts. Individually, we find ourselves with stronger abilities to utilize some of these powers over others. Through meditation we will discover (and uncover) on a profoundly spiritual level the presence of each power and learn how to further develop and use it in our daily lives. Completely guided by Spirit, these monthly sessions will provide insight into ourselves and a deeper connection with Source and one another.

For the month of January the power is Faith.
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.
 
World Premier Workshop Event January 9

Unity Worldwide Ministries has partnered with the Pachamama Alliance to create "Awakening the Dreamer Through Unity," a 3½-hour workshop whose purpose is to bring forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, socially just human presence on this planet. This powerful event, which has been presented in over 70 countries in 12 languages, has been tailored specifically for Unity congregations to assist with integrating an earth-oriented spirituality into their ministries.
 
As founder Lynne Twist says, "It's clear when two organizations like Unity and the Pachamama Alliance can align in action that a powerful force is unleashed in the world.  Such is this moment. I'm thrilled to see our partnership manifested now with Unity adaptations of Pachamama Alliance tools and strategies that can spread far and wide through the Unity network, awakening many thousands more people into action for our shared vision."
 
 
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.)

 
In the Presence Meditation
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.
 
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.
 
SEE Core Credit Class Available in January
In this course students will experience the rewarding process of Bible interpretation. Students will explore the basic principles involved in interpreting texts and making meaning from a theological perspective. They will learn what metaphysical interpretation is, how to interpret a Bible story metaphysically and apply the meaning to their lives. Selected stories from Acts to Revelation will be read and interpreted from a variety of modern critical and contemplative viewpoints.
 
Required Texts: Bible (NRSV or NET preferred)
The Metaphysical Bible Dictionary, by Charles Fillmore
 
Recommended Texts:
Be Ye Transformed, by Elizabeth Sand Turner
Wisdom for a Lifetime, by Alden Studebaker
 
Jesse Tanner is an ordained Unity minister and professor of Scriptural and Religious Studies at Unity Institute and Seminary. He holds an M.T.S. in New Testament and a Ph.D. in History and Philosophy of Religion. His research interests are centered on religious pluralism, interfaith dialogue and textual interpretation. Jesse enjoys conversation, coffee, hiking, playing music and spending time with his wife and son.
Men's Group Breakfasts for January & February
Men's Group Breakfast - 8 to 10 am
1st Saturdays in Harmony Hall
Please join the Unity Men's Group 8:00 - 10:00 am the first Saturday of each month for a delicious breakfast with eggs, bacon, pancakes and "all the fixin's." Good food and conversation precede each month's programming.

January 9th Roger Abbott will be discussing Food Safety in the U.S.
February 6th will feature Curt Straub on Arbitration and Mediation.
 
About the January 9th Program:
When you buy food from a grocer, whether frozen, refrigerated, vacuum-packed, canned, twist-tied, pre-cooked, or displayed whole and raw in the vegetable aisle, you never have to wonder whether it's safe to feed to your family-you know it is.
But still, you read the news: Listeria in Blue Bunny ice cream, salmonella in peanut butter, E. coli in spinach. These headlines grab a lot of attention. Make no mistake: food-borne illness is real, and it can kill. Nevertheless, stories like these are newsworthy precisely because they are the exception rather than the rule. The US food supply is the safest in the world.
The modern approach to food safety was not invented by Betty Crocker or Julia Child or the lunch lady with the mustache from your grade school; it was in fact developed in the 1960's by NASA engineers working on the space program, who realized a case of food poisoning could scuttle the mission and possibly kill the astronaut. The methods and protocols developed back then now form the basis for ensuring food safety world-wide.
Nevertheless, consumers and retailers demand more. Larger retailers like Costco and Walmart insist their food suppliers pass special food safety audits that go way beyond simple regulatory compliance, and even beyond the principles developed by NASA. Every aspect of food production needs to be controlled, from the safety standards of ingredient suppliers to the nightmare of intentional contamination by a terrorist or disgruntled employee.
Since 2005, Rodger Abbott of Abbott Consulting Group has been working with food manufacturers to help develop and document food safety processes and "best practices" to avoid food contamination, and to make sure clients have emergency recall plans in place before they need them.
 
CPR and AED Training - January 21

 
with Tricia Roberts of the Overland Park Fire Department
Course designed by the American Heart Association
 
Learning CPR can save the life of someone you love or even someone you don't know. You never know when you're going to need it, but when you do, it's too late to learn. An hour and a half of your time is so little to give to save someone's life. Register for the training at the Men's group table in
Harmony Hall after services on January 10 & 17. 
New Spotlight Gallery Artist in January & February
Our January & February
Spotlight Gallery Artist,
Charalyn Bishop
 


Artist Statement: It was late night television when I saw the first commercial. "Relax," it said. "Adult Coloring Books are the perfect way to unwind..." ("Adult" meaning intricate patterns as opposed to x-rated pictures.)
 
Relaxed is not what I felt when I colored my first page. Obsession, compassion, exhilaration, accomplishment
but it was definitely not relaxing! Please enjoy and may they bring a smile to your face.
 
Charalyn Bishop has her Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in color and design elements from the University of Missouri. She has attended continuing education classes at Washington University and the Graphic Arts Institute in St. Louis and the Kansas City Art Institute.   She started as Art Director of KDNL TV30 in St. Louis in 1969. After four years, she moved to Kansas City as Art Director of KCTV5. After nine years, she moved into television management as a Promotion/Marketing Director. She moved around the Midwest to one CBS and two NBC affiliates.   Ms. Bishop came back to Kansas City and went into broadcasting sales. She currently sells websites, reputation management services and other internet services geared to help small businesses.
 
All "Colorings" are for sale unless otherwise indicated. The 11 X 14 matted and framed drawings are a combination of colored pencil, fine point markers and gel pens and the designs vary from nondescript designs, fantasy, flowers and animals.
To contact Ms. Bishop: charalynmbishop@gmail.com or call 913-980-6949.
 
Changes to Couples Group Brunches
  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 couples@ucop.org 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. 
  
                 
January 3 - Talk of the Town, 11922 W. 119th St.
January 10- Five Guys Burgers & Fries, 12025 Metcalf Ave.
January 17- J Alexanders, 11471 Metcalf Ave.
January 24- First Watch, 9916 College Blvd.
January 31 - Five Pie Pizza, 9133 Metcalf Ave
February 7 - K-Machos, 11741 Metcalf Ave.
February 14 - The Peanut, 7938 Santa Fe Drive, Downtown OP
February 21 - Jack's Stack Barbecue, 9520 Metcalf Ave.
February 28 - Le Peep, 7936 Quivira Rd.
 
   

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  
Personal Growth Books
in January 
 
Bookstore hours: Monday-Thursday 12 to 5pm
Friday & Saturday closed /Sunday 8:30am to 1:00pm

Got some shopping to do on Amazon?

Many of us do our 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.


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.