Unity Newsletter 03/30/2022

Several weeks ago, Susan delivered a wonderful talk about the black blazer she had bought, thinking she would wear it while doing public speaking. But, alas, the blazer hung in her closet for years. Until, finally, she was struck with inspiration and courage, donned the blazer and delivered her first Unity talk! This Sunday she is soaring again with a talk she describes as, “What I left out of part 1!”. She’ll be sharing her wisdom on Non-Duality and Oneness along with her warmth and delightful sense of humor.

Rainbow Wedding Network

We have joined the Rainbow Wedding Network, which is a network of venues, vendors, and ministers who are happy to serve LGBTQ couples seeking marriage and union ceremonies.  Our lovely sanctuary is so perfect for this.  Of course, we do weddings for folks who don’t identify as LGBTQ as well.

Please pass this along to your friends.  Here’s a link to our listing.  —  https://www.rainbowweddingnetwork.com/ceremony-venues/oregon/bend/unity-community-of-central-oregon

Bring Food Donations for The Bend Food Project This Sunday

Member Anna Thedford will be picking up food donations this Sunday after service. There are needs for kids lunches: Individual sizes of soup/chili/stew, mac and cheese cups, individual drink boxes, granola bars, and trail mix or items to make trail mix. General pantry items are also needed. Here are a few ideas: Pasta and pasta sauce (sauce in plastic if at all possible), condiments, Mexican food, soup/chili, canned fruit and vegetables, canned meats (tuna/chicken/beef), and baby formula. Thank you!

Calling all Songsters!

Starting this Wednesday: Open Singing Practices Wednesdays 7– 8:30pm, at Unity

Dave Finch is going to start having a dedicated music practice for anyone who wants to sing with Solshine. Wednesdays from 7-8:30 in the sanctuary. No registration is needed – just show up with your beautiful self.

Dr. Shariff Abdullah Guest Visit to Unity

Around the world, humanity is currently experiencing an unprecedented transformation of human societies… “The Wave”. Most of us are ignoring it, running from it in fear, or desperately trying to hold on to the status quo. And a few of us are reaching out to embrace it! We few will be the leaders of our new, transformed societies. The Wave is dangerous… unless, of course, you learn how to surf it! In this positive and spiritually uplifting talk, Dr. Shariff Abdullah charts our path ahead over the next few months, and explores how YOU can prepare for unprecedented change!

Join the visionary and engaging Dr. Shariff Abdullah for a series of events at Unity Community of Central Oregon.

· A talk on “Welcoming the Wave” with open Q and A on Friday, April 22, 2022 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

· A Workshop Deep Dive into the 12 Steps of Inclusivity, Saturday April 23, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

· A talk on Practicing Inclusivity in a World of Divisions, Sunday April 24, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.

New Member Orientation – April 10th right after service at 11:45am

For those who are curious or considering membership at Unity Spiritual Community of Central Oregon, this is a chance to sit down with Rev. Jane and ask questions, learn more about us, and meet other folks who are newer to Unity.

It’s helpful if you explore the membership section of our website before this meeting so you have a basic understanding of who we are. Click here Unity Membership

There is no cost involved however we ask that you let us know you are coming so that we know how many to expect and also to let us know if you will need childcare.

Our Wonderful Women’s group is starting up again!

Unity’s Women’s Group is starting up again, beginning with Wednesday Walks. Contact Susannne Landry to get on the list!

Join Us for our IN-PERSON Mini Potluck After Service

We’ll provide the coffee and tea and we ask that you bring a snack to share when you can. Breaking bread together is a wonderful way to connect, build community, and well, eat!  Volunteers are always needed for set up and clean up. If you have time to help by staying a little later or arriving early we encourage you to do so!

Greetings from Afar – Unity Across Miles!

Our Unity Community of Central Oregon family does indeed have some great adventures.  This week we were sent a hello from our dear member Charlotte Oakes, who along with her husband, Dan Pebbles —another dear Unity member, is playing in Belize.  This fish is nearly as big as Charlotte is.  Thanks you two for all you do for our community and HAVE FUN!  Send a little love to the magnificent ocean from us here in the high desert.

When any of you are out and about on adventure, celebrating abundance and this magnificent planet, send us a pic so we can celebrate you, and celebrate with you.

DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL

By Donna Benjamin

I am going through a dark night of the soul

And I need not be afraid, nor you

Not my first and possibly not my last

Difference is before the journey was so dark I could see no light at all

This time I know the light exists and it is mine to recapture

Yet sometimes our minds, bodies and souls need to rest

To step away from the ho hum of daily life patterns 

And engage in an unearthing of longheld junk

Junk? you might ask

Yes junk

The untrue thoughts

The stinkin’ thinkin’

The habits of sabotage

The blaming, shaming, judging

Ourselves and others

We sit

We notice

We digest

We synthesize 

We get perspective 

And then we act

For if we act out of the darkness

More darkness appears

If we are patient and sit with the seemingly unwanted emotions

Then we are free to be free of them

But not until we sit, we feel and we release

The light IS there

It always is

It’s within my reach

It’s within yours

No need for sympathy or pity

Just empathy and compassion 

For the dark night of the soul is what illuminates the path to wholeness 

My beacon is just a little dimmer for now

But my poetic words bring me to my knees in hope and self love 

A soothing balm on a stormy sea

The boat will steady again

For now though it’s a-rocking 

And that’s okay

Member Appreciation 🙏🏽

Sarah Jones

Sarah Jones, our newest member has a heart for service and when she commits, she is all in. Her big question was how could she be of service? One week after asking the question, she was on the team for greeters and the team for cleaners! Now she is signing up for classes with an eye toward getting credentials that will allow her to serve the spiritual needs of the community. She is passionate about spiritual community and we are so blessed to count her as one of us. Thank you, Sarah!