Sunday Service: Uncovering Your Soul’s Purpose, Part 2 – with Susan Warnick
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.
Sunday, April 3rd at 10:00 AM – In-Person & Livestreaming on UnityCentralOregon.org
We’re back to having in-person service and we are also Live-streaming on our website using Zoom! You can watch even if you don’t have a Zoom account (you don’t even have to fix your hair!). It will also be available as a recording in the video library on our website and on Facebook later that day.
Since the Oregon mask mandate was lifted on March 11th we will no longer require masks at our in-person service. We encourage those that still feel more comfortable wearing a mask to continue to do so. Whatever feels right for you is the choice we encourage you to go with. 😊😷
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!
Have Something You Think We Should Include in Our Newsletter?
An appreciation, blog content, poem, event, or class? If it fits our guidelines we’re happy to share it. Contact Cylvia Hayes.
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