Sunday Service: The Story of the Week Before Easter: Messages to Guide Our Lives – with Rev. Jane Hiatt
This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week according to the traditional Christian liturgical calendar. Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, and Good Friday are the big events leading up to Easter in the Gospel story. I emphasize the word story because none of this story is factual history. However, as a sacred story that has endured 2000 years, we are wise to examine the messages packed into the story. What are the lessons that can guide our lives as we reflect on the way the master teacher Jesus faced the challenges before him as he sought to express his life purpose?
Sunday, April 10th 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. 😊😷
New Member Orientation – this Sunday right after service at 11:45am
For anyone interested in becoming a member of our Unity Community or just learning more, please plan to stay after service this Sunday for an orientation with Rev. Jane.
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.
Youth Programs
Wednesday, April 20, right after Easter, we’ll be resurrecting our youth program for middle schoolers and teens. We’ll meet each week from 3:30-5:00. Plan to drop off your kids. They can invite their friends too!
We are looking for individuals willing to be with our 5-10 year olds, even once a month. As soon as we have some volunteers, we’ll begin that program again. This is a tremendous service and a commitment to the multi-generational aspect of our mission!
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.
ACT Ministry
Shout out to member Russell Simpson and his great work
Well, look who made headlines this week! The Giving Plate and Around the Bend Farms were the front page story in the Bend Bulletin. Unity Community of Central Oregon regularly supports these organizations and Around the Bend Farms is managed by our very own awesome member and greeter Russell Simpson. Way to go! Around the Bend Farms is also our community tithe recipient for the first quarter so we’ll be presenting the check to them on Sunday!
Come help us GET OUR ACT TOGETHER
It’s time to reconvene in-person our ACT (Action Compassion and Transformation) and EarthCare teams for a potluck and general catch-up and planning next steps.
April 17th right after service.
Please join us to discuss the many activities and events we are planning for our Season of the Earth that runs from early April through early June. Please bring a dish, your lovely self, and your brilliance to Unity and stay after service to get our EarthCare and ACTivities lined up.
OK, OK, I’ll stop with the punning – couldn’t help myself!
– Cylvia
Sacred Eco-Nomics: Create a Beautiful Economy that Works for all Beings
As part of our Season of the Earth, Cylvia Hayes will be offering a Sacred Economics workshop on April 28th, 6 – 8pm. Online via Zoom.
National and global economic systems, based on materialism, consumption and limitless growth, are wreaking havoc on Nature and keeping millions trapped in poverty or unsatisfying, dead-end jobs. There is a better way! The New Economy movement is robust and gaining momentum as more and more people, entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations say “enough is enough” and get busy creating healthier ways of making a living and doing business. Explore some of the current norms in status quo economic systems that need a change-up. Let’s dive into some of the exciting alternatives and learn how we can help make the shift from an economics of separation to an economics of reunion, respect and love.
Nehemiah Service Week
Rev Jane is looking for 13 other individuals from our community to join her and Jeff at Unity Village April 16-21, 2023 for a Nehemiah Retreat. We will be volunteering to help with maintenance and repairs–painting, planting flowers, and more. In return, we are given free room and board and a firsthand experience of the amazing place where founders Charles and Myrtle Fillmore and so many other Unity leaders have lived. The Village is truly an amazing experience. You can get more information at https://www.unityvillage.org/events/nehemiah. Please let Rev. Jane know you are interested.
Awakening Consciousness
By Donna Benjamin
The bud on the branch is dormant for awhile
It sleeps until it can no longer be still
It wants to grow and open up to the new possibilities of blossoming
Just like us
We rest, sleep, ponder, ruminate
Until we no longer can sit still with our magnificence
Our true purpose on earth
To live, to love, to awaken bugs us enough
That we must emerge from the cocoon of uncertainty
To shine, to share, to be in the oneness
Of all Humanity
It is inevitable
Yet not predictable when exactly
That is the divine mystery
The timing of our awakening
Be patient
Be true to self-exploration and expression
And like the bud
You will fully bloom into your beingness
Where all is well
Miracles are abundant
And life is delicious
Member Shout Out!
Kevin Kubota
Our awesome Kevin Kubota, who has masterminded our own awesome audio-visual system was a key presenter at the recent Unity Worldwide Ministries Tech Conference. He presented sessions on “A Completely Mac-Based Church System” (which is what Unity CO now has) and “Creating a More Professional Presentation” as well as served on a panel session. Great stuff Kevin! Thank you for all you bring to our Unity Central Oregon community and our Unity Worldwide movement.
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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Unity Community
We are a vibrant, welcoming, multi-generational, prosperous community – embodying Love and awakening Spiritual consciousness!
