Sunday Service: Sunday, April 24th at 10:00 AM
Practicing Inclusivity in a World of Divisions – with Dr. Shariff Abdullah
This Sunday, Dr. Shariff Abdullah will deliver a talk titled, “Practicing Inclusivity in a World of Divisions”
It’s relatively easy to practice “We are One” on Sundays. Our challenge is to practice inclusivity with people who are not like us… and who also DON’T like us! Talking about inclusivity makes you look “spiritual”. However, the real challenge is actually practicing inclusivity in a world that makes it so easy for us to separate from each other. The practice of inclusivity is vital to Shariff’’s VISION for a world that works for all living beings.
The Friday before service, Dr. Abdullah will also be providing a deep-thinking talk about these wild times we are living in called “Welcoming the Wave.”
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.
“Welcoming the Wave” with open Q and A on Friday, April 22, 2022 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
And finally, he will be implementing A Workshop Deep Dive into the 12 Steps of Inclusivity, Saturday, April 23, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
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. 😊😷
ACT Ministry
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.
See the Unity CO website classes and workshops page for more information.
Beer and Good Works!
April 27th, 6:30pm
Worthy Brewing Eastside, Bend Oregon
Before COVID landed we had a vibrant and growing EarthCare team, with regular potlucks, great info. sessions and FUN! We want to get that good stuff rolling again. So, we thought we’d try something a little different and just get together at a local brewery to see where we want to go from here.
Please join Cylvia Hayes, Anne Marie Ecklund, Donna Benjamin, George Lemagie, Ande Cardwell and other members or our EarthCare and ACT Teams for a beer, or a non-beer, and a great discussion about where we want our service for the Greater Good to go from here.
Youth Programs Resuming!
On May 1 we will get our weekly Sunday kids’ program up and running on a regular basis. Your kids are welcome to invite friends whose families don’t go to Unity. When it comes to spiritual growth, more is wonderful!
Would you love to volunteer with the kids of any age? If you enjoy kids and are passionate about supporting a new generation in growing up knowing the power within them, please contact Rev. Jane.
Dropping Bottles to Support our Unity Youth just got easier!
Unity Community of Central Oregon has a BottleDrop account and when you drop blue bags with our barcode on it, the funds go into our youth program.
Dropping off your BottleDrop bags in Bend just got easier. There are now four locations to drop off your Green and Blue Bags in Bend and Redmond. In addition to the Bend and Redmond BottleDrop Redemption Centers, BottleDrop Express sites are now available in Bend at the 3rd Street Albertsons (1800 NE 3rd Street) and the Bend Fred Meyer (61535 S Hwy 97).
The BottleDrop Express sites at 3rd Street Albertsons and Bend Fred Meyer include a drop door for Green and Blue Bags exactly like the drop doors located at full-service redemption centers, and also include a BottleDrop kiosk inside the stores to access an existing account, create a new account, print bag tag labels, and get funds through cash vouchers or by Pushing Plus to get an extra 20% in store credit. Green Bags can also be purchased at these locations. Additionally, you can visit Newport Avenue Market (1121 NW Newport Ave.) to purchase Green Bags and use the BottleDrop kiosk inside the store to access your account and print bag tag labels. Please note: this location does not include a bag drop door.

“Hour of Power” Sacred Song Sound and Healing
Starting May 1, (and ongoing approximately the first Sunday of each month).
This is a hybrid event (online and physical) at Unity of Central Oregon
Cost: Suggested donation $10-25. No one turned away for lack of funds
Come live or join the live stream for our first “Hour of Power”.
On May 1st, we will offer 60-90 mins of powerful sacred song, sound bath, and immersion. Come join us and receive the gift of Healing Frequencies that will transport us to peace and beauty…
SPIRIT in POETRY Events!
Poetry Sharing Gathering
April 23rd, 6:30 – 8:30pm
Unity Community of Central Oregon
Poetic Presence presents: Unmasked: A Springtime Poetry Event for All. Share your original poems or written favorites at this open mic for poetry and spoken word. Your hosts Donna Benjamin and William Gregory will usher you into your magnificence at this lively soirée!
Deep Dive Poetry Workshop
April 30th, 10:30am to 1pm
At Unity Community of Central Oregon
Cost: Sliding scale $35 — $50
Learn how to craft and read poems in this in person workshop facilitated by local poets and educators, Donna Benjamin and William Gregory. No poetry experience necessary.
To register and RSVP email here
Special Visit with author, Gregg Levoy!
We are psyched to have the amazing Gregg Levoy with us May 15th! He will be our featured Sunday speaker and will provide an in-depth workshop right after service.
Gregg Levoy is the author of “Callings: Finding and Following An Authentic Life”—rated among the “Top 20 Career Publications” by the Workforce Information Group—and “Vital Signs: The Nature and Nurture of Passion“. He has keynoted at the Unity Worldwide Ministries Conference, the Smithsonian Institution, Environmental Protection Agency, International Conference on Positive Aging, Microsoft, American Counseling Association, and others, and has appeared on ABC-TV, CNN, NPR, and PBS. Gregg is a former adjunct professor of journalism at the University of New Mexico, former columnist and reporter for USA Today and the Cincinnati Enquirer, and is now a regular blogger for Psychology Today Magazine.
Here is info on his workshop: Callings: In Search of an Authentic Life, with Gregg Levoy
May 15, 12:30-3:30 pm
This is a 3-hour workshop at Unity of Central Oregon
Cost: $30
Callings are urgings from spirit that tell us what it will take to make our lives literally “come true,” pointing us toward awakenings, course-corrections, and powerful authenticity. They could involve a career change or creative leap, taking on a new role or letting go of an old one, or launching a new venture.
While honoring callings’ essential mystery, we’ll explore what they ask of us, how we tell the true call from the false, how we handle our resistance to it, what happens when we say no, and what happens when we say yes?
Death and Resurrection
David King, one of our members, left his body behind on April 13, on his way to his next adventure. After years of chronic illness, he spent his last hours in the beautiful new hospice house, in the company of his longtime partner, Jill Nishball and their new pup Dodger. David was a kind and curious man with a good sense of humor who helped many people along his life’s way.
IT’S ALL MADE UP ANYWAY
By Donna Benjamin
Yes, it’s time
Time for renewal
Time to roll back the rock and emerge victorious
We’ve seen
We’ve witnessed
We’ve cringed
At the current reality
It’s harsh
It’s cruel
It’s truly unacceptable
So
Yes
It’s time
For you see it’s all made up anyway
So why not make it glorious
Full of compassion
Light
Wisdom
Caring
Why not drop the violence
The pain
The suffering
And welcome
The joy
The peace
The love
Why not
That’s for you to decide
The avatars before you
Were asking
Imploring
Encouraging
Sometimes pleading with you
To stand in your power
Your grace
Your knowing
Roll back the rock
And emerge with the Divine seeing
That you embody
We can tumble
Fumble
Crumble
Or start a rumble of reinvention
Where children are fed
Land is restored
And peace reigns
Who are we not to embrace this vision
Let’s make it our reality
From this day forward
Standing on the shoulders of our wisdom keepers
Let’s not let them down
Walk in faith
Walk in truth
Walk in strength
And turn this ship around
Visualize the horizon of your dreams
It’s all made up anyway
Why not make it beautiful
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
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