Unity Newsletter 06/29/2022

This Fourth of July weekend, Rev. Jane Hiatt will be delivering a talk titled, “How do you Identify? Freedom Depends on Your Answer.”

As we get ready to celebrate Independence Day, it’s worth considering the source of our freedom. Certainly, the laws of any land create opportunities and restrictions. But spiritual independence is not contingent on political waves or elected leaders. It begins with how we identify. This is a core Unity belief. Let’s explore it in more detail this Sunday.

Youth Program

Our elementary kids were MIA last Sunday, so Genesis Ilada will be leading the same lesson from last week. The kids will be exploring what it means to embody the energy of a nest. If our lives are a nest, what are the “eggs” we want to lay and nurture? Perhaps kindness? Courage? They’ll be considering and expressing.

And for the Bigger Kids!

The Women’s Walking Group meets Wednesday mornings at 10:00 AM.  See the calendar for more details and RSVP to Suzanne or call 805-729-2916.

This is a chance to get out there and get some sunshine, friendship, and good conversation.

The Men’s Group meets the 1st and 3rd Mondays at 6:00 PM, at Unity.

This is a spiritual discussion and service group of men who are seeking connection and friendship of like-minded individuals. All are welcome.

Wander and Wonder Groups – Interested?

Rev. Jane is planning a Spirit Group experience for mid-July through August and is interested in gauging your interest. This could be simply one Spirit Group or multiple groups. Adapting from the old Witchwalking tradition, her idea is that the walk “in” toward the chosen destination is an inward time of silence and walking meditation, recharging in nature, perhaps loosely holding a particular question or concern. At some point, we would stop and spend some time with our journals. Then, over a picnic, we would share our writing or our general experience on the walk as well as a check-in for the week. The way back would be a time of conversation and connection. The walking trail would vary each week. This would be open to any adult. A particular group could include children who have the ability to be mostly silent for the inward walk, as well as dogs who are friendly. Recognizing that people take vacation in the summer, you could be part of this group even if you have to miss a week or two. Her questions for you are:

1. Are you interested in being part of such a group?
2. When (days/times) would you be available?
3. What is your level of walking endurance?
4. Would this be of greater interest to you if you could include kids or dogs? Or would you hope to avoid either kids or dogs for this experience?
5. If you want to participate, are you away any (and which?) weeks from mid-July through August?
6. If there is enough interest for multiple groups, are you willing to be the coordinator for one of them?

If you are interested, please contact Rev. Jane this week and we’ll go from there!

Food and Fellowship

Bring some food to share at our after service potluck 😁. We’ll provide the coffee and tea!

Meet Dave for Singing Practice!

Wednesday, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Location: Unity Sanctuary

Music Director Dave Finch holds a dedicated music practice for anyone who wants to sing with Solshine on Sundays.  No prior experience needed.  Just show up with your beautiful self and willingness to sing a song!

Every Wednesday from 7-8:30 in the sanctuary.

Help Us Get the Word Out!

If you love our Unity Spiritual Community and think others would too, please spread the word. You can “like”, comment, and share our posts on Facebook and Instagram and/or hang some beautiful message cards on doors in your neighborhood. If you want to help with door-hangers, contact Gayle Zeigler.

Member Appreciation 🙏🏽

This week we are giving a shout out to Karen Reddick. Karen isn’t actually a member of Unity Community of Central Oregon because she’s a member of Unity of Olympia and is their Social Media Manager. She is also Webmaster for our Unity NW Region.  So, you might be thinking, “Hey, why is an outsider getting this week’s appreciation?!”  Well, in Unity there are of course no outsiders — 😊.  Besides, while Kevin and Clare Kubota have been traveling, Karen has been doing our website and newsletter work and she has been doing such a fabulous job that we plan to keep her even after they return!  She’s the one who comes up with the great pictures and images for the newsletter. Thank you Karen for all you do for our Unity movement.

Unity Member Spiritual Adventures

Speaking of those rascally Kubota’s here’s an update from their spiritual foodie adventures in Peru with a number of our fellow Unity Community of Central Oregon members.

Unity members, Clare and Kevin Kubota, Lorraine and Lawrence Schechter, and Karen Vela are in the middle of a Spiritual Adventure Tour in Peru! This photo is in Ollantaytambo, which is one of the most important and spiritually rich ancient cities in Peru. The group of 14 travelers donated chickens and pigs to a small mountain village community and it was a gift that keeps on giving. The beautiful people welcomed them so graciously and it brought tears to their eyes. Next stop for the group, Machu Picchu! The group took time at every opportunity with their local guide to take in the beauty of this amazing place, pray together, and soak in the radiant Spiritual energy. It is amazing how Unity principles are so beautifully aligned with ancient Spiritual principles as well. The ancients believe there are three essences of life that we can give and receive: time, energy, and Love. We are all One!

Solstice Labyrinth Walk at UCCO

Please enjoy this video from our Summer Solstice Ritual by Bend Health Guide.

GOD SENSE

By Ande Cardwell

I sit

In Silence

And know that I am God.

I Feel

Nothing,

but the warmth of Creation

Taste

Nothing,

but the sweetness of Divinity

Smell

Nothing,

but the breath of my Being

Hear

Nothing,

but the symphony of Eternity

I See

Nothing,

I See nothing

I Just sit

In Silence

And know that I am God.