Finding your Ikigai and Moai

With Kevin Kubota

Curious? You should be! These Japanese concepts have been significant in growing one of the happiest and healthiest communities at the top of the Blue Zone culture list for many years. The good news is that these “secrets” are available to each and every one of us, no matter what color zone we live in :-). What if we could work on these principles together and create a worldwide Blue Zone? Wouldn’t that be amazing? Smile, Blue is beautiful!

Bring a snack to share at our after service buffet 😁

Youth Programs

Little Ones –

The nursery is open for little ones up to 4 years old. We have a fun new addition in our nursery – come let your little ones check that out!

Elementary aged kids –

The Lumindorf adventure continues with capes, wands, adventures, and finding your magic, led by Leia!

Teens –

The teens will be meeting from 4:00 to 6:30 PM at Bend Church in downtown Bend to finally do their postponed holiday party and white elephant gift exchange.

In other teen news, we are excited to share that the staff at Suttle Lake are hosting a state-wide youth retreat, and we’d love to get a group together to go. The retreat is February 18-20, and we can send middle and high-school youth; some of our youth group staff/pastors will attend as chaperones. Kids can expect great meals, small group time, spiritual grounding, and plenty of games and time outdoors (tubing hill!) with our own small group as well as with youth from around the state. You can find out more information HERE. Please email Erika at directly if your kiddo is interested and we will begin formally registering people soon!

Sunday Sound Bath

Every Sunday at 5:30 PM at Unity

Led by Lisa Swisher and friends. At the beginning of class, you will be asked to quietly set intentions for what you would like to release and what you would like to allow into your life. Please wear comfy clothing, bring a yoga mat, pillow, blanket (if needed), and a desire to be uplifted and transported through sacred sound!

Please pay at the door: $10-$20 sliding scale

Have You Renewed Your Membership? Are You Interested In Learning About Becoming a Member?

Just go to the link below to renew or let us know you’re interested in learning more about membership. There are a few other questions on there as well, so answer all that apply to you. It will take just a couple minutes of your time.

Warm Clothing & Camping Gear Drive

Sunday, January 22nd at Unity

This is an opportunity to share with our unhoused neighbors in the Redmond community. Jericho Road has 6 programs that serve this population. One of the programs is outreach. A dedicated group of volunteers takes basic necessities out “in the field ” every Friday morning. That program is in need of gently used warm long sleeved shirts, long pants, waterproof items, socks, boots, coats, gloves, hats, and camping gear and blankets for men and women living out in the elements. The most needed items is men’s clothing. Bring donation items to Sunday service on Jan. 22nd. Thank you Margaret King for setting this up.

Season of Non-violence Book Read and Discussion

Tomorrow, January 19th at 10:00 AM at Unity

We’d like to invite you to join us in a Season of Nonviolence book study group as part of Central Oregon Community College’s Chandler Lecture Series and Unity Spiritual Community’s ACT social and enviro justice ministry.

We will be reading the book, This is My America, by Kim Johnson. This book chronicles seventeen-year-old, Tracy Beaumont’s journey writing to Innocence X to help her father, an innocent Black man on death row.

Cylvia Hayes will host a discussion on the book January 19th, 10:00 to 11:00 AM, at Unity.

Please order the book asap and register for the January 19th group discussion. There is no fee for this event.

A Course In Miracles Study Group

Tuesday January 24th from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Unity

Led by Cylvia Hayes, this is a gathering to discuss the wisdom in A Course in Miracles. Each session will include a talk on a key Course teaching and then open Q and A and discussion. Perfect for people with a lot of experience with the Course and those who are just starting out or curious. Free to join and love offerings are appreciated.

Poetic Prompts Poetry Workshop

Saturday, January 28th from 10:30 to 12:30 PM at Unity

Join Donna Benjamin and William Gregory for this 2 hour workshop exploring the many “ways in” to writing poetry. Learn how to work with prompts; how to write from the heart; and about the different forms of poetic structure. Beginners are welcome. Cost is $39.

Poetry Night Coming Up

Saturday, January 28th from 5:30 to 8:00 PM at Unity

New Year, New Poetry Evening – Celebrate the New Year with your original poetry. This is an open mic poetry event featuring Donna Benjamin and William Gregory as your co-hosts as they encourage you to share your poetic talents in a supportive environment. Beginners welcome. One poem per person and a second one if time allows.

Prosperity Now Class with Rev. Jane

Starts February 2nd – 12:00 to 2:00 PM in-person and 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Zoom (goes for 7 weeks)

Prosperity is our essence state but often not our experience. Material circumstances and beliefs that float in our collective consciousness create the sticky illusion of lack. In this class, we will confront the beliefs that are blocking our prosperous expression and learn the attitudes and practices that will get the flow going.

Women’s Group Rock Painting Workshop

February 5th from 12:30 to 2:30 PM at Unity

Instructor Grace Goldberger will supply paints, and brushes and you bring your favorite rock(s). Paint sayings, happy faces, Valentine hearts, animals, etc. It’s a fun project and a great time to get to know other women in our community. No experience necessary. Just a few spots left. Cost $5 to $20 sliding scale.

Ongoing Programs for Adults

Women’s Activity Group – Every Wednesday at 10:00 AM. Join a group of wonderful women for hikes and other fun adventures. Contact Suzanne Landry to be notified of what’s happening each Wednesday.

January 18th – Shevlin Park hike

January 25th – Old Mill South Deschutes Trail hike

Men’s Group – A time to connect and get to know each other. Gatherings are held on the 1st and 3rd Monday at 6:00 PM at Unity. Contact Dan Stephenson for more info. Next gathering is February 6th.

Singing Group – Join Unity SolShine music director, Dave Finch every Wednesday at 7:00 PM at Unity. No experience is necessary and all ages are welcome! Contact Dave for more info.

Are You Curious About Being a Unity Board Member?

We encourage you to reach out to learn more. We have a board member whose term is ending and a couple others who are required to step down because one will soon be official minister and the other will be a LUT (licensed Unity teacher). We are so excited for them!! If you are interested in learning more about what’s involved in this commitment contact Clare Kubota and she can get your questions answered. We have an amazing board and it is a beautiful way to contribute your talents to our community.

Member Appreciation

At this time of year there is someone who deserves a HUGE thank you. That is our Unity board treasurer, Susan Warnick. With the end of the year there are a great deal of financial reports that need to get done. Our treasurer has been doing volunteer overtime x 10 for the past few weeks. We are so grateful for her attention to detail, financial knowledge, and commitment to getting everything done on time. Thank you Susan, you are a blessing to our community!!

Free Workshop on Legacy Giving

Thursday, January 26th at 5:00PM

Come join Nativity Lutheran leaders as we host a free workshop on “Legacy Giving”. “Legacy” is the term we use to describe the way you want your life to leave a blessing on the world and your family. Have you made plans for the legacy you aim to leave? Many of us have strong opinions and hopes, but very few actual plans. Come and learn how to make plans that achieve your goals! Thrivent Financial is partnering with Nativity by bringing a Financial Planner, a CPA and an Estate Attorney to explain how legacy planning works – and to also describe what happens when no planning has occurred! This is purely an educational event, with no sales pitches or “great deals”. Some topics we will discuss: Charitable Gift Strategy, Estate Creation, Trusts, Beneficiaries, Oregon Estate Taxes Qualified, Charitable Distributions. Come with questions, leave with focus! Please RSVP with Nativity Lutheran Church office 541-388-0765. Location – 60850 Brosterhous Rd Bend.

Get Help With Your 2022 Taxes

Unity member, Dale DeRi, volunteers his time with the AARP Taxaide Program here in Bend. He helps provide free tax service primarily to senior citizens and low to moderate income individuals and families. He wanted to be sure our Unity members know about this service. Here are the numbers to call to sign up for an appointment – Bend Library and NeighborImpact 541-316-5789, Bend Latino Community Association – 541-788-4827, Redmond NeighborImpact 541-526-3834. Thank you Dale!

Secret Italy – Sicily Tour

September 25th – October 6th, 2023 with Kevin & Clare Kubota

Unity members, Kevin & Clare Kubota, have been leading tours all over the world for almost 20 years. They and their wonderful Italian friends and tour guides have taken over 20 small groups on special experiences all over Italy. This time they are touring the entire coast of Sicily. Sicily, or Regione Siciliana, is a cultural melting pot – full of diversity and unique culture found nowhere else in Italy. They will be hosting a Zoom gathering for you to meet the guides and ask questions.