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NEWSLETTER June 2006OUR VISION We envision a magnificent spiritual center of Love, beholding a world in which all people honor each other and live together in peace and harmony. Beloved Friends, Our vision statement is one which touches my heart. It speaks of our desire to let our inner Christ Light shine, radiating out to the world so powerfully that it illumines the Light in others. It also speaks of our desire to own our own church home. A clear vision is important to any organization, especially to a church. The vision is the outpicturing of our mission, which is to be a loving spiritual community embracing the teachings of Jesus Christ. We inspire minds, awaken hearts, and empower lives. I want to honor and thank each and every one of you. It takes each of us, consciously choosing to live in partnership with God, to effect the spiritual change we wish to see in the world. In many ways, you are the “calling card” of our church. I believe Jesus knew this Truth quite clearly. This is why He lived so consciously in tune with Principle - looking for the good in every situation and in every person. It is a practice we, too, can enter into. This is how we live our Truth. It is what the Buddhists call mindfulness. In Just in Time, Article #184, from our Association of Unity Churches, we are given a simple view of this principle which can change the world. “Mindfulness is the capacity to be fully aware of all that one experiences inside the self - body, mind, heart, spirit, and to pay full attention to what is happening around us - people, the natural world, our surrounds and events,” according to Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee, coauthors of Resonant Leadership. Mindfulness is not new. It is ancient wisdom and common sense. It requires “living with our eyes open,” gradually adjusting behaviors, adapting to changing situations and being true to our core beliefs and spiritual practices. We learn mindfulness by practicing it on a daily basis, or we will lose it. A state of mindlessness happens when we get caught up in our “to do list’ and don’t attend to our values, personal mission and dreams. To keep the vision alive, we must be open to the inner workings of Spirit. We must be open to the wisdom and guidance of Spirit. And, we must be willing to share all of ourselves with the human family. That is how consciousness changes. That is how miracles become commonplace. You can do it! Jesus Christ did, and so can you! One in Christ, MARK'S MUSINGS It’s summer time and time for summer break, swimming pools, and vacation! The Groblewski clan will have already traveled to Alabama to see Amy’s side of the family at the time of this printing. At the end of June we’ll go to Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey to see my family. I enjoy my vacations immensely, whether it involves National Parks and sightseeing or simply relaxing with the family at home. I’m looking forward to visiting my cousin Kim, who is winning her battle with cancer. At this point last year, the doctors treating her in Philadelphia told her there was nothing they could do to help her. She had finished her chemotherapy and the cancer was still active. However, God works in amazing ways when we, as individuals, do our part. Kim sought out alternative therapies and narrowed her choices to four: Houston, Germany, the Bahamas and Argentina. She made contact with a doctor from Argentina and went to Washington, D.C. to meet with him at a conference he was attending there. She felt hopeful. In late August she received word that the cancer had now spread to her liver. She was advised to prepare for the inevitable, and was given instructions to discuss this with her two young children. She began to live in two alternate realities, making videotapes and audiotapes for her children while holding strongly to her own life. I had contacted Silent Unity months before this and now began to wonder if they were really praying for her, or had they lost the request? My doubts and fears grew about the upcoming surgery. The surgery was prohibited in the United States by the FDA, so Kim and her husband flew to Argentina in November for a week of treatment, and then again in January for a six-week stay which included treatment and surgery. During surgery it was discovered that the cancer cells in her liver were dead. The treatment was arresting the cancer! Amy, Ryan, and I prayed together during the surgery for her health and healing and for God to guide the doctors. It was the most powerful prayer I have ever prayed in my life! So I ask all of us to trust God with our lives. There is always hope when we trust God, pray and have faith! God answers! Mark Groblewski BOARD TALK Part of our tithe goes to two ministerial students each month ($100 each). This month Monya Sherzer and Janie Kelley are the recipients. The Board discussed the findings of the Dream Team meeting on April 23rd. As suggested at the meeting, a map of the area is being purchased on which the congregants can indicate where they live. This information will be useful in selecting our future home. The Teams are doing well. Chris Bennett still needs another elementary level teacher. A list of items which need attention has been given to the Building and Grounds Team. There will be an Agape day scheduled soon. The Board discussed the May 21st Rev. Chris Chenoweth speaking at both services and offering his Master Prosperity Workshop in the afternoon. The potluck luncheon in between is being worked by the Special Events Team. In June, Dorothy Meyer will present a Grief Workshop, Dealing with the Losses of Life, on Saturday, June 17th. On July 14th and 15th, the Board and others will be attending a Board Training event given by Barbara O’Hearne. Rev. Steve has invited other small churches in the area to attend. The Board welcomes Kim Stephens, our new Administrator, and looks forward to working with her. DID YOU KNOW? That UCBA receives a rebate from grocery purchases you make at Krogers and Randalls? Details on how to participate are available in the Gathering room, or call the church office! Also, the church receives a percentage of all orders and purchase placed from Amazon.com when you link to them through our Bookstore page on our website. Thank you to all who have helped to enlarge our avenues of prosperity by participating in these simple ways to bring abundance to UCBA! Unity Church of the Bay Area 2006 Saturday Workshop Series DEALING WITH LIFE’S LOSSES ~ A GRIEF WORKSHOP Unity Church of the Bay Area Saturday, June 17, 2006 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Facilitated by Dorothy M. Meyer M.Div., LUT, Hospice Chaplain Offered on a Love Offering Basis Grief is a sacred healing process. We experience many losses and changes in our life journey – relationships, jobs, moving, hopes, dreams, illness and death. We don’t always take the time to grieve, give ourselves the permission to do so, or know why or how to do this sacred healing work. Each loss can be an opportunity for transition to a different and higher state of consciousness. Come and take a little journey with me to see if we can turn a time of transition into a time of transformation. It might be like taking the Yellow Brick Road to Oz, searching for the Wizard and the Emerald City. We sometimes go through a dark night and the feelings hidden within, letting go of life as we now know it. We find what we are truly seeking – peace, meaning, self-actualization and purpose. Transition may feel like a Divine mystery, however the path always leads home to your true Self. Together we will: · Evaluate the grief process – psychological, social and spiritual aspects · Learn spiritual tools to take with us on this journey · Embrace the presence of God in the Silence and seek guidance · Write about and share our experiences, as well as strength and hope · Pray our goodbyes · Celebrate a new perspective “He that lacks time to mourn lacks time to mend.” – William Shakespeare COMING IN JULY UCBA will be hosting a Multi-Ministry Leadership Education and Development Workshop designed for Unity ministers, Board trustees, lay leaders, staff and interested members. The workshop sessions will be Friday, July 14, 2006 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. and on Saturday, July 15, 2006 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Snacks and Saturday lunch will be provided. The workshop is highly interactive and designed to build the leadership capacity of our ministry in innovative and creative ways. Barbara O'Hearne, Church Management Consultant for the Association of Unity Churches International will be leading this exciting, informative and interactive training to help us prepare for our next step forward as a church. You must pre-register to attend. Key ingredients to church growth are committed members, trained staff and spiritually-principled Board members. As we grow as a church, we must also develop a strategic plan to live out our Mission and give life to our Vision. Please speak with a Board Member or Reverend Steve about reserving your spot for this important event! UNITY TREASURES ~ UCBA’s OWN Earth Calls – Earth Speaks Earth Calls - as my Lover Earth calls - “Love me in myriad ways Embrace me - brace me - chase me - face me Impress me – caress me Trust in me – Husband me Awaken to your soul – your spirit abides through me” Earth Speaks - as my Lover Dark of night - with passion cry – languid noon - discomforted sigh “Abandon me no! Stay with me nigh Honor me - as did your forbears of compassion Cherish my renewing again - as if in latest high fashion Ignore not my pains – strains - and gashes Restore my bright luster - Awaken to muster! Preen and admire my gorgeous spring lashes” Earth Wife - Sweet Lover Earth - I snuggle you - you give me love - and nurture life’s birth I embrace you - defending you in living and giving of my life Others are coming - and joining – community is growing Supporting me - as I am protecting Protecting my precious earth - as wife By: Captain Mark Kirby ~ Galveston Island, Texas ~ April 25, 2006 SUNDAYS IN JUNE! June 4, 2006 June 11, 2006 June 18, 2006 June 25, 2006 YOUTH EDUCATION Our children continually amaze and bless me with their perception, attitude, and joy. About the time I’ve decided that a certain concept from their lesson might be a bit challenging, they not only get it, they expand on it. Then they help me to learn or think about something in an entirely new light. So am I going too slowly or are they just going faster than me? And when exactly was it that I got so serious that I couldn’t remember to be silly at times and play and have fun? Our children still have that wonderful gift of being able to be exactly who they are and not worry about what others will think, at least most of the time. Sundays are the most special day of the week for me because I get to spend time with our children and be reminded of what is really important in their life and mine. All the myriad of details that I let myself focus on and worry about seem to dissipate in their presence. It seems that they continually remind me to live in the now moment, just as they do. You see it’s hard to remember all those other things that trouble me when I am with them as they are quite clear about wanting my full attention. And they want to learn about everything, although they might not see it in quite the same way I do. They demand total honesty, complete authenticity, a willingness to listen to what they have to say, and the hope that they are loved and appreciated for exactly who they are at that very moment. So as the summer vacations begin, I will plan some play time for myself and try to remember to live my life with that carefree joy of summertime that I recall from my childhood. And I invite you to do the same. To laugh and love as our children do, is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and each other! Youthful Blessings, UCBA WELCOMES OUR NEW ADMINISTRATOR I am blessed and honored to be UCBA’s church administrator. My husband Damon and son Sterling already feel part of the UCBA family. I want everyone to know that I consider my new position not to be just a job, but rather a calling from our Divine source. I am eager to serve this minister and this ministry to the best of my ability. I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you. Blessings in Christ, We recently held a meeting of all church members and attendees to discuss our vision of our own church home. Our Building Fund is growing and we continue to explore every possibility to own our own church home. To help our Dream Team focus on possibilities, we are going to Map it Out! On the wall in the Gathering room is a map of the general area from which we draw attendees to our church. Throughout the month of June, we invite you to place a pin in the general area in which you live on the map. This will help us to see the areas of concentration of those who attend church and help us in exploring the future sight of our own church home! So please stop by and place a pin (one per family) on the map so that we can get an idea of where everyone lives. Thank you! NEW OFFICE HOURS! We have new office hours for UCBA: TREASURER’S REPORT General Fund Income $ 19,518.70 Expenses − 16,404.85 Net General Fund Income $ 3,113.85 Building Fund Income + 250.00 Total Income $ 3,363.85 Building Fund (CDs & Investments) $ 168,000.00 Unity Church of the Bay Area's tithe for March was $1,888.00 It was blessed and $100 each was sent to Janie Kelley and Larry Hooks, ministerial students at Unity School of Christianity. The tithe was split as follows: $422.00 each was sent to the Association of Unity Churches and Unity School of Christianity. $422.00 was sent directly to Silent Unity in support if the special prayer work they do. $422.00 was sent to Unity Institute to help ministerial students’ special needs. Your continued financial support allows our church to grow and flourish and carry the message of positive, practical Christianity in the Bay area. All tithe checks for the month are written and sent in the first week of the following month. Thank you, and thank you God! NEW CLASS FORMING! MEETING MYSELF IN THE BIBLE Monday Evenings, July 3 – July 31, 2006 A new Bible class will be offered each Monday evening in July. Join us to find a greater understanding of the Bible as a practical tool for living a joyful and abundant life. This class will explore the Old and New Testament to discover what Bible stories, characters and events can teach us about ourselves and our relationships with one another. We will practice interpreting the Bible metaphysically, become familiar with how the Bible is organized, and find a greater awareness of the inner Christ and activity of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This class will be based on the study created by the Association of Unity Churches International. CONGRATULATIONS! Sharon Turnley Sharon was commissioned a chaplain in the Community of Hope Lay Chaplains Tuesday, May 23, 2006, at the William Temple Episcopal Center in Galveston. Communities of Hope Lay Chaplains serve patients monthly at the UTMB Oncology and Radiation Clinics and St. Vincent’s House Free Clinic. Elton Witt Elton recently received the space Flight Awareness Award at work. His dedicated service and excellent service will result in his attending the next launch of the Space Shuttle! Kimberly Cormier Kimberly has recently become the team leader for our sound Team. Many thanks to Elton Witt for his dedication as team leader and for all of his help with the Sound Team. Kimberly is looking for a few good volunteers for training to help with the sound and taping of our services. Stop by the sound bench and meet Kimberly! Your newsletter contributions are welcome! Please submit them to the church office or e-mail them to info@unityofbayarea.org by the 15th of each month. We ask that articles not exceed 300 words. Our goal is to share your articles in newsletters as soon as possible.
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