Unity today. The Adventure Begins Now! A positive path for spiritual living. Jan/Feb/Mar

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1 Jan/Feb/Mar Unity today Inside this issue: Message from the President 2 Upcoming Events 3 Classes/Reminders YFM Calendar Tithes 4 5 Core Values 6 A positive path for spiritual living. The Adventure Begins Now! The Peanuts character, Linus, once said, I love humanity but people get on my nerves. I always smile at this. We are comfortable saying our church is a spiritual community yet, on a one-to-one basis, the relationships in that community can be challenging. Church is about relationships. However often we affirm that we are one mind, we each occupy a different seat, with a beautiful and separate personality, life of experiences and opinions. While it is enriching to sit alone in prayer and meditation, it is also enriching to put our beliefs about love, acceptance and peace into practice. How do we know how firm our faith is if it is never tested? How do we learn new ways to find common ground, stay in connection until the person feels heard or allow our own needs to have voice, if we avoid community? Each of us is accountable for the community we have built. It is the layers of thoughts, of words spoken and unspoken, the activities celebrated and those left undone that have created what we build upon today. As I complete a fourth year here at Unity of Lehigh Valley (as of March 31 st ), I am grateful for the opportunities to stay in relationship; to deepen our conversations about the healing and thriving of ULV; to practice the forgiveness and mirroring love that we teach. My desire is that we will continue to be able to see the Christ in each other and to continue our conversations even when we do not agree. As we continue to share openly, Spirit has a way of bringing forth what needs to be seen, what needs to be healed and what needs to be done. Our fiscal year begins in November but we seem to truly engage in reflecting on the harvest of the past year and the planting of new seeds in January. I ll have a series on Creativity in January and I invite each of you to think about your power of vision and dreams. What is it we are creating at ULV? What is it you are creating in your life and how is that connected to ULV? What gifts do we bring to our spiritual community and what gifts do we take from our spiritual community out into our lives? What can Spirit possibly have for us to do in 2013? The adventure begins now and we will travel there together! -Rev Joy

2 Page 2 Message From the President 2012 has ended and, as I thought would be the case, we are still here on Planet Earth. At ULV we had our Birth 2012 event on December 21 st and I was happy and privileged to share my drumming and singing gifts with those who attended and contributed to being connected in Peace. I was assisted by Spencer Simmons and his friend merging experience and youth as we were one voice and one drum. As I look back on 2012, I am happy to have added new experiences and accomplishments to my life - creatively, professionally, personally and spiritually. During the busy holiday season, it s good for me to pause for reflection and gratitude of the abundance and grace in my life. During the past few months, our country has had challenges from a contentious election, natural disasters (Superstorm Sandy) and a number of man-made manifestations of violence. The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown on December 14 th brought everyone s holiday busyness to a halt. I watched some of the news reports about the teachers and children of Sandy Hook in order to gain strength and hope from the light and energy of the teachers and children. As sad as it was to hear about the 20 children at Sandy Hook, I know there are many other children who have been victims of violence in the US and in the world) without the media focus of Newtown. I was touched by the strength that Monsignor Robert Weiss demonstrated as he had to preside over many of the funerals; never did he doubt or damn God nor did he lose faith in humanity and he wholeheartedly believes there is more good than bad (error) in the world. One story really moved me about a child, 7-year old Grace McDonnell. Her parents, Lynn and Chris, were full of grace, gratitude and love as they spoke of their amazing Grace who exhibited love and light during her short life. Lynn said that like her daughter, there is no room in her heart for hate, only love. Even though she suffered a personal loss, she also said that President Obama needed our prayers and support as he personally was in town comforting the other 25 grieving families. Grace was a budding artist and the family transformed her small, white coffin into a colorful affirmation of what Grace represented - butterflies, seashells, flowers, nicknames they had for her and for each other, and Love and Peace. They were able to uplift their heavy hearts to bring lightness and hope into a dark situation. She was all about Peace her mother proudly stated. This is not the first mass shooting (such as in my home town of Aurora, Colorado this last summer) or school shooting we have had to deal with but this one was such a wake up call - enough is enough, we need to change or we cannot continue to accept these events as normal were some sentiments I heard. While there are those who are fearful and want revenge or more guns to fix things, I hear more talk of moving forward in forgiveness and the need to affirm love and peace in order to stop the cycle of violence and separation. Even the media has reported stories about people doing positive work or kind acts to tilt some of their focus from negative to the positive. Newtown has had an outpouring of love and support from outside and NBC s news correspondent, Ann Curry, started a 26 Acts of Kindness Facebook Page in honor of Newtown. She calls for all people to personally perform 26 (or more) acts of kindness onto others in their daily lives to do something positive to bring about change. The calls me to ask, How can I bestow kind acts to others or continue to be all about Peace as Grace was? How can I continue to be of service and not get complacent or caught up in my own small stuff in order to help others? There are many acts of kindness and it does make a difference as every positive act fills the collective world energy to manifest a place of peace, love and understanding. Let the music of kindness feed our bodies, minds, and souls and bring us together.) Namaste, Jo Sieger - Board President Congratulations to "One Stitch at a Time" for giving the gift of warmth & love! During this past year, a total of seven lap afghans were lovingly made and given to Phoebe Ministries and Family Home Manor by our crochet group, One Stitch at a Time. Please contact Donna Iobst if you are interested in participating. The group meets on Tuesday evenings, however, you are welcome to crochet at a time and place which meets your schedule. Donna's Contact Information: Home phone iamgoodhearted2@aol.com

3 Page 3 Compassionate Communication facilitated by Rev. Joy Wyler and Jeanne Shipe Wednesdays Feb 20-March 20 7:00-9:00pm Suggested love offering of $10-$20 per class session. SEE credit available. This class will explore the basic model of Non-violent Communication and its applications to real life situations. Compassionate Communication or Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is a language of connection, a spiritual practice and a tool for positive social change. The process of NVC helps us to recognize and understand in the current moment what is truly alive in ourselves and others. NVC provides a heightened awareness of what gets in the way of our natural giving and receiving and thus empowers each of us with a greater possibility of fulfilling our hopes and desires. The practice of NVC supports the creation of a world that works for everyone. World Café Looking for an opportunity to create and be a part of the creativity of Unity of Lehigh Valley? Our service on January 20th will be one opportunity and we will continue after service with pizza and a project to create 12 Powers collages to decorate our sanctuary. No art experience is needed and all ages are welcome to participate. Cindy Gunn will guide us as the 12 Powers take shape on 12 individual canvases. What is your vision for ULV? For Spirit expressing through you & through us? If you would like to join us for pizza, please contact the office at unitylv@rcn.com and let us know your pizza preference: White with Veggies, Plain or Pepperoni. We will be accepting a love offering of $3.00 for lunch, which includes pizza and drinks. Gratitude Jar Typically in November we begin making lists of what we are thankful for. Why wait?!! There is a large jar on the back table of the sanctuary and pieces of paper available all year long for you to create a note of gratitude. You might be thankful for a special time with a prayer chaplain; an event that touched your heart; an answered prayer; a new awareness or insight. Take a moment to put your note in the jar and at the end of the year we ll review how very much we have to be grateful for! Mark your calendar for Friendship Sunday! Sunday, February 10th Bring a friend to ULV with you for Friendship Sunday! Following the service, we will have a Souper Sunday Luncheon in our Good Times Cafe. Rants to Revelations Parent. Student. Spouse. Employee. Boss. These are roles we play. They don t define who we are. So then, who are we? Who is God? What is our life purpose? Asking these tough questions may cause inner turmoil and doubt, as it did for author Ogun Holder. You may even try to run from God, as Ogun did. (Spoiler Alert: It didn t work.) However, when you ve cleared the path to your Divine Self, it s worth the struggle. Reverend Ogun Holder will be joining us on Sunday, January 27th at 10:00am as our guest speaker. After the service he will be available to sign his new book, Rants to Revelations. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.

4 Page 4 Prayer Chaplains Needed! Unity of Lehigh Valley has immediate openings for those who have a deeper desire to serve others. We are seeking individuals with open hearts who are committed to prayer and willing to lovingly listen. No previous experience required, free training and flexible hours available, spiritual benefits included. You must be a ULV member to serve as a chaplain but you may participate in the chaplain training while taking membership classes. Please see Reverend Joy if you are also interested in membership classes. ACT NOW! Next training is scheduled for February 15 th & 16 th Birth 2012 & Our Peace Pole Project On December 22 nd the sanctuary filled with a diverse group of people united in the vision of a new, awakened world. With music, dance, prayers & meditations we connected and sent our energy out into the world. Throughout 2013 Unity of Lehigh Valley will be sending our Peace Pole out into the community. Our goal is to send it to 12 different spiritual communities and have it return in December with its passport completed with the imprint of the communities it touched on its journey and with a journal of prayers for peace. So if you notice it missing, it s just on a pilgrimage for peace. Contact Joie Barry, LUT, or merc70hp@aol.com Rev Joy Wyler, or revjoy@rcn.com There are many ways to send our peace ripples out into the world. What is one of your ways? Youth & Family Ministries As we wrap up another year, we continue sharing what we know through our lessons of life and learning about the season of Peace and Hope. As I bring my time of being our YFM Director to a close, I want to say thank you for allowing me to serve. I appreciate your support on my spiritual path in growing into the person I want to be. I would like to acknowledge each of the current volunteers who help make our program successful - Dana B, Donna, Dawn, Bev, Cindy, and Tina. And thank you to our summer guest presenters who step out of their comfort zone to share their gifts with our youth. Also Wilma, Pana, Alison, and Bette who have served during my two years as director and before, thank you for your time and talents. Thank you to our families for supporting the youth ministry. It takes a team to make something successful and what I ve seen through my volunteers has helped me create a program that matters to our kids and parents. Also thank you to all those who come into our church and want to be involved, whether it is for a Sunday or a lifetime. Planning and teaching curriculum has helped prepare me for what I will experience later on. I am looking forward to see how this program will keep growing through the guidance of our next director and with the support of a wonderful community. One thing I will say to our next director is, You are coming into a great space that is full of support and love. I recall a question that was brought up recently in an UP Meeting discussion we had: What makes a church, my church? A church that I see as my church is one which provides me lessons. It is through my interactions and experiences that I become more of me. But also what makes church my church is how we celebrate each other through the power of prayer and diversity. Being brought up in Unity, I was taught at a young age, You may be different but we celebrate who you are. So one thing I hope that I am able to communicate to our youth is Celebrate who you are, no matter what. I thank you once again for allowing me to serve the ULV community. My next journey is to complete school and graduate with my certificate in Early Childhood Intervention. I plan to continue supporting my church and YFM through volunteering when I am able to. Blessings, Kari Wyler

5 Page 5 Sunday, March 24 th 10:00am Choir Cantata Palm Sunday Brunch Easter Activities Thursday, March 28 th 7:00pm Maundy Thursday Service Sunday, March 31 st 10:ooam Easter Service: Is It True? ULV Prosperity Holiday Giving This year when ULV contacted our community partner, New Bethany Ministries, we were asked to contribute to adults who participate in their programs. The project began, according to coordinator Lori Hunsicker, several years ago when the holidays came just months after her husband s death. Making new meaning for the holidays she prepared simple gift bags with personal hygiene items for the many adults who need New Bethany to help them receive government benefit. Some have mental or emotional illness that impair them from functioning without assistance. One recipient that first year had eyes filled with tears as she confided this was the only gift she received. Lori s efforts have grown and now she asks community partners to contribute. This year we gave 31 new blankets and 31 gift bags with clean socks, gloves and hats for men in the programs. We added notes of encouragement and affirmation as well as a supply of Daily Word magazines. THANK YOU for making a difference this holiday season! In joyous gratitude, we give and we receive! ULV tithes 10% of our income to Unity, Unity Worldwide Ministries, Unity Eastern Region and a local organization or person where we have been spiritually fed. Autumn Tithe Recipients: October: John H. Funk November: Unity of Hartford December: ULV LUT s Joie Barry & Wilma Alvarez

6 Page 6 ULV Core Values Creativity We are individual expressions of the unlimited life-giving energy of Divine Mind. With infinite possibilities available, we shape our world and our experience. Our Mission United in love, we provide a positive environment for all people to discover and express their spiritual nature. Our Vision We co-create an awakened world of peace, harmony and abundance. Abundance As grateful channels for the free flow of God s good, there is always more than enough for us to be, to have, and to give. Community Experiencing ourselves as connected, we honor each part of the greater whole in thought, word and deed. Spiritual Growth Trusting the wisdom within each one, our paths unfold and lead us to accept a deeper understanding of the powerful love that we are. Joy Living from our oneness with Spirit, we give radiant expression to a lightness of being. Love We see the beauty in each one and in all. Sunday Service 10:00am Senior Minister: Reverend Joy Wyler revjoy@rcn.com 26 N. Third Street Emmaus PA, Prayer Line: P: unitylv@rcn.com F: Unity of Lehigh Valley is affiliated with Unity, publishers of Daily Word, and is a member of the Unity Worldwide Ministries.