Unity of Vancouver. You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether. a man is wise by his questions.

Transcription

1 Unity of Vancouver Volume 2 March/April2013 One Go d, Ma n y Pa t h s, Spiritual No t Religious You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions. ~ Naguib Mahfouz Table of Contents Poetry... Inside Cover Minister s Message...1 Bookstore Ministry Prayer Ministry Youth Ministry...6 Classes & Events Board Update...9

2 God Knows the Answer By Frank B. Whitney I question not God s means or ways, Or how He uses time or days, To answer every call or prayer; I know He will, somehow, somewhere. I question not the time or place When I shall feel His love and grace; I only know that I believe, And richest blessings shall receive. I cannot doubt that He ll attend My every call, and that He ll send A ministering angel fair, In answer to my faithful prayer.

3 Minister s Message Heart Talk by Bernadette Voorhees At Unity, you never get a One-Size Fits All answer to any question. In fact, Unity leaves you with more questions. But there is a reason for that. In Unity, we firmly believe that you have all the answers within you, and that the only way you are going to know those answers is not if we give you what our answer is, but if we help you to find the questions that bring you to the answers that are already within you. God has given you every answer you could ever desire. It isn t about looking to anyone else to find the answer. It is about establishing a wonderful, incredible, personal relationship with God that says, I have the answer! God has revealed to me what is wise, right and good for me. The word religion means a system of living. Religion is supposed to help you to know love and serve God in ways that reflect God s Wisdom through you so that you demonstrate increased health, peace and prosperity. John Simone Sr. said, The key to Wisdom is knowing the right questions. Even without answers, questions have value because a question is nothing more then a request for more information. Only fools think they know everything. How many questions have you asked in the past week? How many questions have you asked in the past month? How many questions have you asked in the past year? Jesus asks 20 questions in the Gospel of John. These questions are the foundation for our upcoming Sunday and Wednesday lessons. They rank among the most perplexing questions ever asked. Theologians have wrestled with them for centuries. Each one is an excellent question because each one is timeless. Each question will help you to draw closer to God and the good God intends for you to manifest through you and out into your life. In love and light, Bernadette 1

4 Bookstore Ministry It is always so refreshing to anticipate and then start enjoying the beauty and the newness of life that happens in the spring; flowers blooming in vibrant colors and bright greens in the leaves and grass. Longer hours of daylight and warmer weather also have an uplifting effect. Hopefully we will all experience a corresponding awakening of new life, joy and happiness within. Please stop by the bookstore on Sundays, look around and visit with the volunteer on duty. I Can Read With My Eyes Shut! by Dr. Seuss I can read in red. I can read in blue. I can read in pickle color too. I can read in bed, and in purple and in brown. I can read in a circle and upside down! I can read with my left eye. I can read with my right. I can read Mississippi with my eyes shut tight! There are so many things you can learn about. But you ll miss the best things If you keep your eyes shut. The more that you read, the more things you will know The more that you learn, the more places you ll go. If you read with your eyes shut you re likely to find That the place where you re going is far, far behind SO that s why I tell you to keep your eyes wide. Keep them wide open at least on one side. March Lighted Path Bookstore Volunteer Schedule 3 Don Divens 7 10 Grace Hall Don Divens Sandra Lee Grace Conners Volunteers: Please contact Grace Conners or another volunteer if you can not work your scheduled Sunday. Thanks. April 2

5 Bookstore Ministry Effectual Prayer by Francis Foulks Frances W. Foulks takes the reader through eight steps of prayer--from what makes prayer effectual to actually living in the consciousness of the Christ. This is a timeless book, so while writing style differs from what the contemporary reader may expect, it is like remembering your grandmother s advice when faced with a current problem. Rev. Foulks observations are astonishingly simple but not simplistic. In commenting on how we ourselves limit our capacity to receive an answer to our prayers, she says: The answer desired when the prayer is offered may never be manifested, for as long as we are seeking things, our desires change with the fashions, and there is no perfect pattern for substance to follow. Handbook of Positive Prayer by Hypatia Hasbrouck In the Handbook of Positive Prayer, Hypatia Hasbrouck explores the many practical and uplifting ways that positive prayer can work in your life. She guides you through a powerful seven-step prayer model as well as shares the benefits of visualization, prayer journaling, use of affirmations and denials, and other special prayer treatments and techniques. Positive prayer aligns our minds with the Mind of God and opens us to the expression of God s abundant good for the betterment of ourselves and all of creation. Conversations With God by Neale Donald Walsch In this extraordinary trilogy, Neale Donald Walsch has a dialogue with God. This book discusses personal issues such as prosperity, relationships and the nature of spiritual truth-with God providing clear, understandable answers. Further than the author s conversation with God, you ll realize that your own understanding and your own conversation with God is the true subject matter of this unforgettable text. 3

6 Prayer Ministry You re never far from our prayer support. Call, request by mail or Dial a Daily Word Coordinator: Dan Walz Call for a 24 hour taped inspirational message Silent Unity Prayer Circle Sundays, 9:15-9:50am Our Prayer team invites you to join us after service on the 4th Sunday of each month for food, fellowship and fund raising. Love offerings collected will help support our Buildings / Grounds and operational expenses. Prayer Brunch themes (please bring something to share) March: Soup & Bread April: Fried Chicken March Affirmations April Affirmations INNER PEACE Nothing can disturb the the quiet of my heart. calm peace of my soul. Spirit guides GUIDANCE me in the I am one with divine HEALING of divine wholeness. through me now. PROSPERITY God is my prosperity. WORLD PEACE The peace of God lives in fulfillment of my dreams. I am a perfect expression World peace begins with the awareness of oneness. wisdom guided to my good. Radiant life energy flows I live in an abundant universe. God s peace heals the world. We invite you to focus on these affirmations. Spoken aloud or silently, these affirmations support you in creating a spiritually centered life. Affirmations are positive statements of Truth. By affirming Truth we are lifted out of false thinking into the consciousness of Spirit. Each time we pray positively and faithfully, we are calling forth the divine activity that is always within us. 4

7 Prayer Ministry Light Thoughts from the Prayer Team we are so Blessed Light Thoughts For Times Of Change Fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage. (Daniel 10:19) Any change, even one you ve longed for, can be unsettling. When change comes, the circumstances around you may become different, but what remains unchanging is the God-given ability within you to handle new conditions. You can live every second of your life fully without wasting time fearing and imaging the worst. The words, I face change with courage and optimism. I now have God s help, can help you to meet every circumstance with a confident spirit and a courageous heart. As with any positive idea, you are benefited by it only as much as you willingly use it. Begin to use this positive thought today. Make it your prayer theme. Remember to include God in your change. Know that God dwells within you, and that you can face anything with your God-given courage and optimism. Look for the blessing in every situation and know that God is always moving and growing you forward toward your highest good. This present moment is the moment in which you are alive and growing, and in which you can expand and express your spiritual powers and capabilities. Fill your mind with positive thoughts. Think of life in terms of positive responses. Accept the gift of the present moment and re-dedicate yourself to making it a rich and productive time. Right now is the time to enjoy life. A day well spent gives you faith in a tomorrow that will be well spent. Stand on what is true and you will find that life has more meaning. Enjoy the blessings of this present moment and with courage and optimism, move forward and live your life moment by moment with triumphant faith in life s goodness. I face change with courage and optimism. I now have God s help. 5

8 Youth Ministry Thank You YM Volunteers! Youth Ministry 1 Team Leader: st Sun. Dan Walz, Chrystal Estrada Katherine Schuh 2 nd Sun Katherine Schuh, Don Divens 3 rd Sun Dan Walz and Pauline Gough Blessed be our volunteers! 4 th Sun Katherine S., Stephana Johnson Welcome to our new volunteers 5 th Sun Katherine Schuh,Dan Walz Chrystal and Stephana. Thanks to each of you who share your time and talents with our children. You are a blessing and blessed! We are still searching for Nursery volunteers. Are you the one? Contact Katherine Schuh. During March and April we are celebrating new beginnings as new life abounds around us. We will be exploring our Spiritual Powers of Strength and Wisdom using lessons from Unity s Sunday Circle Curriculum. Children s Easter Celebration: March 31 Our Youth Ministry Team will be celebrating Easter with special class activities, music crafts and egg hunt during our regular class time. Introducing Ariston Modi Arneberg Karoy Born January 15, lbs 4oz. 19 inches The family would like to extend their thanks to all of you have been praying with us for the last 8 months. Our little miracle arrived 30 days early and was completely heathy and whole. The doctors are saying he is truly a miracle. Thank God for Unity! March Affirmation: I AM strong in the Lord. April Affirmation Divine Wisdom guides me in all I say and do. 6

9 Classes & Events Prosperity & Abundance Fundraising Ongoing Scrap Metal Fundraiser We would like to remind everyone of our ongoing scrap metal fundraiser. Any type of scrap metal, computer circuit boards or wire will do. Contact the church office or Mark for a pick up. Thank you for your continued support of Unity of Vancouver. Blessings to you. Building & Grounds Annual Spring Clean-Up March 24, 2013 Please bring your gardening clothes & tools & let s get Unity ready for Easter. Many hands make light work! The Hospitality & Prayer Team Spring Soup & Bread Potluck Sunday, March 24 Ready to help us to start a new Unity Of Vancouver tradition? Bring a crock-pot of your favorite soup, some homemade bread or a dessert to share and enjoy after service with your Unity family before going outside to help with our Annual Spring Grounds Clean-up. Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again. ~Sarah Ban Breathnach Bookstore: Grace Conners Caring For Each Other: Bernadette Voorhees Housekeeping: Dan Walz Hospitality Team: Greeting: Sandy & Ken Hattan For the Love of Unity: Les Lomax Volunteer Teams & Team Leaders Grounds/Building: Harvey Schuh & Dan Walz Dial-a-Prayer & Circle Of Prayer: Dan Walz Lending Library & CD Ministry: Marcy Boyer Office/Mailing Support: Phaedra Karoy Youth Ministry Director: Katherine Schuh Prosperity & Fundraising: 7

10 Classes & Events Grow Your Own Organic Food Almost Anywhere Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 12:30 PM Instructor: Joy Lasseter, Ph.D. Nutritionist Love Offering: $25.00 (Sign up sheet in the Sanctuary) Small space gardening is easy and rewarding. There is nothing like bringing your own produce in from your garden to the table. You will learn the 3 key elements all plants need. Discover alternatives to digging in the ground. Learn how to successfully plant in containers and what to plant when. I will teach you the most successful vegetables and fruit to plant for first timers. Cold crops and warm crops will be explained. Save on your yard debris pickup by composting in your raised bed. Learn safer and healthier alternatives to chemicals and weed sprays. Be ecologically friendly by using natural fertilizers and weed suppression techniques. And the best part is you will be eating healthier and saving money too! Easter Potluck Feast Sunday, March 31, 1:00pm Calling all lonely Bunny Rabbits. Hip Hop over to Joy s home in Vancouver for good food, fun and fellowship. Please signup at church for the side dish you want to bring. We always have fun. Come join us! For more information call Joy at Healing And Drumming Service With Griz Wednesday, April 24, 7 8pm Spirituality starts with a quickening, a sense of appreciation from within our consciousness. We all look out as observers from inside ourselves - according to our past conditioning - experiences that we want to absorb. The beat of a drum has a quickening effect. Listen to the quickening of the drum and feel the freedom it gives as we experience another way to heal. Join us, Griz. 8

11 Board Update Unity of Vancouver Board Of Trustees Affirmation In our Unity of purpose, we are guided by infinite wisdom and prospered by Divine Love. January 2013 MOTION APPROVED: Set the manse and mileage allowance for Unity of Vancouver s Minister for 2013 as proposed in the letter received from the Administrative Director. MOTION APPROVED: Accept the proposal from Sonitrol for approximately $3500 (does not include cameras). February 2013 Next Meetings: March 3 & April 7 The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination. ~ Don Williams, Jr. Transitions we are so Blessed Gordon Stephens made his transition in February. Gordon was born January 2, He was a founding member of Unity of Vancouver, coming into membership February 20, Gordon holds the record for best attendance. He delighted in Sunday morning conversations with friends as they shared coffee and donuts. He was a beloved member of our church family and he will be missed beyond words. If you have a special memory or card you would like to share with his family, please submit them to Les Lomax by April 7th and we will pass them on to them. Let us join together in prayer for his ongoing to his next expression of Eternal Life. We invite the healing presence of God to comfort his family and friends. 9

12 Unity of Vancouver Whe r e lo v e is fe l t an d li v e s ar e ch a n g e d 3814 Franklin Vancouver, WA Phone: Fax: Prayer Circle, Sundays, 9:15 9:50am Sunday Celebration Service 10 11am Bookstore open after Sunday service. Mid-week service, Wednesdays, 7 8pm Daily Word: Silent Unity: Español: Planning to move? Please let us know if you are moving or no longer wish to receive this newsletter Return Service Requested Sent with love and blessings to: NON-PROFIT U.S. Postage PAID Vancouver, WA Permit No. 924