In Unison. Holding Space

Transcription

1 In Unison MARCH 2018 The monthly newsletter of Unity in the Olympics Holding Space When I first came to this Unity, here in the Olympics, I always sat in the very back. In my original nature, I am an introvert (would not guess that would you?) always shy, always reserved, quiet actually. I was a pew ornament for a while and did not become too involved. I always loved the messages on Sundays. In my continuing to show up, I noticed the church seemed to be making some changes, some I didn t like, and some I didn t agree with. I started allowing little things to become big things in my mind; it made me hear less, and sometimes I d skip attending for months. After a while I became upset because I missed my spiritual watering place. I started praying, meditating, and realized I was letting my judgments get in the way of my own spiritual growth. No one was keeping me from my growth but me. I decided to make a commitment to return to church fully, commit to serving God fully, love this church, and get to know those within it. I still sat in the back at first attempting to refuse to listen to my judgments (to the best of my ability). While attending more regularly I saw the church struggling, I saw worried faces, and I saw things in disharmony. I continued to pray and realized; that I can t help if I do not know. I finally volunteered, as an alternate board member to attempt to know the meat and bones of the things going on, hoping I could just listen and maybe have an idea or two. Little did I know! God had different plans. Speed up to today when I am President of the Board. What has been most enjoyable to me is that my relationship with God has become stronger by the day being more active, more committed, more involved with this church and those in it. In my journey of praying along the way, I felt spirit asking me to hold space for what was to come. I started with making the church space homey and loved, and slowly we (those lovely volunteers and I) started cleaning the church, rearranging, and redecorating. I have been extremely surprised by the shifts, changes, the love, the support, the disagreers, the doubts and doubters, the decisions, the business side, the spiritual side, the I don t know side, the prayers and praying, and see clearly how all became part of embracing the Whole. Holding the space for what was to come. I have, through every experience whether it felt good or uncomfortable, been grateful for the beautiful experience of spirit moving me through the moments. I learned to trust that no matter what I thought about a situation that was happening, especially, if I viewed it as negative or seeing it with fear, I always turned to prayer asking for help to see truth beyond the uncomfortableness of the feelings being displayed or expressed by others. As I waited, it always seemed that the situation would clear up or my limited thoughts were removed, so I could see simple truth at hand and I lovingly was moved through it. There is a prism of light that opens up by being involved on the board of trustees that makes you respect all the different colors reflecting the work in an organization. All the opportunities to volunteer in a church, serve a very important part of the whole, no matter the size of the task. What I would say to you all, is that I would never have imagined that I had it in me to do this commitment but with God leading, me surrendering, doing what unfolded in front of me step by step, asking for help, holding space with the guidance of all those who have served and are serving on the board, it became a wonderful reality. I so appreciate each person for all of their ideas, help, yeah and nay s, endurance, commitment, and laughter. I have loved serving, I love you all, I appreciate my growth, I accept change, I lovingly hold space for the next right thing for this church home. Thank you for the part you played in getting us here to We could not have done it without your part. Please, continue with me to HOLD SPACE, embrace change, allow the flow of life to breeze through our hearts and expand our horizon in Unity in the Olympics. (Cont. to page 2)

2 PAGE 2 IN UNISON MARCH 2018 I believe: God is the head & Heart The Board of Trustees is the neck & Heart The congregation is the body & Heart. All are connected, all are important All are one, we are the whole. As I step off the board this year. I bless this beautiful church and its next level of growth with prayer. Thank you for allowing me to serve. I hold you in LOVE AND LIGHT. Always Grateful, A Board of Trustee Member Teia Stitzel UNITY Faithful Friends Dear Friends, You and your congregation are dear to our hearts! We see you as beacons of light that illumine the world, and we are grateful for you. We celebrate your divine light that radiates out to all who are seeking to know their Divine Identity. As we pray for you and everyone in your center, we see you letting your light shine to guide you in all you do and to bless others. We truly appreciate your $ gift to Silent Unity. You contribute to our work in a significant way by helping us encourage people who desire to grow in spiritual awareness and understanding. By expressing your inner light, you help make the world a better place. Thank you for being a loving light in our lives and in the lives of everyone in your community. We appreciate you! Message from the Treasurer Although our expenses were greater than income in January, the surplus in December covered the difference. Both income and attendance were down in January, but we are looking for finances to be back to normal in February. Our 38/38 Vision for UITO (average of 38 people per Sunday giving an average of $38 each) is still on track. Although attendance was average 25 people per Sunday in January, the good news is that average giving per person held steady at $34. Reminder: The Budget Committee is meeting March 11 th to prepare the annual budget to be submitted at the Annual Membership Meeting on April 15, I welcome your suggestions and opinions about what you would like to have included in the budget for the coming year and encourage you to talk to me in person, or send me an (kkp3411@gmail.com) so I can bring your ideas to the committee meeting. Your donations for specific activities are also welcome! Blessings and thanks for your continued support of this ministry, Kim Perkins (Financial Table on Page 3) In love,

3 PAGE 3 IN UNISON MARCH 2018 Our Church Finances January 2018 Income Tithes/Offerings $2, Rental Income Book/Lit Sales Classes & Workshops Special Events 0.00 Memorial 0.00 TOTAL INCOME $3, January 2018 Expenses Advertising & Promotion $31.00 Books & Literature 9.45 Building Maint./Repair 0.00 Computer & Internet Conferences Copy Machine Excise Taxes Gifts Tithes (Dec. paid in Jan.) Silent Unity $ Northwest Region Unity Worldwide Min TAFY Serenity House Hospice Rose House First Step PA Food Bank TOTAL TITHES $ Guest Speakers & Music Insurance Expense Janitorial Misc. Expense Minister Office Supplies 7.38 Payroll Postage & Delivery Telephone 0.00 Tithe Expense Utilities Website Worship Supplies TOTAL EXPENSES $4, Infinite Spirit, open the way for great abundance for me. I AM an irresistible magnet for all that belongs to me by divine right. Florence Scovel Shinn, The Game of Life and How to Play It.

4 PAGE 4 IN UNISON MARCH 2018 Twenty-five well loved, stuffed animals have begun their duty tour with the Clallam County Sheriff's Department. Officer Ben arrived about 5:30 Wednesday evening. and after generously allowing us to take a few pictures, packed up the little ones in plastic bags and carried the bigger ones to his Police car. He said the Sheriff's Department could always use items like these toys to comfort children in times of crisis. Reverend Donna, Officer Ben, and Rosie Picture courtesy of Tim West Officer Ben and I thank each of you for bringing these soft, fun toys and for filling them with love for the children who will receive them. Peace and Love, Reverend Donna Food Donations I took in food collected from after Christmas to February 4th and we collected 16 lbs.! Thank you to all who contributed, Alice Special Thanks to The Bylaws Revision Team: Reverend Donna Little Erik Simpson Kim Perkins And Teia Stitzel The Stuffed Toy givers and lovers. Alice for taking food to food bank Thank you to the brave souls who came to potluck on snowy Sunday.. -Teia for 6 years of service on the board -Duane for 3 years service on the board. 7 th Pat Coughlin-Mawson 16 th Jodi Hall 20 th Bob Medsker 21 st Robbin Eaves 21 st Nancy Isaacson 23 rd Kim Perkins 31 st Ray Gruver Board Meeting to Follow Fellowship and Business Join us Sunday, March 18th,for a Potluck following Sunday Service. Bring your favorite dish and join in on the fun and fellowship!

5 PAGE 5 IN UNISON MARCH 2018 A New Story for our Youth Ministry Tim West I recently had the opportunity to attend the Unity Youth and Family Ministry (YFM) Training weekend in Gold Bar, WA. Forty-seven fellow Unity Youth Teachers gathered to share insights and concerns pertaining to our youth. One of the opportunities we experienced at the training was the Power of the Story. It allowed us to BE Curious! and ask open-ended questions of others and, more importantly, about ourselves and those that we serve. It was the gateway to open-ended wonder and infinite creativity. Through our stories of past, present and future we are divinely guided to BE of service with the greater good. During the first session we came up with a six word vision affirming how we see our service, and those we serve, participating and connecting to what we call the God experience. I held to my mantra and quoted with ease, "Coming to BE coming more" as I had done so many times before. This was and has been my vision for many years. For the most part, the weekend was about weaving a new story. We briefly discussed the future trends in Children s ministry: safety, shifting volunteer bases, communication with families, technology, shrinking budgets, special needs kids and curriculum flexibility in relationship to how it ties into our stories. But mostly the weekend was all about story-telling and the power of THE story. On the way home from the rejuvenating weekend, as I ate the many snacks in my love bag, sitting behind wrecks, in the rain and in traffic being directed away from the easy way home of the ferry -- a new vision came to me. Just like the traffic, my ideal dream and vision shifted from that which no longer moved me. What came to me was the vision of what I had just experienced. The love, the compassion, the passion, the dedication, the hugs and the hands reaching out in support of one another. What is it that I see coming to be at Unity in the Olympics? Joy-filled classrooms of Body, Mind and Spirit, practicing divine principle as together we grow in Oneness! It s time to tell a New Story about our Youth Program at Unity in the Olympics. To reframe it, and take it to youth in our community. Remember it is not the building that is the church, it is the people. It s the You. It s the Me, it s the WE. WE are the Church. It is time to take action. It is time to engage and wed the heart with the mind and move forward together. We need to be taking the essence of who we are outside the four walls. The five universal principles only come alive when we take all that God is, bring it into the core of our being, and live it! WE ARE the divine expression of love EXPRESSING and we welcome the youth in our community into this circle of love. We are now holding onto the vision of more children present with us at UITO using this affirmation: We envision 12 children on the platform with Allie to receive the Children s Blessing.

6 PAGE 6 IN UNISON MARCH 2018 Love has Chosen Us WAY OF MASTERY CLASS By Eva McGinnis This has nothing to do with religion. It is Biology. We need Love. Dalai Lama Love has chosen us to be the hands, eyes and heart of unity and compassion for all our brothers and sisters seeking the sacred space of Home, on our Mother, the Earth. Love has chosen us to release our judgements of anyone who wears a different earth suit, whether on two or four legs, to offer an outstretched hand, An open heart. Love has chosen me to hear the hope of springtime in cacophonous bird songs, which echo the longing for Peace, Love and Joy within my own heart. Pictured from left: Dwight Bartholomew Reverend Donna Little and Olivia Marguerite Snell Pat Coughlin-Mawson Clara Lakatos Sandra Blanchard Charles Mawson Love has chosen me to Witness the unfolding of Spirit s plan revealing humankind s unlimited potential, unspeakable beauty. Love has chosen us to be the eyes of truth, hands of support, hearts of Grace, large enough to hold the sacred circle of all sentient beings. THE TWELVE POWERS March The power for this month is Wisdom The ability to evaluate, discern, apply what you know. Disciple James, son of Zebedee Area of the body Pit of stomach Color Yellow Affirmation I am guided by divine wisdom in every thought, word and action.

7 PAGE 7 IN UNISON MARCH 2018 Jeshua/Jesus Speaks About Springtime Beloved one, we are going to speak of springtime. In truth, you are looking forward to spring. But the springtime that we are going to talk about now is the springtime of your life. Truly you are living the springtime of your life, no matter how many years you have garnered to yourself. It has to do with attitude. It has to do with the excitement of finding new perceptions. As you have seen, the seed ideas that you have been planting earlier in this lifetime are coming up. They are coming up through the soil of the darkness that for a while you lived in because you were focusing very much on the world and what needed to be at various stages in life. But now you have come to where the seedlings have come up through the crust, and they are growing in the Light of your consciousness. They are opening and growing as you will focus upon them. And as you will sit with a physical seed and ask of it, it will allow you to see all of life in that seed and the seedling as it comes up. It is the same with ideas. You are the ones who are interested in knowing more. You are one who has said, I will see how it works out and what there is of humor in all of it, taking everything lightly, and then I will look to see the deeper meaning. And truly, what you are looking for is love, to see how love flourishes and will nurture the little seedling. You live in love every moment as you choose to consciously ask, How can I see this differently? How can I see this in love? As you will nurture it, it will open itself to you and reveal more of life; not the world life, but the life that is truly of consciousness. And it will show you the resilience of love. As you sit with an idea, as you sit with the little seedling, it will flower, and you get to then smell the perfume, the consciousness of life, to take it to a place where you feel at One with all of the life of that flower. And all of a sudden, quite literally, I see the Light come on. There is a moment when the Light dawns, and you say, Oh, is that what that means? In this time when you are growing the most wondrous consciousness, allowing the consciousness to expand to take in truth and love: this is your springtime, and it will expand and extend as long as you want it to. But in the heart the heart is love you are always young. You are always at the place of entertaining spring. You are new every day, every moment. This is the springtime that you carry with you every day, every moment. Rejoice. --Jeshua/Jesus in Expression through Judith In Jeshua s lifetime His name was Yeshu a. Jesus is the Greek form of His name. Jeshua is the Anglicized version. (But He says that it doesn t matter what name you call Him, as long as you call Him ).

8 PAGE 8 IN UNISON MARCH 2018 Vision Statement We are Spirit Expressing as Lives Transforming for Good! Sunday Celebration Schedule March 4th: Rev. Donna Little Clarifying Our Values. March 11th: George Lindamood Stalking the Inscrutable Equanimoose- The Buddhist Ideal of Equanimity. March 18th:Rev. Donna Little What Does Lent Mean to Me? March 25th: Tim West Who Holds the Future in Your Hands? Meditation 10:00-10:15 a.m. Worship 10:30 a.m. Fellowship time following service Also at UitO: Wednesdays,6:30-8:30 p.m. Book of Joy Class. with Rev. Donna Little Friday, March 9th,7:30-8:30p.m. Jeshua Meditations, Rev. Eva McGinnis Facilitator. Sponsored by Oakbridge Univ. Thursdays, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Way of Mastery Class, Charles Mawson and Pat Coughlin Mawson, Facilitators. Wednesday, March 28th, 5:30-6:30p.m., Prayer Force. Please Join Us! Silent Unity March 2018 Affirmations Inner Peace I release all to God. My spirit is peaceful and free. Guidance I open my mind to divine inspiration and follow my divine direction. Healing Every atom of my being is invigorated with healing life. Prosperity I am prospered by divine love. World Peace I am an emissary of peace and harmony in the world. LICENSED & ORDAINED UNITY MINISTER Rev. Donna Little LICENSED UNITY TEACHER Margaret Denstad BOARD OF TRUSTEES Teia Stitzel, President Duane Morris, Vice President Kim Perkins, Treasurer Charles Mawson, Secretary Flora Todt, Trustee Erik Simpson, Trustee DAILY WORD Thursday, March 1, 2018 Zeal I begin every day with zeal and enthusiasm! Infinite wisdom and strength are available whenever I have decisions to make regarding wellbeing and direction. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. -Romans 12:11 Peace, Robbin MISSION STATEMENT Unity in the Olympics provides an accepting place in which to experience the Peace, Love, and Oneness of the Christ within so that we may more fully express these gifts in the world. UNITY IN THE OLYMPICS 2917 East Myrtle Street Port Angeles, WA Phone: uito@olypen.com Office Hours: Mon., 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Wed., 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.