Unity today. Spiritual Practices! A positive path for spiritual living. Jan/Feb/Mar 2014

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1 Jan/Feb/Mar 2014 Unity today Inside this issue: Message from the President 2 Spiritual Practices! Our Fall Faith series focused on 5 Spiritual Practices for Living Originally. Each practice provided a foundation for the others and together, they provided the framework for a way to live every day. The series is available online at our website or through our Facebook page. Classes/Reminders 3 Upcoming Events YFM Calendar Tithes 4 5 Core Values 6 A positive path for spiritual living. As we enter a new year, I am reminded once again of the importance of the daily practice of our principles. We listen to one another on Sunday and we feel connected at the heart level. We confidently affirm There is only One Power and One Presence active in my life and in the Universe, God the good, omnipotence. After Sunday services end, we leave the building and we pull out of the parking lot. Then life presents its challenges. People do not appear loving and we close our hearts to protect ourselves. There seems to be a force of evil and a power of lack at work in our lives and in the world. Breathe. Notice what is going on in your thoughts and in your body. Remember the practices we know. Now practice self awareness, self acceptance, forgiveness, benevolence and compassionate communication. Rather than making resolutions this year or even setting goals, I am holding the intention to practice what I know. I will learn new things simply by experiencing my life with a renewed commitment to awareness. I was created to be love, peace, harmony and abundance. My original self remains as it was created. I invite you to join me in the practice of living originally. - Rev Joy

2 Page 2 Message From the President I hope you will forgive me. It s been a long time since I have done anything like this, and I am a little uncertain as to how to proceed. I think I will start with how I came to Unity. I grew up in a pretty standard Protestant church and no harm done. I recall some good times with the youth group, and the minister there for most of the time I went to Sunday school was a good and kind man. The few times I went to the adult service, it was pretty much a matter of following the order of service, to keep track of when it would be over. I enjoyed the Gloria Patri, and the Doxology, and still do. I had no sense of deep connection in my church experience. I released the habit of church as soon as I was an adult. No resentment about it, just no reason to continue. There was one notable exception to skipping church; I found deep pleasure at the Christmas Eve midnight service. The Christmas carols touched me very deeply, and still do.. O Little Town of Bethlehem, Silent Night, Joy to the World and especially O Holy Night In the early 90s, after my divorce, I moved to Emmaus to be close to my children, David and Corinne, who were living with their mother in Macungie. I walked all the time around town, and was always intrigued by the messages on the Unity sign board. Non- traditional, clearly..and so often they resonated with my heart and mind. One sun bathed Sunday morning, as I lay in my bed, I heard church bells (from a different church here in town) and the impulse to go to Unity rose up in my mind. So I walked the 70 yards and went in. As I was greeted, and stepped into the sanctuary, it felt different and better than it ever had going into a church. It felt like home. Still does.. Unity may not be for everyone but for many of us, it is coming home to our spiritual self. Dana Baldwin - Board President "One Stitch at a Time" for giving Hand Made Items! Please contact Donna Iobst if you are interested in participating in ULV Crochet and Knitting group. The group meets on Tuesday evenings, however, you are welcome to crochet/knit at a time and place which meets your schedule. Donna's Contact Information: Home phone iamgoodhearted2@aol.com

3 Page Lent Series: 40 Day Mind Fast/Soul Feast Forgiveness: The 2014 Classes! Beginning on Ash Wednesday, March 5 th, we will be using Michael Beckwith s book as our guide. We will meet each Wednesday to review the meditation and lesson for that day and to reflect upon our week s practice. This will be an interactive class which requires the participants purchase the book and commit to daily practice. Each of us will engage the work at our individual level and we will support one another. It promises to be an adventure. Join us on Wednesdays. The book may be ordered through ULV or through the Amazon link on our website. If you are interested in hosting a study group in your home during Lent, please contact Reverend Joy. Following up on the 7 Step process Reverend Joy introduced in her sermon series on Living Originally, the process will be explored in 4 class sessions in January and February. Giving us time to incorporate the work, class will meet every other Wednesday, beginning January 8 th, from 7 to 8:30pm. No text is necessary and class will be on a love offering basis. Because the work builds each week, participants will not be added after the first class. 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 2nd 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. Unity Overview Classes Each year we offer two sessions of Unity Overview classes. These classes explore Unity Basics, Prosperity, Prayer, Metaphysical Bible Interpretation, Positive Communication and the governance of ULV. While completion of all 6 classes are needed for membership, they are also great refreshers or informational if you are just thinking about membership. Classes will be offered after service on the second and fourth Sundays of January, February and March. The first class will be Unity Basics on January 12 th. Sign-up will be posted in the sanctuary and on Facebook.

4 Page 4 YFM INFO As we begin a New Year we have new Co- Directors, Miranda Whitham and Kari Wyler. Looking at lessons for our youth, we begin with What A Wonderful World. Beginning January 19th we will explore the Spiritual Social Justice series Reverend Joy is doing. Our youth series will be called: Snowflakes and People are all different. The aspects of diversity we will focus on are race, family dynamics, ethnicity, gender, religion and ability. Lessons will include age appropriate resources. In February the Teens will have their annual Lock-In. Please be sure that we have current, accurate information cards on all youth. Please contact Kari or Miranda if you are interested in participating with our youth one Sunday. Kari - kwyler20@gmail.com Miranda - mirandawhitham@gmail.com January 17th Dinner Dance with the Motown Sounds of Charles Lee Dinner at 6:00pm The Clubhouse at the Fairways Join us for a fun evening of food, fellowship and the danceable Motown music of Charles Lee. Dinner begins at 6:00pm and Charles will play till 10:00pm. Our menu will include turkey barbeque, pulled pork and a vegetarian casserole. Please sign up to bring a salad, side or dessert to add to the main dish provided. We ll have tea and coffee but feel free to bring a beverage of your choice. Thickets are only $25 in advance; $30 at the door. Tickets are available after service and through the church office. The Clubhouse at the Fairways is off Brookside Road in Macungie, PA. Exciting News from the Prayer Chaplain Team Unity of Lehigh Valley and the Prayer Chaplain Team will be hosting a Prayer Chaplain Trainers Workshop on August 14 thru 16, 2014 at the Kirkridge Retreat Center in Bangor. Hosting this workshop gives ULV the unique opportunity to have our Prayer Chaplains and all interested congregants attend the training without the added expense of travel. The founder of the Prayer Chaplain Program, Rev. Lei Lanni Burt, had a vision during ministerial school of inviting and empowering congregants into holding spiritual space and praying with each other. From 1998 thru 2005, she developed and implemented Prayer Chaplain Programs at Unity Churches in California and Phoenix, Arizona. In 1999, she created a Prayer Chaplain Trainers Workshop and her own prayer ministry known as Light and Love Ministries. Since that time, thousands have attended her workshops held throughout the country and the world. ULV is privileged to have four members who have been trained as Light and Love Ministries trainers. Please contact me or Rev Joy to learn about how you can attend this training guaranteed to deepen your own personal prayer practice. Joie Barry, LUT Prayer Chaplain Team Leader Joie Barry, LUT, or merc70hp@aol.com Rev Joy Wyler, or revjoy@rcn.com

5 Page 5 Class Schedule UNITY OVERVIEW CLASS Jan 12th - Unity Basics Jan 26th - Prosperity Feb 9th - Prayer Feb 23rd - Positive Communication Mar 9th - Metaphysical Bible Interpretation Mar 24rd - Welcome to ULV (governance) 7 STEP FORGIVENESS Jan 8th -- Jan 22nd -- Feb 5th -- Feb 19th Dates to Remember Jan 17th - Dinner Dance with Charles Lee Jan 21st - 12 Powers Class (Zeal) Feb 2nd - Fellowship Luncheon - SOUP Feb 18th - 12 Powers Class (Elimination) Mar 2nd - Fellowship Luncheon - SALAD Mar 5th- Lent Series begins 40 Day Mind Fast Soul Feast Mar 18th - 12 Powers Class (Life) SAVE THE DATE: Aug 24th - ULV Annual Picnic 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 28 gift bags with clean socks, gloves and personal hygiene items for men in the programs. We added Prayer Squares which stated: There are prayers stitched in this square for comfort, encouragement, and hope. When you feel lonely or need comfort, reach for me in your pocket or purse. You are not alone - God and our prayers are with you always. 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: Unity of Boulder, Colorado November: Unity of Joplin, Missouri

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.