Unity today. A positive path for spiritual living. Fresh Start. Oct/Nov/Dec 2015

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1 Oct/Nov/Dec 2015 Unity today Fresh Start Inside this issue: Spotlight on LUT s 2 Youth and Family 3 Classes/Reminders Upcoming Events Calendar Tithes Core Values 9 A positive path for spiritual living. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. That phrase became a standard for the last half of the last century. Self-help books and personal development books (think How to Win Friends, Think and Grow Rich, I m OK, You re OK ) let people believe they really could make changes in their lives. Alcoholics Anonymous became a successful peer support program for overcoming addiction. We began to embrace personal responsibility as a path out of conditions we were unhappy about. We still look to the calendar for our new year. We just celebrated the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah), tradition New Year is January 1 st and the Chinese New Year will be in February. Yet, for someone, every day is the first day of a life of parenting, a life of retirement, a life as a graduate with some academic certificate, a life of marriage. Every day someone celebrates the first day of sobriety, first day cancer-free, first day out of prison, first day teaching. With every fresh start we must contemplate what to do with the past and how to embark upon this new adventure. If today is the first day of the rest of my life, what do I carry forward and what do I leave behind? This reflection is a part of all New Year rituals, in every culture. It is a part of everyday forgiveness work that Gary Simmons refers to as Day by day reconciliation. It is Byron Katie s invitation to love what is and look at our resistance and where it is arising. We cannot magically erase all the days before today but we can change the meaning we give some of those events and the power we give the past to shape our tomorrow. We have the choice to bring every wound from our past into today; bring a belief that we are the victim of all that has happened in the past; or bring a belief that we can never be free from the pain and shame we have experienced in the past. We could also choose to see the path we have traveled as just that, a journey. We have learned lessons, experienced joy and sorrow, and grown in understanding of ourselves (continued on page 2)

2 Page 2 Fresh Start and others. We are who we are at this moment because of all the choices we have made. Who we will be tomorrow is yet to be revealed, and there are infinite possibilities. If every experience is my teacher, what is there to forgive? How could I possibly be limited by a lesson, no matter how I grade myself? There is always the next lesson over the horizon. Tomorrow really is the first day of the rest of my life. I bring all of my lessons, all of my understanding and all of the divine power I possess into this day! This is a great life! Spotlight on LUT s Reverend Joy Unity of Lehigh Valley is blessed to have 3 active Licensed Unity Teachers: Jeanne Shipe, Wilma Alvarez and Joie Barry. Each of these women have heard a call to go deeper in their spiritual journey and commit to a rigorous course of study and skills demonstration. Each one has a story of the work, the challenges, and the blessings that unfold on her journey. Each of these women contribute greatly to the wealth of skills and passion available at ULV. Joie and Wilma have been a part of our Prayer Chaplain ministry since its inception; Joie has led the team of prayer chaplains for the past 6 years and now Wilma has stepped into leadership. Jeanne s passion has been for Nonviolent Communication. After participating in and supporting NVC classes at ULV for several years, she is now also leading a practice group that meets monthly. Jeanne joined the Prayer Chaplain team last year after our training with Reverend Lei Lanni Burt. Wilma and Joie have offered classes and led special services at ULV over the years. Each of these women also serve on various teams in the church as they give generously of their time and talent. Our LUT s continue to deepen their spiritual experiences. Reverend Wilma was ordained through One Spirit and now Joie is enrolled in that seminary. The role of an LUT is to expand the resources available in a church in collaboration with the minister. We are truly blessed to have these Licensed Unity Teachers. If you are interested in becoming a Licensed Unity Teacher, please talk to Reverend Joy.

3 Page 3 Youth and Family Ministry What a fantastic summer we've had! First and foremost we'd like to express our gratitude for the amazing volunteers we've had this summer: our constant, Bev, as well as Eva, Ginny, Wilma, Krystle, and Jutland. The children have also enjoyed our lessons from the What a Wonderful World curriculum. While we patiently await December to explore The Grinch, this Fall we will be discovering the Four Agreements, based on the book by Don Miguel Ruiz. We are excited to be using a topic chosen for the teens, while still adapting it for our younger children. Speaking of the teens, YOU rally is October and the theme is High 5 with teen-led activities related to Unity's 5 Basic Principles. The Uniteen Fall event is November 7-8 with activities relating to the 12 Powers. If your teen is interested in attending, please see Miranda or Kari. In addition to the Regional events, we will be hosting a family event in October and a teen lock-in in November. We will also be starting a group to provide support and adult interaction for parents of babies and young children. Keep an eye on our bulletin board and the weekly for more details! We are experiencing beautiful growth in our children's programs, and with that we need your continued support. Volunteers are needed to assist in our commitment to providing teens with their own space and discussion time on Sunday mornings. Whether you're ready to volunteer once a month or on a more flexible schedule please see Miranda, Kari, or Rev Joy. We are grateful for the continued support of the Board and Congregation!! Blessings Miranda Whitham and Kari Wyler ULV Office Hours Beginning the week of October 4th, office hours will be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am to 3pm. Please make note of our new office hours. We are blessed to have staff to provide the services we enjoy at Unity of Lehigh Valley!

4 Page 4 Membership Renewals ULV members should be receiving their annual renewal forms in the mail. Our bylaws indicate the form must be returned in person or by mail. Our Annual Meeting is Sunday, October 18th so please return forms no later than 3pm Thursday, October 15th. The office will be open from 9am to 3pm that day. If you are a current member and have not received a renewal form, please see Donna in the office to make sure we have accurate address information. If you would like to become a member, our next series of membership overview classes will begin in January. Fall Faith Series October 25th - November 22nd Daring Greatly Based on the books The Gifts of Imperfection and Daring Greatly by Brene Brown. Sundays October 25 through November 22. Bring your own work (there will be handouts) from Sunday to discussions on Wednesday evenings from 7-8:30pm. Check out Brene s TED talks and videos on YOU- TUBE. Engaging The Community Spiritual Social Action Statement: At Unity of Lehigh Valley we co-create an awakened world of peace, harmony and abundance as we commit to spiritual social action that honors the divinity and the unique expression of everyone and supports a thriving environment for all life on Earth. PROJECT KEEP WARM: Carol Caqnnon NVC PRACTICE GROUP: Jeanne Shipe PARTNERING WITH BRADBURY-SULLIVAN LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER - Family Building Education presentation; Awards Celebration; December Interfaith Clergy Confeerence Annual Member Meeting - October 18th Please join us. We have important work to do. We are electing three board positions - two full terms and one partial term. We will be discussing our financial picture (at least the appearance now) qand our budget. We will talk about what we ve done and how we want to shape the future of ULV. We will vote on bylaw changes recommended by the Board of Trustees. Please let your voice be heard.

5 Page 5 Winter Coat Collection Project Keep Warm Beginning October 1st ULV will get a head start on winter by collecting of coats of all sizes for men, women and children for project Keep Warm. Project keep-warm (PKW), is the annual drive to collect blankets and other cold weather wear which officially begins on November 1, All coats collected by ULV will be taken to PKW distribution headquarters at that time. The Lehigh Valley Business Group (LVBG) created this program in 2012 in an effort to ensure that local community shelters, day centers, code blue shelters, food pantries, soup kitchens, homeless encampments, stand downs, animal shelter, families, children and others had enough to provide for the homeless and others had enough to provide for the homeless and others who use their services. Your donations will bless someone in need in the Lehigh Valley! If you have questions or would like a collection box at your business or place of employment, please see Carol Cannon. Traditional Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Thursday December 24 th, 7pm Join Music Director Anthony Young, the choir and Reverend Joy for this seasonal favorite event. Fall Feast When: Sunday, November 22nd after service. Where: Fellowship Hall What: A feast to share. Turkey will be provided! Please sign up to bring a side dish or vegetable entrée. All are welcome to join us for the feast!! Saturday Evening Spirit Speaks We are experimenting with a different kind of spiritual experience. On Saturday evening from 5-6pm we will host a gathering. Anyone can attend. Please invite friends. This relaxed format will feature a focus and an opportunity for dialog. There will be time afterward for the group to go out to dinner or make plans for other Saturday events. On October 24th, from 5-6pm, the SESS event will be Dances of Universal Peace, hosted by Bev Freeman. Marcia Rahmana from the Reading Dances of Univasal Peace group will help lead the Dances! If you are interested in hosting a SESS event, please contact Rev Joy.

6 Page 6 It s Not Too Late It s not too late to join the choir for our Fall Season of music. If you enjoy singing, we would love to have you join us. For information on how to join the choir see Music Director Anthony Young. Don t miss service Sunday, October 11th! Guest musicians that Sunday will be our own singer/songwriter John Thomas and Brendan Thomas. Always a blessing and thought provoking and check out the concert on October 25th when Bob Sima will also be our guest musician in the Sunday Service. Mark your calendars for Sunday, December 13th when the choir will present it s annual holiday concert. This year s concert is entitled Christmas at Home. You can join us in singing just for the holiday concert. Special rehearsals are currently being planned. This year s concert will touch your heart in new ways and hopefully remind you of the joys of the past. We will also be asking congregants to add their thoughts and memories. We will be looking for your family holiday photos to add to our celebration. Watch for announcements. It will be here before you know it. Want to help with the music at Unity, but not sure getting up front and singing is for you? You can join the audio/video team as well. The A/V team is a great support and vital for the choir and the services at Unity. If you have questions about ULV s A/V team, feel free to ask a choir member. We will be delighted to direct you to our wonderful A/V director Rob Sieger. If nothing else, the choir appreciates the smiles and encouragement from members in the congregation. Let us lift up our voices and sing!! We make a difference in the world. Music Director

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8 Page 8 Oct 11: Healing Service Oct 19: Annual Meeting Oct 24: Dances of Universal Peace Oct 25: Bob Sima Concert Nov 8: Healing Service Nov 22: Thanksgiving Feast after service Nov 26: Office Closed for Holiday Dec 6: Calendar UP Meeting Dec 13: Healing Service Dec 13: Christmas Cantata Dec 24: Christmas Eve Service Dec 25: Office Closed - Merry Christmas! Dec 27: Burning Bowl Service For a detailed list of classes and event, see our website at Your Tithes at Work! Each month ULV tithes 10% of its income to where we are spiritually fed. Our 10% amount is divided. In past newsletters we have touched on some of the places we have tithed to, including our standard tithes 3% to Unity, 3% to Unity Worldwide Ministries and 2% to the Eastern Region of UWM. Our 2% community tithe goes to a different place each month. Some of those recipients are suggested by you and many come from discussions with the board about who has touched us with spiritual lessons. In July we tithed to East Penn Neighbors Helping Neighbors (EPNHN). In August we tithed to support partial registration for Prayer Chaplains to attend the Eastern Region Conference. In September we tithed to Teach Rwanda. As we joyously receive, we joyously give. That is the law of flow! In addition to tithing on regular income, we received a generous, anonymous gift. Our tithes on that gift went to Unity Worldwide Ministries, in support of the development of the education program; Easter Region in support of their growing role as the only resource available for YFM and church conflict resolution; Love and Light Ministries in recognition of the resources they provide for our Prayer Chaplain program; and to the Bradbury- Sullivan LGBT Community Center in sponsorship of the upcoming December inter-faith clergy conference. Your gifts make a difference at ULV and in the World.

9 Page 9 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.