NEWSLETTER. UNITY of St. Petersburg s. Thoughts From the Minister Rev. Fred Clare

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1 UNITY of St. Petersburg s NEWSLETTER June/July, 2010 Vol. 14 Issue 3 Vision: Unity of St. Petersburg celebrates and supports the realizing and expressing of our divine purpose through prayer, community, and spiritual education. Mission: Centered in God, we cocreate a world that works for all. Values: 1. Spirit-Led - We are centered in God. Sprit leads our thoughts and actions as we co-create a world that works for all. 2. Integrity - We act from a place of wholeness and are ethical in all our actions. We keep our word. 3. Diversity - We believe that all people are created with sacred worth. We promote greater understanding among people in a spirit of unity. 4. Transformation - We are a dynamic movement on the cutting edge of spiritual evolution. We teach universal spiritual principles that change lives. 5. Prosperity - Living in the infinite flow of God's good, we draw from God's inexhaustible supply and wisely use our rich resources to serve the world Thoughts From the Minister Rev. Fred Clare I Centered in God, We co-create a world that works for all n June, we begin our First Annual Summer Spiritual Series. The focus of this series will be on achieving our spiritual liberation using Michael Bernard Beckwith s book and movie, Spiritual Liberation, as our source material. I sincerely hope you choose to participate in this series for I am in agreement with Beckwith s statement that our world depends on you and me becoming awake, becoming evolved by consciously participating in our own spiritual evolution. It is no secret, we are living in unique times. A reexamination of what we value and trust is taking place. We are beginning to truly understand our connectiviness to all creation and at the same time, we are experiencing forces that seek to polarize or separate us. It appears that as we are being drawn together there is also an opposing force that is attempting to pull us apart. I believe this opposing force is the result of a fear based resistance to what we are truly being called to do; to accept and act from a knowing of our connection to each other and to all creation. The time has come for us to stop and listen to that inner voice urging us to consciously participate in waking up to our oneness in Spirit; to not only understand this connection but to put it into practice as well. It is important we become agents through which spiritual evolution happens. It is time for us to understand that our spiritual evolution is a necessity not only for the betterment of our own lives but for the betterment of the whole world as well. To do this requires us to practice our beliefs and practice requires a conscious commitment to the process. The Summer Spiritual Series provides you with an excellent opportunity to commit to practicing your beliefs and achieving spiritual liberation in your life. For many years, the teachings of New Thought focused upon individual awakening or transformation and because the collective consciousness was not ready yet this led naturally to living and practicing the teachings from a me perspective or what s in it for me? But the time has come where enough individuals have awaken and the collective consciousness is shifting. It is time for us to shift our perspective from me to we or how can I serve creation? Please join your spiritual community as we come together to consciously participate in our own spiritual evolution and together we ll cocreate a world that works for all! The time is NOW and we are the ones! Peace, For current information about events and activities at Unity of St. Petersburg visit our website at

2 Page 2 OUTREACH TEAM UPDATE The Outreach Team has discontinued collecting shoes. All together more than 400 pairs were collected and given to local shelters. Thanks to everyone who helped make this project a great success! Operation Birthday Child is making kids very happy. To date the Birthday Fairy has delivered gifts and cards to fifteen children in 2010 letting them know they are remembered and cherished as children of God. Please continue supporting this worthwhile project through your loving donations. The Unity Funnies welcomed two new members which brings our total to fourteen. The Funnies continue to share their joy as they visit area shelters and Assisted Living Facilities. Our Global Project, FINCA (Foundation for International Community Assistance), is off to a great start. We sent out our first check to FINCA in the amount of $200 which means four women will receive a microloan allowing them the opportunity to start a small business and create a better life for their families. The Outreach Team s Mission is: Spreading love through gifts and service. Please take the time to look at the Outreach Corner display outside the kitchen area where you will find information about our various projects, wish lists, and donation boxes. Together let s continue to reach out with love, within our community and throughout our world. Love & Peace Tania Citvaras Outreach Team Leader Unity of St. Petersburg Desires List Credit Card Reader for Bookstore $ 95 Carpet for Family/Youth Room $ 600 Laptop Computer/ Bookstore & Sanctuary $ 550 Dishwasher for kitchen $ 350 Microphones $ 420 Equalizer/ Sound system $ 325 SundayPlus Software/Sanctuary computer $ 350 NEW MEMBERS SUNDAY JUNE 13TH Is now the right time for you to become an official member of our growing, vibrant, loving spiritual community? If so, read on! New members will be honored on Sunday, June 13th during our Sunday Morning Service. If you desire to become an official voting member of Unity of St. Petersburg, please fill out a membership application form, located in our bookstore. Requirements for membership are a willingness to love, support, and share responsibility in the church community and completion of the Quick Start Unity class (class not required if you have been a member of another Unity church.) A Quick Start Unity Class is scheduled for June 9th from 6:30-8:30 pm. All are welcome to attend this informational class on Unity s organization, history and teachings. You do not have to commit to becoming a member of Unity of St. Petersburg in order to attend this class. Arsenic And Old Lace FRIDAY June 11th, 8 pm St. Petersburg Little Theatre has offered Unity of St. Petersburg the opportunity of receiving 50% of the ticket price for each ticket we sell to the opening night performance of Arsenic and Old Lace. This means for each $20 ticket purchased, USP receives $10 and you receive a fun evening at the theatre. A win/win/win, as you support your spiritual community, the theatre, and yourself. See Rev. Judy Saitta or Ann Parrish to purchase tickets or for more information call the church at St. Petersburg Little Theatre is located just off I-275 at st. St. South, St. Petersburg. (Unity of St. Petersburg receives $5 for each vouchers sold for other shows besides opening night.)

3 June 2010 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat EVERY SUNDAY Meditation 9:45 Worship 10:30 am POTLUCK Quick Start TONES FOR LIVING 7pm MOVIE 7 pm Unity 6:30-8: St. Pete Song Circle 6:30 pm

4 July 2010 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat EVERY SUNDAY Meditation 9:45 Worship 10:30 am POTLUCK Doors open 7: TONES FOR LIVING 7pm Summer Cinema 7:00 TBA Board Mtg. 6:30 St. Pete Song Circle 6:30 pm

5 UNITY of St. Petersburg s Summer Spiritual Series SPIRITUAL LIBERATION (Based on Michael Bernard Beckwith s Film & Book, Spiritual Liberation) Starting the week of June 13th, Unity of St. Petersburg s Summer Spiritual Series begins. The series, which lasts for six weeks will consist of a showing of the movie Spiritual Liberation, on Wednesday, June 13th at 7 pm. Based on the work of Michael Bernard Beckwith, this revolutionary film serves as a powerful catalyst for the global and inner shift we are experiencing in these historic times. Inspired by his book, Spiritual Liberation, Fulfilling Your Soul s Potential, Beckwith s film shares genuine solutions to the challenges of our times while awakening us to our life s purpose. In addition to the film showing, small Study groups will form, meeting weekly for six weeks to discuss the concepts presented in the book. In his book, Beckwith shares his transforming central message and powerfully accessible means for embodying that message in daily life, a process he calls "aspiring toward spiritual liberation." The core concepts of Beckwith's teachings are cohesively conceived and convincingly stated in the provocative chapters of Spiritual Liberation. Topics covering "Evolved People," "Transportation to Transformation," "Transcending the Tyranny of Trends," and "Inner Ecology" are some of his foundational teachings that bring together insights from a range of spiritual paths to form a coherent practice that is neither Eastern nor Western but truly spiritually global. Regardless of their belief system, readers will find it impossible to finish this book without at least a few "Aha!" moments. Various locations and times are available for the study groups so everyone has an opportunity to participate. During the series, Rev. Fred s Sunday message will be based upon the material presented in the book as well. Sign up today to be part of this exciting, transforming experience and connect with your spiritual community. Books are available in our bookstore. Page 5 Amazing opportunity to converse with James Twyman about his new Book The Barn Dance Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth On November 27, 2005, two men broke into Linda Twyman s apartment in Evanston, Illinois, and brutally ended her young life. Three and a half years later, guided by a series of visions and dreams, James Twyman was mystically drawn to a barn deep in the Nevada wilderness where Heaven and Earth collide and magic changes lives. Best Selling author, James Twyman is generously offering Unity Of St. Petersburg up to 72 FREE (love offering to cover shipping requested), ADVANCE copies of his latest book, The Barn Dance, to anyone who commits to reading the book and attending the Skype video conference, Thursday, August 12th 7:15 PM The book will not be available to the public until September, but will be available for you in our bookstore by July 15 th. Sign up to receive your copy of The Barn Dance and commit to being part of the discussion with James Twyman today. TIP OF THE WINGS TO Jim Sennott, Mel Infanzon & Mele for the many volunteer hours spent upgrading the sound system. Julie Beamer for working with our Youth, David LeBaron, our new Adult Director & Lillie Cintron, our new Voulnteer Coordinator. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

6 Unity of St. Petersburg Reverend Fred Clare, Minister st Avenue North St. Petersburg, FL Phone 727/ Board of Trustees Ellen Levett, President Garland Money, Vice-President Kellie Beale, Treasurer Judy Saitta, Secretary Mary Stevens, Trustee Marie Brumer, Trustee Staff Office Manager Mary Ann McNamara Licensed Teacher Bill Allard LUT Family Ministry Lindsay Wilson Music Ministry Mele Sunday Services 9:45 a.m. Prayer & Meditation Service 10:30 a.m. Children s Church 10:30 a.m. Worship Service Office Hours Tuesday-Friday 9:00 to 12 noon Bookstore Hours: 10-12:30 Sunday Manager, Joy Roberts Prayer of Protection The Light of God surrounds us. The Love of God enfolds us. The Power of God protects us. The Presence of God watches over us. Wherever we are, God is and all is well st Ave. N St. Petersburg, FL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO ST. PETERSBURG FL Return Service Requested If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please mark it return to sender and drop in mail. No postage required.