UNITY 1027 S.E. M St., Grants Pass, OR 97526 Website: www.unityofgrantspass.org UNITY a Positive Path to Spiritual Living November December, 2013 issue THANKSGIVING Today I feel deep gratitude. When I consider the blessings in my life and the joy of my ones with God, gratitude flows through me. My body is a temple of constantly renewing life. My mind is clear and bright. My abundance is from God, the source of all good. This day offers a sacred opportunity to live in appreciation. Sowing seeds of love, I look for loving qualities in others. I nurture my own growth by accepting people as they are. I am grateful for everyone and everything, seeing the divine potential within every being and experience. I am growing into greater expression of my divine nature, and I feel deepest gratitude. Bible Reference: Psalm 95:2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! (Please put yourselves in these words & they will mean much more to each of you than just reading it.) GUEST SPEAKERS for NOVEMBER, 2013 10:30 service plus other information NOV. 3 Bridget Wolf Krause, speaker, Bridget for Special Music & Susan Hunt, Pianist Patsy Osmer, Platform Assistant, Dianne & Henry, Greeters & Ed Koepke, Hospitality NOV. 10 Rev. Flo Bohnert. Julie Wright f/special Music w/susan Hunt, Pianist Patsy Osmer, Platform Assistant, Dianne & Henry, Greeters & Dianne & Betty, Hospitality NOV. 17 Rev. Ernestine Lee, Bridget doing Special music & Pianist Kay Grant, Platform Assistant, Barry & Henry, Greeters & Barry Silveria, Hospitality NOV. 24 Rev. Marcia Griffin, Unity Choir will perform with Susan Hunt, Director & Pianist Dianne Dean, Platform Assistant, Henry & Mary Ellen, Greeters, Mary Ellen, Hospitality AUTUMNTIME I took a walk in autumn time When orange pumpkins were in their prime; When trees were wearing their autumnal best For God the Fall season had blessed. The sky was wearing a bonnet of blue, Sunsets were colored a purplish hue; Chrysanthemums along the way Made a beautiful bouquet. As I walked along the countryside, Squirrels were looking for nuts to hide; Then suddenly I heard church bells chime As God proclaimed, It s autumntime! Mailing Address: 233 Rogue River Hwy., PMP 361, Grants Pass, OR 97527 Telp. 541-479-1363 to leave message.
Pg. 2 BOARD of DIRECTORS NEWS At the October 8 th Board meeting Susan Barrett was brought onto the Board to fill the remaining Alternate position. WELCOME ABOARD, SUSAN! We are happy you volunteer for this position. I want to personally thank all those who participated in our brainstorm session at the Halloween and Harvest Potluck. I felt the power of special energy flowing through all of us. The ideas that we shared will definitely help our church prosper and grow. Your Board will make a decision about choosing a spiritual leader at our meeting on the second Sunday in November. There is much for all of us to be thankful for. In my humble opinion, I think our church has launched a new beginning. And I see the Christ within all of you. Blessings from your Board President, Gary Eby CHOIR NEWS The Unity Choir will be singing on Sunday, Nov. 24 th and Sunday, Dec. 22 for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Rehearsals are on Sundays at 3 p.m. and last from 1 to 1! hours, beginning Nov. 3. If you like to sing, or have an instrument you can play, please join us! Call Susan Hunt at 435-689-0445 for more information. HOLIDAY BAZAAR November 23, 2013 9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. On Saturday, November 23 our Holiday Bazaar will be open to the public from 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Then we close and move the remaining items on the tables to the side and back of the church for those of you who did not make it to the bazaar on Saturday can make more purchases for yourselves, families and friends. PLEASE COME and SUPPORT THIS EVENT sponsored by the Women in Unity. We have a wide variety of merchandise plus Baked Goods, Candies, and Raffles. See you there. CALENDAR OF EVENTS In the small room to the left of the bathroom on the boiler room door is a large yearly calendar for 2013 & 2014. It is for any one who has a class, event, group discussion meeting, meditation event, party, pot luck, meetings, whatever you are doing, please sign up your event on these calendars. These calendars help our Board of Directors, Susan Hunt who does our Bulletins, your Newsletter Editor and many other people in our church who are planning other events. Thank you very much. Sunday School The Church is looking for a couple of people to learn the Unity material & be available to teach Sunday school. Please let one of your Board members know. NEWSLETTER EDITOR This will be my last issue of the Newsletter for Unity Church of Grants Pass. It has been a wonderful but sometimes exasperating experience. I want to thank everyone for giving me information for the news and for those wonderful comments you have bestowed on me for my work on this paper over the past three & half years. No, I am not leaving the church, just giving up the newsletter. I am looking forward to new adventures and more relaxing times. Your current editor, Lois Susan Barrett has volunteered to take over the newsletter starting w/the January/February issue. Until she gets used to the newsletter, I will be assisting her. Susan is a very capable lady and I know she will do a wonderful job on the news. Thank you, Susan, for taking this position. You will be a great editor. For those of you who receive the Newsletter by email, I would appreciate you contacting Susan B. with your email address. She will start her own list of addresses. Anyone who would like the news emailed to them who are now receiving it by mail can also tell Susan. Her email address is: ob440sb61@gmail.com
Pg. 3 NOVEMBER ACTIVITIES Nov. 2, 16, 21 & 30 th HEALING from your Heart 1 3 p.m. Susan Barrett - love offering. Nov. 3 BIRTHDAY SUNDAY- Host, Ed Koepke Come join the birthday honorees after service. They are JoAnne Jimenez (6), Ed Koepke (18), and Howard Osmer (27) Any November birthdays not on this list, please call Carol Smith @ 541-955-4995. Thank you. Nov. 5, 12, 19, & 26th SMILE to your HEART Meditations 7 8 p.m. Susan Barrett, love offering Nov. 6 WOMEN in UNITY 10:30 a.m. Kay Grant, President - ALL WOMEN welcomed Nov. 7 & 21 - HEALING CIRCLE - 1-3 p.m. by Wanda Barboza - Love offering received. Nov. 10 BOARD MEETING 12 noon with finger foods offered NOTE: Discussion on hiring or not hiring a spiritual leader will take place w/voting by the Board. Nov. 15 VOCAL MEDICINE WOMAN 5:30 6:30 p.m. lead by Becky Lee. Love offering Nov. 20 WOMEN in UNITY BAZAAR Setup 1 p.m. - Contact Lois Pearce for information. Nov. 22 LAST day to RECEIVE BAZAAR ITEMS 10:30 a.m. 12 noon. Contact Lois f/info. HOLIDAY BAZAAR NOVEMBER 23 9 a.m. 3 p.m. This is WIU big fund raiser of year. Nov. 24 HEAVEN on EARTH Study Group 1 p.m. Gary Eby leader Love offering taken. NOTE: All of these groups are open to anyone at any time for you to attend. All of them are at the church and presented on a love offering basis. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Feel FAITH Feel Smiles Feel Friendship Feel Peace & Joy Think Love Think Treasured times Think Accomplishments ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ How to Give Thanks By J. Sig Paulson, Unity publication 2009 Expressing gratitude through praise and thanksgiving can start in any area of our lives and bring immediate results. In the Image and Likeness of God According to the Bible, all of us are made in the image of God. Our exercise in gratitude will begin with these words. I praise and give thanks for God s image in me. You cannot repeat these words sincerely for long without feeling a flow of energy that lifts your whole being. And perhaps for the first time, you will begin to appreciate who and what you are. Although you may have buried your real self, your identity, in the mire of condemnation and ingratitude, it will soon respond to your words, thoughts and feelings of gratitude expressed through praise and thanksgiving. For a refreshing approach to praying for others, use the same gratitude exercise in this way: I praise and give thanks for God s image in you. The finest help we can give another human being is to recognize gratefully his or her true identity. This exercise in gratitude performed silently and sincerely, will often change another s life for the better. (See next page)
Pg. 4 Jesus said that we are the light of the world. Try this exercise: I praise and give thanks for the light of the world that I am and for my expanding ability to let this light shine. Consistent practice of this exercise will erase darkness from mind, heart, body and affairs and fill your whole being and world with light. It will be easy for you to rephrase this so that you can help in letting light into someone else s life. The apostle Paul told us that after we discover our real identity, we stop letting ourselves be pushed around by the world of appearances and become a life-giving spirit. Here is an affirmation with which to begin. As a life-giving spirit, I praise and give thanks for the power to stimulate all life and health-distributing centers of my mind, heart and body. Or: As a life-giving spirit, I praise and give thanks for the power to release this vitalizing energy of eternal life into all that concerns me. I joyously change mind, heart, body, work, relationships with other people, and my whole world with the refreshing life current I distribute. And don t stop with yourself: As a life-giving spirit, you can send a current of energizing life into another s experience. I praise and give thanks for God s image in you. I praise and give thanks for God s image in me. Church Prayers - You can drop your prayer request in the box located under the mirrors on Sunday s Dianne Dean heads up the Prayer Chain. She and her group do an excellent job. Many prayers have been answered. If you have an emergency, call Dianne @ 541-582-2906. Silent Unity is a 24 hour, 7 day week toll free line you can call. 1-800-669-7729 or go on line to www.silentunity.org Membership Application are in the foyer for anyone interested in joining our church. No obligations, no fees. You may turn them into our Board President, Gary Eby or to other Board members. Sunday Flowers There is a sign-up sheet under the mirrors for each of us to sign up to bring fresh Flowers or Greens in an arrangement or vase for every Sunday service. There are no more fake flowers. Something from your yard, a potted plant, florist, grocery store, etc. OTHER NEWS THANK YOU to the Board of Directors for handing out Certificates of Appreciation to members in September who have served in many capacities for a long time. We appreciate this very much. THANK YOU to our President Gary Eby for conducting a very interesting and informative meeting after the Harvest-Halloween Pot Luck last Sunday, October 27 th. We heard about 3 proposals from 2 individuals who want to be our Spiritual Leader. The Board of Directors will be making some tough decisions at their November 10 meeting. Let s give them our prayers. THANK YOU to all the people who attended the Harvest-Halloween Pot Luck. Thank you for coming and thank you for all the delicious foods. Thank you for helping set up tables and taking them down and other duties with the pot lucks. There were 33 people attending the pot luck and meeting. Remember, positive thoughts, words and actions create a healthy life.. mind, body and spirit. >>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<
In Athens, Greece, a driver s license can be taken away by law if the driver is deemed either unbathed or poorly dressed. (From Real Facts-the word unbathed is not listed in Webster, but told in Real Facts) Christmas As I open my heart to love, Christ is born in me. Long ago, three wise men following a star were led to a place in Bethlehem. There they found the baby Jesus and were filled with joy. Reverently they offered their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. People the world over exchange gifts on Christmas, but the greatest gift doesn t come wrapped in a package. Better than precious metals and fragrant spices is the unconditional love of God. This is the gift that Jesus Christ lived and taught. Love is the gift that brings life to both giver and receiver. We open our hearts to love this day and the Christ Spirit is born in us. We celebrate Christmas by humbly giving and gratefully receiving the peace and love of God. Bible Reference: Matthew 2: 10-11 When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. GUEST SPEAKERS for DECEMBER, 2013 Plus other information DEC. 1 CHERYL HOOD, speaker, with Bridget Krause Special Music & Pianist Patsy Osmer, Platform Assistant, Henry & Wanda, Greeters & Wanda Barboza, Hospitality DEC. 8 Rev. Ruth Miller, Thalia Rose f/special Music & Susan Hunt, Pianist Patsy Osmer, Platform Assistant, Henry & Susan B, greeters & Susan Barrett, Hospitality DEC. 15 Rev. Ernestine Lee Bridget Krause doing Special Music & Pianist Wanda Barboza, Platform Assistant, Henry & Katie, Greeters & Katie Graves, Hospitality DEC. 22 Rev. Flo Bohnert -Unity Choir, Susan Hunt, Director & Pianist Christmas Candle Light Service DEC. 29 Rev. Colleen Graham, Gary Eby, Special Music & Susan Hunt, Pianist Dianne Dean, Platform Assistant, Henry & Kay, Greeters & Kay Grant, Hospitality ESSENCE By Donna Miesbach There is a hush about this hour Which words cannot convey, A holiness that s settled Upon the close of day. And all my busy doings Just evaporate like air As I move into the stillness That enfolds me everywhere. Oh Spirit of my spirit, You are my very essence. Let all my labors settle As I rest within they Presence.
Pg. 6 DECEMBER EVENTS Dec. 1 BIRTHDAY SUNDAY Hostess is Wanda Barboza. Come & celebrate w/our friends. Nancy Yonker (4), Barry Silveria (16) Carol Smith handles the birthday mailings Call her if you have a Dec. birthday not listed above. Dec. 3, 10 & 17 Smile to your Heart Meditations 7-8 p.m. w/susan Barrett Love offering Dec. 5 & 19 Healing Circle 1-3 p.m. under the direction of Wanda Barboza by Love offering Dec. 7, 14, 21 & 28 Healing from your Heart 1-3 p.m. Susan Barrett - Love offering received Dec. 8 BOARD MEETING 12 noon with finger foods & everyone is welcomed to attend. This meeting is to conduct church business. Discussions & voting are done here. You can comment as well. Dec. 11 WOMEN in UNITY meeting 10:30 p.m. Short business meeting and ladies will be storing any left over Bazaar items in the shed. Also, anyone who has goods, could pick them up then. Dec. 15 COOKIE SOCIAL - held after the service. Women in Unity are furnishing the cookies. Dec. 20 Vocal Medicine Women 5:30-6:30 p.m. with Becky Lee. Love offering taken Dec. 21 MENDING the HEART of the WORLD Concert given by Talia Rose 7-10 p.m. This is a special event at our church, please try and attend this concert of lovely music. Dec. 29 Heaven on Earth Study Group 1 p.m. facilitated by Gary Eby. Love offering taken. 2014 Yes, it is coming soon! Jan. 5 Birthday Sunday Jan. 12 Board Meeting Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 Smile to your Heart Meditations Jan. 17 Vocal Medicine Women. Jan. 8 Women in Unity meeting 10:30 am Jan. 26 Heaven on Earth Study Group Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25 Healing from your Heart Healing Circle check Jan. news or bulletins NOTE Tickets will probably go on sale January 26 th for the Valentine Raffles this year. (2014) Get ready with your $ or purchase 6 tickets for $5.00. This will be another Women in Unity fund raiser. Good Luck!!! But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life; and thanks to a benevolent arrangement of things. The greater part of life is sunshine. By President Thomas Jefferson, from a letter to Maria Cosway, October 12, 1786 AFFIRMATIONS I am filled with the your of Spirit. Faith keeps me strong & confident I live in an abundant universe, and I am prosperous I open myself to divine order. God s light shines steadily within me. In the Silence, I find peace. Today holds great promise. I live in harmony with my life s unfolding. I let go and let God: all things are possible. The joy of spirit is with me always. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. John 14: 27 Merry Christmas Thank you from your editor, Lois Pearce, 2013