From Our Spiritual Leader, Glennie Smith divine. Dear Unity family, Isn't it amazing how when we turned the calendar to October things just seemed to get hectic? We've had a fantastic two weeks of community: sharing, praying, playing together, working together, sharing our lives with one another in the light of Christ's Our Unity bus trip to Madison, Wisconsin was nothing less than phenomenal. On Saturday, September 25, 2010, a bus-load full of Unitics landed upon the Wisconsin State Capitol. After a stop at the well-known Madison Farmers Market, breakfast on State Street and shopping, we took a trip to the flower gardens, followed by a visit to the Henry Vilas Zoo. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words--so please enjoy the pictures of our annual bus trip included in this newsletter. **On September 26, our final silent auction took place immediately following Sunday service. Thanks to Jackie Devries & all those angels who donated their time and talents, we made over $1800 toward the screen and projector. **October 1st was our first Unity movie night. "Avatar" was the movie shown, as viewers enjoyed free popcorn, soda pop and snacks. Please feel free to join us the first Friday of each month for movie night. **The very next day--saturday, October 2 nd-- was cleanup day. Many thanks to: Norma, Kent, Steve, Thank you, Babs! Glennie's note continues on Page TWO of this newsletter 4831 Manchester Drive, Rockford IL 61109 (815) 229-7100 info@unityofrockford.com
(Glennie, continued from Page One) Sally, Chad,, Jerry, Tammy, Addi, Arlene, Larry, Jackie, Ro, Julie, George & Dave for all your hard work and dedication to making our church home a place of beauty and peace. Our church is now clean, inside & out. Julie Thompson & George Shull planted over 100 bulbs so we can all be looking forward to beautiful flowers next spring. **Last Sunday, we gave a special tribute to Babs Hommel for her many years of dedication & leadership. She served her two terms on the Board of Directors with dignity and grace. Although Babs will still be with us as a congregant, her leadership on the Board will be dearly missed. Events for the future: October 10, Carol Wick will be speaking to us about surrender. October 17, Stanley Campbell will be speaking to us about world peace. October 24 is our annual membership meeting. Please do not miss this important event. We have two board positions that need to be filled. Those positions will be voted upon by the members at that meeting. October 31 is Halloween. As you can see October is going to be an exciting, active month for our Unity family. Please join us as we move forward into this fall season. Namaste, Glennie holds weekly service on Sundays at 10 AM. Prayer Circle is held on Tuesdays at 10 AM. Yoga is held after Prayer Circle. Please join us!
Affirmation: I enthusiastically accept my good and go forward to achieve my purpose. Zeal The ability to be enthusiastic, be passionate, start, motivate. The disciple is Simon the Canaanite. He represents motivation and the desire to accomplish great things. The corresponding color is orange and the location is back of the head. Go Forward By Winifred Wilkinson Hausmann --This exerpt is taken from Unity House book "Your God Given Potential: Unfolding the Twelve Spiritual Powers." You can find this and other information at http://www.unity.org/twelvepowers/octoberzeal.html Zeal is the impulse to go forward, the urge behind all things. Without zeal, stagnation, inertia, death would prevail throughout the universe. The man without zeal is like an engine without steam or an electric motor without a current. The Twelve Powers of Man by Unity co-founder Charles Fillmore. Actually, as with all the 12 attributes of man, zeal has been given to each of us in bountiful measure. It is simply the failure of the individual to accept this free-flowing abundance that results in a life which is stagnant, limited, without steam, pointless, dull and disappointing. One who is lacking in interest and a zest for living is a person who is denying his God-given opportunity to take the high road through life, denying the expression of his innate powers, and interfering with his progressive unfoldment of greater possibilities of mind and body. The same amount of zeal has been given to all. How we accept it and how we work with it determines the way it will work for us or against us. Zeal directed solely to selfish, human aims may consume us with its heat and friction. But enthusiasm developed as a spiritual attribute and dedicated to God's will and God's work will carry us to mountaintops of spiritual experience and help us immeasurably in the awakening of the other 11 powers. When first awakened to spiritual ideas, we may be carried away in our desire to transform the world or even just to change our family and friends. But we must learn to direct this energy first toward transforming ourselves, bringing forth our own spiritual nature. Our greatest influence on others will be the result of the changes we have made in ourselves. When you are filled with spiritual enthusiasm, you are joyous and energetic, your senses are quickened and awakened to new life, and you have a new feeling of being vitally alive.
Unity of Rockford's Youth Education Program Submitted By Laura Edwards In Sunday school we talked about how some churches teach that God is a bigger version of man and this makes us feel that God is separate from us. Unity teaches that God is the spirit and life present in all things and God s wisdom and love are always available to us. I had each child pick a letter of the alphabet and then find something that was associated with the letter so we could see how God is present in it. The kids picked wonderful examples. A is for Apple God put in the tiny seed all the information that is needed to grow an apple tree. B is for Ball God is playful D is for Dinosaur - God made the dinosaurs and God made us. The world is always changing and evolving, but God s love and wisdom are constantly available to us. E is for Earth God made the earth to spin and to move around the sun. There are seasons in life and everything in the earth is connected to every other thing. God is expressing in every part of life. God loves all of life and provides all with sun, air, rain, food, shelter, etc, everything we need to be happy and healthy. God likes to help us to find new ways to use the gifts he/she has provided us. H is for Horse - God made us to be healthy and strong, to be loving, and to appreciate freedom. S is for Sea God s world is interesting and diverse. It is so big we can t see all of it at once. God wants us to explore and enjoy life. Thank you to all who took part in the Silent Auction. The church raised $1809, as announced on 10/3/10.
4831 Manchester Drive, Rockford IL 61109 (815) 229-7100 info@unityofrockford.com
CHRIST CHURCH UNITY OF ROCKFORD Minutes of Board of Trustees Meeting September 12, 2010 Call to Order & Roll Call at 11:50 a.m. by President Jerry Glawe. All board members present except Bill Edmundson Guests: Jackie DeVries, Sharon Glawe, Sally Hoskinson Opening Prayer Glennie Smith Secretary's Report Craig Pearson Minutes of July meeting read by Craig. Move to accept by Glennie, 2nd by Steve, Unanimous Minutes of August meeting read by Craig. Move to accept by Glennie, 2nd by Steve, Unanimous Treasurer's Report Kathy Kelley Treasurer s report for August read by Kathy. Income for August was $4323 and expenses were $4828. (An insurance payment was made in advance so the expenses reflect this added amount, which will balance out at years end) Move to accept by Craig, 2nd by Steve, Unanimous. Spiritual Leader's Report Glennie Smith Glennie informed the board she has scheduled her Sundays off through April of 2011 so we can better prepare for a replacement speaker. Her Sundays off will be 10-10-10, 11-28-10, 1-9-11, 2-20-11 & 4-3-11. Glennie will find a replacement for 10-10-10. The company, LVS, that came to evaluate our projector and screen needs submitted a bid of approx. $9000. Glennie and Jackie are going to investigate used equipment. Committee Reports Building and Grounds Glennie reported clean-up day has been rescheduled for Oct 2, 2010 starting at 9:00 AM. Rummage Sale A preliminary list of expenses to be submitted to the Women of Unity for their consideration was compiled. The list is comprised of the following items: second hand rail for the stairs leading to the basement, painting the walls in the stairwell, $250 towards the projector fund and making the pulpit easy to slide out of the way for yoga class. Visitor Packets Jackie DeVries Unity has produced a new flyer that will now be included in visitor packets. It gives a good explanation of Unity for newcomers. Old Business The board is asking Marlene Flohr and Sharon Glawe to be the nominating committee for this year s board election. Two board seats are up for election this year. New Business Norma asked Jerry if the portable fireplace in the basement could be moved into the children s area on an outside wall to help keep the kids warm this winter. Glennie made a motion that Norma could position the fireplace wherever she thought it was best utilized, 2 nd Steve, Unanimous. Glennie is going ask Addi and Agnes to investigate what it would take for them to set up a web site for our church and report back to her. The Annual Church meeting will be held right after the church service on 10-24-2010. Motion to adjourn by Glennie, 2nd by Craig. Adjourned at 12:50 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Craig Pearson--Secretary 4831 Manchester Drive, Rockford IL 61109 (815) 229-7100 info@unityofrockford.com
Sunday, October 10, 2010 9:15am Choir Rehearsal Potluck after Church Service Pulpit Assistant: LeRoy Hecker Greeters: Marlene Flohr & Carole Buhl Organist: Ron Lawson Special Music: Ruth Ann Lillstrom Hymn: Here I Am Lord (handout) Hospitality: Norma Thoren Youth Education Leader: Laura Edwards Sunday, October 17, 2010 Pulpit Assistant: Dr. Bob Heerens Greeters: Agnes Pagan & Jackie DeVries Organist: Anna Wohlfeil Special Music: Natalie Embertson Hymn: #72 Open My Eyes Hospitality: Kathi Kline, Andrea Severson & Doris Hayes Youth Education Leader: Ebony Smith Sunday, October 24, 2010 9:15am Unity Singers meet Pulpit Assistant: Jerry Glawe Greeters: Dennis Hines & Jackie DeVries Organist: Anna Wohlfeil Special Music: Unity Singers #115 Lead On, O King Eternal (hymnal) Hymn: #111 Living Abundantly Hospitality: Sharon Glawe Youth Education Leader: Laura Edwards Sunday, October 31, 2010 Pulpit Assistant: Craig Pearson Greeters: Steve & Sally Hoskinson Organist: Ron Lawson Special Music: Ron Lawson Hymn: #159 Confidently Living Hospitality: Norma Thoren Youth Education Leader: TBA Service Schedule As always, assignments & songs are subject to change! Sunday, November 7, 2010 Board Meeting 11:30am Pulpit Assistant: Agnes Pagan Greeters: Mandy Edmundson & Colette Arensdorf Organist: Anna Wohlfeil Special Music: Anna Wohlfeil or CD Hymn: #88 Sweet Hour of Prayer Hospitality: Rosalie Giazomazzo & Debbi Johnson Youth Education Leader: Mary Kegel Sunday, November 14, 2010 9:15am Choir Rehearsal Potluck after Church Service Pulpit Assistant: Julie Thompson Greeters: Marlene Flohr & Jackie DeVries Organist: Ron Lawson Special Music: Ruth Ann Lillstrom Hymn: Surely The Presence (handout) Hospitality: Norma Thoren Youth Education Leader: Laura Edwards Sunday, November 21, 2010 Pulpit Assistant: Dr. Bob Heerens Greeters: Phoebe & Lorin Larson Organist: Anna Wohlfeil Special Music: Quartet: Russ, Lorin, Sherry & Glennie Hymn: It s In Every One Of Us (handout) Hospitality: Steve & Sally Hoskinson Youth Education Leader: Ebony Smith Sunday, November 28, 2010 9:15am Unity Singers meet Pulpit Assistant: Jerry Glawe Greeters: Dennis Hines & Jackie DeVries Organist: Ron Lawson Special Music: Unity Singers #306 Come, Ye Thankful People, Come (hymnal) Hymn: #153 Count Your Blessings Hospitality: Sharon Glawe Youth Education Leader: Laura Edwards 4831 Manchester Drive, Rockford IL 61109 (815) 229-7100 info@unityofrockford.com
New Board Member Nominees & Election In accordance with by-laws, new board member nominees will be presented to the membership & voted upon at the annual membership meeting on 10/24/10. Thanks. Ever wonder how to answer the question, "What is Unity?" when someone asks? The Unity website is very helpful--www.unity.org--to get the answers! Here's some info you can use the next time someone asks YOU about Unity! What We Believe (taken from "What is Unity?" at http://www.unity.org/aboutunity/ index.html) "Unity is a positive, practical, progressive approach to Christianity based on the teachings of Jesus and the power of prayer. Unity honors the universal truths in all religions and respects each individual's right to choose a spiritual path." God: God is Spirit, the loving source of all that is. God is the one power, all good, everywhere present, all wisdom. God is divine energy, continually creating, expressing and sustaining all creation. In God, we live & move & have our being. Jesus: We believe that Jesus expressed his divine potential and sought to show humankind how to express ours as well. We see Jesus as a master teacher of universal truths and as our Way Shower. In Unity, we use the term Christ to mean the divinity in humankind. Jesus is the great example of the Christ in expression. The Nature of Humankind: We are each individual, eternal expressions of God. Our essential nature is divine and therefore inherently good. Our purpose is to express our divine potential as realized and demonstrated by Jesus and other master teachers. The more we awaken to our divine nature, the more fully God expresses in and through our lives.. Our Teachings: Unity teaches that each person is a unique expression of God created with sacred worth. Living from that awareness transforms our lives and the world. Unity emphasizes the creative power of thought in our life experience. We refer to this as the Law of Mind Action. When we take personal responsibility to choose lifeaffirming thoughts, words and actions, we experience a more fulfilling and abundant life. Unity emphasizes the importance of applying spiritual principles in our daily lives. : Board of Directors Steve Hoskinson cbs270@verizon.net 815-885-9974 Jerry Glawe jerico7711@aol.com 815-885-1048 Kathy Kelley Kelleydvd@aol.com 815-874-6345 Craig Pearson pearson7618@comcast.net815-988-6088 Babs Hummel grandmasays5@aol.com 815-633-6519 Bill Edmundson bill@wazooo.com 815-397-9618 Unity of Rockford's monthly newsletter is distributed mid-month, after the month's Board meeting. Information in the monthly newsletter is subject to change. To submit info for the Unity of Rockford newsletter, to report corrections, to place an ad, or to suggest a member to feature in "Member's Corner," please email addiwp@gmail.com.