Happ New Ye y ar!... There was a lot of magic in the air at Unity this Christmas. YOU are the magic! You brought the light into the eyes of our teens as you bought enough snowperson jars and tree ornaments for them to buy not one but two alpacas for families through Heifer Project International. You are the magic that brought several special gifts to every member of two families nine people in all by taking the tags off our little tree in the foyer and buying those gifts. You are the magic that gathered 53 teddy bears for kids whose moms are in recovery at Riel House. You filled our chairs and those kids arms with love. The magic continues beyond Christmas, too. You are the magic as we gather for music, meditation, and inspiration each Sunday morning. It doesn t matter if the furnace is broken, if snow is all over the parking lot, even if it s game day you come and create space for divine connection. Healing happens here. Laughter has been known to erupt. Lives are changed. Your presence here makes a difference for you and for all of us! You are the magic as we keep our building open and in good order, welcoming various groups and classes to use our space throughout each week. It is your support that allows Chris, LeAnne, Sylvia, our cleaning company, and me to serve you every week. We love what we do, and, as Unity minister and author Rev. Jim Rosemergy says, even mystics have bills to pay! You are the magic that allows Unity Spiritual Life Center to meet all its obligations so we can be here for seekers (and finders!) week after week. There was an article in the Yakima Herald recently about how the Union Gospel Mission may have to cut back on its services because giving is down by 20%. The Board and staff at Unity know the feeling. We have been experiencing a similar phenomenon for the past five months. What to do? Pray in the Unity way, with denials and affirmations! Denial: We deny that financial struggle is just the way things are for any one of us or for Unity Spiritual Life Center. Affirmation: We affirm that God is our Source and God s Presence and Power in us can make the impossible, possible! Here is another denial and affirmation I shared with the Board at our last meeting. It really touched me, especially the part about in God s own beautiful way. I ve been saying it every morning and evening and anytime in between when I start to go into fear: Worry, be gone! Rich, prosperous results now manifest in God s own beautiful way, for me and for all. I am grateful! There is no outside magic that creates a spiritual community like Unity of Yakima. Together, we are a beacon and a safe haven for spiritual seekers. The growth we love most is to watch people expand in their consciousness of the Divine Presence and Power in and with them in every moment. This is what we are supporting with our time, talents, and treasure. Your regular financial support at any level really does make a difference. When we all come together with our giving, blessings multiply exponentially! You ARE the magic! Thank you! And thank you, God! Blessed by you, Cheryl January 2016 Our Vision Our Mission
Community Outreach: Supplying dinner for 30 homeless teens On the third Wednesday of each month we supply dinner to Rod s House, a shelter for homeless teens. You can sign up to bring a main dish, a salad, rolls or a dessert for 15-30 people. Making Sandwiches for Homeless On the first Sunday of every other month we make Sandwiches for the Homeless. All are welcome to come help. It takes less than an hour to make 400 600 sandwiches! Jan 3rd is our next sandwich making time The ONENESS BLESSING is offered here at USLC! Sunday morning downstairs in the prayer room from 9:45 to 10:15 am. All are welcome to receive the blessing. A Course in Miracles - Workbook Study Every Monday, 11:00am - 12:00pm (please be on time, so we can start on time) You don t need to study the CIM textbook before doing the workbook. You can print out the lessons online for free. Take one a day and work on it. We ll discuss 7 lessons a week. Call the church for more information - 575-5551 Unity Spiritual Life Center 401 S. 8th Avenue -Yakima WA 98902 509-575-5551 Dial-A-Blessing: 426-4988 Website: UnityYakima.org Email: Minister@UnityYakimaMail.org Drop in anytime! This class meets every Wednesday from 10:45-noon. Beforehand, from 10:15-10:40am, there is quiet meditation with music in the sanctuary. Office: Chris@UnityYakimaMail.org Current Study: Water, Wind, Earth & Fire: The Christian Practice of Prayer with the Elements ~by Christine Valters - Paintner Sunday Celebration - 10:30am Office hours - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Minister..Rev. Cheryl Rohret Music Director...LeAnne Watrous Pianist..Sylvia Holtman Adm. Assistant.Chris Roybal Newsletter...Chris Roybal Board of Directors Candy Cristofaro Lori Fisk-Moss Marilyn Freed James Gentry Janet Hattrup Marilyn Holloway Youth Education Coordinator..Lori Fisk-Moss Teachers: Chaundra Ambrose, Dawn Fulton, Todd Hottell, Janet Hattrup, Susan Martin, Linda Phillips, Jessica Richards, Ann Schmella Staying Sane in an Insane World A support group for those who see behind the veil. We are a support group established for people who recognize the illusion and deception that much of humanity is under, and who wish to help heal and change our shared experience for the better. When: First and Third Wednesdays, 7:30-9:00 p.m. *Donations to help defray costs of providing meeting space will be greatly appreciated. 2:30-2:45pm - Oneness Blessing! 2:45-3:00pm - Healing Crystal Bowl Meditation! 3:00-4:30pm - DRUMMING CIRCLE! Saturday, January 16th *Children 10 and older are welcome, must be accompanied by an adult. 12-Step Support Groups that meet at Unity Alcoholics Anonymous: "The Early Birds Everyday - 6:30am Sisters in Sobriety closed women's group - Thursdays - 6:00pm Al-Anon: Steps to Recovery Every Wednesday 5:30pm
Sunday Service 10:30am What s new for you in 2016? Too early to tell, right? In some ways that is true. However, we can set the direction for the year ahead with the thoughts and intentions we place into our minds and hearts in this very first month of the year. We begin with the ritual of the burning bowl and letters to God a powerful demonstration of Unity s denials and affirmations. Then comes the White Stone Ceremony in which we listen within for a word that sets an intention for ourselves for the year ahead. The celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. s legacy puts our minds on freedom through Love. Then we will look at the Goldilocks Principle of just right, and wrap up the month with inspirational words from Marilyn Freed. In these cold, dark days of winter, we invite you to step into the warmth and light we share here at Unity. January 3 The Burning Bowl and Letters to God This service gives us an opportunity to clear our minds of any thoughts or attitudes that seem to stand between us and our Good. As we write our obstacles on a small slip of paper and watch them turn into nothing more than a few gray ashes, our hearts open. We have made space to give attention to our most precious desires. We write a few of those in a letter to God, address it to ourselves, then seal it and let the Universe go to work on those desires all through the year. What might you discover when you get your letter back next December? January 10 The White Stone Ceremony Never doubt the power of your words to create your reality! You may try to figure out in your mind what word you will write on your white stone. Or you could let Spirit guide you through intuition and inspiration as we spend time in a guided meditation. The stones come from a quarry near Jerusalem. The idea for them comes from Revelation 2:17: Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it. Come and create a marker, a spiritual reminder, for the year ahead. January 17 Bound Together by Love The fifth of Unity s 5 Basic Principles is an action step: I do and give my best by living the Truth I know. We talk quite a bit in Unity about being love in action. Martin Luther King Jr. called our whole nation to demonstrate what that might look like by learning to live with those who seem different from us. What we know in Unity is that those differences are not the most important Truth of the matter. The Truth is we are all One, ultimately bound together by Love. How shall we live that Truth in our world? January 24 The Goldilocks Principle We all know the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Dear little Goldilocks was on a search for a place just right to rest her head. What is the just right place you are searching for? Let s read this story metaphysically and see what s in that whole idea of just right. Could it be that we re closer than we think? January 31 Let It Be Easy Guest Speaker, Marilyn Freed Struggle is not an act; it is an attitude. If we believe we must fight to get what we want, we will toil over everything. Our good is always streaming to us, through us, for us, and around us--but to enjoy it we must recognize it. The purpose of our spiritual journey is to wake up to what's already happening. Lets become open to embracing ease in our lives.
The office will be closed Friday for those who want to know more The Power of ME in Unity: If you have been enjoying your participation in our Unity community for a while, you may be ready to consider becoming a member. You are invited to join us for The Power of ME in Unity: Membership Has Its Privileges! This interactive class will give you closer look at what Unity Spiritual Life Center has to offer in the way of opportunities for authentic growth, fellowship, and service. Find out more about what people are doing through Unity, here and beyond our doors. Learn more about Unity s guiding principles and Myrtle and Charles Fillmore who got the whole Unity movement started. Discover for yourself what can make membership enriching and fun for all of us! This class will be held on Saturday, January 23rd from 10:00 am 1:00 pm. Lunch is included. Please sign up, so we can be sure to have enough food for everyone. If you ve taken class before, you are welcome to join us, too.
Financial Report December Operating Income: $7400 Planned Monthly Income: $9800 Expenses: $11,565 Planned Monthly Expenses: $9800 What a blessed Christmas season this has been! We sent 53 love-filled bears to Riel House this year! Our Christmas Families that we sponsored were so grateful. Your giving of time, talents and treasures made a difference in many lives! We are, God s Love in Action! From the President Something to Ponder. What is the difference between Tithe and Charity? Which one should my money go to? Per Webster s Dictionary: The word Tithe means one tenth, an amount of money that a person gives to a church which is usually equal to 1/10 of that person s income. The word Charity means giving money or food to people who are poor, sick etc. It is an institution engaged in relief of the poor. As I research both of these words and let them settle into my heart I have warm feelings for both. I give 10% of my income currently but is my money going to the right place? I know I m supposed to help the poor and I know that I m supposed to put something in the basket What good is my money actually doing? I turned to the internet and found an article that was written by a blogger named Nancy who attended an event that was led by a former Unity Minster named Edwene Gaines. She said the point that Edwene was making is that we need to give from our hearts, not our tax-deducting thoughts in our heads. And that donating our time is not the same as trusting that Source is always providing so that we can easily make a financial commitment from our wallet. According to the scriptures Edwene quotes, it has always been intended that our tithes go to the places that spiritually feed and uplift us, to further encourage the upliftment of the world. She goes on to say that giving to Charity creates dependency, encouraging the need and scarcity and the lack to expand. Nancy said she now knows that she is to feed her spiritual fulfillment first, and donate to charities after that, it makes heart-sense. I invite you to read the full article yourself, it is very insightful. The full article is located at affirmingspirit.com/ blog2008/12/tithing-versus-charity-giving/ As I ponder these things, I think about all the healing I ve witnessed while attending Unity. I ve seen stage 4 Cancer patients completely healed, Alcoholics clean and sober now for years, living fulfilling lives. The abused and broken lifted up and now standing in strength and confidence, families reunited, love and joy spreading through our community. I think about the guy on the street corner that is in need of food day after day and I see pity and sorrow. I think about what world do I want to live in, Pity and sorrow or love and joy? My heart knows the answer: LOVE AND JOY, but then I feel a tinge of guilt because the guy on the corner needs food. I drop back into my heart and know that he will still be provided for because of the charities available to him. My church supports local charities with time, money and food, plus uplifts and encourages me and others. All of this is provided by tithing my time, talents, and treasures. But what about all the homeless and abused animals that cannot care for themselves or the environment. I m grateful for the charities that are stepping in to care for them and educate us. I again drop into my heart for clarity. I m guided to the Bible for direction. I turn to Proverbs 3:9: Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. So if my substance is money and produce is my income and I give (Tithe) the first 10% to the Lord (where I m spiritually fed), THEN I will be rewarded with plenty more. So, I don t need to choose one or the other. If I Tithe first, I will be rewarded with more to donate to Charities. Tithing really is a win-win for all and does make heart-sense! After deciding to write this article and doing all the research, you will never guess what I discovered in the December newsletter. The Prosperity Class we are holding in February is using the book, The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity by Edwene Gaines! Thank you Divine Spirit for you are my guidance, love, energy and fill my world with peace and joy which spreads out into the community through me. Amen! Candy Cristofaro
Valentines Day Dinner/Dance/Concert! Mark Your Calendars for Sunday, February 14th! We are putting together a planning team for this fun-filled event and already have a few people signed up. If you d like to help plan, please sign up as the planning will begin soon! Our Uniteens are awesome!! They made snowpeople and tree ornaments to sell for Christmas to raise money to buy an Alpaca through the Heifer International. Each animal given helps give families a step up into a more sustainable living. With your support they were able to provide two alpacas!! Thanks one and all!
Potluck & Town Hall Meeting - Sunday, January 24th Join us after service for a potluck lunch. Please bring a dish to share. We ll do an update on upcoming events, share ideas on our centers prosperity and more! New Prosperity Class! Prosperity and Beyond: Living a Truly Rich Life Every winter, we offer a prosperity class at our Center. This year, Rev. Cheryl is excited to offer a brand new 7-week course for anyone who is new to Unity s prosperity principles, as well as to any of you who are ready for a new infusion of inspiration in this area of your life. This course will blend three resources into one class. Our primary resource will be the book The Four Spiritual Laws of Prosperity by Edwene Gaines. Rev. Edwene is a Unity minister whose mission has been to introduce people to the excitement of manifesting lives they love. She is funny, insightful, and clear in her teachings. A secondary resource will be The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist. Lynne has spent years as a phenomenal fundraiser for nonprofits seeking to empower economic practices that honor all people and the environment. Her explanations of the myths of scarcity and the Truth of sufficiency are so powerful. The third resource is a section on Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts and Strengths by Rev. Dr. Toni Boehm. Rev. Toni helps us to take a look at our strengths as we discover our own unique Standards of Integrity. Along with these, we will use her fun and informative Spiritual Gifts & Strengths Discernment process, which she carefully developed herself. When you get done with this class, you will know so much more about yourself, your own relationship with money, and how you can best offer your gifts to the world! Watch for a sign-up sheet in mid-january. The cost for this seven-week course is only $35 plus the books.
401 S. 8th Avenue - Yakima WA 98902 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED If you do not want to receive this newsletter, please mark the box and return to your letter carrier January 2016 We re on the Web: www.unityyakima.org Sent with love and blessings to: Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Keeping the Dream Alive! Sunday, January 17th - 3:00pm Community MLK Service at Wesley United Methodist Rev. Cheryl has been asked to give the sermon at this service! Monday, January 18th Join us for the Peace Walk that day at noon, starting at 5th Ave & MLK Blvd and ending at the Convention Center. Sign up to join us here at Unity to make Vision/Manifestation Boards! 1:00pm at Unity Tish Powers will lead us in creating our own boards of the things we wish to come into manifestation for us in 2016. The cost is just $2 to cover the cost of the boards and background paper that will be supplied. You can bring your own scissors, pictures, words, small objects or anything else that represents what you d like to manifest! Just a note: This will be the last year for the Vision/ Manifestation Boards. Tish is planning a new visioning activity for next year! The office will be closed Monday, January 18th.