Newsletter July-August 2018 2809 Yale Blvd. St. Charles, MO 63301 (636) 723-7000 SERVICE TIMES: Sunday Service: 10:00-11:00 am Children s Sunday School: 10:00 am Meditation on Thursdays @ 11:00 am Minister: Rev. Sharon Allmond Days off: Mon. & Tues. LUT: Vernetta Holmes Youth Director: Abena Madkins Prayer Chaplains: Sarah Carr-Jordan Vernetta Holmes, LUT Marsha Schulte Office Hours: Monday & Thursday 8 am-2 pm E-mail: unitychurchoflight @gmail.com Web site: www.unitychurchoflight.org Newsletter editor: Mare Prosso trusteemember @yahoo.com Minister s Message: Convention Musings I have just returned from the annual Unity People s Convention in Olathe, Kansas. It was a rewarding and inspiring week! I d like to share some of the highlights and let you know some of what is happening in Unity. Donna Johnson, CEO of Unity Worldwide Ministries (UWM) said this was the Just Imagine convention. Things were different this year, starting with a joint licensing and ordination ceremony at Unity Village for all the credentialing paths graduates. This was the first time they have ever done the graduation and ordination ceremonies together, and it was moving! We had some great keynote speakers. Rev. Richard Bunch, outgoing UWM board president was powerful in a presentation about back casting (as opposed to forecasting). The premise is moving to a point in the future and imagining what we want to see. Then, back -casting to create the plans to achieve it. We heard Rev. Erin McCabe, minister at Unity Village Chapel. She spoke on No Title which has to do with labelling. A powerful duo spoke one evening, Bishop Carlton Pearson and Rev. David Ault. Both were graduates of Oral Roberts University who ended up going in very different directions. Bishop Pearson was the subject of a movie, Come, Sunday. Rev. Ault is now a powerful and successful New Thought, Center for Spiritual Living minister. Finally, there was a panel of well -known and well-respected Unity ministers who shared their thoughts and experiences with us Rev. Howard Caesar, Rev. Joyce Fisher Pierce, and Rev. John Strickland. John Petersen, a futurist, completed the line-up on Friday morning. I found every speaker interesting and I learned from every one of them. Awards are given out every year to outstanding people in our movement. This year the Light of God Expressing Award went to Rev. Claudell County, the Myrtle Fillmore Award to Rev. Maxine Martin, and the Charles Fillmore Award to Rev. Joe Sloan. All very deserving people! We also had some really good seminars. Sometimes, I had a hard time choosing which one to attend! Two that I thought were powerful and very relevant today were Inclusive Leadership for Ministry Leaders and Courageous Conversations. Both offered tools for encouraging inclusivity and connection. During the business meeting, Donna Johnson reported that UWM and Unity World Headquarters (UWH, aka Unity Village, etc.) are making plans to merge into one organization. This is big news, and it is a huge undertaking. There was much support for this, and she committed to bringing a proposal to the convention next year for the membership to vote on. It was a wonderful week! What I saw and heard tells me that Unity is moving forward in a very positive, progressive way. I can t wait to see what happens! Blessings, Rev. Sharon
PAGE 2 UNITY CHURCH OF LIGHT WORDS OF WISDOM The Second Half of Life People who identify themselves with their body often find the latter half of life a great burden. Only when you learn to identify yourself with the Self will the latter half of your life become a great blessing. Once, when a friend and I were walking at the local shopping district, a young woman reporter stopped me. She apologized for interrupting my walk and said, Do you mind if I ask you a question? She cleared her throat. What would you say is the most unpleasant thing about growing old? I wasn t offended. She was a nice young woman; she was just reflecting the assumptions which underlie all our modern attitudes. So I smiled and said, Now you d better take down what I say. The latter part of my life is wonderful. In fact, there is no comparison with the first part. All the physical vigor and the running about and the what do you call it? the vim and razzle-dazzle of early life, it s all sound and fury, signifying nothing. When you have only your physical appearance to depend on, I might have added if I had known her better, there is no escape from the ravages of time. That is why spiritual teachers say, Enjoy your youth, but don t neglect the lamp of beauty inside, which will glow brighter with the passage of time. Our society lives by the rather juvenile theory that beauty and joy are limited to a particular period in life. It s true that children have a marvelous beauty of their own, but every child has to grow up. Teenagers have a certain beauty of their own, but they, too, have to grow up. Similarly, the twenty-somethings and the thirtysomethings will eventually become forty and fifty-somethings. When my grandmother, in her sixties, came and sat with us in our ancestral home, she was the center of all attention. Her beauty came entirely from within, a beauty born of the highest feminine qualities. Forgiveness, inward strength, the use of gentle words (which means gentle thoughts), all play a part in making a woman or a man! beautiful. Whatever religion you belong to, whatever country you belong to, everybody responds to this kind of inner beauty. You don t have to advertise. To use one of the great similes from Sri Ramakrishna, you will be like a lotus opening in the rays of the morning sun. The lotus doesn t need to say, Where are the bees? The bees are looking for the lotus. All of us, inwardly, are looking for this kind of beauty and love that grows with the passage of time. Eknath Easwaran from his book, Your Life Is Your Message
ACTIVITIES UNITY CHURCH OF LIGHT page 3 Book Discussion Second Sunday of the month after service July 8, 2018 and August 12, 2018 Colin Farrell, and Carmen Ejogo. The plot centers around the life of an idealistic defense lawyer (Washington) who finds himself in a tumultuous series of events that lead to a personal crisis and the necessity for extreme action. Rated PG 13. Admission is free. Join the fun, bring a snack to share. Mare Prosso will facilitate a discussion about the book, 7 Lessons from Heaven by Mary C. Neal, M.D. Movie Night Friday July 20,2018 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m) Feature Presentation: Wonder. This film stars Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, and Jacob Tremblay. The film follows a child with Treacher Collins Syndrome trying to fit in. Rated PG. Admission is free. Bring a snack to share and join the fun. 25th anniversary planning meeting Sunday July 22, 2018 The second planning meeting will take place after church on July 22. Movie Night Friday August 17, 2018 7:00 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm) Feature Presentation: Roman J. Israel, Esq. This drama stars Denzel Washington, 25th anniversary of Unity World Day of Prayer Thursday September 13, 2018 The theme will be Courage to Heal. The affirmation is I am a healing presence. Coming Soon Volunteer Opportunity One of the most rewarding experiences is to hold sacred space for someone, that realm where all is possible. This is the time of year when we ask you to search your heart and see if being a Prayer Chaplain is a way in which you can serve our spiritual community. In September we will be holding informational meetings to provide more information for the 2019 program year and the training involved, watch for the dates in future mail blasts and church bulletins. If you would like to inquire prior to the meetings, see Vernetta or Rev. Sharon, Prayer Chaplain Trainers for the Prayer Chaplain Program. Regional Conference The Great Lakes Unity Regional Conference (GLURC) will be in Angola, IN October 1-4. Best pricing if you register by July 31.
UNITY CHURCH OF LIGHT PAGE 4 Treasurer s Report by Wayne Zimmerman April - Income $8,177.35 (includes $1,105 for building fund) April - Expenses $5,862.17 April - Net/ Loss +$2,315.18 May - Income $9,549.75 (includes $5,000 for building fund) May - Expenses $4,549.14 May - Net/ Loss +$5,000.61 Building Maintenance Fund thru 5/31/2018 $8,019.68 President s Message by Neil Schulte GRATITUDE The Board of would like to express its gratitude to all who help the church in so many ways. Whether your support is in the form of money, time, expertise or prayer, the Board appreciates your commitment. is only able to exist through the involvement of our dedicated members. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Blessings, Neil Love and Light by Vernetta Holmes, LUT, Prayer Chaplain Trainer Martha Smock in the book Halfway up the Mountain writes, Freedom is yours, but you must realize it and claim it. There is nothing that can limit or bind you for in Truth, in Spirit, you are free, unfettered, unbound. Freedom is not in material things or other people. You were created to be free. There are two key words in the quote above...realize and claim. To realize is to come into the awareness of and to claim is to declare a right to something. Take some time to connect with Spirit, to come into awareness of your spiritual identity and claim your freedom. Paul said, You shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free. Your life is unlimited, live it to the fullest. Your prayer chaplains are available to pray and hold this Truth with you every Sunday after service or you may call the Church, request a prayer call and a prayer chaplain will get in touch with you as soon as possible. All prayers are held in confidence. Outreach Ministry by Judy Schmidt O.A.S.I.S. (Outreach Assistance Serving Individuals In St. Charles County) Food Pantry: The shelves at the food pantry empty faster during the summer months with more children at home. If you can pick up an item or two and place them in the tubs under the coat rack in the lobby, it would really be appreciated. Some suggested items include: cereal (Aldi's has very good cereal and other food at much lower prices), boxed macaroni & cheese, canned fruit. Any non-perishable food item is welcome. CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS: (formerly Dress For Success): We collect both men's and women's business suitable clothing in ready-towear condition for those people returning to the work place. You can hang your donations in the furnace room downstairs...there are hangers available if needed. Shoes, belts, & purses can also be placed in a plastic bag on a hanger. CAREGIVERS: The Caregivers will not be meeting during the summer months. We will return to our twice a month schedule in September. We have made a good supply of blankets and comfort pillows, which have been delivered to SSM cancer care hospitals in St. Charles County.
NEWSLETTER 2809 Yale Blvd. St. Charles, MO 63301 Phone: (636) 723-7000 E-mail: unitychurchoflight@gmail.com Web site: www.unitychurchoflight.org Mail to 10:00 a.m. Sunday Worship and Youth Education Please advise the church of any address, name, phone, or e-mail changes. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please call (636) 723-7000 or e-mail unitychurchoflight@gmail.com and request to have your name removed from our mailing lists. Thank you. Celebrations Happy Birthday! 7-8 Sharon McIntyre 7-18 Vickie Salsman 8-2 Rev. Sharon Allmond 8-11 Jerry Oliver 8-22 Trudy Trexler 8-24 Abena Madkins 8-31 Elizabeth Okenfuss Happy Anniversary! 7-2 Greg & Kathy Lucas 7-14 Alan McCanney & Kate Hammond 7-14 Bryan & Denise Bartlow 8-18 Tom & Linda Michalek 8-19 Eric & Abena Madkins Board of trustees: Rev. Sharon Allmond Christine Huffman, Secretary Alan McCanney Eric Madkins, Vice President Neil Schulte, President Wayne Zimmerman, Treasurer UCOL Vision Statement: is a Spirit-centered inspiration in the world. If you have a July or August birthday or anniversary that is not listed, please call or e-mail the office. UCOL Mission Statement: stands as a spiritual beacon to illuminate the world.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 11:00 am 8Light Seekers book discussion: 7 Lessons from Heaven by Dr. Mary Neal 9 10 11 12 11:00 am 15 16 17 18 19 11:00 am 22 23 24 25 26 11:00 am 29 30 31 July 2018 August 2018 6 7 13 14 20 Movie night 7:00 pm 21 27 28 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat July Lessons: 7-1 Be Like Paul Mary R. Smith & Choir 7-8 Zeal and Its Stages Mary R. Smith, Greg Lucas, Denise Bartlow 7-15 Guest Speaker: Vernetta Holmes, LUT Doug Erwin and Kim Harrison 7-22 Where s the Passion? Greg Lucas 7-29 Healing Thoughts Greg Lucas Secretary s Note Copies of the latest approved minutes from the board of trustees meeting will be available downstairs. **If any congregant desires to bring something up to the Board of Trustees of, please contact Rev. Sharon at (636) 723-7000 to be put on the agenda. The time allotted for this is 15 minutes prior to the meeting. UCOL Prayer Line 636-723-7000 Have a Prayer Request? 1 2 11:00a Silent Unity prayer service 5 6 7 8 9 11:00a Silent Unity prayer service 12 Light Seekers book discussion: 7 Lessons from Heaven by Dr. Mary Neal 13 14 15 16 11:00a 19 20 21 22 23 11:00a 26 27 28 29 30 11:00a 3 4 10 11 17 Movie night 7:00 pm 18 24 25 31 Please call the church at 636-723-7000 and you will be instructed which number to call for a prayer chaplain. SEEKING PRAYER SUPPORT but can t reach a Prayer Chaplain? has twenty-four hour, seven days a week prayer support. Call 1-800- PRAYNOW (669-7729); or download the upray mobile app on your cell phone, or visit unity.org/prayer. August Lessons: 8-5 Staying the Course Denise Bartlow, Mary R. Smith, Greg Lucas 8-12 Samson s Hair Tim Mead 8-19 Stronger Than Ever Greg Lucas, Mary R. Smith, Denise Bartlow 8-26 Strength and Understanding Deborah Sharn and Steve Schenkel