SUNDAY LIVESTREAM SERVICE: Join us and many other friends of Unity live at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley (you don’t have to be a Facebook member). Other links and news are posted after the message.

Last Sunday’s (7/6/25) service can be watched at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/7-6-25-is-there-a-kind-of-faith-i-can-rely-on/1046239464361400/.

You can also find our services on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@unityofthevalley2720/streams.

THE SECRET OF SELF-ACCEPTANCE
A message from Rev. Sherry Lady

One of my favorite children’s books is titled: “Frederick” by well-known children’s book author, Leo Lioni. I keep it close by in my office and when I need an attitude boost, I will read it over as a reminder of how self-acceptance is crucial to both having a happy life and for spiritual growth. I’d like to share some wisdom from that charming story.

There were 5 field mice who live in a wall that borders a meadow of cows and horses and is near a barn and granary. They had easy access to the things they needed and were in the company of other animals… (We can relate to a time when things were more accessible and life was easier.)

The farmer moved away, the barn was abandoned and the granary was empty. With winter coming the mice had to work night and day to gather food and straw for protection/shelter. There was one mouse, Frederick, who did not join in the work. The other mice asked him why not? To which he explained that he was gathering sun rays for the cold, dark winter days, gathering colors for them when winter would be gray, and gathering words when they would run out of things to say. (Some of us are doers and rise to the occasion and hustle to take care of things. Others are writers, dreamers, performers, entertainers, etc.)

When the snows came the mice had to go to their hideout where there was lots to eat and they were entertained by each other and were happy. Then there came a time when the supplies they had stored were almost gone. It was then that they remembered Fredrick’s supplies – sun rays, colors, and words.

“Close your eyes,” said Frederick as he climbed up onto a big stone. “Now I will send you the rays of the sun. Do you feel their golden glow? As he spoke the little mice began to feel warmer. Was it Frederick’s voice? Was it magic?” “How about the colors of the sun?” they asked anxiously. “Close your eyes,” Frederick said. Then he told them about the blue of periwinkles and the red poppies out in the yellow wheat and the green leaves of the berry bush. They saw the colors as clear as if they had been painted in their minds.

When Frederick finished, they all applauded. “Frederick, you are a poet!,” they said. Frederick blushed, took a bow and said shyly. “I know it.” In the end they all understood how interconnected they were, each necessary for the survival of all, and the importance of unity in life.

 The mice didn’t know how much they needed Frederick until it was the right time for things. We too can learn from this. We too are one. We too, are needed. With all our special gifts, and our acceptance of, and gratitude, for the gifts of others, we can survive, thrive, grow, find peace, and connect with the Higher Spirit that dwells inside each and every one of us. We can, by self-acceptance, and acceptance of others, find the love and joy that will carry us through whatever comes our way.

One of the secrets of self-acceptance is expanding your sense of selfhood and including others in your greater self. View their happiness, their fulfillment, their successes as your own, and that your potentiality is forever yours already.

Love to all the Fredericks in the world, and to those who are in the process of becoming Fredericks.

Sherry  
(P.S. – I want to thank my daughter Julie for her input and sharings as we talked together about our love of this little inspiring book.)

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THIS WEEK AT UNITY, JULY 9-12

WEDNESDAY
- 2:00-3:00 p.m. via Zoom – Community Connect moderated by Rev. Dick Everts. This is a one hour, drop in, chatting session for discussing topics of spiritual interest, personal growth, etc. There is a new topic each Wednesday. To take part, send an email request to Rev. Dick - richard.everts@comcast.net.

THURSDAY
- 1:00-2:30 p.m. – Unity’s Elder Council will not be meeting this week.

- 3:30-5:00 p.m. – Therapeutic Touch in the Sanctuary this month. The NW Therapeutic Touch Institute is offering Therapeutic Touch (TT) sessions for those who have taken the classes, those interested in TT, and for those who would simply like to experience a calming, healing TT session. For more information, contact Bev Forster, RN, QTTT, at 541-520-9358.

- 5:30-6:45 p.m. – Passage Meditation – This group is not meeting this week.

SATURDAY
- 3:00-5:00 p.m. – Neurographic Fun Day at Rev. Inge’s home. We will have a neurographic art project, croquet, meditation, walking the labyrinth, and more. Snacks provided. Contact Alice at 541-729-3817 to sign up.

THIS SUNDAY – JULY 13

- 10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – “Knowing Our Source" with Rev. Inge Tarantola. When times are difficult and we feel personally challenged, what can we do to strengthen our connection to our Divine Source?

- After the service – Healing Prayer Circle meets. We offer focused healing prayer upon request. If you or a loved one need prayer support, please contact Julia Linebarger-Taylor at 541-968-5896.

- 12:15-1:15 p.m. – Unity Environmental Action Team (EAT) meets in the Garden Room on the second Sunday of each month. For more information, contact Betsy Priddle at heavenstobetsy74@gmail.com or Donna O’Neil at yogawithdonna@gmail.com.

- 12:15-1:00 p.m. – Youth Choir meets in the Sanctuary. Ages 6-18 years. Led by our wonderful Music Director, Laura DuBois.

NEXT WEEK, JULY 14-19

TUESDAY
- 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. – Unity Hang Out. Bring yourself, a friend, a snack, and come and hang out at Unity on Tuesdays with Alice and Shawn. Coffee provided. For more information, contact Alice Sparks at 541-729-3817.

- 6:30 p.m. – Board of Trustees Meeting will be held in the Garden Room and via Zoom. All are welcome to attend. If you would like to attend via Zoom or speak at the meeting, please contact Bonnie Paquin at 541-556-9669 or blpaquin2@gmail.com.

- 7:00 p.m. – The July 15th Behind the Lens film is To Catch a Thief, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, followed by a Q&A session with Tom Blank. Registration forms in the Fellowship Hall. Cost is $30 for series (12 movies) or $5 per time. New series to begin July 22nd.

- 7:00-9:00 p.m. – Open Men’s Circle in the upstairs Fillmore Wing. The Men’s Circle is a safe container where a man can openly and authentically share about his life, with the support and in the company of other men. Meets on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month. For more information, contact Raymond Albano at 541-285-3943 / ralbano.tmlp@gmail.com or Jim Drews at 541-731-8492 / drewsjim@yahoo.com.

WEDNESDAY
- 4:30-5:30 p.m. - Unity Grief Support Group facilitated by Rev. Inge Tarantola meets in the Fellowship Hall. Confidentiality observed. For more information, contact Rev. Inge Tarantola at 541-968-5540 or ingetarantola@gmail.com.

NEXT SUNDAY – JULY 20

- 10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – “Life is Complicated – Or Am I Complicating Things?” with Jon West.

- After the service – Ice Cream Social. Join us for ice cream, chit chat, celebration, and fun!

- 12:15-1:30 p.m. – Empathetic Presence & Nonviolent Communication (NVC): A Monthly Primer and Practice Group with Michael Dreiling. This group meets on the 1st & 3rd Sunday of each month in the upstairs Fillmore Wing. Sessions offer an overview and Q&A about NVC followed by small group sessions to practice NVC and cultivate empathetic presence. Donations welcome.

UPCOMING

Wednesday, July 23 (7:00 p.m.) – Instrumental Inner Listening. Join Jerry Green in the sanctuary for this free event to practice with voice, in movement, stillness, listen within, finding connection in the energies of shared spirit.

Saturday, July 26 (5:00-7:00 p.m.) – Makindu Vocational Program Benefit held at Rev. Inge’s home. Come and enjoy art, wine, music, and good food. Admission: $30 in advance at www.mvpmakindu.org. Funds support the Makindu Advanced Training College in Kenya, Africa. 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES/NEEDS

SUMMER SALADS SIGN UPS: July, August, and September we need two people on each Sunday to bring a BIG salad (except on 1st Sunday Potluck). Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall to help out. We are looking forward to lots of fresh fruits and vegies this season!

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY: We are looking for volunteers to help make prayer shawls either by knitting or crocheting that are then given away to people in our community who are going through a difficult time. No experience necessary. To become part of the team, contact Rev. Inge at 541-968-5540 or ingetarantola@gmail.com. 

COMMUNITY PLASTICS COLLECTION HAS COME TO AN END: Thank you Unity of the Vally for your dedicated commitment to keep plastic out of the landfill! We have collected approximately 20 pounds of plastic on each of our Sunday recycling days. Sadly, due to a new state mandate, the Community Plastics Collection Program is coming to an end. Sunday, June 8th was the last plastics collection by the Environmental Action Team and our community plastics recycler, Diana. The EA team will be providing updated information to the congregation regarding what items will be accepted in curbside recycling. Stay tuned.

UNITY COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS/OPPORTUNITIES

Our July Bulletin has been posted. You can check it out at http://unityofthevalley.org/July2025/July2025.pdf.

The Youth & Family Ministry Winter 2025 Newsletter can be found at http://unityofthevalley.org/Feb2025/YFMnewsletter2025.pdf.

UNITY FOOD DRIVE – Please help us to fill the food barrel in the foyer with shelf-stable food (i.e., canned or no refrigeration needed) for Food For Lane County. Together, We Are Making a Difference!

SUNDAY GATHERING & NEWS FOR YOUTH

Nursery (Infant-4 years old) Nursery care is offered during the service in the Harmony Room.

Unikids (4 years old-2nd Grade) meet on Sundays in the Garden Room 10:20-11:25 a.m.

Galileans (Grades 3- 5) meet on Sundays from 10:25 to 11:25 a.m. in the Rainbow Room.

Uniteens (Grades 6-8) meet in the upstairs Treehouse room from 10:25 to 11:25 a.m.

Unity Teen Group (Grades 9-12). meet on Sundays from 10:25 to 11:25 a.m. in the Treehouse room.

UNITY’S SIMPLE GIVING PROGRAM

Unity of the Valley’s Simple Giving Program is an easy, automatic means by which you can give gifts or tithes to the church in the amount you specify at the frequency you select. To sign up and for more information, click http://www.unityofthevalley.org/pdfs/simplegivingform.pdf. If you have any questions, contact our Administrator, Géna, at 541-345-9913, ext. 11.

FACEBOOK USERS

Did you know that you can help spread the word about Unity of the Valley and its events? By Liking the Facebook page and then clicking "Like" or "Share" on individual posts, you can let Facebook know that these posts are important and make sure that the posts are seen by MANY more people. Please take a moment now to Like the page (if you haven't already) and share a Unity post with your friends. Unity’s Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley.

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Your Prayer Team is Here for You!
Do you have a prayer request? Contact Julia Linebarger-Taylor via phone or text at 541-968-5896.

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Unity of the Valley’s Music Releases can be found at
https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/368369060857899/

"Connecting from the Heart" is now an independent nonprofit organization, working closely with Unity of the Valley. To enjoy their music, meditation and mental wellness videos, please click on this link: cfth.us.org.  

We also post Unity videos, when possible, at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqUL3d7-JjO_45Bo3vLfrWQ/videos

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OUR SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT FUND

The Unity Board has approved the creation of Our Spiritual Community Support Fund. This fund was inspired by a Unity member who offered her government stimulus funds to assist individuals in our spiritual community who need it most. 

WAYS YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY

·     Send a check to Unity of the Valley, 3912 Dillard Rd., Eugene, OR 97405 with a note designating if it’s for OSCSF or general Unity finances.

·     Send a donation through PayPal using the yellow DONATE button on the home page of our website: unityofthevalley.org. This can be a one-time donation, repeated as often as you wish for different amounts, or a monthly recurring donation for a set amount. Make sure you designate whether you want your donation to be applied to OSCSF or to general Unity finances.

·     Send an email to unityval@riousa.com stating that you wish to pledge a certain amount, possibly from your government stimulus check to the OSCSF or to general Unity finances. Give your phone number so Géna can contact you to arrange how and when you wish to donate.

·     You can write a letter stating you wish to join our Simple Giving Fund to contribute a set amount (state the amount) on a regular basis (state how often) with your bank account routing and account number. Just designate what portion should be used for OSCSF or general Unity finances. Géna, our Office Administrator, opens all our mail in private. So, it is safe to include your account information in a letter, but not in an email.

IF YOU NEED MONETARY ASSISTANCE
To request monetary help, you can write a letter or an email (unityval@riousa.com) directed to the Ministerial Team. Please include the following information:
1. Your name, mailing address, phone number, and email address.
2. Your association with Unity of the Valley.
3. Name of reference at Unity of the Valley (someone who knows you).
4. Brief description of your financial need.
5. How much you are requesting.
6. Do you think your financial needs will require monthly support? 

Requests for monetary help will be reviewed by our Ministerial Team. If a request is approved, the amount granted will be dependent on how many requests we receive and how much money is available in the OSCSF.

Thank you all for being an integral part of our loving and supportive community.