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 (3/23/25) service can be watched at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/3-23-25-what-do-you-want-to-do-with-me-now-god/2266919093702074/.

…AND SPRING HAS COME AGAIN
by Rev. Sherry Lady

As I was returning from a short walk today and entering my driveway, a friend from around the corner was taking a walk with her young daughter who was on Spring break from school. We stopped to chat for a minute and her daughter asked about the lumps of “those things under the leaves.” She was referring to my Iris plants, which are beginning their growth by beginning to push green spear shaped leaves through the lumpy bulbs that need thinning, but which I have not gotten accomplished yet. We talked about rain, snow in the mountains, and the blue of the sky to which the young one offered, “but Spring is here again. I like the flowers on the big trees.” “Me, too,” I replied. And, I like the yellow flowers over there. Do you know what they are?” “They are daffydills.” “Are you sure they aren’t Goofydills,” I asked and then we all laughed and they went their way. Happy thoughts of a wonderful world for all. The way life is meant tßßßo be lived. Yes, Spring has come again in the world and in our hearts. What a joy that is.

Then I came inside, took off my shoes, and settled back in my favorite chair – and, made the mistake of turning on the news. I don’t take a newspaper any more so once in a while I try to catch up on local and world events. A mistake – for after discussions of present compromised and exposed military action files, along with DNA and ancestry charts, following the bankruptcy announcement filed by the largest of these research tools, I began to feel a bit depressed. When I shared this with a good friend, she shared that while she stays informed, she is glad she lives in a cocoon, by choice, because it allows her to focus on the positive things in her life. The wisdom of that shows up in her daily life, the experiences she has and the interactions with others while finding as many joyful things in which to participate as time allows. I admire that.

So I shifted from shoeless relaxation to socks and slippers for mail opening. Included was one of my favorite magazines – a booklet published 4 times a year by the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation, founded by Eknath Eswaran. This Spring’s issue Is titled “Kindness” and it is, from cover to cover, a most beautiful expression of the wonderful experiences and rewards of living with kindness. As I read through the writings on patience, kindness, and love, peace of mind was gently restored and the ageless truth of how living from Spirit, and with Spirit, is the better way. How I wish the world would choose that as the path more often. What a difference that would make. As I write I do realize that I am “preaching to the choir” and that’s why I’d like to share some of Eswaran’s writing with you in affirmation of life.

• Go slowly, and remember that it is always better not to act in the heat of the moment. Whenever time allows, instead of immediately responding to an unwise demand, take time to walk first, meditate, and then speak when you can do so with kindness and patience. Remember, too, that the very best way to change someone is to begin with your own example.
• When someone is unkind to us, we need not take it personally. Why should we? We are not getting hurt; if anyone is hurt, it is the other person.
• When you are kind to others, kindness becomes an attitude. Your natural response is to be kind. Then you cannot help being kind to yourself as well; you will develop a habit of supporting yourself.
• If I can listen to you with respect, it is usually only a short time before you listen with respect to me. Once this attitude is established, most differences can be made up.
• So now is the time to prepare…do not leave kindness for tomorrow or selflessness for next week. Life is a process and we are shaping it with every thought.
• Those who have learned to be kind in the face of provocation move in the world with freedom…when we attain the stage where there is no possibility of my dancing to your tune, or making you dance to mine, we are free. Life cannot dictate to us; we can choose how to respond.

 

In honor of the freedom that comes with remembering the teachings that have come to others through their willingness to receive – and in the knowing that we are designed to be receivers as well, and kindness is our path to healing and peace. And that Spring is here once again, in our hearts.

Love,
Sherry 

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THIS WEEK AT UNITY, MARCH 26-29

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 at richard.everts@comcast.net.

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

THURSDAY
- 1:00-2:30 p.m. – Unity’s Elder Council meets in the upstairs Fillmore Room. If you are 60 or older and would like to explore the journey and wisdom of elderhood, please join us. For more information, contact Julia Linebarger-Taylor at jlinebargertaylor@yahoo.com or 541-968-5896.

- 5:30-6:45 p.m. – Passage Meditation in the Fillmore Wing. This group practices “Passage Meditation” as taught by Eknath Easwaran. For more information, contact Laurie Cracraft at 541-554-5434.

SATURDAY
- 3:30-5:30 p.m. – Celebration of Life Service for Whitney Leigh Woodard held at River Road Park & Recreation, 1400 Lake Drive, Eugene, OR 97404. The family encourages you to bring finger foods and your favorite stories to share about Whitney.

THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 30

- 10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – As we conclude our March theme: How Can I Serve?, our Unity Chaplains will share insights and experiences on “The Power of Connecting in Spirit.”

NEXT WEEK, MARCH 31-APRIL 5

MONDAY
- 4:00-5:30 p.m. – Easter Choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary. Come and join the Easter Choir. Sign up in the Fellowship Hall or contact Mo Robeson at mo@sidarosa.com or 541-520-8489. Performance Sunday, April 20.

TUESDAY
- 7:00 p.m. – The April 1st Behind the Lens film is On the Waterfront, directed by Elia Kazan, 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.

- 7:00-9:00 p.m. – Unity 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
- 7:00-8:00 p.m. – Chanting & Meditation in the sanctuary. Join Jon West, Stephen Parsons, and Donna O'Neil on the first Wednesday of each month and open to the Infinite Spirit within through the timeless practice of chanting our way into deep meditation. For more info., contact Jon West at 541-683-7664 or jwest97405@gmail.com.

THURSDAY
- 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Parents Empowered by Connecting group. This group meets on the 1st Thursday of each month in the Garden Room. For more information, contact Alice Sparks at 541-729-3817.

SATURDAY
- 10:30 a.m.-Noon – Sacred Women’s Circle meets in the upstairs Fillmore Wing for a time of connecting, meditating, and doing a fun project that incorporates April’s theme of Releasing & Letting Go.

 

NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 6

- 10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – We begin March with a theme of The Time is Now: A Call to Uncommon Courage. Four members of Unity's Council of Elders share how to “Be an Informed Voice: The Powers of Awareness, Communication & Community.”

- After the service – First-Sunday Potluck. Join us in the Fellowship Hall. Bring a main dish or salad, and invite your friends and family! Unity will provide coffee, tea, and dessert.

UPCOMING

Wednesdays, April 9 & 23 (11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) – Journey of the Soul. Join Kaiven in the Garden Room for a small group meeting where we share our light, life, and love with others in an open, loving, and trusting unfoldment of our emotional and spiritual journey of our own truth and meaning. For more information, contact Kaiven at 541-933-2588. (Meets on the 2nd & 4th Wednesday of each month.)

Wednesdays, April 9-30 (6:30-8:00 p.m.) – Living Unity Principles with Jon West. This is our introductory course for newcomers and those who would like to go deeper than we can do on a Sunday. Sign up in the Fellowship Hall or email Géna at unityval@riousa.com. Congregants who attend this class will be eligible for voting membership in our spiritual community.

Thursday, April 10 – Oasis Ensemble Concert (7:30 p.m.) An evening of beautiful chamber music featuring Fanny Hensel's Trio in D Minor, Op., Maurice Ravel's Ma mere l'oye (Mother Goose) and "Northwest Sketches", a world premiere by Oregon composer Brent Weaver inspired by the lush scenery and stories of the Pacific Northwest. Suggested donation: $20 adults, $10 students.

Saturday, April 12 – Yagody Benefit for Nova Ukraine, humanitarian aid for Ukraine. Yagody's repertoire consists of poetic songs from Ukraine and some regions around. The musicians build a very diverse and energetic world of melodies, rhythms and themes, which they blend uniquely. A concert with Yagody is a ritual. Tickets $25-$28 at https://turningtidesmusic.ticketspice.com/yagody-in-concert

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES/NEEDS

POTS OF SOUP: Each Sunday we serve 2-3 pots of soup. We are looking for 1 person who can bring a pot of soup on a Sunday. Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall if you can help out.

PLASTICS RECYCLING ONGOING OPPORTUNITY: Every Second Sunday, join the EAT team to recycle your plastics! You can recycle a lot more this way, as our local waste haulers don't take much plastic recycling. But they do take #2 jugs and bottles that are larger than a tennis ball. So, separate your clean plastic containers into bags for #2 tubs (and bottles smaller than a tennis ball), #4 and #5 plastics and their lids (All lids must be separate). Bring your clean, sorted, and dry #2, #4, and #5 plastics to the Garden Room at 11:45 a.m. on the second Sunday of the month. We can help you help the environment by recycling them! Clean them well and save them up for us! Important: Do not drop off your items.

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. 

UNITY COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS/OPPORTUNITIES

Our March Bulletin has been posted. You can check it out at http://unityofthevalley.org/March2025/March2025.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/

Unity’s 2025 Annual Congregational Meeting can be found at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/unity-of-the-valley-2025-annual-meeting/9244051582348725.

"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.