NOTE: As hosts of the N.W. Unity Regional Conference in September, we are planning a "Dinner with Others" designed to bring our regional Unity leaders together with individuals in Eugene and Springfield to explore overcoming prejudices, biases, and misunderstandings in our lives and culture. We are looking for individuals, not associated with Unity of the Valley, who have lived and grown through the experience of being "other" (race, religion, gender, politic, etc.). If you can recommend someone who would enjoy a good meal (free) and thoughtful conversation with a diverse group of "others," please contact Barbara McKie, 541 525-1006.
Upcoming Services and Special Events!
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Sunday September 22nd
Pre-Service Meditation from 10:00-10:15 a.m.
Before and after the service – Signups for Circle Suppers being held in October and November are happening in the foyer. These intimate, in-home potluck dinners for 4-8 people are a great way to experience Unity fellowship and great food outside of Sunday services. Sign up in the foyer Sunday.
10:30 a.m. Service – Guest Speaker Dr. Orestes Gutierrez will share “Secrets to Physical Healing & Well-Being.”
- After the service – Tickets on sale for the Wednesday, September 25th Many Hearts, One Song: A Concert for Unity & Love. Tickets are $10. All proceeds go to the Unity Northwest Region. (See more about this under Upcoming.)
- After the service – Tickets on sale for the Saturday, October 5th Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre – Murder at Walterville Manor. Tickets are $15 and include theater, dinner, and dessert! (See more about this under Upcoming.)
Sunday September 29th
Pre-Service Meditation from 10:00-10:15 a.m.
10:30 a.m. Service – Jon West will help us focus on “Creating Harmony in a World Still Learning to Sing.”
- After the service – Tickets on sale for the Saturday, October 5th Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre – Murder at Walterville Manor. Tickets are $15 and include theater, dinner, and dessert! (See more about this under Upcoming.)
OUT OF THIS WORLD
A Message from Jon West
I can still see the flying saucer in my mind as it came closer, zooming in low and fast as if intending to give me a crew cut. With a deft movement of the hand, I caught it and smiled at my dad, impressed at the speed he had put on the thing. I loved that almost anytime I asked, he would put aside what he was doing to step out into our quiet street in Medford, Oregon and toss a Frisbee with me, often challenging ourselves to catch it behind the back, between the legs (only I was willing to try that one), and to throw it further and straighter than ever before.
With our separate busy lives, Dad and I have only played Frisbee once in the last 4 years. Hopefully it will happen again. But until then, I know I need to keep finding ways to STOP WHATEVER I’M DOING TOO MUCH OF and STEP OUT OF MY LITTLE WORLD into the open space of active play and recreation.
Although easy to forget and sometimes hard to implement, our minds and bodies generally thrive much better with this kind of balancing act. We can go a step further by incorporating a spirit of playful enjoyment into our work. But even if we’re having a great time all day at our computer screen, there’s got to be more.
If you’ve been feeling buried in everything you have to do, I invite you come out for a little while. Breathe the fresh air. Take a walk, even if it means putting on a rain jacket and getting a tad damp. If your body hasn’t been feeling well, what can you do to show it some care and appreciation—and feel better in the process? If your world has been filled with stress and worry, take some time in the world of Spirit with a little meditation and contemplation of inspired thoughts. For instance, the words of Jesus of Matthew 6:26-27: “ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”
A few days ago, a friend invited me to spend an hour in a park throwing a Frisbee, along with that weird kind of disk with a hole in it. I will go. And I’m sure I’ll think of my father—so willing to stop and play. I think it’s in moments like that, of giving ourselves to pure joy and freedom, that we do our best loving. Best living too.
For further expansion on the topic of healthy living, join us Sunday for a presentation from a being clearly super-charged in mind and body and only slightly limited by time and space known as Dr. Orestes Gutierrez!
In universal love (and play),
Jon
Week of September 16th to September 21st
(Scroll down for Ongoing Weekly Events)
MONDAY (7:00-9:00 p.m.) – Unity Open Men’s Circle meets in the Fillmore Wing. This group is open to all men within our church community and our larger Eugene community. For more information, contact Raymond Albano at 541-285-3943 / ralban0@icloud.com or Jim Drews at 541-726-8510.
TUESDAY
– 6:30 p.m. - Board Meeting in the Garden Room. All are welcome to attend. If you would like to speak at the meeting, please contact Serenee Smith at 928-533-1646.
– (7:00 p.m.) – The September 17 Behind the Lens Seminar film is It’s a Wonderful Life directed by Frank Capra, followed by a Q&A session with Tom Blank. If you have not paid for the series, the cost is $5. (New series starts October 1.)
THURSDAY
– 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. – Joy of Watercolor. The emphasis of this class is on joy. Come and explore painting with watercolor in an encouraging and fun atmosphere. All skill levels welcome. For more information, contact Ellen Ticknor at 541-344-1490.
– 1:00-3:00 p.m. – Fall Equinox Celebration for Women in the Sanctuary. Calling all women to join us as we honor this change of season. Our theme is Harvesting Our Inner Wisdom. Wear fall colors and bring a snack to share. Hosted by Unity’s Elder Council.
FRIDAY (7:00 p.m.) – Friday Spiritual Cinema: Parables & Epiphanies, a series of films curated by Tom Blank. The September screening is Stalker, directed by Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky. A Q & A session with Tom will follow. Donation basis.
SATURDAY - (6:00-9:00 p.m.) – Reiki Do Satori Open House. This monthly event is open to all who are interested in receiving a short, free Reiki session for relaxation and/or healing. Reiki practitioners who would like to be part of this event are also welcome. Donations accepted.
Week of September 23rd to September 28th
(Scroll down for Ongoing Weekly Events)
NOTE: Unity is hosting the Northwest Regional Conference of Unity Churches this week. No classes are being held. Come and join us on Wednesday evening though.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 (7:00 p.m.) – Many Hearts, One Song Concert for Unity & Love. Unity’s fabulous team of musicians led by Laura DuBois will be presenting music that comes deep from their hearts and gives inspiration for the soul. Tickets are $10. All proceeds go to the Unity Northwest Region.
Upcoming
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1-DECEMBER 17 (7:00 p.m.) – NEW Behind the Lens Fall Series: Hollywood Does Its Bit begins. Pick up your list of movies and registration form in the Fellowship Hall.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 (6:00 p.m.) – Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre – Murder at Walterville Manor. We’ll have good friends, fine dining, and a murder: One of you will be the murderer, and one of you will be the victim! Come and be a part of the action. Tickets are $15 and include theater, a dinner of salad, chicken marinara over linguini with Italian vegetables, dessert, and of course lots of fun.
Ongoing Weekly Events
SUNDAYS
– Healing Prayer Circle Offered – Based on Lynne McTaggart’s book, The Power of Eight, we have started a Healing Prayer Circle as part of the Prayer Ministry. We meet weekly to offer hands-on healing prayer to individuals who request it. These individuals can meet in person with the prayer team right after church on Sundays. If you cannot be there in person, we offer distant healing. Please provide a photo for distant healing, along with a brief description of the situation and an affirmation of your request. For information and to make an appointment, contact Rev. Inge Tarantola at 541-968-5540.
MONDAYS
– 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Meditation Circle in the Fillmore Wing. All meditation approaches and drop ins are welcome. For more information, contact Laurie Cracraft at 541-345-7563. (No meeting on Monday, September 23.)
– 7:00-8:00 p.m. – Choir Practice in the Sanctuary. For more information on sharing your voice with the choir, contact Mo Robeson at 541-520-8489. (No practice on Monday, September 23.)
TUESDAYS
– 10:15-11:45 a.m. - Tuesday Spiritual Discussion Group in the Harmony Room. This group reads together and discusses books chosen unanimously. The emphasis of the group is on discussion. For more information, contact Judy Richardson at 541-484-1958. (No meeting on Tuesday, September 24.)
– 12:00-1:30 p.m. – Fall Yoga with Donna! To find out if space is available, contact Donna O'Neil at yogawithdonna@gmail.com or call or text (541) 632-0105. (No class on Tuesday, September 24.)
– 7:00 p.m. –Behind the Lens Seminar film series with Tom Blank. See listing at top under This Week.
WEDNESDAYS
– 10:15-11:45 a.m. – ON HIATUS: Mellow Kundalini Yoga, Meditation, & Gong Relaxation while Sunny recovers from a broken shoulder that occurred from a fall. We send loving thoughts of healing to our friend Sunny. When it resumes, this class is calming, heart-opening, refreshing, inclusive, gentle, and safe. Drop-ins welcome. Bring your own yoga mat or blanket. $5 per class, 100% to Unity. For info, message or text Sunny Hills anytime at 808-359-4926.
– 12:00-12:30 p.m. - Noon Prayer & Meditation in the Peace Chapel with Linda Flock. Everyone is welcome! (No meeting on Wednesday, September 25.)
THURSDAYS
– 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Fall Qigong Intentional Surrender in the Flow. Join Jasmine Grace for this ancient holistic practice with easy to follow, fluid movements. $8-$10 suggested donation per class. (no one turned away) For more information, contact Jasmine at 541-944-6418.
– 1:00-2:30 p.m. The Elder Council meets in the Garden Room. If you are 60 or older and have an interest, please join us. For more information, contact Bonnie Paquin at 541-345-8873. (No meeting on Thursday, September 26.)
– 5:30-6:45 p.m. - Passage Meditation as taught by Eknath Easwaran. For more information, contact Laurie Cracraft at 541-345-7563. (No meeting on Thursday, September 26.)
FRIDAYS
– 10:00 a.m.-Noon - A Course In Miracles (Fillmore Wing). For more information, contact Janet and Dennis Chandler at 541-485-5235 or email at janetkoppchandler@gmail.com . (No meeting on Friday, September 27.)
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