Upcoming Services and Special Events!

Sunday, December 16th

10:00-10:15 a.m. – Pre-Service Meditation in the Sanctuary.

10:30 a.m. Service  – Return of the Three Magi: Follow Your Star will be the theme shared by our Ministerial Team of Sherry, Inge, and Jon. Our Christmas Choir, under the direction of Mo Robeson, will be performing too!

3:00-3:45 p.m. – Healing Circle based on A Course in Miracles led by Dennis and Janet Chandler in the upstairs Fillmore Wing. This circle is dedicated to acquiring healing practices and demonstrations.

Sunday, December 23rd

 10:30 a.m. – The Untold Christmas Story: We’re All in Jesus’ Family. Our youth will reenact the first Christmas. A special visitor from the North Pole will be here after the service to visit with the kids.

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A Story in Two Parts

A message from Reverend Sherry Lady

PART ONE – The Wise Men from the East Traditional stories about the wise men or magi indicate they were not actual kings of royalty. Nor were they ordinary people. Instead, they were scholars and priests who were learned in the wisdom of the ancient East. They came from India, Persia, and Arabia and were known as travelers from the rising sun. Believers in the religion of Zoroastrianism, they were following a star that was, according to Zoroastrian prophecy, predicted to soon appear in a country that was far from their home. This star would herald the presence of a special being that would arise from the Jewish culture historically rooted there. The prophecy of this event is found in the books of Daniel, Numbers and Micah in the Old Testament.

The names of the wise men were, in western cultural translation, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. In Spanish, they were called Melcor, Gaspar, and Baltasar. In French, the names were Gaspard, Melchior, and Balthazar (in India also known as Gudapharasa). Believing their journey to be of utmost importance, they carried special gifts to be presented to the one who would fulfill the prophecy, should they be fortunate enough to find such a person. These gifts included gold–symbol of potential kingship, frankincense–symbol of worship, and myrrh–symbol of death and mourning and used for embalming. The only record of their journey in scripture is in the book of Matthew in the New Testament.

In many European cultures, “Three Kings Day” is celebrated on January 6th. The holiday is eagerly anticipated by children who leave out food and drink for the weary travelers and delight in how it has disappeared by the following morning. Very important to many travelers even today are visits to the Shrine of the Three Kings containing relics (bones) considered to be those of these three emissaries of wisdom who still play an important role in history and can even be seen as a unifying link between eastern and western spirituality. After being moved two times, the relics now reside in the cathedral of Cologne, Germany.

PART TWO – The Wise People Has there ever come a time in your life when, in the midst of all the learning, experiencing, doing, and questioning, your heart tells you there is more for you to discover–something that keeps calling you, begging you to pay attention to its call? Something so strong that you realize there is no other choice but to prepare physically or mentally or both, for a journey that will lead you to wherever or whatever it is?

The wise men of the East spent many years studying, contemplating, praying and hoping.  Then one day the call came, and with it a guiding star that was long predicted and now visible enough for them to follow. So, they prepared for their journey of a lifetime.

So, can it be for you and me. We are on the journey of a lifetime and there is a star for us also; the star of what lies within us, a Spirit that walks with us and guides us from what we are–beautiful as that may be–to the birth of what we are to become, which is even more brilliant. Allowing ourselves to be guided by our inner star and never giving up on our worthy hopes and dreams–such acts of courage and faith have the power to change our lives, our personal world, and the larger world forever. Ultimately, the combination of faith and courage demonstrated by the wise men can lead each of us to the star-studded dawning of peace, joy, understanding, and love beyond measure in our lives and the lives of those who walk with us. The presence of these things–peace, joy, understanding, and love–is part of the holy story we celebrate this season. Similar stories are found in many faith traditions, including stories of dedicated travelers guided by the light of a Higher Truth.

As we join in Unity this Sunday morning, I invite you to bring your own inner gifts of Spirit that shine through you to the world. There is plenty of room for them and they are already radiantly golden and held in the consciousness of everlasting love and appreciation.

In awe of the season,

Sherry

 

 ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN: This December, please STUFF IT WITH LOVE and sign up for a monthly automatic bank withdrawal of any amount. You can see how many people are participating by the stockings hanging in our Fellowship Hall. By stuffing a stocking in this way, you help sustain Unity while also being entered into a drawing for one of three $100 gift cards from Market of Choice. (By popular request, we divided one larger certificate into three.) You can download a Simple Giving form at this link: Simple Giving. You can turn in your form either by mail or with your Sunday offering. Thank you!!!

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THIS WEEK, DECEMBER 10-15

TUESDAY

- (7:00 p.m.) – The December 11 Behind the Lens Seminar film is Foreign Correspondent directed by Alfred Hitchcock, followed by a Q&A session with Tom Blank.   Be sure to register early for the new series starting January 8, 2019, by picking up a registration form in the Fellowship Hall .

- (7:00-8:00 p.m.) – Interfaith Prayer Service at 1166 Oak Street in Eugene. A special occasion of different faith communities joining in the spirit of harmony and universal love. Prelude at 6:45 p.m. Free childcare offered.

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.

- (12:00-1:00 p.m.) – Prayer Shawl Ministry gathering in the Fellowship Hall. Come and knit or crochet a prayer shawl that will bless people who are going through a difficult time. No experience necessary!

FRIDAY  – (7:00 p.m.) – December Movie Night at Unity. We will be showing the movie The Arrival, directed by Denis Villeneuve, in the sanctuary followed by a circle discussion with Ann. Free – donations accepted.

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.

 

NEXT WEEK, – DECEMBER 17-22

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

- (7:00 p.m.) – The December 18 Behind the Lens Seminar film is The Shop Around the Corner directed by Ernst Lubitsch, followed by a Q&A session with Tom Blank.  This is the last movie of the series in 2018. See you on January 8, 2019 when then new series begins (registration forms for the new series available in the Fellowship Hall).

- (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 Vicky Hills at 808-359-4925.

WEDNESDAY  (10:30-11:45 a.m.) – Spiritual Yoga, Meditation, & Gong with Sunny Hills. $5 per class. For more information, contact Sunny at 808-359-4926.

THURSDAY

- (1:00-3:00 p.m.) – Winter Solstice Celebration for Women hosted by Unity’s Elder Council. Our theme is Celebration of Light. Come and join us as we honor the change in season. Dress in white or light-colored clothing, and bring a snack to share.

- (7:00-9:00 p.m.) - Therapeutic Touch in the Fillmore Wing. Donation basis. For more information, please contact Bev Forster at 541-520-9358.

FRIDAY  (7:00 p.m.) – Friday Spiritual Cinema: Parables & Epiphanies, a series of films curated by Tom Blank. The December screening is Ida, directed byPawel Paawlikowski. A Q & A session with Tom will follow. Donation basis.

UPCOMING

MONDAY, DECEMBER 24  (5:30 & 7:30 p.m.*) – Interfaith Christmas Eve Candle Lighting Service. Join us (*7:30 p.m. is recommended because more seats are usually available) as we celebrate this wondrous night through sacred music, prayer, and universal wisdom from both eastern and western spiritual traditions. Children welcome. Nursery care provided.

The Church office is closed December 24-January 1 for the holiday season.

Service Opportunities   

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