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 (3/12/23) service can be watched at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/3-12-23-remember-to-breath-balancing-stillness-with-action/563712799059580/.

EVERYTHING, EVERYWHERE & ALL AT THE SAME TIME
A message from Rev. Sherry Lady

While enjoying the 2023 Oscars on TV last night, I was captivated by the title of the film that won best picture of the year: Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. It is a story about an “interdimensional rupture” which causes bizarre and confusing dangers, placing the fate of the world in a vortex that threatens to upset all ideas about its future. Sounds like a science fiction story about parallel universes that threaten to collide with one another and reshape what it means to live in an unending universe. To me, this reflects how each life choice creates a new alternative universe out of endless possibilities. You might even say that “interdimensional ruptures” occur within and between the sometimes-fractured facets of our everyday lives.

Though not in the same intensity, nor backed by a full orchestra to support the action, I can definitely relate to the confusing and challenging situation of dealing with things happening everywhere and all at the same time. Perhaps you can as well. One example might be that while preparing the morning coffee and setting out breakfast items, you notice mold on the bread. As you look for the frozen waffles, the phone rings. Almost simultaneously, there is a knock at the door. On the way to answer it, you drop your cell phone, only to realize that the repair man has come early to fix the clogged drain in the bathroom where your teenage daughter is having a tragedy occurring with her false eyelashes while the dog is walking around cross-legged and whimpering because she needs to go out NOW. While planning your escape, you notice out the window that your car has a flat tire and the package delivered earlier in the morning is now being drenched by the rain. Etc. etc. Been there, done that. The question often becomes, “Who am I? What am I doing here? How did I get here? Where am I in all of this? Is there something more to life? I feel like there is. How do I find it, because I’m getting lost here.”

On the other side of the globe, similar scenarios are unfolding at the same time while the planet keeps moving in its orbit, the sun rises and sets, volcanos erupt, and people are celebrating holidays, going fishing, fighting battles for their country, praying in their places of worship and saying goodbye to aged loved ones. Where is, what is, and how is peace, calm, and quietness to be found and experienced in a world where so much is happening like this? How does one draw near to the sacred that our heart tells us exists in the midst of it all? Philosopher, teacher and writer Eknath Eswaran tells us that the world is always in some kind of crisis. Yet we have the opportunity, from wherever we are, to be instruments of peace in each moment within ourselves as we participate in our own lives. He shares the knowing that peace is achievable through our inner connection with Spirit and the Divine essence and Grace available to us. He expresses it this way through the words of Abu Sa’id:

“If you want to draw near to God, seek it in the hearts of those around you. Speak well of all, present or absent. If you would be a light for others, be like the sun and show the same face to all. To bring joy to a single heart is better than building countless shrines for worship. To capture the one heart through kindness is better than setting a thousand free. The true lover of God, is one who lives with others, rises and eats and sleeps like others, gives and takes with others in the bazaars, yet never forgets God, even for a moment.”

I am including the development and expression of an attitude of gratitude whenever possible. I say whenever possible because from experience I know it is not always easy to be grateful for everything. The more we try, however, the more it can become a part of us and easier to express. The world we live in today is a world in crisis in many ways and the times we live in are difficult and often dangerous. Yet, somehow, we know we have enough security, endurance and Love to make it through and that all the problems, while affecting us deeply at times, are on the surface. As I shared last week, we are the sky and all else is only the weather and through every being the river of Love, Gratitude, Hope and Peace still runs concurrent with the Grace of a Loving and Holy Spirit.

Even moldy bread, as it decomposes, sends forth a new life form on its surface that has medicinal attributes that make it a viable and useful form of life. Wonder what that is? Look it up. You might be surprised.

Always surprised by Joy.   

Love,
Sherry
   
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MEAL TRAIN FOR ALISON, ANDY, & EMMA: We mentioned providing meal support for Andy Peara, Alison Cantril, and their daughter, Emma. This link https://mealtrain.com/2nn0n7 will inform you of the reason and duration of the need. Thank you all!

The March Bulletin has been posted. You can check it out at
http://unityofthevalley.org/pdfs/March2023.pdf.

THIS WEEK AT UNITY, MARCH 15-18

WEDNESDAY
- 5:00-6:00 p.m. - Unity Grief Support Group co-facilitated by Rev. Inge Tarantola and Nancy Morrow meets in the upstairs Fillmore Wing and via Zoom. Confidentiality observed. For more information, contact Rev. Inge Tarantola at 541-968-5540 or ingetar@pacinfo.com.

THURSDAY
- 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.

- 6:30-8:00 p.m. – Unity’s Coming Alive Theater Group in the Sanctuary. Please join us for playing theater and improv games and for enjoying the experience of being an actor as well as an audience member for short skits and scenes in a no-stress gathering. For more information, please contact Doris Hicks at 458-205-8570 / dlhlibrary@aol.com or Alice Sparks at 971-254-7564 (This group meets on the 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month.)

SATURDAY (10:00-11:30 a.m.) via Zoom – $1 Gong Bath Relaxation + Free Optional Sharing Time with Sunny & Vicky Hills + Laura, Inge, and other Unity of the Valley Members who attend often. We Welcome You! Register at: https://sunnyhillsmeditation.com/.

THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 19

- 10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – “Why Isn’t This Working Anymore? Adapting to the Seasons of Life” with Rev. Sherry Lady.

- After the service – Love-in-Action signups in the Fellowship Hall. Representatives from each volunteer ministry will be in the Fellowship Hall after the service to provide information and to help volunteers sign up.

NEXT WEEK, MARCH 20-25

MONDAY
- 7:00-8:30 p.m. – Choir Practice in the Sanctuary. If you would like to be a part of the choir, contact Mo Robeson at 541-520-8489.

TUESDAY
- 7:00 The March 21 Behind the Lens Seminar film is Mildred Pierce, directed by Michael Curtiz, followed by a Q&A session with Tom Blank. Cost is $30 for series or $5 per time.

NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 26

- 10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – “Making Peace: The Power of Nonresistance” with Dr. Serenee Smith and Jon West.

- 12:00-1:00 p.m. – Healing Prayer Circle meets in the upstairs Fillmore Wing. We offer healing prayer to individuals who request it. All are welcome to join us. For more information, contact Rev. Inge Tarantola at 541-968-5540.

UPCOMING IN APRIL

- Thursdays, April 6-27 (2:00-4:00 p.m.) – Prayer, The Game Changer with Rev. Inge Tarantola. This class is an opportunity to take a look at how you pray now, learn steps to affirmative prayer, and create a daily spiritual practice. This class is a prerequisite to joining the prayer ministry and a stepping stone to becoming a prayer chaplain. Offered on a donation basis. SEE credits available. Sign up in the Fellowship Hall.

UNITY COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS/OPPORTUNITIES

Unity Food Drive – Thank you for helping us to continue filling the 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 FOR YOUTH

UNIKIDS (KINDERGARTEN-5th GRADE) We currently offer fun and inspiration for the kids. There is a puppet show each Sunday for the first 10 minutes. Parents are asked to drop off their children starting at 10:20 a.m.

UNITY TEEN GROUP (grades 6-12). The Unity Teen Group meets on Sundays from 10:25 to 11:25 a.m. in the Rainbow Room with guidance from Jim Drews. Jim brings a deep and practical understanding of Unity principles and how to help youth develop their spiritual powers through creative exploration and fun activities. The Rainbow Room is in the Fillmore Wing of Unity, first door to the left of the stairway.

JOIN THE TEEN TEAM! Can you see yourself sitting in with Jim and our teens once a month for a three-month period? Having that extra adult energy would be very helpful. We envision a rotating group of 4-5 adults each quarter. Please inquire with Jon West by emailing jwest97405@gmail.com or calling (541) 683-7664.

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. 

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Your Prayer Team is Here for You!
Do you have a prayer request? Email Rev. Inge Tarantola your name and prayer request at ingetar@pacinfo.com.

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Unity of the Valley’s 2023 Congregational Meeting can be found at
https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/unity-of-the-valley-2023-annual-meeting/2366805796815790.

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 below.

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.

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