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 (7/31/22) service can be watched at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/7-31-22-happiness-is-a-choice/1112831532944952/.

SHOWING UP
A message from Rev. Sherry Lady

As I sat in the back row of the sanctuary on Sunday and enjoyed being an observer and participant in a well-orchestrated, creative, and inspirational service, I remembered a quote from Woody Allan that a good friend occasionally shares: “Eighty percent of success is showing up.” Allan later upped the figure to 90% and added: “The other 10% depends on what you show up for.”

As I watched the service participants do what they do so well, I also thought about all those who showed up to facilitate and create the various pre- and post-events supporting the main event provided both for those in the sanctuary and watching the live stream. Talk about “showing up!” So many life situations could have kept them from giving their time, and I’m sure some had to choose between Unity and something else. But here they were, serving our spiritual community. How awesome is that?

What I saw on Sunday reminds me of something I wrote down several years ago on a ragged piece of paper. I wish I could recall the author because these words truly have meaning for me: “One half of how successful you are at whatever you do is showing up. The other half is what you put into it once you are there.” From the moment I arrived on Sunday until I walked out the door, everyone I observed contributing to the service was giving their all, and the success was evident everywhere. I want to extend kudos, appreciation, admiration, and deep gratitude for everything that came into play to make Sunday morning, once again, a very special time. That includes our behind-the-scenes angel taking care of business during the week which makes it possible for all this to happen.

Author Brene’ Brown shared this thought: “Sometimes the bravest and most important thing you can do is just show up. The will to show up changes us. It makes us a little braver each time.” That has been my experience through the years. Not that I have always showed up the way I would have preferred. Sometimes hindsight has shown me to be lesser than I would like to remember.

When that happens, however…and I think it happens to everyone at times…the blessing is that the spirit within us calls us to rise higher in consciousness and be more aware and braver the next time we have an opportunity to show up in our fullness. Then we can, as Michelle Obama said: “Show yourself how much you can depend on the person you’ve become.”

Educator Jessica Kutcher’s quote makes me smile: “Show up messy, show up imperfect, but just keep showing up.” To which a child (name unknown) added: “Yes, but make sure your hair is really cute.” It makes sense to me!

So, what happens when you can’t show up for some reason even though you want to so much? There are so many things that come to mind:

• Say a prayer for the occasion or place.
• Call someone who is involved.
• Encourage someone to share how it all went and their perceptions of its success.
• Let someone share concerns if that is helpful to them.
• Hold positive space for all and everything by seeing it be successful and shining your light into it from your heart.
• Show up at the next opportunity you have and brightly shine there.
• Offer to be of assistance at the next event where help is needed or the next place you are planning to be, even if it is at home with family. 

 

Showing up from the heart, in whatever way possible, makes everything more possible. Life is so full of opportunities, often unexpected, and there is always a place for US/YOU/ME.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg said: “So often in life, things that you regard as an impediment turn out to be great good fortune.” I think that includes opportunities that we might really enjoy but choose to shy away from because we believe we have nothing to offer. Yet who knows what great good fortune is waiting for us if we just show up! 

Thank you, my good friend, for reminding me about the rewards of showing up. Thank you, my U of V friends, for your willingness to be there, your giving hearts, your welcome smiles, your extraordinary talents, your faith and prayers, and being masters of showing up so we can continue to be a loving spiritual community.

See you soon.

Love,
Sherry 
  
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SUNDAY GATHERING FOR YOUTH: We currently offer fun and inspiration for kids ages 5 to 10 years old (4th grade) who are fully vaccinated. 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. See our Safety Precautions below for younger children.

OUR COVID SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

1.      Proof of Vaccination/Booster: Our in-person attendees will need to verify they are fully vaccinated with the recommended dose of the vaccine they have chosen, including at least one booster shot. We ask that you send in this proof or additional proof of booster to Géna at unityval@riousa.com to minimize the document checking on Sunday mornings.

2.     Masking: We appreciate your patience as we continue requiring masks at Unity for everyone’s protection. 

3.     Small Children: Families who have small children too young to be vaccinated may attend on a reservation basis.

Reminder: If you OR anyone in your family has been exposed to the Covid-19 virus, OR if you or anyone in your family is not feeling well, please do not come to the in-person service but rather join us on our livestream service.

We are reviewing this policy on a monthly basis.

THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 7

10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – “Making Friends with Dragons ~Moments on the Path that Awaken Our Oneness with Divine Spirit.” Dr. Serenee Smith will reveal how scary lessons can be our teachers in disguise and how their magical healing gifts can transform our lives.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12

Parking Lot Sealing – The parking lot will be undergoing the final step of paving by having the seal coating and striping done. The parking lot will be open by Sunday, August 14, for the Sunday service.

NEXT SUNDAY, AUGUST 14

10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – “The Path of Service.” Rev. Sherry Lady.

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NEW: "A COURSE IN MIRACLES" DISCUSSION GROUP

WEDNESDAYS (7:00- 8:30 p.m.) - A Course In Miracles" Discussion Group facilitated by Katherine Hemmings. This group will be starting from page 1 with the Foundation for Inner Peace edition. Katherine recently moved back to Eugene and holds a Master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology. Email kathhemmings@gmail.com for zoom link and passcode.

UNITY COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

To find out what’s happening with our Unity Community, check out our August Bulletin at http://unityofthevalley.org/pdfs/August2022.pdf.

Fellowship, Refreshments, and Connection – After every Sunday service we offer coffee, tea, and refreshments. Although we will not be serving a meal or using plates or utensils, you are welcome to bring home baked goods or finger food to share. If you would like to bring a food item, please sign up in the Fellowship Hall.

Unity Food Drive Extended – Our Unity Food Drive to help Food For Lane County keep the local pantries stocked has been extended throughout the summer. These pantries serve as emergency assistance for people who are in need of food, and the need is high right now. Donated items should be shelf-stable food (i.e., canned or no refrigeration needed). Suggested items: protein such as peanut butter, canned meat, tuna, chicken, etc., canned food, soup, spices, cooking oil, broths, shelf-stable non-dairy milk alternative like almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, etc., cereal, grains, pasta, rice, baby food, baby formula. Please help us fill the barrel in the foyer in June! 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Church Openers serve one Sunday a month and unlock doors and prepare the sanctuary and other rooms for the Sunday service.

Church Closers serve one Sunday a month and help count the love offering after the service, and lock and close the church after the service.

PowerPoint Volunteers serve one Sunday per month in the sound booth advancing PowerPoint slides during the service. Substitutes needed as well.

If you would like to volunteer for any of the above volunteer spots, contact Géna at 541-345-9913, ext. 11.

Youth & Family Ministry Volunteer. We are currently looking for teachers for our Unikids (ages 5-10 years old) to teach two Sundays per month. The curriculum and lesson plans are provided. NOTE: All persons working in the youth program must complete an application, be interviewed, and pass a state required background check, prior to working with the children. For more information, contact Alice Sparks at 971-254-7564.

OUR SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT FUND

We want to thank those of you who have contributed to Our Spiritual Community Support Fund, more famously known as OSCSF. With your support, OSCSF has been a vital way to provide temporary assistance for people in our Unity community struggling to meet basic needs. (For more information about this fund, see the bottom of this email.) To contribute, send a check payable to Unity of the Valley and include OSCSF in the memo line. It makes a difference!

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.

UNITY COMMUNITY CONNECTION VIA ZOOM

WEDNESDAYS (2:00-3:00 p.m.) - 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.

SACRED WEDNESDAY MORNING YOGA with Donna O’Neil (10:00-11:30 a.m.) – Level 1 mindful yoga practices for strength, balance, and flexibility. Classes are on Zoom. For cost and more details, go to https://yogawithdonna.com/classes-and-schedule. Contact Donna at yogawithdonna@gmail.com or text to 541-632-0105. Let her know you are coming at least 15 minutes before the start of class so you can get the Zoom link. 

UNITY’S COUNCIL OF ELDERS meet once a week via Zoom. If you are 60 or older and would like to explore the journey and wisdom of elderhood, please join us. If interested contact Bonnie Paquin at blpaquin2@gmail.com or 541-345-8873.

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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 Music Releases can be found at
https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/368369060857899/.

Our final "Connecting from the Heart" video can be viewed at
https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/794071654589784 .

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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