SUNDAY LIVE STREAM 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 (1/17/21) service can be watched at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/january-17-sunday-service/238860381028509/

HOPE, PATIENCE AND BALANCE
A message from Rev. Sherry Lady

Three items of interest came across my desk this week and when I sat down to write to you, I could not decide which one to share, so…I am sharing all three! I hope they will provide some meaning at this time of adjustment in our world and particularly in our country since this is where we have the opportunity, from this moment on, to shape our future. Even if you have seen these items before, perhaps something new and relevant will come into your awareness, as it did in mine.

First: Caterpillars and HOPE
Caterpillars are so interesting in that they are filled with transformational things called “imaginal cells” which spectacularly transform little bits of bug-like life into something of larger and completely different form and shape, ultimately turning a caterpillar into a beautiful, harmoniously designed butterfly. Each of us express certain qualities of imaginal cells. We are awakening to new possibilities. Using our power to create change, we are clustering–somewhat virtually right now–into a new, more coherent signal of Love. Be encouraged as our world, which is itself an imaginal cell, begins shape shifting into a more harmonious expression. Help us envision and embody behaviors and beliefs that will nurture a brighter, more beautiful future. Do this by staying HOPEFUL!

Secondly: The Buddha and PATIENCE
To paraphrase one of the teachings of the Master Buddha: When the upper becomes the lower, and the lower becomes the upper; and the inner becomes the outer, and the outer becomes the inner, when the male becomes the female, and the female becomes the male, then shall we together, not separately, but as one, enter the Kingdom of Enlightenment. This takes courage, insight, fortitude, faith, determination, and the ability to achieve integration in our lives. It also takes a great deal of PATIENCE because such integration does not come easily in a competitive world. Yet, it is the path to wholeness and peace for all. Be patient. We can and will make it if we keep the faith, commit to the practice, and help each other along the way.

Thirdly: Anthropology and BALANCE
A friend sent me an article from our local newspaper written by Doyle Rice. Rice explains that the mass of all our planet’s human-produced materials exceeds the mass of all life on Earth and its biomass. In fact, the average amount of materials created by humanity every week outweighs the human population! Perhaps once we face reality and truly grasp shocking figures like these, we will begin to take responsibility for getting things back in BALANCE.

A student asked anthropologist Margaret Mead what she considered to be signs of civilization in a culture. Her answer was unexpected. She said that the first sign of civilization in ancient cultures was a thighbone that had been broken and then healed. She then explained that with a broken thighbone you cannot run from danger. If pursued, no one, human or otherwise, survives long enough for the bone to heal.

A broken femur that has healed is a sign that someone has taken time to stay with the one who fell, has bound up the wound and either cared for the one with the broken bone where they are or carried them to safety and aided in their recovery. Mead said, “We are at our best when we serve others. That is being civilized.”

Reinforcing Mead’s thought is this note I just received from my daughter: “If you break a bone, calcium forms at the break sight. This calcium is very strong. Stronger than the bone itself which actually weakens during the healing process. During the healing process the membrane around your bone turns into bone and fills the gap where the break was. Eventually the bone heals back to its original strength. We too can be that calcium for others. We can be strong while others are weak and need to heal.”

As we enter a new era of history that will gradually transform even our fractured politics of today, may we with HOPE and PATIENCE remember the unstoppability of Divine Grace. May this inspire us to continue seeking BALANCE even amidst times that seem unsteady. With BALANCE, we can move toward uncovering, acknowledging and practicing the support of our universal family–“all God’s Children.” We can begin to unify with divine calcium of spiritual Love, compassionate outreach and caring. As these qualities merge with unconditional acceptance and universal forgiveness, we will form an ever-stronger union not only within our own country, but also around the world, in ways we have never known before.

God bless America. And may America bless the world as we lead by example from our hearts and souls.

Living in as much HOPE, PATIENCE, and BALANCE as possible. I know you are, too.

Love,
Sherry

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10:30 a.m. Live Stream Service – "The New World is Within Us." Rev. Dick Everts will join Jon West in a discussion about how our own spiritual dimensions can help us stay ahead of life’s currents and curves, including the current state of our nation.

Sunday After-Service Discussion Group via Zoom (12:00-1:00 p.m.), with Denise-Christine. This is an opportunity to share what the day's message meant to you while getting to know one another better. To participate, email UnityEugeneDiscussionGroup@gmail.com to receive a link and password to join the meeting.

UPCOMING
To find out what’s happening with our Unity Community, check out our January Bulletin.

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.

SATURDAYS (9:45 a.m.) - Join Sunny & Vicky Hills on Zoom for a grounding Kundalini Breathing, Meditation, Relaxing Gong, and Song class. To learn more, send email to info@sunnyhillsmeditation.com or check out their website: https://www.sunnyhillsmeditation.com/

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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/

Unity’s “Prayers for Peace, Unity, and Understanding service” can be found at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/prayers-for-peace-unity-and-understanding-january-18-2021/818527582038957/

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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