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 (10/17/21) service can be watched at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/october-17-sunday-service/1368920913503171.

THE MEMORIES WE RETURN TO
A message from Jon West

Do you have any “touchstone” memories from long ago you keep revisiting without any obvious instigation? As I pondered that question today, I instantly flashed on one memory in particular—undoubtedly one of my most well-polished touchstones.

I see myself on the playground at Territorial Elementary School, about 20 miles from Eugene. It’s raining and no one is braving the outdoors at recess except a fellow second grader and me. It’s no trouble for us because we’ve taken shelter under the big slide. As someone who rarely experienced any close friendships at school, by age seven I’m already used to being the “odd person out.” What’s different on this day is that someone is sharing my outsiderness.

Huddled under the slide, we’re talking about what really matters to us. I tell him that music matters to me. So he sings me a little song that matters to him. A wondrous happiness begins building within me as I realize someone else is seeking the meaning of life. Not only are we both seeking, we both sense there is a meaning, one just waiting to be discovered.

Part of my sense of awe stems from sharing this connection not with a family member where our bond is a given, but with someone who joined our class perhaps only a week before. Life seemed to say: You two are supposed to meet. You share something deep that no one—not even you—can understand or describe. But in time, if you don’t give up, you’ll come to realize what that connection is.

Perhaps one reason I’ve replayed this memory over 50 years are the little unsolved mysteries: What was his name? He was only in our class for a few weeks—where did he go and what happened to him over the years? Did he continue pursuing the deeper, spiritual side of life? And is there some underlying message this never-forgotten scene has for me now?

Maybe the message is this: The first time life introduced me to a fellow truth seeker, I knew how incredibly special it was. Yet within our Unity community, I have the opportunity to experience the beauty and power of spiritual connection on a regular basis. That doesn’t make those connections any less meaningful than my elementary school encounter. I just need to make sure I’m not being lulled into taking any of those moments for granted.

I believe “not taking it for granted” includes noticing when life is calling two or more of us to step away from the crowd and find some quiet space to “be in Spirit together.” We might begin with an exchange of thoughts. Perhaps a spoken prayer. Maybe even sing something together to open the heart, as my friend did so long ago. But one thing I know now that I didn’t back then is the power of shared silence. Of being still and knowing our oneness in Spirit beyond words.

Whatever your “touchstone memories” may be, the spark of yearning or satisfaction they give you just might be a glimmer of a deeper reality we’re all seeking: That beneath all the ladders and slides of life, sheltered from the hardest rains this world can pour, there is a common ground of truth, of love, of beauty and oneness. I will meet you there.

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Unity of the Valley reopened for in-person Sunday services on July 25th for those who have verified that they are fully vaccinated. Families with children too young to be vaccinated may attend services on a reservation basis. For information view Unity’s Reopening Policy at this link: UnityReOpeningJuly2021.pdf

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THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24

10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – “Turning Tricks into Treats” Rev. Dick Everts and Jon West will offer a new look at negative thoughts and feelings and how they can become an opening to peace and wisdom.

Remember to Dress Warmly: As the weather starts getting cooler, we encourage those of you attending our services in person to dress warmly. As we continue to navigate the COVID pandemic, we will continue leaving the windows open along with the fans blowing for ventilation on Sundays so it will be colder than usual.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 25

Unity Sing Along (7:00-8:30 p.m.) led by Laura DuBois, Paul Biondi, Donovan Werts and Mo Robeson. The program will be presented both live-streamed on Facebook and in-person. The live audience will be masked, socially distanced and fully vaccinated (please see the link above for details).  We'll raise the rafters with a selection of fun and sentimental songs, including favorites like "The Sunny Side of the Street," "Can't Help Falling in Love with You," and "Down by the Old Mill Stream." We hope you can join us for this special event! 

NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31

10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – “Behind Our Masks” Rev. Nola Woodbury will shine a light on how we present ourselves to the world and what we hold back and ways we can weave in the Oneness we share at our core. Feel free to wear a costume to the service on this Halloween Day!

YOUR RESPONSE NEEDED BY NOVEMBER 1ST

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and your leadership team is in the process of planning for this year. Due to the continuing COVID-19 Pandemic, Unity will be offering Thanksgiving meals for pick up or delivery again this year. We will also have limited tented outdoor seating on Wednesday, November 24 for fully vaccinated persons to eat their Thanksgiving Meal on Wednesday between 12:00-2:00 p.m. If you would like to eat your meal here on Wednesday, we must have you reserve your spot no later than November 1st for eating at Unity. You can email Géna at unityval@riousa.com or call her at 541-345-9913, ext. 11 and let her know how many are in your party.  

YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTRY NEWS

Uniteens (grades 6-8) meet on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. in the Garden Room. At 10:30 a.m., the Uniteens join the congregation for the service and after the service meet again in the Garden Room for 15-20 minutes for an inspiring activity led by Doris Hicks and Alice Sparks. To attend class virtually, contact Doris or Alice in advance to request your preferred mode of participation (such as Facetime or Zoom). For more information or to make arrangements for virtual attendance, please contact Doris Hicks at dlhlibrary@aol.com or telephone (no texts) 458-205-8570, or Alice Sparks (call or text) 971-254-7564.  Registration and proof of vaccination is required (once you show us your card, we will put you on our verified list).

Youth of Unity, aka Y.O.U. (grades 9-12) regular program is currently on hiatus until January 2022. Teens are welcome to email Pam Gutierrez directly to set up time for prayer support, spiritual direction, or to let her know that you would like to have a class. Pam can be reached at totalharmonyayurveda@gmail.com.

For more information on our vaccination policy, please see the link at the top of this email.

To find out what’s happening with our Unity Community, check out our October Bulletin at http://unityofthevalley.org/pdfs/October2021.pdf.

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 (10:00-11:15 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. 

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/

The July Connecting from the Heart video has been posted 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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