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Upcoming Services and Special Events!
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Sunday August 25th
Pre-Service Meditation from 10:00-10:15 a.m.
10:30 a.m. Service: “Cosmic Living: Touching the Vastness of What We Are.” We'll explore with Jon West some of the mystic teachings that encourage us to reach beyond conditioned thought patterns and awaken to Cosmic Consciousness.
Sunday September 1st
Pre-Service Meditation from 10:00-10:15 a.m.
10:30 a.m. – Family Service: “Gardening Tips for Growing the Human Plant.” Jon West will help us explore fun and natural ways to be our healthiest, happiest self. No youth education classes. Nursery care provided for ages 0-4 years.
- After the service – First-Sunday Potluck at Unity. Bring a main dish or salad, and invite your friends and family! Unity will provide coffee, tea, and desse
EVER NEW
A Message from Reverend Sherry Lady
A relaxing afternoon visit to a beautiful, peacefully flowing river nearby brought, not just to mind, but also deeply to the heart, a renewed sense of wonder at the way nature can sustain, nourish, and call forth the most beautiful responses from our very soul. Even in all the goodness of the days of the past week, the mind and body desired a change in the scenery and from the pace of the routine I can so easily fall into. The sound of the smoothly flowing water, the smell of the grass beside the river’s shoreline, the gentle breeze from lush green trees, and the warmth of the summer sun delivered, as always, a peace beyond understanding.
It reminded me of the words in the 23rd Psalm about being led beside the still waters where the soul is restored. True, the river was not still, but it brought a kind of stillness to my whole being. I was wonderfully refreshed and renewed. Most likely you have experienced this many times as well, whether it be in our Oregon of gentle summers or other places of beauty on the planet.
What I was not prepared for however, was the poignant reminder of how many years of my life have gone by already. Sometimes I so easily forget my age, even with the use of the walker I carry around with me these days. There also arose an internal swelling of the desire and determination to begin right now, to continue throughout the remaining days of my life to ever refresh and renew that life–daily, weekly, monthly, yearly–by saying yes to every opportunity that arises that will take me out of myself, my surroundings, my thoughts, my fears, my narrow thinking, my daily routine, or anything that stands in the way of my continuing to learn, to experience, to grow. I have, at times, let myself feel limited by the physical manifestations of my aging process and said no to things I really wanted to do. No more.
The experience of the visit also reminded me that there are many ways to go down a river. Sometimes you get to physically ride on the raft or in the boat, sometimes you can float or swim, sometimes you can watch others and pretend you are on the device with them, and sometimes you can travel in your mind while you visually enjoy it’s beauty. Even that can be so very rejuvenating and refreshing. And you don’t have to be on the river to understand its message or take the journey. There is always visually taking in its beauty from the shore–or imagining it in your meditation time and receiving the message it has for you, especially if being actually in or on the water is not your “thing.”
Now, though it takes place in another part of the world, and is entirely unrelated to the river experience, I want to share with you a video I received that touched me deeply reminding me of the many things I have yet to learn about, to experience, or participate in vicariously, that can bring newness and freshness to my life. In this video I was reminded of three things that I do not think about on a daily basis and so they felt new when I became aware of them:
- A piano can be played and be useful anywhere in the world, including a jungle;
- We can reach the soul of one of the most beautiful animals on earth through sharing the music, or any other creativity we have within us;
- There is always a way to be and feel useful in life, and “seeing is believing” is only one half of a whole truth because there are many ways to experience truth and beauty and healing; many ways to refresh mind, body and soul; many ways to bring our gifts and energies to the world that can help us stay fresh and new as individuals.
You can click on the link below to view the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOr2O0FfpT8
On Sunday we we celebrated and immersed ourselves in making our lives “Ever New.” This leaves us 3-4 four days to fully align ourselves with this principle by affirming creative unfolding in our lives and committing to making inner refreshment a part of our daily routine. I look forward to where the river of mind and soul will carry you in the days ahead as you continue to unfold and refresh your lives in new and wondrous ways.
Beginning again,
Sherry
NOTE: Wednesdays (10:15-11:45 a.m.) Mellow Kundalini Yoga, Meditation, & Gong Relaxation is on hiatus while Sunny recovers from a broken shoulder that occurred from a fall. We send loving thoughts of healing to our friend Sunny. You can leave a message or text well wishes at 808-359-4926.
Week of August 19th to August 24th
(Scroll down for Ongoing Weekly Events)
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
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 Serenee Smith at 928-533-1646.
7:00 p.m. – The August 20 Behind the Lens Seminar films are Across the Pacific and San Pietro, both directed by John Huston, followed by a Q&A session with Tom Blank. Cost is $30 for series or $5 per time.
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.
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.
Week of August 26th to August 31st
(Scroll down for Ongoing Weekly Events)
TUESDAY – (7:00 p.m.) – The August 27 Behind the Lens Seminar films are Let There Be Light and The Red Badge of Courage, both directed by John Huston, followed by a Q&A session with Tom Blank. Cost is $30 for series or $5 per time.
Upcoming in September
SUMMER SALADS. September is the last month we are doing salads before we return to serving soup. We serve a large green salad each week (except on 1st Sunday Potluck) and need 3 volunteers each Sunday to sign up to bring a hearty salad to go with it. Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall to help out.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTMEBER 11 (10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.) – Facility Deep-Clean Work Party. Our facility is in need of a thorough cleaning. We will be dusting, scrubbing, washing windows, and cleaning all those areas that don’t get attention on a regular basis. Many hands make lighter work for everyone. Please join us in giving some tender loving care to our facility. If you can bring a vacuum, rags, and/or feather duster, that’s great too! Sign up in the Fellowship Hall.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 (12:00-6:00 p.m.) – Unity World Day of Prayer. This is a day dedicated to prayer, silence, and meditation. There will be opportunities to walk a labyrinth, create prayer flags, and hands on healing prayer will be offered as well. Join us for part or all of this free offering.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 (7:00 p.m.) – Many Hearts, One Song: A Concert for Unity & Love with Unity’s fabulous team of musicians led by Laura DuBois presenting music that comes deep from their hearts and gives inspiration for the soul. Tickets are $10 and go on sale September 8. All proceeds go to the Unity Northwest Region.
Ongoing Weekly Events
SUNDAYS
Healing Prayer Circle Offered – Based on Lynne McTaggart’s book, The Power of Eight, we have started a Healing Prayer Circle as part of the Prayer Ministry. We meet weekly to offer hands-on healing prayer to individuals who request it. These individuals can meet in person with the prayer team right after church on Sundays. If you cannot be there in person, we offer distant healing. Please provide a photo for distant healing, along with a brief description of the situation and an affirmation of your request. For information and to make an appointment, contact Rev. Inge Tarantola at 541-968-5540.
MONDAYS
5:30-6:30 p.m. – Meditation Circle in the Fillmore Wing. All meditation approaches and drop ins are welcome. For more information, contact Laurie Cracraft at 541-345-7563.
7:00-8:00 p.m. – Choir Practice in the Sanctuary. For more information on sharing your voice with the choir, contact Mo Robeson at 541-520-8489.
TUESDAYS
10:15-11:45 a.m. - Tuesday Spiritual Discussion Group in the Harmony Room. This group reads together and discusses books chosen unanimously. The emphasis of the group is on discussion. For more information, contact Judy Richardson at 541-484-1958.
12:00-1:30 p.m. – Vitality Yoga Series! To find out if space is available, contact Donna O'Neil at yogawithdonna@gmail.com or call or text (541) 632-0105.
7:00 p.m. –Behind the Lens Seminar film series with Tom Blank. See listing at top under This Week.
WEDNESDAYS
10:15-11:45 a.m. – Mellow Kundalini Yoga, Meditation, & Gong Relaxation. This class is calming, heart-opening, refreshing, inclusive, gentle, and safe. Drop-ins welcome. Bring your own yoga mat or blanket. $5 per class, 100% to Unity. For info, message or text Sunny Hills anytime at 808-359-4926. (This class is on hiatus while Sunny recovers from a broken shoulder that occurred from a fall. We send loving thoughts of healing to our friend Sunny.)
12:00-12:30 p.m. - Noon Prayer & Meditation in the Peace Chapel with Linda Flock. Everyone is welcome!
THURSDAYS
11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Summer Qigong Wellbeing in the Flow. Join Jasmine Grace for this ancient holistic practice with easy to follow, fluid movements. $7 per class. (no one turned away) For more information, contact Jasmine at 541-944-6418.
1:00-2:30 p.m. The Elder Council meets in the Garden Room. If you are 60 or older and have an interest, please join us. For more information, contact Bonnie Paquin at 541-345-8873.
5:30-6:45 p.m. - Passage Meditation as taught by Eknath Easwaran. For more information, contact Laurie Cracraft at 541-345-7563.
FRIDAYS
– 10:00 a.m.-Noon - A Course In Miracles (Fillmore Wing). For more information, contact Janet and Dennis Chandler at 541-485-5235 or email at janetkoppchandler@gmail.com.
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