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 (9/12/21) service can be watched at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/september-12-sunday-service/269647864806773/.

For information on Unity’s Reopening Policy & Guidelines, please visit http://unityofthevalley.org/pdfs/UnityReOpeningJuly2021.pdf.

THE LEAF AND I
A message from Rev. Sherry Lady

In the early 60’s, singer-songwriter Pete Seeger recorded his well-known version of a verse found in the book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible. It had been recorded earlier on an album by the folk group known as the Limeliters under the title of “To Everything There Is A Season.” Pete Seeger titled his version, “Turn! Turn! Turn!” The song became an international hit. It was this song that has run through my mind so many times over the past few days. And it returned to my mind again this morning when a friend I enjoy walking with shared some thoughts. I was so intrigued I invited him to share them with you below:

While walking around a favorite park as the leaves from the trees begin to fall, I notice the similarities between the life of a leaf and the life of other living things, including we humans. For example:

Leaves and humans each come from a “family tree” and we humans are the leaves of our family tree. Each “family tree” has branches from which leaves and human beings are born, live their lives and, though varying in longevity, they have their seasons. They go from being young and small to becoming fully grown and eventually growing old, withering and disconnecting from their family branch in the physical sense of their life cycle. The life cycle can be shortened for some leaves/humans through various circumstances such as accidents and health issues for both the tree family and the human family.

The leaves of both tree and human families are not all the same. For example, as with humans, some trees have large leaves, some rather small, delicate ones. There are also can be variations in the shades of the colors of the leaves on both kinds of trees. Perhaps you, the reader, can find other similarities that we humans share with the life cycle of the leaves that are now beginning to fall from the branches of their family trees.

(Alan Reeder)

Grateful for this sharing, I began to see the falling of the leaves with “new eyes.” I also began to feel the synergistic and varied energy we humans share with trees, especially in the letting go process many have gone through in recent months. This includes those who have needed to move on or move out after graduating from school. It includes all of us who have had to step away from long-enjoyed routines and activities due to the pandemic. It includes all who’ve arrived at their time of needing to release the physical body. And all who have recently experienced the letting go of a departed loved one.

Some of us, like the autumn leaves, manage to make the necessary release of our attachments ever so gently. Sometimes we need to be shaken by gusty winds to finally release our hold. Sometimes we hang on for a while to that last shred of stem, reluctant or almost refusing to let go. Others seem to let go but spend some time hung up on a branch somewhere until that final nudge of circumstance sets them free. When I see a leaf of a particular tree swirling down to mingle with the riot of colorful leaves from many kinds of trees, I think of the many young people setting off from their tight-knit families to discover they’re part of a much wider, multicultural, multiracial world of humanity. Eventually, leaves of every color and species will merge in the vastness of Pure Being, releasing all outer differences to the wind.

It has been said that when leaves turn colors, it is their way of “blooming” as flowers do. When they have finished blooming, it is time to let go and make room for others to share their gloriousness. Like the leaves, we too bloom, having aged like fine wine and given our best to life. While this process is inevitable, it is not always predictable, nor is it easy for many of us. There is something about feeling the force of life surge through our bodies that is not only enticing, but also very captivating. Letting go is not easy. Life in this world is such a wonderful gift and we want to hang on. We want to bloom forever. 

As I walk through this coming season, not really appreciating how early darkness comes these days, there is comfort, peace and a soft glow of joy in my heart from walking among the trees. I choose to not step on the leaves that have fallen and watch my walking friend brush them gently aside with the broom he carries while still honoring their presence. There comes a feeling of deep appreciation for the beauty of this time of year. Also, there is such joy in watching and remembering to bless, love and cherish the little human beings playing in the park, and the birds, squirrels, ducks, ants, beetles – what have you – that feel at home in this amazing space nature has provided for all of our enrichment.

I feel it important to also bless the caretakers of the parks so that we have places that nourish our souls through the natural beauty that brings us even closer to our Source.

Now it is time to go hug a tree, say thank you to a leaf, smile and greet another human leaf passing by, marvel at the tallest tree that guards the area, and appreciate the gift of another day. I send thanks to my friend for his sharing. And thank you all for being in my walk of life. See you all in the park. Yes, even in the winter.

Love,
Sherry 

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THIS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – All Life is a (Sacred) Stage. Join Rev. Sherry Lady as she shares experiences, insights, and smiles from her years of creative work in the theater.

YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTRY NEWS:  Youth of Unity or Y.O.U. (grades 9-12) will begin meeting in person this Sunday, September 19th with a virtual option available on request! We start at 10:00 am with an opening circle in the Rainbow Room (the first door to the left when facing the stairway in the Fillmore Wing). The group will then join the congregation in the sanctuary for the Sunday service, followed by a 30-minute spiritual exploration and activity in the classroom. Registration and proof of vaccination is required (once you show us your card we will put you on our verified list). Please contact your Y.O.U. sponsor, Pam Gutierrez, for a registration form and to request online participation at totalharmonyayurveda@gmail.com. We hope to have the Uniteens (grades 6-8) and our other youth classes opening in person and/or virtual gatherings soon. For more information on our vaccination policy, please see the link at the top of this email.

NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – God is Life, and God is All. Join guest speaker Pam Gutierrez as she explores finding comfort in Unity teachings when loved one’s transition. Pam is a ministerial candidate with Unity Worldwide Spiritual Institute, longtime member, and former Board President of Unity of the Valley.

To find out what’s happening with our Unity Community, check out our September Bulletin at http://unityofthevalley.org/pdfs/September2021.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 OFFERING with Donna O’Neil, because Mornings are Sacred! (10:00-11:15 a.m.) – Hatha Yoga: Mindful yoga practices for strength, balance, and flexibility. Level 1. Classes are on Zoom. See my schedule page for cost and more details at https://yogawithdonna.com/classes-and-schedule. Contact Donna at yogawithdonna@gmail.com or text to 541-632-0105. Let her know you’re 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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