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 (2/21/21) service can be watched at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/february-21-sunday-service/747315466192193/

THE GRACE TO TELL THEM SO

A message from Rev. Sherry Lady

Sometimes, like every three or four years or when the Spirit moves, I actually pull out files from their squeezed-in places in the drawer where they seldom see the light of day and listen to their sighs of relief as they take deep breaths of air. In one of the files, which I reduced in size but could not throw away quite yet, I found this delightful, chuckle-producing prayer:

17th CENTURY NUN’S PRAYER

LORD, thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older and will someday be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but Thou knowest Lord that I want a few words at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing and a love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of other’s pains, but help me to endure them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that I may occasionally be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a saint–some of them are so hard to live with–but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of irritation. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so. AMEN

I would like to have known this nun. I can see her walking quickly to some chore or another, skirts of her habit causing puffs of dust as she whisked by. I can see her quietly entering a chapel, being solemnly respectful in prayer, and then when done, running up the hill like Maria in The Sound of Music, to spread her arms to the heavens in celebration of life.

I have never wanted to don a habit, or be a saint, or famous – being me is ok, though a little younger would be great, because even today, in spite of creaking joints and a slower pace, there is in my heart a joy that never leaves. Sometimes I surround it with grumpy, negative thoughts, or shed a tear over one thing or another–especially in these painful times of virus impact, but down inside there is joy. Being alive, having family, so many good friends, a wonderful spiritual community, an incredible teacher to remind me of the beauty of each day, and things like maple nut ice cream, shrimp on a stick, or the laughter of the children next door as they jump on their outdoor trampoline. I could go on for there is a long list, but you have your own lists. I’d be open to your sharing them with me sometime, in any way you like.

Yes, I am growing older – so is everybody actually – and I echo the prayer of this wise, habit-wearing, shiny-faced nun, filled with wisdom, and what I perceive to be a wonderful sense of humor by repeating this part of her prayer: “Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And give me, Sweet Spirit, the grace to tell them so.”

So I am telling you now. I hope you hear me. You are part of what brings me joy. Your turn to go tell someone else.

Love,
Sherry

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THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28

10:30 a.m. Live Stream Service – Laura DuBois and Jon West will share their insights on The Universal Language: Is There a Vital Message in a Melody?

12:00 Noon – Unity’s Annual Congregational Meeting. We are holding this year’s annual meeting via live stream. Keep a look out at noon for us at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley (you don't have to be a Facebook member).

UPCOMING
Our March Bulletin will be posted on our website soon. In the meantime, to find out what’s happening with our Unity Community, check out our February Bulletin at http://www.unityofthevalley.org/pdfs/February%202021.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.

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 February Connecting from the Heart video can be found at
https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/connecting-from-the-heart-february-2021/183427730244773/

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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