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 (12/4/22) service can be watched at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/12-4-22-in-the-midst-of-darkness/523457076367860/.

THE JOURNEY: Part 2 of a Faith-Filled Adventure Story
By Rev. Sherry Lady

For four days they traveled, first south then east, avoiding places where unfriendliness would be a problem. There was much conflict between two groups who dominated the area they were traveling through. Knowing this, she understood why they could not take the easier roads. When he apologized, she reached out from the donkey she was riding to touch his shoulder. “No need to say anything. You take such good care of us and I trust you. Do you suppose the time will ever come when people and nations can live in peace? We must teach our child about the ways of peace.”
“I don’t know,” he replied. As if listening in and wanting to join the conversation, the child within her moved and thumped what was possibly a small foot against the side of its temporary home. Noticing how swiftly her hand flew to her belly, the man looked at her questioningly before continuing. “Maybe our child will know the way and teach us all.”
“I hope so,” she said. “I will hold that in my heart,” 
Gently touching her cheek, he smiled. “I will hold it in mine, too.” Sensing a deepening awareness of his responsibility, he found his stronger voice. “Now we must continue onward.” Tightening the belt around his waist and grasping his walking stick with determination, he led the way forward.
When it was time to rest each night, he unloaded a small folded tent from the back of the donkey. Not knowing if their four-legged friend would accept this unusual kind of saddle when he first placed it there, he had said a little prayer for assurance. It was accepted with only a little twitch in the animal’s shoulder muscle and it provided a safer, more supportive ride as they plodded their way through east winds that made them shiver and threw dirt in their faces.
After a meal of the hearty bread, water and wine they had brought with them they settled on the ground for the night. Huddled together on the blankets that provided cushioning, they each shared a few words of gratitude for the day’s safe journey. Then, holding hands. they allowed sleep to overtake them.
It was not an easy or comfortable trip, and concern for the safety of both mother and child weighed on his heart and mind. The night before reaching their intended destination, she spoke wistfully while warming herself beside the small fire he had made. “I’m not sure why this should be true, but I almost wish this journey would never end. It’s been our first trip together, and in spite of everything, we have been happy, haven't we?"
“Yes”, he replied, “it’s been good for the two of us in many ways.” In his heart, where fear of the unknown ahead still lingered, he felt an inner assurance that they were in the divine place doing what they were supposed to be doing. In spite of the chill of the night, a warmth came over him. Putting a few more slender sticks on the fire, he glanced at his wife who looked like a caterpillar wrapped up in a cocoon. After brushing a strand of hair from her forehead, he slipped into his rolled blanket and together they watched the bright stars in the sky over the road to the city which was their destination. Somewhere they heard singing. 
“What is that?” she asked. 
“Shepherds,” he replied. “They like to sing songs of their life. Some are old remembrances from times past or ones newly made up on this time of being with the sheep they are caring for. “It’s lovely,” she replied. Like heaven talking to us.” And with that, she moved a little closer to him. Even as she felt the warmth of their trust and love, she knew what was yet to come would challenge them both, as do all things that hang in balance, waiting for their time to be fulfilled.

In Part three we will follow them into the city of their destination. Know, with me, that this is a special story, one that has held for the ages, often misinterpreted, misunderstood, ignored, or told with many variations. And over the more than 2,000 years since then, many more amazing events have occurred in our world, creating wonderful stories that have kept the true spirit of life alive in the hearts of people everywhere. 

What is your story? What is mine? What is ours together? What have we yet to tell each other and the world? Whatever our destination, and for whatever reason, the Holiest of Spirits dwells within, reminding us of our divinity, our purpose, our gifts, our songs we are to sing, creating a road strewn with opportunities for us to find fulfillment in this earthly journey if we but take time to watch the stars in the never-ending sky and listen. 

May the blessings be many. May our hearts be full. Now and forever more.

Love,
Sherry

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THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11

10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – Finding Holiday Magic in Everyday Life, Part 1.” Rev. Sherry Lady and Jon West will be joined by puppet master Doris Hicks in sharing ways to pull joy and purpose out of thin air wherever you are and in whatever you are doing in a service for the whole family!

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14

Christmas Singalong (7:00 p.m.) – Join our music team in person or on our livestream for Christmas carols. It will be an evening of songs you love to sing.

NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18

10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – “Finding Holiday Magic in Everyday Life, Part 2” with Rev. Sherry Lady and Jon West. Our wonderful Unity Choir will perform under the direction of Mo Robeson.

SATURDAY, CHRISTMAS EVE

A Unity Christmas Eve Candle Lighting Service (5:00 p.m.) – Join us on this holy night in-person or on our livestream for inspiring music, prayer, and universal wisdom. (Please dress warmly as we will be ventilating fresh air.)

BOARD TRUSTEES VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Our Unity Board Nominating Committee is seeking candidates for our Board of Trustees. One current trustee is willing to run for re-election to another 3-year term. So we need candidates for two open seats and a candidate for our Alternate position (willing to step in if a Trustee doesn't complete their full term). If you are interested in being of service to our spiritual community in this way, please contact Jon West at jwest97405@gmail.com.

UNITY COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

The December Bulletin is posted. It contains a message from our Ministerial Team, information about December’s services, the December 14th Christmas Singalong, Christmas Eve Candle Lighting Service, a note from Santa, and more. Be sure to check it out at http://unityofthevalley.org/pdfs/December2022.pdf.

Unity Food Drive – Thank you for helping us fill the barrel in the foyer. We are collecting shelf-stable food (i.e., canned or no refrigeration needed) for Food For Lane. Please help us fill the barrel. Suggested items: protein such as peanut butter, canned meat, tuna, chicken, etc., canned food, soup, spices, cooking oil, broths, shelf-stable non-dairy milk alternative like almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, etc., cereal, grains, pasta, rice, baby food, baby formula.

SUNDAY GATHERING FOR YOUTH

UNIKIDS (KINDERGARTEN-5th GRADE) We currently offer fun and inspiration for the kids. There is a puppet show each Sunday for the first 10 minutes. Parents are asked to drop off their children starting at 10:20 a.m.

UNITY TEEN GROUP (grades 6-12). The Unity Teen Group meets on Sundays from 10:25 to 11:25 a.m. in the Rainbow Room with guidance from Jim Drews. Jim brings a deep and practical understanding of Unity principles and how to help youth develop their spiritual powers through creative exploration and fun activities. The Rainbow Room is in the Fillmore Wing of Unity, first door to the left of the stairway.

JOIN THE TEEN TEAM! Can you see yourself sitting in with Jim and our teens once a month for a three-month period? Having that extra adult energy would be very helpful. We envision a rotating group of 4-5 adults each quarter. Please inquire with Jon West by emailing jwest97405@gmail.com or calling (541) 683-7664.

UNITY’S SIMPLE GIVING PROGRAM

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.

UNITY’S COUNCIL OF ELDERS meet once a week via Zoom. If you are 60 or older and would like to explore the journey and wisdom of elderhood, please join us. If interested contact Bonnie Paquin at blpaquin2@gmail.com or 541-345-8873.

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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/.

"Connecting from the Heart" is now an independent nonprofit organization, working closely with Unity of the Valley. To enjoy their music, meditation and mental wellness videos, please click on this link: cfth.us.org.  

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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