Upcoming Services and Special Events!
.

NOTE:  Unity’s parking lot is scheduled to be repaved  Wednesday July 17th - Thursday July 18th.. This will most likely be a 2-day job.. You will still be able to get into the building. Just park on the street.

Sunday July 21st

Pre-Service Meditation from 10:00-10:15 a.m.  

10:30 a.m. Service: “Dancing the Night Away." Jon West will share spiritual steps to moving through the dark and difficult times of life. 

- 3:00-3:45 p.m. – Healing Circle based on A Course in Miracles led by Dennis and Janet Chandler in the upstairs Fillmore Wing. This circle is dedicated to acquiring healing practices and demonstrations

Sunday July 28th

Pre-Service Meditation from 10:00-10:15 a.m.  

10:30 a.m. Service: “Life’s Mysterious Dance.” Rev. Inge Tarantola will explore how choosing to learn from our experiences can help us progress in a favorable direction.

Team Power

A Message from Jon West

A few mornings ago, Donna and I were listening to Michelle Obama being interviewed about her marriage. One of the things the former First Lady emphasized was how she and Barack had always seen themselves as not simply a married couple but as a team with a mutual commitment to help each other succeed in life.

Hearing those words reminded me of an incident that occurred over a decade ago when I was still working fulltime in the disability field. After a visit with relatives in Southern Oregon, I had stopped on the outskirts of Medford for a bite to eat at a fast food restaurant when I was approached by a young couple. They reminded me that a few years earlier I had officiated at their wedding. I had done this as a favor for the bride’s grandmother who I had met through my work. After joining the couple at their table and inquiring how they were doing, I learned they were struggling financially as well as in their relationship. At that moment, they had reached a very low point.

After listening to their various concerns, complaints and disappointments, the message I felt they most needed to hear was this: It was time to rise beyond their initial expectations of what marriage would be like and to see themselves as a team. When one takes a tumble, the other needs to be there offering a hand up, and vice versa. Mistakes will be made, arguments will happen, feelings will be hurt. It’s important to keep improving communication and finding ways to brighten each other’s lives. But when the game is on the line in terms of your survival as a couple and being able to pay the rent and put food on the table, a team works together to combine all their abilities, resources and best strategies to make it over the goal together.

Of course, what I was sharing wasn’t so much a profound inner wisdom as simply the experience of my greater age and the fact that I’d already faced many of the same relationship and monetary pitfalls. They both listened respectfully and I sensed that through the pain and fear they were going through, they at least saw a ray of hope of how they could keep moving forward together. Although our paths did not cross again, at times my heart and prayers go out to them wherever they are in their journey of awakening.

I suppose you could say that in the big picture, all of humanity is–or should be–a team. As we work not just for our own well-being but for the benefit of the whole team, we shine with an ever-brighter love and light. Then we see that light and love reflect back to us in the eyes of our ever-growing spiritual family. This Sunday, we will journey more deeply into the field of relationships, seeking the opportunities for growth and enrichment that await us there.

In gratitude for this wonderful family of Unity,
Jon

Week of 15th to July 20th

(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 July 16 Behind the Lens Seminar film is The Long Voyage Home directed by John Ford, followed by a Q&A session with Tom Blank. Cost is $30 for series or $5 per time.

FRIDAY (7:00 p.m.) – Friday Spiritual Cinema: Parables & Epiphanies, a series of films curated by Tom Blank. The July screening is Wings of Desire, directed by Wim Wenders. A Q & A session with Tom will follow. Donation basis.

Week of July 22nd to July 27th

(Scroll down for Ongoing Weekly Events)

TUESDAY (7:00 p.m.) – The July 23 Behind the Lens Seminar film is Mrs. Miniver directed by William Wyler, 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.

Upcoming

JULY, AUGUST, and SEPTEMBER – Summer Salads are Back! Instead of 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.

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.

Ongoing Weekly Events

Service Opportunities  

Facebook Users: Did you know that you can help spread the word about Unity of the Valley and its events?  By Liking the Facebook page and then clicking "Like" or "Share" on individual posts, you can let Facebook know that these posts are important and make sure that the posts are seen by MANY more people.  Please take a moment now to Like the page (if you haven't already) and share a Unity post with your friends.  Unity’s Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley .