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 (5/25/25) service can be watched at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/5-25-25-reaching-out-to-the-world/1589713644995906/.

WE ARE THE WORLD
A message from Jon West

Something happened last Sunday as our Unity Music Team was singing and playing. One by one, people in our sanctuary began standing. Not because they were singing along, although that would come later. I think the song touched a chord in the heart, one that says: It’s time not just to feel solidarity, but to actively express it.

It’s one of the critical questions we face throughout our lives: Should we follow the ringing in our hearts to express our solidarity with others?

One of the more vivid times I witnessed someone reach that crossroads happened in April 1991. At 27 years old, I had stayed up all night completing my first album of inspirational music. It needed to be mailed to Portland that day for me to receive 500 cassettes in time for my album release concert at Unity. But I was a few minutes late, and all the counter windows were shut tight.

As I stood silently affirming and trusting that the universe would somehow meet my need, a man about twice my age stepped out in his postal uniform. When I explained my desperate need, he answered in a surprisingly emphatic and lecturing tone that I was too late. Still, I kept inwardly affirming “Everything is in divine order.”

As this man was about to stride away, the friend who had driven me there entered the post office. Pat was an elegant, silver-haired woman about the same age as the man in front of us. It was remarkable how quickly the man became the epitome of helpfulness. “You can purchase your stamps from this machine over here,” he said, “then use the envelopes at that desk to send your package off in today’s mail.” That’s exactly what I did. Three weeks later, I received my freshly duplicated cassettes just minutes before my concert began. Not in the mail—there wasn’t time for that. They had to be driven down from Portland that day by my father.

As I think back on that postal worker, clearly he felt no solidarity with an over-eager 27-year-old storming into his work space after closing time. It took someone he could relate to for him to reach beyond his defined duties. But he did, and just in the nick of time–with a bit of divine intervention, I couldn’t help feeling.

But honestly, haven’t most of us taken a similar position as that postman at some point in our lives? Ignoring the inner call to lend a hand based on how much we identify with the person? The beauty of the song “We Are The World” is that it reminds us of a deeper truth: That beyond our outer appearances, “we are all a part of God’s great big family. And the truth, you know love is all we need.”

Reaching out from the heart,

Jon

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THIS WEEK AT UNITY, MAY 28-31

WEDNESDAY
- 2:00-3:00 p.m. via Zoom – 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 - richard.everts@comcast.net.

THURSDAY
- 1:00-2:30 p.m. – Unity’s Elder Council meets in the upstairs Fillmore Room. If you are 60 or older and would like to explore the journey and wisdom of elderhood, please join us. For more information, contact Julia Linebarger-Taylor at jlinebargertaylor@yahoo.com or 541-968-5896.

- 5:30-6:45 p.m. – Passage Meditation in the Fillmore Wing. This group practices “Passage Meditation” as taught by Eknath Easwaran. For more information, contact Laurie Cracraft at 541-554-5434.

- 7:30 p.m. – Oasis Ensemble Concert – An evening of beautiful chamber music. Suggested donation: $20 adults, $10 students.

THIS SUNDAY – JUNE 1

- 10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – Our June theme of We’re on an Adventure starts off with a message about “The Spiritual Power of Play” with Jon West.

- After the service – First-Sunday Potluck. Join us in the Fellowship Hall. Bring a main dish or salad, and invite your friends and family! Unity will provide coffee, tea, and dessert.

- After the service – Healing Prayer Circle meets. We offer focused healing prayer upon request. If you or a loved one need prayer support, please contact Julia Linebarger-Taylor at 541-968-5896.

- 12:15-1:30 p.m. – Empathetic Presence & Nonviolent Communication (NVC): A Monthly Primer and Practice Group with Michael Dreiling. This group meets on the first Sunday of each month in the upstairs Fillmore Wing. Sessions offer an overview and Q&A about NVC followed by small group sessions to practice NVC and cultivate empathetic presence. Donations welcome.

- 12:15-1:00 p.m. – Youth Choir meets in the Sanctuary. Ages 6-18 years. Led by our wonderful Music Director, Laura DuBois.

NEXT WEEK, JUNE 2-7

MONDAY
- 5:30-7:00 p.m. – Caring from the Heart, a LGBTQIA++ Support Group. Join Shawn, Erik, and Jalon in the Garden Room on the 1st & 3rd Monday of each month for an opportunity to gather in a safe place to be open and to share, express, and support each other in the LGBTQIA++ community. No judgement and no fear. For more information, contact Erik 541-556-0228.

TUESDAY
- 7:00 p.m. – The June 3rd Behind the Lens film is Kiss Me Deadly, directed by Robert Aldrich, followed by a Q&A session with Tom Blank. Registration forms in the Fellowship Hall. Cost is $30 for series (12 movies) or $5 per time.

- 7:00-9:00 p.m. – Open Men’s Circle in the upstairs Fillmore Wing. The Men’s Circle is a safe container where a man can openly and authentically share about his life, with the support and in the company of other men. Meets on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of each month. For more information, contact Raymond Albano at 541-285-3943 / ralbano.tmlp@gmail.com or Jim Drews at 541-731-8492 / drewsjim@yahoo.com.

WEDNESDAY
- 4:30-5:30 p.m. - Unity Grief Support Group facilitated by Alice Sparks meets in the Garden Room. Confidentiality observed. For more information, contact Alice at 541-729-3817.

- 7:00-9:00 p.m. – Rhythms of the Soul, a night of Enchanting Kirtan with Ananda Das. Tickets $25 advance/$35 at door. Tickets at https://app.brightstarevents.com/event/7abe15d7-eac7-4fdf-bebb-dfbf598eca84. Note: This concert is happening in place of our usual 1st Wednesday service which will resume on Wednesday, July 2nd.

THURSDAY
- 5:30-6:30 p.m. – Parents Empowered by Connecting group. This group meets on the 1st Thursday of each month in the Garden Room. For more information, contact Alice Sparks at 541-729-3817.

FRIDAY
- 6:00-8:00 p.m. – A Force More Powerful documentary presented in 2 sessions (June 6 & 13) by Unity’s Elder Council. Each showing is 3 movements followed by a discussion facilitated by Peter Chabarek, a local activist in social justice movements. Free. If you have questions, contact Bonnie Paquin at blpaquin2@gmail.com or 541-556-9669.

SATURDAY
- 10:30 a.m.-Noon – Sacred Women’s Circle in the upstairs Fillmore Wing. Calling all women to join Bev Forster as we explore sacred sounds for the chakras and intentional use of energy for self-healing.

NEXT SUNDAY – JUNE 8

- 10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – Jon West continues our June series of We’re on an Adventure with “New Eyes: What Did I Discover Today?”

- 12:15-1:15 p.m. – Unity Environmental Action Team (EAT) meets in the Garden Room on the second Sunday of each month. For more information, contact Betsy Priddle at heavenstobetsy74@gmail.com or Donna O’Neil at yogawithdonna@gmail.com. Reminder: bring your clean, dry, and sorted #2, #4, and #5 plastics (see more about this below under the Volunteer Opportunities/Needs section).

UPCOMING

Thursday, June 12 (7:30 p.m.) – Pierre Bensusan & Clive Carroll Guitar Greats on One Stage. Tickets $27.50 adv/$30 at door. Purchase at Tsunami Books www.tsnamibooks.org.

Friday & Saturday, June 27 & 28 – YFM Yard, Plant & Tree Sale. Do you have items you are looking to get rid of? Donate them to YFM and help support them at the same time! Drop off of your donated items starts June 15th. Contact Alice at 541-729-3817 to set up a time to drop off your items.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES/NEEDS

POTS OF SOUP: Each Sunday we serve 2-3 pots of soup. We are looking for 1 person who can bring a pot of soup on a Sunday. Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall if you can help out.

SUMMER SALADS SIGN UPS: July, August, and September we need two people on each Sunday to bring a BIG salad (except on 1st Sunday Potluck). Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall to help out. We are looking forward to lots of fresh fruits and vegies this season!

PLASTICS RECYCLING ONGOING OPPORTUNITY: Every Second Sunday, join the EAT team to recycle your plastics! You can recycle a lot more this way, as our local waste haulers don't take much plastic recycling. But they do take #2 jugs and bottles that are larger than a tennis ball. So, separate your clean plastic containers into bags for #2 tubs (and bottles smaller than a tennis ball), #4 and #5 plastics and their lids (All lids must be separate). Bring your clean, dry, and sorted into separate bags, #2, #4, and #5 plastics to the Garden Room at 11:45 a.m. on the second Sunday of the month. We can help you help the environment by recycling them! Clean them well and save them up for us! Important: Do not drop off your items.

PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY: We are looking for volunteers to help make prayer shawls either by knitting or crocheting that are then given away to people in our community who are going through a difficult time. No experience necessary. To become part of the team, contact Rev. Inge at 541-968-5540 or ingetarantola@gmail.com. 

UNITY COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS/OPPORTUNITIES

Our May Bulletin has been posted. You can check it out at http://www.unityofthevalley.org/May2025/May2025Bulletin.pdf.

The Youth & Family Ministry Winter 2025 Newsletter can be found at http://unityofthevalley.org/Feb2025/YFMnewsletter2025.pdf.

UNITY FOOD DRIVE – Please help us to fill the food barrel in the foyer with shelf-stable food (i.e., canned or no refrigeration needed) for Food For Lane County. Together, We Are Making a Difference!

SUNDAY GATHERING & NEWS FOR YOUTH

Nursery (Infant-4 years old) Nursery care is offered during the service in the Harmony Room.

Unikids (4 years old-2nd Grade) meet on Sundays in the Garden Room 10:20-11:25 a.m.

Galileans (Grades 3- 5) meet on Sundays from 10:25 to 11:25 a.m. in the Rainbow Room.

Uniteens (Grades 6-8) meet in the upstairs Treehouse room from 10:25 to 11:25 a.m.

Unity Teen Group (Grades 9-12). meet on Sundays from 10:25 to 11:25 a.m. in the Treehouse room.

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.

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.

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Your Prayer Team is Here for You!
Do you have a prayer request? Contact Julia Linebarger-Taylor via phone or text at 541-968-5896.

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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 on the home page of our website: unityofthevalley.org. 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.