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 (10/20/24) service can be watched at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/10-20-24-buddhism-wisdom-and-compassion-zen-and-pure-land/466707693086914/.
DRESSED UP SOULS
From Rev. Sherry Lady
Albert Einstein wrote: “We are souls dressed up in biochemical garments and our bodies are the instruments through which our souls play their music.” When I came across this statement. I liked it so much and found myself wondering what kind of instrument I would be if I could suddenly change form from the instrument I am now to another one that could play its soul music better than the one body-instrument I have now. I shared this thought with a friend and she laughed out loud and replied, “Remember the saying: ‘Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.’ This is it, girl, at least this time around. You have your own melody. Don’t let anyone take it away from you.”
I thought about this for a day or so and then, because I am a life-long fan of Einstein, did a search for other bits of wisdom that might assist me in at least fine-tuning the biochemical instrument I am inhabiting at this time. It was easy to find good things spoken by this soul dressed up in the biochemical form of the Albert Einstein we have come to know and visualize today. I am sharing some of these wise thoughts and perceptions with you so they might assure you of your special place in the universe and perhaps help with the acceptance and appreciation of the biochemical expression and out-picturing of your beautiful soul.
These are random selections. Some hopefully enriching ideas, some challenges, many questions, and nudges for the soul as it expresses as you.
- When you examine the lives of most influential people who have ever walked among us, you discover one thread that winds through them all. They have first been aligned with their spiritual nature and only then with their physical selves.
- The true value of a human being can be found in the degree to which he has attained liberation from the self.
- I didn’t arrive at the understanding of the fundamental laws of the universe through my rational mind. The intellect has little to do on the road to discovery. There comes a leap in consciousness, call it intuition or what you will, the solution comes to you, and you don’t know how or why.
- Our separation from each other is an optical illusion. When something vibrates, the electrons of the entire universe resonate with it. Everything is connected. The greatest tragedy of human existence is the illusion of separateness.
- Energy cannot be changed, and that is all there is to it. Match the frequency of the reality you want, and you cannot help but get that reality. It can be no other way. This is not philosophy – this is physics. Energy only changes from one form to another.
- The religion of the future will be a cosmic religion…and will avoid dogma and theology.
- Concerning matter, we have been all wrong. What we have called matter is energy whose vibration has been so lowered as to be perceptible to the senses. Matter is spirit reduced to the point of visibility. There is no actual matter.
Einstein was slow in learning to talk and this, combined with a tendency to whisper words softly to himself before saying them out loud, led his family maid to nickname him “derDepperte” – the dopey one. His passion for music and for scientific study were housed in his “dressed up soul.” We all have and are, dressed up souls. We all have passions, desires, hopes, dreams, likes and dislikes, because it is the nature of who we are. The suggestion is that we step out dressed in all our soulful finery and never hesitate for a moment to offer what we can for the good happiness of all, including ourselves. And if you feel “God” looking over your shoulder then let these words from the dressed-up soul named AE be of comfort to you. “God would say – what I want you to do is go out and into the world and enjoy your life. I want you to have fun and enjoy everything that has been made for you.”
E=mc2 ---Energy =my contribution x’s 2.
Enjoy your soulful finery.
Love,
Sherry
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THIS WEEK AT UNITY, OCTOBER 23-26
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 at richard.everts@comcast.net.
- 4:30-5:30 p.m. - Unity Grief Support Group facilitated by Rev. Inge Tarantola meets in the Garden Room. Confidentiality observed. For more information, contact Rev. Inge Tarantola at 541-968-5540 or ingetarantola@gmail.com.
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.
THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27
- 10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – Our 7-week series on "One Ocean, Many Rivers: Following the Mystic Thread of Universal Truth" continues with Guest Speaker Rebecca DesPrez giving us an “Introduction to Zoroastrianism: One of the World’s Oldest Religions.”
- After the service – Join us in the Fellowship Hall for soup and refreshments.
- 12:15-1:15 p.m. – Healing Prayer Circle meets upstairs. We offer healing prayer to individuals who request it. All are welcome to join us. For more information, contact Julia Linebarger-Taylor at 541-968-5896.
NEXT WEEK, SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 28-NOVEMBER 2
TUESDAY
- 7:00 p.m. – The October 29th Behind the Lens film is High Noon, directed by Fred Zinnemann, followed by a Q&A session with Tom Blank. New Winter series begins November 5th. Registration forms in the Fellowship Hall. Cost is $30 for series or $5 per time.
WEDNESDAY
- 5:30-7:00 p.m. – Youth & Family Ministry Halloween with Unity Celebration Fundraiser. Great fun for adults and children. We will have spooky fun houses, crafts, games with prizes, gift items, food & Halloween-themed drinks, Day of the Dead room, and trick or treat. Be sure to mark your calendars and bring your family and friends. Cost: 12 & Older: $7.50 / Under 12 Free.
NEXT SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3
- 10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – “Judaism: Humanity in the Image of God” with Guest Speaker Rabbi Ruhi Sophia Motzkin Rubenstein of Temple Beth Israel.
- 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.
UPCOMING
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2 – Sacred Women’s Circle (10:30 a.m.-Noon) in the upstairs Fillmore Wing. Join Géna on the first Saturday of each month for a time of connecting, meditating, and doing a fun project that incorporates the theme for that month’s gathering. November’s theme is The Fullness of Gratitude.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6 – Chanting & Meditation (7:00-8:00 p.m.) in the sanctuary. Join Jon West, Stephen Parsons, and Donna O'Neil on the first Wednesday of each month and open to the Infinite Spirit within through the timeless practice of chanting our way into deep meditation. For more info., contact Jon West at 541-683-7664 or jwest97405@gmail.com.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7 – Parents Empowered by Connecting group (5:30-6:30 p.m.) meets in the Garden Room. For more information, contact Amanda Hadd at 541-999-6673 or Alice Sparks at 541-729-3817.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9 – Karen Drucker Comes to Eugene!
- 10:00 am-12:30 p.m. – I Give Myself Permission to … a playshop with Karen Drucker at the Center for Spiritual Living. (See page 17 of the October Bulletin for details - link below.)
- 7:00 p.m. – Karen Drucker Songs & Stories Concert at Unity. Cost: $15-$20 sliding scale. No one turned away. (See page 18 of the October Bulletin for details - link below.)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17 (3:00 p.m.) – The Nature of Gratitude event with live music, spoken word, photography, and more. (See page 19 of the October Bulletin for details - link below.)
Our October Bulletin can be found at http://unityofthevalley.org/Oct2024/October2024.pdf.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES/NEEDS
CHRISTMAS CHOIR: Rehearsals are Mondays 4:00-5:30 p.m. and start November 4th. Please come and add your voice. Sign up in the Fellowship Hall or contact Mo at 541-520-8489.
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.
KITCHEN CLEAN UP VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. We are looking for a couple volunteers each week who can help with cleanup on Sundays in the Fellowship Hall. Duties would include washing tables and counters and taking the tables down and storing in closet, and sweeping the floor. Please contact Sunny Schneider at 541-521-3319 to sign up and help!
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 October Bulletin has been posted. You can check it out at http://unityofthevalley.org/Oct2024/October2024.pdf. The November Bulletin will be posted soon.
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.
· Our youth still have quite a few 1-foot potted Douglas Fir and Incense Cedar trees needing a home. Reduced to sell: 1 for $5 or 2 for $7.50 Come and get a tree and support our youth at the same time. See Alice or call her at 541-729-3817.
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
You can visit Unity Online at:
Website: http://www.unityofthevalley.org
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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.