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 (7/7/24) service can be watched at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/7-7-24-shifting-from-human-to-spiritual-happiness/1003236408143623/.

A REMEMBRANCE OF LADY WISDOM AT TEA – a poem
By Rev. Sherry Lady

Lady Wisdom is playing with me, and all because I invited her for tea.
I said to her kindly, oh please tell me how will I know when I’m wise. Am I getting there now?

She flittered back and forth from the left to the right hand of God,
Right there at my table, then gave me a nod. And, laughingly sipping my tea,
She began to speak most amazingly – through me.

And this is what I heard her say in my mind:

Of mice and men, and then again.
Of crumpets and tea, oh dear, dear me…
My mind is wandering to and fro.
I wonder where it has a mind to go. 
Of salt and sea, then back to me.

Of ink and pink, and other rhymes,
Of families and children and happier times—
Oops – there it goes, this brain of the “me”
Wandering around aimlessly.

Of pen and ink and kitchen sink
Of pies and pastries – such fun to think
Of pandas and poodles and sunny days
And walks in parks and theatre plays…
My thoughts are bent all over the place, but
I feel a smile twitching my face.

Of yogis and sutras and gurus galore
And chants and mantras and maybe more.
Playpens and piglets, hens and chicks
Kittens with yarn balls, puppies with sticks.

With a laugh, I interrupted Lady Wisdom

And began to dance all over the place.
Keep it simple, girl — keep it simple. Life is not a race.
And then I heard a giggle and saw
The Lady with a smile on her face.

And, taking a deep breath, the air became clear.
The way to wisdom is within me, right here.
The Spirit of Life knows the pace and also has
Set me in the right place.

Now to live wisely, fully and well,
And let the simple things fill my days,
Uncluttered, unfettered, and filled with praise.
I’m here to love and be filled with joy and
Care about others and not count the time….

Now I’m finished with this Rhyme….. and moving on,
I pick up my being-ness just as I am, nothing fancy, nothing glam
And in the simplest way I can, I walk the simple walk of maam (humankind)
Happy in the days just as they are – simple and sweet and filled with song.
How would you like to simply come along?

Love,
Sherry

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THIS WEEK AT UNITY, JULY 10-13

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.

THURSDAY
- 1:00-3:00 p.m. – YFM Splash Day at Amazon Pool. The Youth & Family Ministry is sponsoring the youth for this day so the youth are paid for. They must be accompanied by at least one parent or guardian who is responsible for them. Sign up required and can be done in the Garden Room or contact Alice Sparks at 541-729-3817 (voice or text).

- 1:00-2:30 p.m. – Unity’s Elder Council meets in the Garden 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.

- 3:30-5:00 p.m. – Therapeutic Touch in the upstairs Fillmore Wing. The NW Therapeutic Touch Institute is offering Therapeutic Touch (TT) sessions for those who have taken the classes, those interested in TT, and for those who would simply like to experience a calming, healing TT session. For more information, contact Bev Forster, RN, QTTT, at 541-520-9358.

- 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.

SATURDAY
- 10:00-11-:30 a.m. via Zoom - Gong Bath Meditation Class with Sunny & Vicky Hills - Several Unity of the Valley Members attend regularly, including Laura & Inge. Please Sign Up Here: https://sunnyhillsmeditation.com.

THIS SUNDAY, JULY 14

- 10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – “Radical Empathy: Untangling Knots Within and Between Us” with Professor Michael Dreiling.

- 12:00-1:00 p.m. – Unity Environmental Action Team (EAT) meets in the Garden Room on the second Sunday of each month. For more information on Unity’s EAT, contact Betsy Priddle at heavenstobetsy74@gmail.com.

- 12:15-1:00 p.m. – Youth Choir meets in the Garden Room. Ages 6 years to young adult. Led by our wonderful Music Director, Laura DuBois.

- 12:15-1:15 p.m. – Healing Prayer Circle meets in the upstairs Fillmore Wing. 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, JULY 15-20

MONDAY
- 5:30-7:00 p.m. – Caring from the Heart, a LGBTQIA++ Support Group. Join Shawn Heren, Erik Peterson, and Jalon Watts 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 Peterson 541-556-0228.

- 7:00-8:30 p.m. – Choir Practice in the Sanctuary. If you would like to be a part of the choir, contact Mo Robeson at 541-520-8489.

TUESDAY
- 6:30 p.m. – Board of Trustees Meeting will be held in the Garden Room and via Zoom. All are welcome to attend. If you would like to attend via Zoom or speak at the meeting, please contact Ted Taylor at 541-953-7226 or juliated@comcast.net.

- 7:00 p.m. – The July 16th Behind the Lens film is The Great Caruso, directed by Richard Thorpe, followed by a Q&A session with Tom Blank. Cost is $30 for series or $5 per time. Registration forms in the Fellowship Hall.

- 7:00-9:00 p.m. – Unity 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.

SATURDAY
- 11:00 a.m. – Celebration of Life Service for Ellen Johnson. Join us in the sanctuary as we celebrate Ellen’s life. Reception to follow.

NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 21

- 10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – “Finding a Place to Land” with Rev. Sherry Lady.

UPCOMING

Monday, July 22-Friday, July 26 – Youth Puppet Day Camp (10:00 a.m.-Noon) ages 8-15 years old. We will be making puppets, learn how to manipulate several different types of puppets, explore presenting a story using voice, and movement, with a presentation of a variety show onstage on the final day. Space is limited. Free to Unity families. $10 for week for non-members. Pre-register with Alice Sparks at 541-729-3817 (voice or text).

Sunday, July 28 (6:00 p.m.) – “The Year to Save the Earth” – A Multimedia Experience by Jim Scott. Mixing powerful songs and beautiful projected images, “The Year to Save the Earth” takes us from grieving to celebration and from protest to positive vision for the planet. Jim’s lyrical melodies and outspoken poetry celebrate what’s beautiful, amazing, and fragile about our Earth. Facing the urgency of the environmental crisis, this musical and visual experience challenges us to feel, to learn, and to act. Suggested admission donation $15-$25

Youth & Family Ministry: 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.

JULY, AUGUST, and SEPTEMBER – Summer Salads are Coming Back! Instead of soup, we will be having summer salads. Two people are needed 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 veggies this season!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES/NEEDS

YFM SUMMER VOLUNTEERS: Our curriculum teachers will be taking a break in July and August, and the kids will be taking a break from the curriculum during that time. We are looking for volunteers from teens on up to seniors who can volunteer once a month in August to help Alice and have some fun with the kids ages 4-14. Sign up in the Fellowship Hall or contact Alice at 541-729-3817 or alicesparks48@gmail.com.

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 July Bulletin has been posted. You can check it out at
http://unityofthevalley.org/July2024/JulyBulletin.pdf.

The Youth & Family Ministry Spring Newsletter has been posted as well. You can read it at http://unityofthevalley.org/pdfs/YFMspringnewsletter2024.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.

Our curriculum teachers are on break in July and August. Although the youth (ages 4-18) are taking a break from curriculum, they will still be meeting in the Garden & Rainbow Rooms. We will do a check-in, meditation, and then we will be doing activities. (Nursery care will continue to be offered for infant-4 years old.)

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.