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 (9/14/25) service can be watched at https://www.facebook.com/unityofthevalley/videos/9-14-25-sailing-lessons-changing-course-from-fate-to-destiny/2506058113114234/. 

You can also find our services on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@unityofthevalley2720/streams.

SAILING OUR BOATS
A message from Rev. Sherry Lady

Inspired by this last Sunday’s talk message (thank you, Jon) I remembered a book I had tucked somewhere on the shelves of my home library with the hope it would surface quickly. It did, and I was able to find some good reminders about how to navigate on the seas of life. The book’s title is First You Have to Row a Small Boat by Richard Bode and praised by Bernie Segal, M. Scott Peck, Walter Cronkrite…and now, Sherry Lady. The author writes:

“The urge to sail first came upon me when I was 12. It seemed like such a simple sport; far easier than hitting a home run or shooting an oversized ball through a metal hoop. I thought all I had to do was raise the canvas, let it fill with wind and the boat and I would take off together like a soaring bird. But, the first man to get me off the land knew better. His name was Harrison Watts, and I knew him by his legendary reputation as a sailor. “Can you sail?” he asked. I hadn’t.
“Have you ever been in a sailboat?” “Not really,” I replied. “You’ve never sailed, you’ve never been in a sailboat, and you want to get a boat. How do you figure that?” “I guess I’ll manage,” I replied.

“He took me to the dock, introduced me to a small, stubby dinghy and handed me some oars. ‘Get in, he said. The first thing you have to do is row a little boat.’ For three consecutive days I rowed that dinghy back and forth across the narrow river…Hour by hour, day by day, I slowly acquired a skill which, much as walking or talking, remains fundamental to my view of the world.

In life, in order to do what you want to do, to accomplish something you want more than anything, you have to row a little boat first. And you have to focus on that until you master it. You have to become one with the boat so it can teach you what you need to know. It will prepare you for the next size boat and then another until one day, if you desire it, you can sail any sized boat you would like to. Our lives are like that. We can choose any goal we wish, but until we focus on the skills needed, we will go around in little circles with our little boat and wonder what to do next. How to climb and go with the wind. To climb the wind and rise even higher to our goal of becoming the best we know we can be, there are some things to keep in mind. They include leaving behind our concept of ourselves as being small so we can bravely move forward.”

Some thoughts from successful Olympians:

1.     Unforeseen waves may carry you to success, so go with the flow.
2.    Celebrate what’s inside your boat and focus on it. The rain? That’s outside your boat. An oar breaks? That’s outside our boat. What if the wind blows you off course? That’s outside your boat. Stay focused on what you can control.
3.    Believe in your boat, and secure the hatches (finances).
4.    Sometimes it pays to toss things. Find new strength by letting go of what does not serve you.
5.    While focusing on what you can control, also be ready to alter your course. If you are unwilling to adjust your sails, the likelihood of you becoming beached and inoperable are as high as they can get.
6.    Trust your crew and shipmates. They are your most valuable asset.
7.     Foster creativity. You will need it in the tight places as well as in the planning of the dream.
8.    Focus on performance – not outcomes. If your performance is impeccable, your outcomes will be also.
9.    Keep distracting things and prejudices outside your boat.
10. Hold on to your lifeboat of faith. It will carry you far.

May you rise high in these coming Autumn days, and in each day of your lives. We are the wind beneath the wings (and sails) of each other. What a blessed opportunity to sail in happiness, joy and love. 

Sherry

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THIS WEEK AT UNITY, SEPTEMBER 17-20

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.

THIS SUNDAY – SEPTEMBER 21

- 10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – “Last Song” with guest speaker and international singer/songwriter Daniel Nahmod. See concert info. below under 12:30 p.m. 

- 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) Practice Group with Michael Dreiling. This group meets on the 1st & 3rd 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.

- 12:30 p.m. – Daniel Nahmod Concert. Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of music that will soothe your soul and fill your heart with joy. Suggested donation $15. No one turned away.

NEXT WEEK, SEPTEMBER 22-27

TUESDAY
- 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. – Unity Hang Out. Bring yourself, a friend, a snack, and come and hang out at Unity on Tuesdays with Alice and Shawn. Coffee provided. For more information, contact Alice Sparks at 541-729-3817.

- 5:00 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 Bonnie Paquin at 541-556-9669 or blpaquin2@gmail.com.

- 7:00 The September 23rd Behind the Lens Seminar film is Bigger Than Life, directed by Nicholas Ray, followed by a Q&A session with Tom Blank. Cost is $30 for series or $5 per time. Be sure to pick up a registration form in the Fellowship Hall. New series starts October 14th!

WEDNESDAY
- 4:30-5:30 p.m. - Unity Grief Support Group facilitated by Rev. Inge Tarantola meets in the Fellowship Hall. Confidentiality observed. For more information, contact Rev. Inge Tarantola at 541-968-5540 or ingetarantola@gmail.com.

FRIDAY
- 1:00-3:00 p.m. – Instrumental Inner Listening Practice. Join Jerry Green in the Sanctuary. Come and tune into Spirit with your own instrument, voice, and movement, or sit in silent stillness. Free. Meets on the 2nd & 4th Friday of each month.

NEXT SUNDAY – SEPTEMBER 28

- 10:30 a.m. Livestream & In-Person Service – “We Are the Ancestors” with Unity’s Elder Council.

UPCOMING

Wednesdays, October 15-November 12 (6:30-8:00 p.m.) – Living Unity Principles with Jon West. This is our introductory course for newcomers and those who would like to go deeper than we can do on a Sunday. Sign up in the Fellowship Hall or email Géna at unityval@riousa.com. Congregants who attend this class will be eligible for voting membership in our spiritual community.

Friday, October 10 (7:30 p.m.) – Andrei Andreev Concert at Unity. Tickets: $24.50/$27 at Tsunami Books - www.tsunamibooks.org.

Saturday, October 12 (7:30 p.m.) - Jeffrey Martin with guest Anna Tivel at Unity. Tickets: $27.50/$30 at Tsunami Books - www.tsunamibooks.org.

Thursday, October 30 (7:30 p.m.) Jai Uttal hour and a half of deep sonic restorative mantra & Kirtan at Unity. Tickets: $40/$50 at Tsunami Books Tsunami Books - www.tsunamibooks.org.

Friday, October 31 (5:30-7:00 p.m.) – Youth & Family Ministry Halloween with Unity. Light Dinner from 5:30-6:00 p.m., and 6:00-6:50 p.m. we have games, craft activities, gift items for purchase, and a hallway of hoor for adults & teens, a Day of the Dead presentation with live music and crafts followed at 7:00 p.m. with a Trunk or Treat in the parking lot. Admission is on a love-offering basis

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES/NEEDS

VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH Youth & Family Ministry Halloween with Unity. We could use help in a variety of areas. Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall or contact Alice Sparks at 541-729-3817.

POTS OF SOUP: On Sunday, October 12 we return to serving soup. Each Sunday we serve 2-3 pots of soup. We are looking for 1-2 person(s) who can bring a pot of soup on a Sunday. Please sign up in the Fellowship Hall if you can help out.

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 September Bulletin has been posted. You can check it out at http://unityofthevalley.org/Sep2025/Sept2025.pdf. The October Bulletin will be posted soon.

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.
Unitweens (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

You can visit Unity Online at:
Website: http://www.unityofthevalley.org

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COMMUNITY SUPPORT FUND

Our Community Support Fund (CSF) was created to assist individuals in our spiritual community who need short-term financial assistance. Grants typically range from $50 to $500, depending on the need and availability of funds. FUNDRAISER FOR PAUL BIONDI to cover expenses after his recent car accident: From now through October 1st, 85% of donations to CSF will go to Paul. with 15% reserved for others in need. Or you can specify that your entire donation go to Paul. 

WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT THE FUND

• Send a check to Unity of the Valley, 3912 Dillard Rd., Eugene, OR 97405 with a note designating if it’s for the CSF 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 CSF or to general Unity finances.

• Send an email to unityval@riousa.com stating that you wish to pledge a certain amount to the CSF 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 the CSF 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 CSF.

Thank you all for being an integral part of our loving and supportive community.