NOTE FROM ELLEN
This morning on my way home for lunch I stopped at an Estate Sale at a house about 4 blocks from where I live. Everyday I walk past this house on my daily walk and I was curious about the sale. I was very surprised at the vast quantity of items that were for sale. There were lots of different dishes, lots of old but elegant furniture, jewelry, and household items everywhere. I gleaned that the man had died several years ago and there was/is a wife. I could not tell by the conversation if she is dead or alive. The wife was into crafts and hobbies and there was at least one added room to the back of the house for this hobby. People at the sale were commenting on how large the house was because from the front it did not appear large at all. I am guessing that the man taught music at one time at UNT because of a UNT paperweight I saw and there was a baby grand piano and lots and lots of sheet music and other memorabilia. Sadly to me there were photos in frames that were being sold. I guess no family members wanted these photos.
As I looked at the items collected over a lifetime it became clear to me that this was a lifetime experienced through this vast quantitiy of art, music, crafts, furniture, clothing, etc. but it was also very clear that we cannot take any of this with us when we die.
What I believe we do take with us are memories of our interactions with others. In the New Testament Jesus said that the one Great Commandment is that we love God, others and ourselves. For some of us this would require a radical shift from our pursuits of security and pleasure to experiencing and expressing love to others.
Change is always going to be happening in our world. Everything that we worked for could be destroyed in an instant through natural catastrophes such as hurricanes, tornadoes or earthquakes. People around us will die or leave us. I think this is what Jesus is referring to when he asks us to build a life of faith and trust on God which is like building on a rock foundation that is strong and secure and sees us through the storms of life rather than building on a sandy foundation which is not strong and stable during change and can topple our lives at any time.
Focusing on God as our Source is a security which will see us through any situation. If we do this, then we can relax because we can feel the Presence of God within us that gives us wisdom and guidance through all the changes and will be our constant companion. We are never alone.
Then life becomes a journey of joy and wonderment no matter what is occurring in our lives.
As I looked at the items collected over a lifetime it became clear to me that this was a lifetime experienced through this vast quantitiy of art, music, crafts, furniture, clothing, etc. but it was also very clear that we cannot take any of this with us when we die.
What I believe we do take with us are memories of our interactions with others. In the New Testament Jesus said that the one Great Commandment is that we love God, others and ourselves. For some of us this would require a radical shift from our pursuits of security and pleasure to experiencing and expressing love to others.
Change is always going to be happening in our world. Everything that we worked for could be destroyed in an instant through natural catastrophes such as hurricanes, tornadoes or earthquakes. People around us will die or leave us. I think this is what Jesus is referring to when he asks us to build a life of faith and trust on God which is like building on a rock foundation that is strong and secure and sees us through the storms of life rather than building on a sandy foundation which is not strong and stable during change and can topple our lives at any time.
Focusing on God as our Source is a security which will see us through any situation. If we do this, then we can relax because we can feel the Presence of God within us that gives us wisdom and guidance through all the changes and will be our constant companion. We are never alone.
Then life becomes a journey of joy and wonderment no matter what is occurring in our lives.
Ellen Davis, Minister
Enveloped in the healing energy of God's love, the earth and its people are transformed. Love, peace and abundance fill every heart and mind. Our planet is healthy, whole, and at peace.
Sunday Services at 11:00 AM each Sunday
October 26thth: Rev. Ellen Davis, Minister
Talk Title: Living the Dream
Kathryn Kalahan, Music Director
Annual Unity Celebration
Saturday, November 8, 2008
6:30 until midnight
Unity Church of New Hope
A MEXICAN FIESTA
Dinner, dancing, entertainment, doorprizes and more
$20 per person .
We are trying to gauge the interest in making childcare available during the Unity Celebration on Saturd ay, November 8th from 6:30-midnight.
If you think you might attend and take advantage of the childcare, which will be in the Sunday School rooms (movies, snacks, etc.), please tell Mary McFall, Shari Turner or Anna Shaffer. The parents will bear the cost of the childcare.
DON'T MISS REV. LEO BOOTH
November 23rd
Sunday morning Service & Workshop
Reverend Leo is an internationally acclaimed author, lecturer, and trainer on all aspects of spirituality and recovery from depression, addictions, or compulsive behaviors, and low self-esteem. He holds a Masters degree in Theology from King's College, London, England, and is a Certified Addictions Counselor and a Certified Eating Disorders Counselor, and a Spiritual Consultant to several treatment centers. In addition to specific in-services and lectures on religious addiction and abuse, Reverend Leo presents workshops, lectures, and training on a broad spectrum of issues to a variety of organizations and institutions. He is contributing columnist to several publications. Reverend Leo has appeared on such television shows as The Oprah Winfrey Show, Geraldo, and others.
Reverend Leo was born in England and raised in a home divided by religious arguments. Driven and ambitious, he became one of the youngest rectors in England. He also became an alcoholic. After a drunken car crash in 1977 that led to his treatment for alcoholism, he subsequently devoted his work to helping addicts and others who suffer from low self-esteem. From his work as both minister and an addictions counselor, he has developed a new spiritual model based on Choice, Action, Responsibility, and Empowerment.
Parents Meeting on November 2 after Church
Parents, grandparents, and others who bring children to Sunday School – be sure to mark your calendars for November 2. Youth and Family Ministries will be holding a meeting immediately after church. Food will be provided and child care. Let's work together to create the best possible opportunity for your child's spiritual development. Please bring your ideas about what you would like to see in our program as well as any input about your child's experiences in class. We welcome loving critique.
UPDATES FOR UNITY CONGREGANT DIRECTORY
Pam Livingston will be updating the Unity Congregant Directory for publication in January, 2009. Please see Pam if you want your information included, have changes to your contact information or want another picture taken or inserted. Information can be e-mailed to her at pam.livingston@yahoo.com.
Building Report
A big thanks to Mik Birze and Michael Longshore who worked on the installation of the kitchen cabinets last Saturday. Mik welcomes any help as he continues to work on the cabinets.
Each Sunday morning we will be selling baked goods to go towards all the improvements for our new addition such as cabinets an, carpet, and landscaping. There is a sign up sheet in the foyer.
IT (Church Technology) Ministry Team
Lane Pierce is in charge of our church IT Ministry Team. He is working on the church website, Sunday morning recordings and has plans for other possibilities such as podcasting. He would like volunteers to help him so if you have an interest contact Lane at lane@unityofnewhope.org. Thanks, Lane, for all your work in this area....
Monday
YOGA
(each Monday at 6:30 PM)
Sue Greenwood , Registered Yoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist
This class is for all levels, anyone who wants t o explore the breath and create space in the body.For more information or to schedule a private therapy session with Sue please e-mail her at su3f@yahoo.com or check out her website at www.sadhanayoga.org
MEDITATION MONDAYS
(each Monday at 7:30 PM)
Lane Pierce, Facilitator
Meditation is good for the mind, body and soul. If you have never participated in a group meditation, it is something to be experienced. Getting to know God is an urge and craving of all beings. Meditation will help you make that connection.
This special program is supported through your love offering and the most important part is your participation. Come to the church or set aside the time and meditate with us from your home if you cannot make it in person. Be a part of something bigger.
http://meditation.meetup.com/504/
Wednesday
Spiritual Discussion Class
10:30 AM Next class is Sept. 24th
Ellen Davis Facilitator
VISIONING CLASS
(each Wednesday 7:30 PM)
Ellen Davis and Lane Pierce Facilitators
The class is currently working on putting their goals in writing to correlate with the images in their books.
Visioning is all about dreaming, fantasizing, clarifying and energizing your life. You decide what it is you want in your life and then begin to envision those things. By collecting and organizing images of items or important words you can surround yourself with images of who you want to become, what you want to have, where you want to live, or where you want to vacation, your life changes to match those images and those desires. Between Ellen's commitment to the system of Visioning and Lane's commitment to goal setting there are many lessons to be learned in any one night of Visioning class.
This class is supported by love offerings.
A Vision Book is really an inventory of your desires - come stock your shelves.
Buddhist Meditation
Wednesday207:00pm
Unity of New Hope now hosts a Buddhist Meditation night. Feel free to come join in with them at 7:00 every Wednesday night.
NEW CLASS ON MONDAY NIGHTS
Artist Way Cluster
Mondays beginning November 10th
5:30-6:30 pm
Unity church of New Hope
Participants need to have the book "The Artist's Way" by Julie Cameron (used paperbacks through Amazon start at $7.00)
Co-facilitated by Lisa Reed, Diane Lavin and Cindy Baker
(each Monday at 6:30 PM)
Sue Greenwood , Registered Yoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist
This class is for all levels, anyone who wants t o explore the breath and create space in the body.For more information or to schedule a private therapy session with Sue please e-mail her at su3f@yahoo.com or check out her website at www.sadhanayoga.org
MEDITATION MONDAYS
(each Monday at 7:30 PM)
Lane Pierce, Facilitator
Meditation is good for the mind, body and soul. If you have never participated in a group meditation, it is something to be experienced. Getting to know God is an urge and craving of all beings. Meditation will help you make that connection.
This special program is supported through your love offering and the most important part is your participation. Come to the church or set aside the time and meditate with us from your home if you cannot make it in person. Be a part of something bigger.
http://meditation.meetup.com/504/
Wednesday
Spiritual Discussion Class
10:30 AM Next class is Sept. 24th
Ellen Davis Facilitator
VISIONING CLASS
(each Wednesday 7:30 PM)
Ellen Davis and Lane Pierce Facilitators
The class is currently working on putting their goals in writing to correlate with the images in their books.
Visioning is all about dreaming, fantasizing, clarifying and energizing your life. You decide what it is you want in your life and then begin to envision those things. By collecting and organizing images of items or important words you can surround yourself with images of who you want to become, what you want to have, where you want to live, or where you want to vacation, your life changes to match those images and those desires. Between Ellen's commitment to the system of Visioning and Lane's commitment to goal setting there are many lessons to be learned in any one night of Visioning class.
This class is supported by love offerings.
A Vision Book is really an inventory of your desires - come stock your shelves.
Buddhist Meditation
Wednesday207:00pm
Unity of New Hope now hosts a Buddhist Meditation night. Feel free to come join in with them at 7:00 every Wednesday night.
Raising Dough for Our Kitchen
If anyone is interested in bringing muffins, doughnuts or pastries on Sunday mornings to sale before church please sign up on the calendar behind the guest sign in table. Please bring goodies 30 minutes before church. "Dough" will be collected on a love offering basis. If you have any questions please contact Anna Shaffer.
kevanna@ntin.net
kevanna@ntin.net
No comments:
Post a Comment