Unity of the Valley “Celebrating the One Light in All”

Rev. Sherry Lady Co-Minister

Rev. Inge Tarantola Co-Minister

Jon West

Ministerial Team Member and Music Director

May 2014 Creating a Personal Spirituality

Sunday Service 10:30 am

www.unityofthevalley.org

Message from Our Ministerial Team

CREATING A PERSONAL SPIRITUALITY

Imagine for a moment that every seeking soul is a seed planted in the soil of unknowing. From the larger view, we are all part of the same universal garden. There is only one Ground of Being from which we came, one Light we all eventually awaken to. The same basic growth principles apply to each seed: Reach for the Light, and, as you do, let your own inner wisdom, power, and love blossom forth.

Yet, there are important personal dimensions to our journey as well:

1. Each seed begins with a different physical and psychological covering.

2. The different social environments we were brought up in provide a wide mix of supports and challenges.

3. Finding our way through this complexity, we each make unique choices and have experiences known only to us.

4. As we are drawn from the dark of unknowing toward higher knowledge, we find an endless array of teachings to choose from.

5. Finally, whatever outer teaching(s) we use to guide our journey, we must each become a new expression of the One Life. We must reach beyond even the greatest scriptures and access our own connection with the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Spirit. Our life is then a uniquely divine flowering.

Starting this week and beyond, ask yourself: "What are some ways I can create or revitalize my personal spiritual path?" Maybe you’ve had some strategies in mind you’ve been putting off. If so, we invite you to join with our Unity community in taking constructive steps now. With clear intention and follow-through, virtually everything in your life will start getting better...and better...and better!

In loving service, The Unity Ministerial Team

10:30 AM SERVICE AT UNITY OF THE VALLEY

Our Sunday service is powerful, positive, practical, and fun! You’ll experience great music, friendly people, and a welcoming atmosphere. The message is always relevant, helping you move through everyday challenges with greater spiritual awareness and fulfillment. Come early and experience Sacred Meditative Space in the Sanctuary from 10:00-10:20 am, with soft background music and occasional guided meditation.

RECORDINGS of the service may be purchased in our Bookstore, or listen to the talks at our website: www.unityofthevalley.org. ASSISTIVE LISTENING DEVICES for people with hearing-impairment are available upon request. Please ask an usher for assistance. FOR PARENTS: Our foyer is equipped with speakers so parents who need to attend to children can still hear the service. Through our Youth & Family Ministry, we offer nursery care and engaging life lessons for young people. See the bottom of this page for more information.

YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTRY (YFM)

A vital key to transforming our world is giving young people practical spiritual tools for living and opportunities to express their innate joy, love, mutual respect, and creative potential. YFM provides all of this every Sunday in a safe, fun, and nurturing environment for five different age groups:

1. Unitots provides childcare with learning opportunities for infants and children up to age 3 or 4;

2. Unikids is the next step up, with children generally in Grades K-2; 3. Galileans is for Grades 3-5; 4. Uniteens is for Grades 6-8; 5. Y.O.U. (Youth of Unity) is for teenagers Grades 9-12.

Through activities that engage both the heart and mind–such as music, stories, drama, arts & crafts, meditation, and community service–participants learn life values that can last a lifetime. These values are reinforced through positive interaction with our adult membership and through retreats, camps, and other special events in the larger community.

Join us in May as we explore these topics:

Sunday, May 4: Spiritual Chaos (Rev. Inge) Sunday, May 11: A Day for Mothers: Stories from Our Community (Jon) Sunday, May 18: Navigating Hope (Jon) Sunday, May 25: The Blessing of Grace (Rev. Sherry)

CURRENT YFM NEWS

We continue featuring bios of the fabulous people participating in our Youth & Family Ministry. In this issue, we hear from Sally Crum and June Hopkins.

Sally Crum – I was born Sally Jean Robinson in 1943, during WWII, in Indianapolis, Indiana. My dad was in the navy. My mother died of polio before the war ended.

My dad remarried, and our family, my sister, and I moved to Ohio, then to Florida, where my brother was born. When I was five, we moved to Alabama. I was taught that the South was wronged in the Civil War, and that brown people had an inferior status in every way. My sister and I observed the day-to-day unfairness, though adults did not, so it was a good thing we had each other to talk to. The beauty now is that three of our grandchildren have brown skin–a joyful resolution of a painful time in my life.

Our current family consists of four grown children, five almost-adult grandchildren, and three younger ones. We raised our family on the farm where we still live after 43 years. We were some of the original hippie farmers, and we raised our own food for 27 years. My husband, Gary, taught, and I did most of the farming.

When our children were almost grown, I went back to school at Oregon State University, and then taught for almost 20 years as a kindergarten/PE teacher here in our neighborhood. My original degree was in biology, from the University of California.

I am still passionately interested in how the natural world works, and I use that knowledge every day in farming, teaching, and observing the changes of our blessed planet. We have a great group of friends from Unity who come weekly to our community garden, which is very productive–plus, it is incredibly fun and inspiring. I have also been fortunate to travel to various countries: Mexico, Kenya, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, China, and Tibet. I hope to continue to “step on the soil of many lands,” as my fortune cookie once said.

I spend time daily in meditation and spiritual studies. I try to face life’s challenges head-on with courage. I can truly say, “Life is good,” and I am grateful for every day as I watch life unfold.

CURRENT YFM NEWS CONTINUED

June Hopkins – I was raised in Central Point, Oregon, after being adopted out at age five, along with five siblings, who went to different parents. We were reunited in 1979, followed by close contact with our biological mother the last ten years of her life. I was blessed by wonderful adoptive parents. God took good care of me.

I earned a teaching degree from Southern Oregon College, did graduate work for a fifth year in California, and received a master’s degree from the University of Oregon in Education of Exceptional Children. I was Divinely Guided to be a teacher. I taught elementary children for 38 years in California, New York, and Oregon. My husband, Don, and I are so blessed with our family, and now have two grandsons, ages eight and three.

I came to Unity in 1987, strongly led to impart Unity principles to our children. I love the joy and Christ Light meditation I experience with the children, families, Youth Ed Angels, and other teachers. I believe we are love, and that is exhibited by our children–our present and future spiritual teachers and leaders. We are so blessed by our children and families here at Unity. I am so blessed to be a part of that!

An Invitation for Teens, ages 13-18

Overnight Lock-In

Friday, May 30th, 8:00 pm to Saturday, May 31st 10:00 am

Join us for an overnight stay at Unity of the Valley. Come and meet other teens and Uniteen/Y.O.U. volunteers and leaders.

We will have snacks, breakfast, games, and movie(s). Bring a friend.

What to Bring: Sleeping Bag, Personal Hygiene Items, Joy, an Open Mind and Heart

If you are interested, or for more information, contact: Linda Flock

omnura@comcast.net or 541-510-4045

Donations to cover the costs of event are appreciated.

Prayer Chain For immediate prayer, you may call Inge Tarantola at 541-343-4181, or any other prayer chain member. A complete list of members is located next to the prayer box in the foyer. Members on the prayer chain immediately pray for you by telephone. These requests are also sent to Silent Unity for 30 days of 24/7 prayer.

You may also call: Silent Unity (800) 669-7729 24 hours a day

Unity of the Valley Dial-a-Prayer 541-345-9913, ext. 7 Unity of the Valley Prayer Chaplaincy Line 541-345-9913, ext. 8

May Prayer

Blessed by Grace

Grace is the breath of God, an essence of love moving within us,

accessible to each of us, and breathing life into our spiritual home.

Willingly, we open to this illuminating presence of the Divine

as it moves through the sanctuary of our sacred space, and all the spaces where we celebrate

our life as a spiritual community and each other’s dreams.

Thank you, Holy Essence, for bestowing your grace on us and in us this day.

~Amen

Office Angel Ministry

We give a warm thank-you to our current Office Angels: Mary Daly, Christiana Dugan, Linda Flock, Kathy Mika, and Denice Ward. Our Office Angels are a vital part of the day-to-day operations of Unity of the Valley. They answer phones, greet and help people coming in the door, and perform light office work a couple of hours per week, either in the morning or the afternoon.

Office Angels help ensure that the monthly Bulletin, handouts, etc. are ready for you when you arrive on Sundays and throughout the week. Some of our Office Angels come with computer and office experience, others have had no office or computer experience. The beauty is that their help is needed no matter what their experience is. There is a place and need for them.

Some of our Office Angels have had to stop volunteering due to illness, moves, or other changes in their lives, which has created several openings for Office Angels. Please take a moment to consider volunteering a couple of hours a week in the office.

We are looking for help on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00-3:00 pm, and Wednesdays 10:00 am–Noon.

Shared Leadership Alignment Team

Unity's Shared Leadership Alignment Team (SLAT) meets weekly and is comprised of our ministerial team, two board members, our administrator, our volunteer coordinator, and one of our volunteer leaders.

SLAT was formed by the ministerial team to model shared leadership and to expand teamwork, empowerment, and a unified vision throughout Unity. From the start, Denise Trepanier was instrumental in setting the course for SLAT.

If you would like more information about SLAT, contact Jon West at jwest97405@gmail.com or leave a message at 541-345-9913, ext. 18.

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.

~Aesop

April 2014 Treasurer’s Report

Month

Average Attendance

Income

Expenses Monthly Cost Per Attendee

*February 125 $16,005 $15,731 $126 *March 141 $22,485 $14,613 $104

*February attendance includes a Taizé service and one service cancelled due to snow. *March service includes a Taizé service and a special speaker.

Prosperity Giving

Financial giving includes sending $200 to Unity national organizations. Our Youth & Family Ministry (YFM) sent $25 to their sponsored child in Honduras. We reimbursed our Volunteer Coordinator for a little of her time and travel expenses. We funded a wonderful Volunteer Brunch for about 70 people. We bought plants and held a garden party to beautify our grounds. We gave away five prayer shawls. We provided 11 meals to church members and provided 2 rides to church. We sent 11 thank-you cards, made 7 visitations and 5 check-in calls plus the calls provided by the prayer chaplains.

We are truly blessed!

Board Meeting Tuesday, May 20, at 6:30 pm

Your Board of Trustees holds one board meeting a month, at 6:30 pm on the third Tuesday of every month.

Come and join them in the Garden Room. All are welcome! If you would like to speak at the meeting, please email John Freshwater at freshwater541@gmail.com.

Introduction to Heart Intelligence By Kalia Bethany, HIQ Life Coach

What does your heart truly yearn for? Come and find out—and live the joy of manifesting it!

Friday, May 9 - 7:00-8:30 pm (free introduction) Saturday, May 10 - 9:30 am-12:30 pm (workshop love offering)

At the Friday Introduction, Kalia will share information on Heart Intelligence (HIQ); what is it? How does it work? What can it bring to our life? Core principles, teachings and tools of HIQ will be shared. We will learn about the importance of stillness, listening, opening, following (heart guidance), and heart-centered communication to improve all aspects of our life with others on this earth! On Saturday, we will explore “The Four Directions of Joy.” This workshop will expand your understanding and practice of moving into Heart Intelligence by: 1) accessing Source, Spirit, God, intuition, higher self; 2) dropping into the body and the emotional energetic frequencies of human life; 3) learning to express your authentic self; 4) learning to receive from others; 5) developing Integrated Awareness through stillness, tracking, listening to and communicating from the heart, watching how you close, embracing shadows and DPS strategies, turning wounds into gifts, and accepting all parts of yourself; and 6) FEELING MORE, developing your emotional range.

For more information: www.christianpankhurst.com, or www.heartiqnetwork.com.

To Register, call Kalia at 541-484-9341

A N

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Sunday, May 18 – after the service

Join us after the service on Sunday, May 18, as we celebrate spring at Unity. We will have a book sale, raffle, and tour of our

facility and grounds. Soup and dessert will be served. Come and celebrate with us!

Prayer Works Wonders

Prayer is effective, and prayer changes lives. Together, let us explore how and why it works. This class can start or enhance your prayer life and show the way to transformation. It is required if you wish to participate in the Prayer Chaplaincy Ministry, and is strongly recommended for participation in the Taizé ministry.

This is an interactive class that includes demonstrations of various approaches to praying for ourselves and others, and gives the opportunity to learn by doing.

Prayer Makes a Difference in Our Lives!

Join us at Unity of the Valley on

Saturday, May 17, 9:00-4:00 pm and

Sunday, May 18, 1:00-4:00 pm Facilitated by Rev. Inge Tarantola. Required text: Come Apart for Awhile (available in bookstore or class). Love Offering basis. Sign up in the Fellowship Hall!

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen nor touched but are felt in the heart.

~Hellen Keller

Taizé Service

Sunday, May 25, at 9 am

This is a service from the tradition of the Taizé spiritual community in France. The heart of the service is the singing and the music which

unite all people in common prayer. The laying on of hands is symbolic of spiritual blessing flowing from one person to another, and is done for those who wish it during the service. Taizé services are held on the fourth Sunday each month.

Galileans’ Plant Sale Sunday, May 18

Join us in the Fellowship Hall

before and after the service on Sunday, May 18,

and help support the Galileans

with their community project.

Proceeds will go to the kids at

First Place Family Center

for summer fun and school supplies.

OUR “SIMPLE GIVING” PROGRAM

A win-win option is to intentionally give to Unity of the Valley each month on a simple automatic basis! Just pick up a

FAQ-and-Application form at the table in the foyer, fill it out with your VISA, MC, or debit card information, and return it to the Unity

office. If you prefer, you can make an automatic fund transfer from your bank account by returning the completed form along with

a voided check. Your offering amount can be changed or stopped at any time with a simple phone call to our administrator, Géna Duel,

at (541) 345-9913. At the end of each year, an accounting of your total donations will be sent to you for your tax records. Thank you for all

you do to keep our spiritual community thriving!

Come and Join Unity’s Choir!

Come and share your voice with Unity by joining the Unity Choir.

Rehearsals are Mondays from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.

For more information, call Kalia Bethany at 541-484-9341.

What is a Chaplain?

A Chaplain is someone who can pray with you.

A Chaplain is someone who can listen to you and will hold what they hear in confidence.

A Chaplain is someone who can create and hold a sacred space with you.

Our Chaplains are here to support you in your spiritual journey.

If you would like to pray or talk with a Chaplain, please call the Chaplain Message Line at 541-345-9913, ext. 8. One of our Chaplains will return your call.

Guest Speaker Kathy Zavada

Sunday, June 29, 10:30 am

Join us on Sunday, June 29, at 10:30 am, as guest speaker Kathy Zavada speaks on the topic of The Untethered Soul. She will also be sharing brand new music from a CD she

co-created with Michael Singer, author of The Untethered Soul.

Followed by

Living with an Untethered Soul A workshop presented by

Kathy Zavada

Sunday, June 29, 1:00-3:00 pm

Kathy will share stories of her powerful connection over the years with her first spiritual teacher back in 1975,

Michael Singer, author of The Untethered Soul. In this powerful two-hour workshop, she will share how we can live a deeply

conscious life, free from suffering, with a wide-open heart. For more information, contact Kathy Zavada at

www.kathyzavada.com.

The spirit of God unites all in a circle of love.

Weekly Meditation, Prayer Circles, & Study Groups See our website (www.unityofthevalley.org) for more information

on any of our ongoing circles or study groups.

DISCOVER THE POWER WITHIN YOU (Harmony Room) Sundays, 9:15-

10:15 AM. This class, facilitated by MaryEllen Avis, is based on the book,

Discover the Power within You, by Eric Butterworth. Come and explore

with us! Love-offering basis.

AFTER-SERVICE DISCUSSION & SPIRITUAL PRACTICE GROUP (Fillmore

Wing) Sundays, 12:00-12:45 PM. Come and explore questions that have

arisen from the Sunday topic, and experience group prayer and the

deepening of the message from the service.

MEDITATION CIRCLES (Fillmore Wing) Mon, 5:30-6:30 PM/Thurs, 5:30-6:45

PM The Monday group welcomes all meditation approaches and drop-

ins. The Thursday group practices “Passage Meditation” as taught by

Eknath Easwaran. For more information, contact Laurie Cracraft (541-

345-7563).

METAPHYSICAL STUDIES (Harmony Room) Tuesdays, 10:00-11:15 AM.

Judy Richardson (541-484-1958) and Janet Chandler (541-485-5235)

facilitate this group. They are currently studying the book The Last

Frontier: Exploring the Afterlife and Transforming Our Fear of Death, by

Julia Assante.

PRAYER SHAWL GROUP (Fellowship Hall) Tuesdays, 12:00-1:00 PM.

This group knits and crochets prayer shawls that will bless people

who are going through a difficult time with a gift they can wrap around

themselves to bring comfort, love, and peace. No experience

necessary. (currently on hiatus)

A COURSE IN MIRACLES (Fillmore Wing) Wednesdays,10:00-11:45 AM.

facilitated by Valerie Keartes (541-914-0431). Drop-ins are welcome.

SPIRITUAL EXPLORATION (Garden Room) Wednesdays, 10:00-11:15 AM.

This group is studying the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John,

and looking at their influence in the world with new eyes. All are

welcome at any time. Love-offering basis.

OPEN HEART MEDITATION (Peace Chapel) Wednesdays, 12:00-12:30 PM.

Join Valerie Keartes in this beautiful experience of opening your heart

to feel the complete and continuous Love of the Divine. Everyone is

welcome!

COUNCIL OF ELDERS (Fellowship Hall) Thursdays 1:00-2:30 PM. The

Council of Elders is a group that meets to define the possibilities and

responsibilities of our wisdom years. If you are 60 or older and have an

interest, please join us. For more information, contact Bonnie Paquin at

541-345-8873.

(continued on next page)

Weekly Meditation, Prayer Circles, & Study Groups (continued)

COMING ALIVE THEATER GROUP (Sanctuary) Thursdays, 7:00-8:30

PM. Come and practice and learn more about theater and other

drama activities. No experience necessary. For more information,

contact Gary or Sunny (541-461-5663) or Sherry (541-485-6874).

JOY OF WATERCOLOR (Fellowship Hall) Thursdays 10 AM -Noon

and Fridays 11:30 AM -1:30 PM. Join Ellen Ticknor for the joy and

exploration of expressing yourself through the beautiful medium of

watercolor. All are welcome. No experience necessary. Donation

basis. (This class is currently on hiatus until September.)

SPIRITUAL SUPPORT CIRCLE (Fillmore Wing) Thursdays, 1-3 PM. Join

Kaiven Fenton for spiritual fellowship with like-minded truth seekers

progressing on an awakening journey. All are welcome. Donation

basis.

Ongoing Monthly Groups & Events at Unity

We offer a wide variety of activities, classes, and workshops here

at Unity. This is a brief list of just some of our ongoing activities. For

an up-to-date list, check our website (www.unityofthevalley.org).

MEN OF UNITY The Men of Unity Group is currently focused on

community projects. For more information on how you can

participate, please call John Freshwater at 541-895-3214.

THERAPEUTIC TOUCH (Fillmore Wing) First & Third Thursday,

7:00-9:00 PM. The NW Therapeutic Touch Institute offers sessions for

anyone interested in practicing or experiencing Therapeutic

Touch healing. For more information contact Bev Forster at 541-

484-6571.

SHAMANIC EVENING (Sanctuary) First Friday, 7:00-9:00 PM.

Come and join us as we gather together to celebrate Spirit

through drumming and sound. Bring your drums and rattles. Drop-

ins are welcome! For more information, call Sunny or Gary at 541-

461-5663.

Many of our congregants are sensitive to fragrances. Please apply perfumes, lotions, and other fragrances

after leaving the church.

We appreciate your thoughtfulness.

THE MISSION OF UNITY OF THE VALLEY IS To celebrate and express the light and love of God

in each other and all things.

UNITY’S FIVE BASIC PRINCIPLES

1. There is one Presence and one Power: God, the Absolute Good.

2. We are spiritual beings, created in God’s image. The spirit of God lives within each person; therefore, all people are inherently good.

3. What we think, feel, and believe reflects in our life experience.

4. Affirmative prayer and meditation heighten our connection with God.

5. Knowledge of these spiritual principles is not enough. We must live them.

CONTACT INFO

3912 Dillard Rd. (39th & Hilyard St.), Eugene, OR 97405 Office: (541) 345-9913 Fax: (541) 345-9182

www.unityofthevalley.org

OFFICE & BOOKSTORE HOURS Tues–Fri, 10:00 am-4:00 pm

BUSINESS OFFICE (541) 345-9913

Géna Duel, Administrator

BOOKSTORE

(541) 345-9913, Ext. 12

CHAPLAINCY MESSAGE LINE (541) 345-9913, Ext. 8

POSITIVE PRAYER LINE (541) 345-9913, Ext. 7

SILENT UNITY (800) 669-7729

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

John Freshwater, President Ruth Beardsley, Vice President

Bonnie Paquin, Treasurer Ann Woeste, Secretary Michael Tanner, Trustee

Paul Hewett, Trustee Bonnie Chappa, Trustee

Gary Blaine, Trustee Bob Larson, Trustee