ConnectingConnectingConnecting November/December 2017
InsideInside ThisThis IssueIssue Thoughts of the Season After the Turkey Is Gone WordsWords fromfrom thethe BoardBoard ...... 22 After the turkey is gone, what then? Will we keep in mind the blessings HappeningsHappenings atat UnityUnity ...... 33 for which we claimed to be thankful? Or will we allow the chaos of everyday life, TithingTithing CornerCorner ...... 44 real and imagined problems, Healing Ministry...... 5 to intrude into the contentment Healing Ministry ...... 5 we felt on Thanksgiving Day. Music Appreciation ...... 6 The cranberries, the stuffing and pie a dim memory, Music Appreciation ...... 6 will we focus on trivial irritations, PrayerPrayer ChaplainChaplain ThoughtsThoughts ...... 66 or will we hold on to what’s really important, the deep, satisfying, good things we have ToolboxToolbox TeamTeam ...... 77 instead of what we imagine we want but haven’t got. YouthYouth EdEd NewsNews ...... 88 After the turkey is gone, cling to the blessings; SpiritSpirit inin MotionMotion ...... 99 remember what makes life worth living; continue thanks giving. HolidayHoliday ScheduleSchedule ...... 1010 By Joanna Fuchs
Angel Tree...... 10 Angel Tree ...... 10 I love this poem by Joanna Fuchs – it calls me up to a higher view of the holiday season. I find myself pondering the concept of giving thanks and of how easy it is to do so when the table is laden with delicious food and atmosphere joyous. Then I have to ask, “What if…the table held a frugal dinner, the atmosphere one of uncertainty and fear. Would I still be able to ‘give thanks’?” It’s at that point that it’s important to revisit who I am, what my purpose is, and what resources are needed to bring that purpose and me into full manifestation. Spiritual practices such as meditation and prayer, fasting, denials and affirmations, sharing in community, support these inquiries. Searching out inspired writings of those who have travelled this path before me provide grist for the mill. Here is one from Myrtle Fillmore that I find particularly helpful: “Sometimes we begin at the wrong end of the prosperity line, and our methods need changing. Perhaps we try to accumulate money to meet our temporal needs without first laying hold of the equivalent of money on the inner planes of con- sciousness. This inner equivalent consists of our rich ideas, our innate capabilities and resources of Spirit.” If you find yourself having trouble giving thanks this holiday season, I encourage you 5112 Pegasus Court to find a passage that can speak to you at your core; select one or more of the spiritual SSuiteuite E practices mentioned above and go deep. Open to God Consciousness ~ Be willing to Frederick, MD 21704 recognize the “answer” whatever it is ~ Practice your ‘practice’ regularly ~ Share your 301-846-0868 Self with those in your world ~ Remember that Life always moves to Good. www.unityfrederick.org [email protected] Happy Holidays to all!
UUUnityUnity in FFFrederickFrederickrederickrederick a Sunday kind of place and so much more! A Spiritual Community 2
Unity in Frederick A Spiritual Community Words from the Board
5112 Pegasus Court, Suite E The new Board of Trustees went on a weekend retreat at the Claggett Retreat Frederick, MD 21704 Center to bond and get organized for the year. We discerned our officers: 301-846-0868 unityfrederick.org President – Kyle Huth [email protected] Vice President – Victor Ayala Sunday Celebration Service Secretary – Nancy Ahr and Children’s Sunday School Treasurer- Debbie Scott 11:00 am Member at Large (with a focus on marketing) – Laura Waggy Office Hours We focused on what we should be about during this first year in our new sacred 8:00 am - 3:00 pm space. We reviewed our Vision and Mission statements and brainstormed ideas Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday about new directions for our efforts. The results will be developed into a 3-year Office Closed on Monday & Friday strategic plan. Rev. Toni Fish We also worked on a process for taking ideas from initial glimmers to a proposal Senior Minister and “fleshing out” and approval process to implementation.
Sarah Phillips, LUT We intend on doing a skills inventory of the board to identify if there are gaps in Assistant to the Minister needed areas. We will use this to identify what our needs are for future board members. We may use the resulting methodology later with the members of our Terri Miner Office Manager Unity community to help them recognize and develop their areas of giftedness. & Newsletter Editor We will be presenting proposals from these efforts and our subsequent meetings Board of Trustees to the community in some congregational meetings after the first of the year. President We ended the weekend tired from our efforts (and a little lack of sleep) and ex- Kyle Huth cited about the wonders and awesomeness that next year will bring. Vice President Victor Ayala Secretary Nancy Ahr Treasurer Debbie Scott Members at Large Laura Waggy
Connecting is the official newsletter of Unity in Frederick and is published bi-monthly. Submit articles to [email protected] by the 15th of the month prior to the next issue. For the most up to date and detailed infor- mation, see our website: www.unityfrederick.org 3 Happenings at UUUnityUnity in Frederick
Services & Sunday School lasses, or sho s & ee n s Sunday, November 5 ondays 11:00am - Sunday School 5:00pm - Ball t fo th R st of Us 11:00am - l a on S c No m 6, 13, 20, 27, c m 4, 11, 18 Sunday, November 12 6:00pm - andl l ht Yo a 11:00am - Sunday School No m 6, 13, 20, 27, c m 4, 11, 18 11:00am - l a on S c Tuesdays L sson y Sa ah Ph ll ps, LUT 6:00pm - us c P ac c Sunday, November 19 No m 7, 14, 21, 28, c m 5, 12, 19, 26 11:00am - Sunday School 6:00pm - Pu Th olo y at V n ultu 11:00am - Than s n nn l a on S c No m 7, 21, c m 5, 19 7:00pm - Sp a ’s cl Sunday, November 26 No m 7, 14, 21, 28, c m 5, 12, 19, 26 11:00am - Sunday School 11:00am - l a on S c ednesdays Sunday, December 3 1st Sunday n Ad nt 6:30pm - H al n cl 11:00am - Sunday School No m 1, c m 6 11:00am - l a on S c Thursdays Sunday, December 10 2nd Sunday n Ad nt 10:00am - o G at Good 11:00am - Sunday School No m 9, 16,30, c m , 7, 14 11:00am - l a on S c 7:00pm- nt Sols c S c L sson y Sa ah Ph ll ps, LUT c m 21st Sunday, December 17 3 d Sunday n Ad nt Fridays 11:00am - Sunday School 9:15am - Ball t fo th R st of Us 11:00am - l a on S c - h ld n’s Pa ant No m 3, 10, 17, c m 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Sunday, December 24 10:30am - Sp tual Yo a 11:00am - Sunday School No m 3, 10, 17, c m 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 11:00am - l a on S c 12:00 noon - Boo Ba scuss on 7:30pm - h stmas E andl l ht S c No m 3, 10, 17, c m 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 5:30pm - Youth G oup Sunday, December 31 No m 17, c m 15 11:00am - Sunday School 11:00am - l a on S c Saturdays 11:00pm -- N w Y a ’s E S c 9:00 am - Sta n st y T am L ad s n c m 2
6:30pm - umm n cl No m 25, c m 23 Sundays 8:30am - lass -- B a n th T n ommandm nts No m 5, 12, 19, 26, c m 3, 10, 17 12:45pm - Jou n y To Rad ant H alth No m 5, c m 3
4 Ministry Team Leaders for Unity in Frederick Tithing Corner If you are called to serve on one of these teams, contact the Team Leader. I found this article on the Unity Worldwide Ministries website Resource Library and really like the way the author presents the concept. Board of Trustees Kyle Huth “Let’s Talk Prosperity Consciousness!” By Patsy Scala [email protected] We in Unity often talk about “prosperity consciousness,” but I wonder how often we think about what it really means. Let’s take a look at this concept . . . define Book & Bag some terms. . . and see how it plays out in our lives and in our churches. Jude Oyler [email protected] First of all, a question: What exactly is this prosperity that is in our consciousness . . . that we want to bring into our lives and into our ministries? I define prosperity Building Maintenance as the state of having everything we desire in our lives. For some people, and for some Kyle Huth churches, this could be money. For others, it could be healing . . . inner peace . . . [email protected] world peace . . . love . . . joy. . . the ability to serve. The varieties of our desires are Celebration Service Coordinator endless. At this time, however, let’s confine our discussion to that most elusive Rev Toni Fish and most misunderstood aspect of prosperity. . . money. [email protected] And what is consciousness? Let’s start first with the simplest definition of con- sciousness. It is that which exists in our awareness. And it is much, much more. Community Outreach Consciousness is what H. Emilie Cady, in her Lessons In Truth, defines as soul . . . Rev Toni Fish that part of each of us which is non-manifest, and is connected to Spirit, which is [email protected] the Divine Energy present in, surrounding, and as everything in the world. This Drumming Spirit, too, is consciousness. Rosalind Jack If we put these two definitions together, what we have is the idea that all that we [email protected] desire is present in all things. We hear this in various ways in our churches. We are Paula Willey told that we live in an abundant Universe . . . that we need only to claim our part [email protected] of this abundance, and we will prosper. Healing So why don’t we do this? Well, first of all, even though it’s relatively easy to talk Healing Minstry Team about having a “prosperity consciousness,” it’s a lot harder to have one. The con- [email protected] cept that all things are available everywhere in consciousness is difficult to grasp in ordinary human life . . . especially when daily duties, ego and doubting friends and Hospitality congregants try to convince us that we’re wrong. If you would like to lead this ministry, contact Toni We need tools that will work on the human level. One of the simplest tools that we can use, both individually and in our churches, Media & A/V is what I call the Principle of Giving. We know that, when we give a smile, we Jude Oyler usually receive a smile. When we give a hug, we get a hug. When we give our [email protected] money, we will get money or that which produces money. We are in the flow of Music Director giving. Patty Progecene The tithes for Unity in Frederick in September and Octobers were given to the following [email protected] groups in recognition of their service and their ability to spiritually feed our community: Prayer Chaplains Unity Worldwide Ministries UWM Eastern Region Chris Kraus Unity in Hagerstown Unity of Rehoboth Unity in Houston Unity of the Keys [email protected] The Frederick Center Religious Coalition Yoga If you have a suggestion about where our tithes might be given, please talk with me or a Debra Spotts member of the Board. [email protected] In Love and Light, Youth Education Director Jamie Haney [email protected] 5 Spiritual Yoga Healing Ministry Reflections Things start to solve themselves when your Energy Blocks are cleared. Candlelight Spiritual Yoga Our Unity Healing Ministry offers a Healing Circle the first Wednesday of Monday Nights, 6:00 - 7:15 pm each month from 6:30 to 8:30. Spiritual Yoga After a group meditation several energy practitioners are available to offer you a session of energy work. Reiki, Healing Touch, and other energy Friday Mornings, 10:30 - 11:45 am work is offered with hands on or off the body. Yoga suitable for everyone, Pain can be reduced, energy blockages released, stress reduced and a including beginners. feeling of being loved by something greater than ourselves is often experienced. An overall feeling of peace and calm often results from a $10 per class healing session. Reduced anxiety and stress create an opportunity for the body to stay in homeostasis, a place of healthy balance. Take this time to join us in a place of peace and love. Then we all can more easily move through our days, radiating peace and love to others, bringing peace and love to the planet. A love offering is greatly appreciated to cover the costs of using the Sanctuary space. The Healing Ministry
Energy Healing & Balancing Book & BagBook Bag For Your Health and Well Being W w ll s fi sh “B c” wh ch l s c s sc ss s Healing Circle O x b k s “C s D ' Wh ~ C c W s m f J c W m ” b J h B l , .D. C s h s First Wednesday of every month W and get together with other Juicy Women to make the 6:306:306:30-6:30---8:308:30 PM8:30 PM wor d a e er ace We wi tart thi ook a er hank gi ing Healers from the community and Unity
Bring your unch and join u on Massage tables and chairs (20 minute sessions) Friday at noon for dynamic di cu ion Reiki, Healing Touch, Energy Healing, Seated Massage No need to urcha e the ook Opens with guided meditation and there i no ad ance reading Closing circle with prayerful song 6 MusicMusicMusic Prayer Chaplain Thoughts
Appreciation Metaphysical Bible Interpretation: Psalm 23 Psalm 23 is a well known bible verse that is often used in prayer. I was recently asked “It’s beginning to look a lot like how to metaphysically translate such classic prayers into personal Unity prayers. Christmas; Soon the bells will For this exercise, we will be looking at Psalm 23 in a way I call ‘First Level Metaphysics’. start, And the thing that will make This is a good start to metaphysical interpretation that anyone can do. We want to look them ring, Is the carol that you mostly at the nouns and some verbs. Ask yourself: What might these words be repre- sing, Right within your heart.” senting? What is a deeper meaning for them? What might they mean to me in my every day life? We will do a couple verses here and I hope you will do the rest on your own! It’s Beginning ~ Meredith Willson, I’d love to read your interpretation. You can send it to the email at the end of this article. To Look A Lot Like Christmas” 1. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Music at Unity Many people take this to mean we should not have wants, that if we trust in our Father Unity Singers’ practice God, He will provide for us and we should be happy and grateful for what we have. on Tuesdays at 6:00pm That is a fine interpretation. Let’s dive a little deeper. Let’s look at the key words. Our first noun is Lord. Special Music in November Lord: What does this mean to you? This brings us to our first real choice. This word can 19 - Unity Singers represent different things! It might be the indwelling Christ presence, the core of who 26 - Unity Singers & Sacred Chords and what we are. It might be a being outside of ourselves, when we need to say, “Help me, God!” or a surrendering to that idea of a loving God. Or, Lord might mean the Uni- Special Music in December versal creative force of all that is. For today’s purpose, we will focus on the indwelling 10 - Soulpajamas Christ presence. Our next word is Shepherd: What does this mean to you? A shepherd guides, protects, provides for. Let’s go with guide. Want: What does this mean to you? 24 - Morning Celebration Service - Here want is referencing lack. As in, you will want for nothing. So it is lack conscious- Unity Singers ness. That state of mind that is stuck in not having enough. 24 - Evening Candlelight Service - Andrew Kraus, Carolers & So let’s put that all together in a metaphysical rewrite: Special Guests My indwelling Christ guides me out of lack consciousness. 31 - Burning Bowl Service - 2 . He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; “He” is ref- Unity Singers erencing Lord, so what did we say that means? Indwelling Christ. Our next phrase is lie down in green pastures: The Lord is the shepherd, that is a person who is a sheep Always looking for people to share herder. What enables sheep to lie down in green pastures? Sheep are gentle and timid their musical talent at Sunday Services. creatures. One spook and they all run off. The sheep would have to be confident they Please drop a line to Patty Progecene are safe. Free from fear. The sheep know the shepherd is present and can relax and lie ([email protected]) if you are interested! down in a beautiful pasture. Green is representative of newness, rebirth, abundance, prosperity. He (indwelling Christ again) leads me beside still waters what does this mean? Water can mean so many things. Life, flow, creation. One simple interpretation of still waters is a calm or peaceful state of being. So let’s put that all together in a metaphysical rewrite: My indwelling Christ guides into prosperity consciousness. I rest in the peace within. 3. He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. (or He leads me in paths of righteousness) He is again the indwelling Christ presence. Restores, soul: What does this mean? Restore is renewal or rebirth. Soul is the total consciousness of man. Both conscious and unconscious. Right paths or righteousness: What does this mean? Truth in consciousness. Open paths of communication between our human thought and Spirit. Name’s sake: What does this mean? Our divine birthright. It is our divine birthright to know Truth. So let’s put that all together in a metaphysical rewrite: The indwelling Christ renews my mind and brings me to my birthright of knowing Truth. I hope you have gotten a good sense of how simple and fun it can be to do a metaphysi- cal interpretation of bible verses. I invite you to do verses 3-6 on your own! Share it with me at [email protected]
continued on page 7... 7
… Prayer Chaplain Thoughts, continued from page 6 Toolbox Team Let’s look at what we have so far and put it together in a metaphysical rewrite: My indwelling Christ guides me out of lack consciousness. Thank you to everyone who has been part of the amazing changes that we have My indwelling Christ guides into prosperity consciousness. I rest in the peace within. seen accomplished over the past few The indwelling Christ renews my mind and brings me to my birthright of knowing months. Truth. We have made huge steps forward as we This first draft is somewhat clunky. So let’s rewrite again and tidy it up a bit: are settling in to our new Spiritual Center. The Christ within me guides me out of lack consciousness and into prosperity con- We have all the final permits and have sciousness. I find peace within as the Christ presence renews my mind and brings me gotten our occupancy increased to allow to knowing Truth. us to better rent out this beautiful space to others for celebrations and perfor- This is still clunky. Let’s rewrite it again: mances. From the consciousness of the Christ within, I shift from lack consciousness to pros- We still have work to complete and I perity consciousness. The Christ within is my peace and my mind is renewed and look forward to continuing to see the open to knowing Truth. strong outreach from our family as we I would normally rewrite it again and again until it felt clean, concise, and clear. How finish up the remaining items on our would you interpret the last 3 verses? punch list of work still to be done. 1. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Our goals for the near future include the new sound and video booth and build 2. He makes me lie down in green pastures; and hang decorative sound deadening he leads me beside still waters; panels to improve the acoustics in the Sanctuary. We also need to paint the 3. He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths kitchens, and do touch ups in other for his name’s sake. places. Keep your eyes out for sign ups 4. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, as we move forward with this work. I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff— they comfort me. 5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. How would your interpretation differ from the one spelled out here? Share your rewrite: Sarah Phillips, LUT and Prayer Chaplain , [email protected] Unity in Frederick Prayer Chaplains:
Chris Kraus ([email protected]) Theresa Wyatt ([email protected]) Carole M. Kirby ([email protected]) Nancy Ahr ([email protected]) Debbie Scott ([email protected]) Sarah Phillips ([email protected])
7 Happy Birthday! Youth Ed News November 2- Kyle Huth 12 - Donna Simon “The spring, summer, is quite a hectic time for people in their lives, but then it 13 - Claire McCullough comes to autumn, and to winter, and you can’t but help think back to the year that was, and then hopefully looking forward to the year that is approaching.” 17 - Odhin Batten -- Enya 25 - Rory Progecene 27 - Patrick Scott Just like the quote says we have had a wonderful year so far with Unity Youth 29 - Barbara Wheat Ed and there is so much to look forward to! We will be starting to work on the Christmas play during Sunday lessons. I hope to have all the youth (and some adults) involved in it! The performance will be Sunday, December 17th during service. In November we will be spending a lot of time on lessons about gratitude. The children will make the table decorations for the Thanksgiving brunch incorpo- rated these lessons. The brunch will be November 19th. Don’t forget each 3rd Friday of the month is the Youth Group gathering for middle schoolers and high schoolers. A huge thank you to Naomi Davis for stepping up and helping with this group! In September we had an amazing visit to the synagogue that is now located at out old location! If you have any special talents you would like to share with the youth or just want to hang out with some great kids please contact me. December 2 - Patty Holcombe Jamie Haney 3 - Diego Ayala Youth Education Director ([email protected]) 5 - Paula Willey 5- Quinn Cochran 10- Leslie Jackson 15 - Nancy Saunders-Cross 18- Chris Kraus 22- Ros Jack 23- Jamie Haney 25 - Pauline Cilladi-Rehrer 29 - Mona Thiel 29 - Cyrus Haney 31- Michael Cain If we missed someone’s birthday, please let us know so that we can update our list!
Angel Giving Tree
Help make Christmas special for our sponsored kids! Angel tags will be available on November 19th and gifts are due in by December 3rd 8 9 Spirit in Motion...
It takes many volunteers to have a thriving community, and Unity in Frederick is no different. Let Spirit move you to join a ministry, team, and/or special service or event. There are plenty to choose from and all will benefit from you sharing your gifts, time and talent.
Special Services Ministries Teams Special Events Thanksgiving Feast Healing Greeters Talent Show Children’s Christmas Music Platform Musical Concerts Pageant Prayer Chaplains A/V Workshops Christmas Eve Youth Hospitality Holiday Bazaar Sunday in the Park Spiritual Social Earthcare Spirit Camp Blessing of the Animals Action Toolbelt Circulation Day Easter Brunch Community Board of Season for Nonviolence Outreach Trustees World Day of Prayer Spiritual Yoga Loving Hearts Café ...be a part of the flow
5112 Pegasus Court, Suite E, Frederick, MD 21704 301-846-0868 [email protected] UnityFrederick.org 9
2017 Holiday Schedule Advent Begins Sunday, December 3 11:00 am Celebration Service 12:30 pm Workshop --- Making Room: Fasting to Clean House Angel Tree --- Gifts Due Sunday, December 3 Caroling, Hot Chocolate & Holiday Surprises Friday, December 15th 6:30 pm6:30 pm Children’s Christmas Pageant Sunday, December 17 11:00 am11:00 am Winter Solstice Service Thursday, December 21st 7:00 pm7:00 pm Christmas Eve Services Sunday, December 24 Celebration Service --- 11:00 am11:00 am Candlelight Service --- 7:00 pm7:00 pm New Year’s Eve Services Sunday, December 31 Burning Bowl --- 11:00 am11:00 am Candlelight Service --- 11:00 pm11:00 pm 12 What Is Unity?
Unity is a worldwide, non-denomi- national spiritual organization that emphasizes the divine potential with- g{x `tz|vg{x `tz|v in every person. It teaches that, through a spiritual understanding and the practical application of what Jesus taught, every person can realize and by Donna Miesbach express his or her divine potential for a happier, fuller and more successful life. Five Basic Unity Principles I heard the angel choirs 1. There is only one Presence and one Power active as the universe Their alleluias sing, and as my life, God the Good. I saw the ancient Wise Men 2. Our essence is of God; therefore, we are inherently good. This God Their gi s o ho age ring essence was fully expressed in I have seen a y Jesus Jesus, the Christ. 3. We are co-creators with God, All nestled in the hay creating reality through thoughts held in mind. And even watched the shepherds -- 4. Through prayer and meditation, Heard what they had to say-- we align our heart-mind with God. Denials and affirmations are tools But Christ as is not over, we use. The agic now will start 5. Through thoughts, words and actions, we live the Truth we For the essage o the angels know. Is ringing in y heart!
From: Daily Word, November/December 2014
Vision Statement
Unity in Frederick is a vibrant and inclusive spiritual community, centered in God, making a difference by living and sharing the empowering principles of love, peace, and prosperity through the expression of the Christ within. 6