Development of the Unity Movement Rev. Sky St. John 1 Introductions • Name • How long you’ve been in Unity • How many Unity churches you have been to 2 Class Agreements • All points of view are valid and contribute to a greater understanding • Each of us can change our mind at any time • Use “I” statements • Honor the person sharing and the confidence of the person sharing. • Have Fun! 3 Syllabus • Objectives • Course Materials • Requirements 4 The Test • Answer the questions through the reading, class presentation, handouts, internet research, or however you can. • Bring it class finished on Friday. 5 Daily Word Monday, April 26, 2010 TEAMWORK I am a spiritual being, expressing my divine nature. When we work as a team, we give expression to our inner divine qualities and unite our creativity and inventiveness. The result of what we accomplish together is greater than the sum of our individual efforts. Synergy arises and energizes us as we collectively apply our hearts and minds to the task. Whether at home, at work or in the community, our cooperation is evident. Everyone benefits from these interactions. Cooperation enhances all ventures, keeping confrontation and impatience at bay. As we express our higher spiritual natures, we enliven the work of our hands and our minds. We get the job done, and we do it well. "All things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose."--Romans 8:28 6 New Thought • Covers a wide range of philosophical, theological, psychological, and practical approaches to God, to the world, to life and its problems, that had its development within the last one hundred and fifty years, chiefly in America, though under one name or another it has extended itself over much of the Western world. 7 New Thought • New Thought arose in rebellion against faiths of fear and preaching rooted in concepts of sin and damnation. • “It was, in part, a reaction to the terrible Calvinism which had gripped New England for so long.” Emmet Fox 8 New Thought • “New Thought believes that the great need is not so much a theoretical Christianity as an applied one.” Charles Braden 9 New Thought • Mental healing formed the basis of New Thought and became popular around the end of the nineteenth century, proliferating into a variety of sectarian healing groups. • Traditionally medical care came from the established churches -- what was happening across pioneer swept America? Doctors had received their training tending victims in the Civil War. Charlatans and snake oil salesmen abounded. 10 11 A few things about the beginning...and about us • “Charles Fillmore was born into this present itinerary on August 22, 1854, at 4 am on an Indian reservation just outside the little town of St. Cloud, Minnesota...” Story of Unity, p. 21 12 A few things about the beginning...and about us • “Qualities of the heart and mind are like physical qualities, they are developed by exercise. Often we make no effort to acquire them unless life forces demands for them upon us; but once we have them they are ours to use.” Story of Unity, p.25 13 A few things about the beginning...and about us • “Among all American pioneers were many of education and refinement. Denison had no small number of these. It was inevitable that they should gravitate together to discuss the literary and philosophic matters that interested them.” Story of Unity, p.29 14 A few things about the beginning...and about us • “In Pueblo, two sons were born the Fillmores, Lowell Page in 1882 and Waldo Rickert in 1884. Shortly after the birth of this second son, the real estate boom ended. Charles’ partner at the time was Charles Small, brother-in-law of Nona Brooks, who later founded Divine Science. The two men struggled along to make a living, but their income grew less and less and at last they decided to break up the business.” Story of Unity, p.38 15 A few things about the beginning...and about us • “Charles Fillmore had always been interested in religion, though his approach to it was an unorthodox one.” Story of Unity, p.41 • “The statement that Myrtle Page had written of herself, ‘I am decidedly eclectic in my theology’ could be aptly applied to Charles Fillmore. If he rejected anything, it was never arbitrarily; he had examined it, tested it, and decided that it was wanting in value. He studied many philosophies and religions.” Story of Unity, p.41 16 A few things about the beginning...and about us • Dr. E.B. Weeks • Ella Wheeler Wilcox • Emma Curtis Hopkins • Paul Militz & Annie Rix Militz • Mary Baker Eddy • Mrs. Bingham/Nona • Charles & Josephine Brooks Barton • C.E. Burnell • Melinda Cramer • H. Emilie Cady • D.L. Sullivan • Story of Unity, p.43 • Helen Wilmans 17 A few things about the beginning...and about us • “The Fillmores went to the lecture by Dr. Weeks out of curiosity and need. How closely their experience in finding Truth parallels the experience of thousands since then in finding Unity!” Story of Unity, p.44 • How did you come to find Unity and why did you stay? 18.