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215 WEST SIXTH STREET CLARE, MI 48617 Building Spiritual CommUNITY in the Heart of Michigan |
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THE UNIFLYER
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Newsletter of Unity of Clare The Church of Practical Christianity Vol. IX No.2 March, 2010 |
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Rev Lorna Brown, ULC Phone 989-426-2761 Email: lorna@amazinisp.com
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FROM OUR SPIRTUAL LEADER Lorna Brown, ULC Message from Our Spiritual LeaderI prefer to multi-task. This translates into my current life in the following way; let’s say I am sitting in my home office writing an article for the Uniflyer and the dryer buzzer goes off signaling the laundry is dry. I’m not going to waste a perfectly good trip to the laundry room for just one task so I stand up, grab my sweatshirt that I took off when I got too warm, head through the kitchen and pour another cup of tea, scratch the belly of the dog, grab a soiled dishcloth and wipe a glob of smutz off the counter, pick up a twig the puppy brought in, and arrive in the laundry room, where I put the twig in the garbage, throw the dishcloth in the dirty basket, set my tea down, hang up the sweatshirt, open the dryer door and begin to fold the laundry. This is how I live my own version of a multi-tasking busy life. When Agnes, our Second-Wednesday-of-the-Month-Movie-Presenter and resident movie connoisseur suggested I join her in previewing the movies she planned to show, I was reluctant. When was I going to find time to watch movies? But she made it oh-so-easy for me. She gifted me with a two month subscription to Netflix. I ordered up the first CD. Somehow I had to make the time to watch it. I will admit I haven’t watched a complete movie for years. I haven’t been to a theater since the 70’s. When a movie comes on TV in the evening I’m usually asleep within 15 minutes and except for Pippi Longstocking when the nieces are visiting, or Groundhog Day on February 2nd, I haven’t seen a movie from beginning to end in ages. Shortly before I absolutely had to give Agnes my opinion, I forced myself to sit down and watch. I hesitate to call the next few weeks an orgy of movie watching. I think I was more like a kid in a candy store. I order and watched not only ones we had selected for previewing, but any movie I’ve ever wanted to see or see again. One after another they arrived in my mailbox on a three day schedule. Taking a break from work? I watched a few minutes of a movie. Can’t sleep at night? I’d finish off a movie. Wake up early? I went to the movie. Funny how I now have time to do that which I formerly had no time. That was my first lesson. I found time to do what came to be an enjoyable and educational and inspirational activity without taking away from anything else. Awash in human activity as depicted by the film industry, I learned my second lesson; I became engaged with the human family in a whole new way. The movie is a one hour and 45 (or so) minute condensation of the extremes of human experience. I embraced the human experience; the drama, the tragedy, humor and the Divine Order. I gained insight into the feelings and behaviors of myself and others. Whenever one is poised to receive a message of Spirit, that message comes through whatever means is available, be it a book, a movie, a prayer, a meditation, or an inspirational person. Once again, I’d multi-tasked: found time I didn’t know I had, previewed movies for Agnes, embraced the human experience in a whole new way, and received the gift of Spirit. After my gift subscription was over, I renewed it. Thanks Agnes.
Lorna Brown ULC, |
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Prayer Chain Joyce Kassin 989-588-2856
Silent Unity 1-800-669-7729 1-800—Now Pray
UNITY OF CLARE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairperson Carol Spencer 313-350-9807
Vice Chairperson Michael Brand 989-465-1785
Secretary Alleene Hutko 989-422-6393
Treasurer Agnes Feldman 989-821-8433
Director/Music Beverly Stevens 231-734-5487
Director Bryon Cartledge 989-442-4091
Web sites: www.unityofclare.org
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Thank You for Your Loving Service
Three beloved Board members at UCC, with over 20 years combined service, either stepped aside or did not wish to run for another term on the Board. The church members thanked, blessed, and presented roses to Anne Hobart, Annette Erickson, and Gerry Nalezyty at the end of the service on Sunday February 14.
Anne Hobart, our founder, has been working for UCC for over 12 years. She has served both as president and vice-president. She stepped aside after having completed an arduous four year course of study to become a Certified Naturopath. She plans to devote time to her new career but will continue to be an irreplaceable resource for the Board when needed. Thank you Dr. Anne, for your years of service and your contributions yet to come.
Annette Erickson, was Secretary for the Board when her term ended and she chose to not run again. Over the years, our beloved Annette served in many capacities at UCC, always a smiling, loving presence. She blessed the Board with her down-to-earth practicality, but always reached for the highest good for all. She busies herself these days with friends, family, her dogs, and her farm animals. Thank you, Annette. We love you. Gerry Nalezyty served as Director for several years and was always a font of creative ideas, and willingness to work with others. She remains an avid promoter of UCC in the community and has a knack for connecting people who need to know one another. She has promised to continue to volunteer in our many church activities
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SYMBOLS OF EASTER
EASTER EGG
As Christianity spread, more familiar traditions, symbols and celebrations of spring were associated with Easter - Christ coming back to life after death. One of the oldest spring symbols in the world is the egg. The oval shape of the egg was the same shape for a raindrop and a seed. These two were important life-giving elements. The egg itself promises new life as in spring, birds, and many other animals are hatched from eggs. In fact, the Persians, Hindus and Egyptians believed that the world began with a single egg. In ancient China, Rome and Greece, eggs were given as springtime gifts. In Poland and Russia, hours are spent on drawing intricate designs on Easter eggs. In England, members of the royal families gave each other gold-covered eggs as Easter gifts in the middle ages. The most famous Easter egg decorator was Peter Carl Faberge. He designed eggs from gold, silver and other precious gems for kings of Europe and czars of Russia. These eggs are priceless now and can only be found in museums and private collections. In early America, children decorated their eggs by using dyes made from natural materials like fruit and leave coloring.
Source: www.kiddyhouse.com
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Upcoming Retreats at Unity Village April 23-25, 2010 Wisdom’s Way Embracing the Divine Feminine Rabbi Rami Shaprio
May 2-, 2010 Nehemiah Retreat
May 14-19, 2010 Silent Meditation Retreat Dr. Marj Britt Rev Paul Tyman
July 8-11, 2010 A Woman’s Time Out Karen Drucker & Lori Sandstorm
July 15-18, 2010 Simply Unity, the Twelve Powers Revs Paul Hasselbeck and Phil Pierson
July 30-31 2010 Visions of a Universal Humanity, the coming Stage of Human Evolution Barbara Marx Hubbard
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FROM THE EDITOR This year I am not planning to be home for Easter. My husband, my grandson and I will be taking a 2 ½ week trip over Easter to the National Parks in southern Utah and northern Arizona. I love the national parks for their majestic beauty and wildness. It is in these parks and other places like national parks that I often find a place to feed my soul and re-connect with God as he is manifest in the quiet wildness of the mountain deserts. Ironically, my grandson who is joining us on this trip sees this trip very differently. He is a budding geologist who is anxious to expand his rock collection and to learn about how natural forces acted to form these majestic vistas. I am reminded that different people connect with “a God of their understanding” in different ways. I am seeking God, the peace-giver, who soothes my soul and takes me to a place of great spirituality. My grandson is seeking the God of creation, the God who works with minerals, water and wind to create a truly complex geological masterpiece. I have often said that the best way to see new things in the world is to see it through the eyes of the child. I am approaching this trip, in part, as a student of my grandson, I hope to see a whole new world through his eyes and gain a fuller appreciation of God, the creator. According to our current plan (which is subject to change at any moment) we will be in the Grand Canyon area on Easter. I affirm that by Easter morning my Consciousness is raised with a new appreciation of God, as the creator, thanks to my budding geologist. Agnes Feldman, Editor
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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT While Unity of Clare has been involved in supporting and being involved in our community since we began, our commitment and involvement has only been intensified since we moved into our own building in Clare. We were renters and have now become “home owners” and have discovered a new sense of community pride. Before we even found a building to purchase the Board of Directors made a commitment to be a positive and involved member of the City and County of Clare. We continue to support the Hug-A-Bear Program in which we donate stuffed animals to the sheriff’s department to comfort children and adults who are in times of distress. Some of our members participated in and raised funds for the Walk for Warmth in Clare. We also made a float in the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in Clare. We are planning a weekend hot dog sale at Witbeck’s grocery store. We are hoping to have a presence in the Independence Day Parade. There are plans in the making to open our doors for use of our building for meetings by non-profit community groups and twelve step programs. Unity of Clare has been and will continue to be a contributing member of our community.
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Upcoming EventsAt Unity of Clare Church
Sunday March 28, Pre-Service Healing Meditation 10:15 AM Sunday, March 28 Palm Sunday Fourth Sunday Feast after Sunday Service Wednesday March 31 Spiral Dynamics Course with Rev. Lorna Brown, 6:30 PM Sunday April 4 Easter Sunday Service & Baptism 11:00 AM Wednesday April 7, Acoustic Coffee House 6:30 – 8:30 PM Sunday April 11 Pre-Service Healing Meditation 10:15 AM April 11 Sunday Service 11:00 AM Wednesday April 14 Movie Night “Religulous” with Bill Maher Sunday April 18 Service 11:00 PM Wednesday April 21 Healing Mediation Evening 6:30- 8:00 pm Sunday April 25 Fourth Sunday Feast after Sunday Service Wednesday April 28, Historic Jesus with Rev Lorna Saturday, May 22 - Open House, a Church Warming, or a Unity Reunion Event
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Tuesday Study Group 11:00 am – 1:00 pm At Anne Hobart’s home, Farwell Currently studying” Handbook of Positive Prayer” For information call Anne at (989-588-6322)
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WEDNESDAY EVENTS |
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Pictured above are Sharron and Michael Brand: Acoustic Coffee House, Agnes Feldman: Movie Night, Rev. Bob Allen: Healing Meditation Service, Rev. Lorna Brown ULC: Historical Jesus and Spiral Dynamics
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You are invited to reserve every Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for a revolving series of activities that include music, movies, healing meditation and book study. The five multi-talented members of UCC pictured above have stepped up to share their talents and interests with the congregation and the community. Snacks and refreshments are served. All love offerings are to benefit Unity of Clare. The schedule is: |
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