WINTER 2012 NEWSLETTER

Rev. Elena’s Musings

Many people believe 2012 is the year when we, the human race, will enter a new era of evolution - an elevation of the mass consciousness. I pray we do enter a higher consciousness. However, I am still unsure as how a person of a low consciousness could manifest (emotionally or spiritually) a consciousness that they have not prepared to receive or understand.

However, I do believe that nothing is impossible for God so I say thank you, thank you, and thank you.

I believe that each one of us is responsible to elevate our thoughts, words, and actions to the highest level we can conceive of right now. We cannot afford to wait for a future time and the efforts of others. Today is the day of higher consciousness. To live, move and have our being, One in the Divine Presence.

This year, no matter what happens, I will strive each day, each moment to live by Spirit. My desire is to open the channels of Spirit and express freely and lavishly the Higher Self.

I believe this is the responsibility of every Truth Seeker. The human ego must give way to the Divine Mind. The individual personality must be released so that the Higher Self may speak, act, and love.

P.S. I wish to thank everyone all for the beautiful card, encouraging words, and Christmas gift. I am blessed always by your  loving spirits.

CONGRATULATIONS to new parents Pat and Kim Gallagher!!!

Kimber Jae Gallagher was born December 26th.  “KJ” weighed 7 lbs. 10 oz. and was 19 inches long!

Blessings and love Kimber, we welcome your new light into the world!

HUGS AND KISSES

A big thank you to all of you who donated items or time and energy to our Free Holiday Give-Away!!! Please know that your generosity and love blessed many in our community. Job Well Done!

PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE

ANNUAL MEETING & SOUP  ‘r SUNDAE

The date of the annual meeting has been changed from February 12 to:

Sunday JANUARY 29 following the Celebration Service will be the Youth Ministry’s SOUP ‘r SUNDAE and our annual business meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend and share their vision and comments to the higher good of Unity.

Team member Matthew McCoy has designed ideas for a new USEC logo! He will be presenting his ideas for consideration.

The Steering Team will be sharing the financials for 2011, plans for the New Year!

Please note that only members may participate in any official voting.

Sunday January 29, after service they will host a luncheon, SOUP ‘r SUNDAE, for the congregation on a love offering basis, to raise money for more spices and to begin a youth ministry treasury.

The menu will be Chili (both regular and vegetarian) with toppings, corn bread, salad, and make your own ice cream sundae bar with homemade ice cream.

YOUTH IN MINISTRY

One of the most exciting changes in the last year has been the increase of children and the formation of a youth ministry.

We welcome as youth ministry sponsor, Steering Team member, and guest speaker – Matthew McCoy!!!

The children bring new energy and joy to our Unity fellowship. They also have participated in our Holiday activities such as Advent, and USEC’s annual Holiday Give-Away.

The children have also chosen their own outreach service project: to support the US troops overseas. They sent Christmas cards for the holidays, and are currently collecting spices to send to the troops.

Please join your prayers and support for our Youth in Ministry!

METAPHYSICAL INTERPERTATION WORK SHOP

Sunday, January 22, 2012

11:30 AM – 2:30 PM

Facilitator: Rev. Elena

Unity is a metaphysical movement, but what does that mean to you?

In a nutshell – metaphysical interpretation is seeing the absolute truth beyond the relative or physical reality. It is like the moral of the story.

Within all of creation is the first cause or absolute principle. The physical manifestation can only attempt to represent that principle. If you could “see” beyond the physical and understand the first or absolute much of the confusion of the physical life would melt away.

Charles Fillmore (co-founder of Unity) said that metaphysics is “The systematic study of the science of Being; that which transcends the physical. By pure metaphysics is meant a clear understanding of the realm of ideas and their legitimate expression.”

In this workshop I will attempt to present a step by step process, whereby you can “transcend the physical” and begin to see and understand the laws of Spirit that stands under the physical world.

Please join me in the exploration of the inner Truth!

Cost: Love Offering

The Purpose:

To learn the Principles of Metaphysical Interpretation and to become inspired to deepen your spiritual practice.

What to Bring:   An open mind, a sack lunch, paper, pencil

More info: www.unityspirit.org

GUEST SPEAKER

Sunday February 12, 2012

Barbara Patrick

“The Thirteenth Rose”

INPIRATIONAL WRITINGS

A CHANNEL

by Ariel Morningstarr

Born as a channel to give blessing,

It’s love, only love, I’m confessing.

By placing myself within God’s will

Joy and contentment my heart will fill.

When I am weak and fall in error,

I am not subject to stark terror.

God is forgiving, patient, and true

In upholding me all the way through.

Being a channel’s easy to do

When I open Self to higher view.

All strength that I need is ever there,

And guidance awaits only my prayer.

I am learning to think with my heart.

That is the best place always to start.

Every kindness strengthens the whole.

A world of oneness is the great goal.

All born as channels to give blessing,

Each to the other love confessing,

Would bring the heavens down to the earth,

And lift the world to heavenly birth!

Copyright 2009

     

SPIRITUAL CINEMA

January 21 – 6:30 PM

the Help

Based on a #1 New York Times best-seller, --three very different, extraordinary women in Mississippi during the 1960s, who build an unlikely friendship around a secret writing project that breaks societal rules and puts them all at risk. From their improbable alliance a remarkable sisterhood emerges, instilling all of them with the courage to transcend the lines that define them, and the realization that sometimes those lines are made to be crossed--even if it means bringing everyone in town face-to-face with the changing times.  Deeply moving, filled with poignancy, humor and hope, 'The Help' is a timeless and universal story about the ability to create change.

February 16 – Dolphin Tale – True Story of a dolphin who lost her tail.

March 17– The Way – Pilgrimage on El Camino de Santiago in Spain. Rev. Elena will bring her photos, pilgrims’ passport, and Dispensation from her pilgrimage on the Camino.

UNITY BUILDING

The Steering Team has begun to plan for our Unity Building. As with all we think, say and do, we are employing the principles of Truth.

We must give thought and prayer to what will best bless our Unity family.

Therefore, we have made a list of what we believe would enhance our community, and are in the process of developing an affirmation that we can all join together and hold.

VISION/INTENTION:

* Building fund of $20,000+ or 20% or more of the total cost of the property

*Adequate room for:  Sanctuary, Youth Ministry, Fellowship Hall, Kitchen, Minister’s office, Two classrooms or more,  Storage for Christmas Give-Away

Amenities: Handicap accessible, up to building code, adequate parking, and no more than 10 miles from present location, brick, metal rood, picnic area, AC, utilities off the grid, easily maintained, zoned for a church

As with all things we seek God’s will for USEC and are open for our higher good. If you have any inspiration or comments please feel free to share them with a Committee member.

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR TREASURER

After a little more than a year as treasurer, I am beginning to be more confident with QuickBooks and the USEC checkbook.  In a year when others are experiencing diminishing church attendance and contributions, we are happy to report that we not only met expenses and our tithes as a church, we have been able to award several monetary gifts.

The average attendance for 2011 was 22 per Sunday.  The average contribution was $591.84.  The previous year (2010) we had an average attendance of 18 and an average contribution of $501.10.  The increase is extremely gratifying.

All of that being said, please know that Rev. Elena and all of us on the Steering Team love and appreciate every one of you and everything you bring to our church family.   Your gifts may be in various forms:  finances, service, talents, joy, your spirit, or your love!  You are all the best and I feel blessed to call you my family!

Lynn Fox, Treasurer  

PRAYER REQUESTS

A wonderful benefit of a faith community is to join together to support each other with prayer.

Please feel free to contact Rev. Elena with any prayer request for yourself or others.

If you wish the request to remain in confidence or individual prayer Rev. Elena would be happy to meet with you privately.

WEB SITE

Check it out! Each month you will find a monthly message from Elena, the activities calendar, a page for prayer requests, directions and contact info, pictures, cancellations, and all the news.

Check out www.unityspirit.org today!

FRIENDLY HOUSE MONTHLY COLLECTION

January & February – Canned Goods &

                                    Non- Perishables

March - Early Reader Books

            and Flash Cards

STEERING COMMITTEE

Minister: Rev. Elena Langstaff

Lynn Fox – Treasurer

Cindy Simmons

Vickie Lambright

Matthew McCoy

E-MAIL LIST

If you would like to be added or removed from our e-mail mailing list please contact Rev. Elena at 419-468-1894 or e-mail mansfieldusec@aol.com

WEATHER CANCELLATIONS

Church will be canceled for

Richland County Snow level 2 or 3.

Check www.unityspirit.org or wmfd.com