MINISTER’S LETTER

“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”
Proverbs 31:26

Beloved Friends,

This month we celebrate Mother’s Day, honoring the special love that mothers hold for their children. Countless times each day a mother does what no one else can do quite as well. She wipes away a tear, whispers a word of hope, easing a child's fear. She loves and nurtures her child, helping and teaching her child to be the best that they can be. William Thackeray, the English novelist, once quipped, “Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.” A mother’s love can be a living example of God's love.

I remember my Mom and know she loved me and cared for me. Yet, as a young man, I could not always feel her love for me. She carried in her heart a dream of unlimited possibilities for me. It was many years later that I finally came to a deeper understanding about Mom through God’s healing love. Have you ever noticed how much wiser our parents get as we grow older?

I read a copy of a letter she had been writing in the weeks before her death. In the letter she wrote how proud she was of me, and how she hoped that I might find my way to the path that would help me to find happiness. The letter opened my heart. I began to understand how deeply she loved me, and could see that my Mom always wanted what was best for me. It was a great blessing to see myself through her eyes. It freed me to see her through new eyes – eyes of love and understanding.

I believe that often times our relationship with God is very similar to my relationship with my mother. We sometimes forget how deeply God loves us because we are lost in the maze of human will and judgments. God may feel distant, or worse, unloving. We may think that God has somehow abandoned us.

Yet, God is bigger than any of our doubts or fears! God loves us exactly the way we are! God is always with us, for the Spirit of God is within us. We can open our hearts to God and see ourselves and the world through eyes of love and compassion. It is through love that we are made whole and complete. And as my Mother’s love will always be with me, so too is God's love. It is ever-present, ready to nourish, transform and heal any concern in our lives. We need simply open ourselves to God, and to Divine Love.

My Mom will be with me always, just as God is always with me. Celebrate Mother’s Day with those you love! And always remember that God is Good ~ All the Time! And God is Love ~ All the Time!

In Spirit and in Truth,
Reverend Stephen P. Horn

MICHAEL’S BLOG
Some of my fondest memories in life are the years I was involved in coaching Youth athletics. These times represented a huge commitment of my time and energy. I remember, like it was yesterday, the moment I got involved. My son was seven years old and playing his first season in little league baseball. I was in the stands criticizing and judging coach for making all the wrong decisions regarding the strategies, the discipline, and the way he arranged the batting order. Get the picture? I’m in the stands telling this guy, who’s on the field, how he ought to be doing the coaching. Out of nowhere, I received one of those “gotchas.” This coach is with these young athletes every day, taking his time away from work, in the middle of a Houston summer. He’s giving kids rides home, plus offering the other time and energy needed to prepare the team. I think the word is “involved.” I’m sitting in the stands… Hello…”You think you can do better? Do it!” The next year I was the coach making all those decisions. I got it! I got involved! I got off the sidelines and into the game.
You see my eyes were opened that day. I saw clearly how important it is to be involved and become a part of. At that point in my life, I became involved. I became involved in PTA, my daughter’s softball team, her drill team, and then got involved on different non-profit boards. I got off the sideline and into the game. I didn’t realize that I was tithing at that time. Tithing of time and energy are parts of the overall principle of the principle of tithing. The results, the “gifts,” I’ve received far outweigh my commitment of time and energy. It parallels our church. If you really want the gifts, you have to get off the sidelines. If you want to see things done differently, all you have to do is say “Yes”, and get involved! Join a team, volunteer your help, run for the Board of Trustees. We need and want your help. You each have tremendous gifts to give, and there are tremendous gifts waiting for you to receive.

Our Board participated in leadership training on April 11th. It helped us to realize the leadership roles and skills we had that were necessary to better serve you, the congregation. I’m personally utilizing some of the practices I learned at this workshop in my career and with my family relationships. Growing Our Church Through Spiritual Leadership will be a workshop offered to all our team leaders, teams and any others interested in seeing our church rise to the next level. It will be held on Saturday, May 30th, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We have a church full of leaders, waiting to be called forth. If you can arrange your schedule, this will benefit you in every area of your life. It may be the first step off the sidelines. See you there!

Michael Goldreyer

BOARD NEWS
Joe Skinner has chosen to resign from the Board of Trustees to pursue other interests of service. Several candidates were approached to fill Joe’s term until our next annual meeting. Jackie Pratt was voted to fill Joe’s term until our next Annual Meeting in October. We wish to thank Joe for his service to our church through the Board of Trustees. We also want to thank Steve Broom for his willingness to serve. We welcome Jackie Pratt to our Board of Trustees with gratitude and thanksgiving for the gifts she will add!

GROWING OUR CHURCH THROUGH SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP!!! LEARNING ABOUT TEAM BUILDING AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS.
For Team leaders, team members, and all who wish to attend
Saturday, May 30, 2009
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Unity Church of the Bay Area is a loving spiritual community embracing the teachings of Jesus Christ. We inspire minds, awaken hearts and empower lives. This is our mission statement, a declaration of who we are. Our church community is one of the most loving and giving many have ever experienced. And as with any organization, there is room for growth and improvement. We need to excite people about our unique spiritual community and how important it is to so many of us and to them, too. Also, we need to invite them into being part of our spiritual community, taking an active part in their spiritual journey.
Teams are an essential part of our ministry. As we grow, we need to invite others to serve and help the ministry function smoothly and effortlessly. Leaders are needed to inspire others and help them to find the place in our church where they can give of their time, talent and energy. We already have many leaders – yet there are many to be called forth to discover how they can help our ministry grow, prosper and flourish.
Our Board of Trustees recently underwent training with an outside consultant. It helped us to better understand how we can function more efficiently and serve you better. We are pleased that Nannette Daugherty will be returning to lead this important workshop for those interested in learning about team building and leadership skills.

As you look at your life, you are constantly part of a team of one kind or another – family, work, organizations, sports…the list is endless! Wouldn’t you like to learn some skills and practices that will make your life much easier with greater joy and less frustration? Then, come to the workshop! Let me tell you about our facilitator…

Nannette Daugherty is a dedicated business leader, currently managing the Organizational Development & Training Department for The Methodist Hospital. Nannette has over 22 years experience in training, leadership development, and organizational development. Eleven of these years were spent in management roles. She has developed and delivered training and soft skills interventions in the United States and in Asia. Nannette has an undergraduate degree in Organizational Psychology, a professional certificate in Training & Development, and an MBA. Nannette is known for her enthusiasm and energy, and her passion for helping others grow and succeed.

The workshop will be informative, interesting and fun! So, please sign up and plan to attend this wonderful opportunity for not only your own spiritual growth but for the growth of our church as well!

YOUTH & FAMILY MINISTRY
If you haven’t visited the Children and Teen rooms lately, please do!

We now have brightly colored children’s furniture in the preschool and elementary rooms, making things roomier and more kid-friendly. Our YOU / Uniteen teachers, Linda Carol Lawson and Joanne Badeaux, have been working with the teens to redecorate, making their room an inviting and friendly space for grades 6 through high school.

We want to welcome Christina Staup as our new nursery coordinator. Christina was a volunteer teacher’s assistant for both pre-school and the nursery before she stepped up to her new position.

As our children’s program grows, we invite you to be a part of this loving, vibrant, and fun ministry! Here are our current opportunities:
A teacher for one Sunday a month in Preschool, Elementary, and Teens
Teachers assistants for Nursery (as needed), two Preschool assistants for one or two Sundays a month
Volunteers to bring fruit / healthy snacks

Feel free to set up a time to talk with me, or observe a class. I’d like to issue a special invitation to the men of our congregation to join our women and teen volunteers. We know the kids would be delighted to be with you!

Come experience the joy of being with our kids. It will surely bring out the joy in you!

Amy Hart Groblewski
Director of Youth and Family Ministry

UCBA WELCOMES TODD SYLVA AS GUEST SPEAKER!

We are excited to welcome Todd Sylva as our gust speaker on Sunday May 17, 2009. Todd has been one of our favorite guest musicians at UCBA, always sharing his spiritual gift of original music with us, What you may not know about Todd is that he in an accomplished guest speaker, energizing Unity congregations in several Unity churches across Texas from Webster to the Woodlands to Nacogdoches.

Todd had a spiritual awakening a few years back when he was inspired to begin a simple practice of daily giving. Giving and receiving is the foundation of one of the profound spiritual Truths taught by Jesus Christ, our Wayshower, Elder Brother and Master Teacher. We invite you to come and hear Todd speak on Sunday, May 17, 2009, and you will be energized too!
(Please note that there will be one service this Sunday at 10:30 a.m.}

THE ACTIVITIES TEAM PRESENTS:
The following is a list of activities created from the survey the Church completed in January. Please mark your calendars, invite a friend and plan to attend!
ACTIVITIES CALENDAR FOR 2009
Saturday, June 13th – Breakfast in Alvin followed by service project
Saturday, July 11th – A.D. Players (theatre night)
Sunday afternoon, August 9th – Astros Game
Saturday, September 19th – Talent Show & Covered Dish Dinner
Saturday, October 17th – “Learn Something New” (at Church)
Sunday, November 22nd – Thanksgiving Covered Dish
Sunday, December 13th – Christmas Pie/Dessert Sunday

WHAT IS A SERVANT LEADER?
The phrase “Servant Leadership” was coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in The Servant as Leader, an essay that he first published in 1970. Long before that, the greatest example of servant leadership could be found in the Bible. Jesus, in the Twentieth Chapter of Matthew, clearly outlines the path to leadership. When two of the disciples wanted special consideration, it created a stir among them all. He said clearly, “You know that the rulers of the non-Jewish people love to show their power over the people. And their important leaders love to use all their authority. But it should not be that way among you. If one of you wants to become great, then he must serve the rest of you like a servant. If one of you wants to become first, then he must serve the rest of you like a slave. So it is with the Son of Man. The Son of Man did not come for other people to serve him. He came to serve others.” A true leader serves first.
Robert Greenleaf wrote:"The servant-leader is servant first…It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first, perhaps because of the need to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions…The leader-first and the servant-first are two extreme types. Between them there are shadings and blends that are part of the infinite variety of human nature."
"The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant-first to make sure that other people’s highest priority needs are being served. The best test, and difficult to administer, is: Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society? Will they benefit or at least not be further deprived?" This is my thesis: caring for persons, the more able and the less able serving each other, is the rock upon which a good society is built.”
Jesus clearly was a servant leader. He drew people to Him by His willingness to serve them, to put them first. This is the mind set of all great leaders. Charles Fillmore believed that we were all created with attributes of the Divine. He called them the Twelve Powers. Cultivate them, serving first, and you will become the leader that people enjoy serving with. Below is how they can be applied to leadership:
Love – An attitude of caring, compassion, openness and availability.
Will – The ability to make decisions.
Elimination – The ability to forgive; to delegate responsibility; to “let go of the reins” as needed.
Power – The ability to communicate in a positive and effective manner.
Imagination – The ability to see things in a new way; creativity; intuition-vision- revelation.
Understanding – A comprehensive grasp of the purpose of the work and the direction it requires.
Faith – A belief in the purpose of the work and in its completion.
Order – The ability to plan and facilitate the work; to set priorities; to maintain one’s personal life while leading.
Strength – Honesty; stability; courage; stamina; patience.
Judgment – The ability to evaluate all things wisely.
Life – The ability to maintain balance in health of body.
Zeal – Health of mind – enthusiasm, joy, good humor and optimism.

TREASURER’S REPORT for MARCH 2009

General Fund Income $ 21,203.23
Expenses - 23,956.67
Net General Fund Income - 2,753.44
Total Income $ - 2,753.44

Unity Church of the Bay Area's tithe for March was $2,118.00. It was blessed and $529.50 each was sent to the Association of Unity Churches and Unity School of Christianity. $1059.00 was sent to Unity Church Universal, the original Unity Church at 9th and Tracy in Kansas City for their work in keeping the history of Unity alive! Your continued financial support allows our church to flourish and carry the message of positive, practical Christianity in the Bay area. Thank you, and thank you God
***In March, we payed an additional $3000 in interest on our mortgage, putting us back on scgedule for the two month’s we did not pay a mortgage after Hurricane Ike. Again, thank you to HomeTown Bank!

NEWS FROM UNITY VILLAGE!

Our Association of Unity Churches and Unity School of Christianity are now offering a new website, combining both organizations. unity.org is a wonderful site to go for information about Unity and has many resources to enhance your spirituality. You can e-mail Silent Unity directly with a prayer request. There are abundant resources on prayer and meditation to discover and explore. There are new online classes you can participate in. You can find out about retreats being offered at Unity Village. And you can read and also subscribe to the Daily Word if you choose right on the site!

Also, Daily Word in printed form will be changing to a bimonthly printing this summer. You will still receive the inspiring words of Daily Word, only each mailing will include two months’ of the Daily Word. Daily Word and issues of Unity Magazine are also available in our Bookstore to be purchased!