January 2006
The Mission of Unity Church of the Bay Area ~ 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!
Beloved Friends,
Welcome to the year 2006! I have been praying and meditating on our Mission Statement. The true power in a church is not in the building, the minister or the staff. It is in the people! Our church continues to flourish and prosper because of each of you!
I believe the coming year will be one in which we can take the next step in creating even greater connections in our spiritual community. Each of you has a special gift or talent that God has given exclusively to you. Why not consider how you can share that gift with the church and the world? I invite you to prayerfully consider the ways in which you can share your special gift.
The coming year will be filled with new opportunities. I envision more classes and workshops, especially drawing on the many talents in our congregation. We are beginning a Saturday Workshop Series in which we will have a special workshop one Saturday each month. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please feel free to share them with me!
I am so proud of our church. This past Christmas we not only added to the Building Fund but also created an incredible blessing for several families with your generosity. All told, we created Christmas for several families and helped them to have more joy, peace and the blessing of knowing love, even if from total strangers. Is this not the message of our Wayshower and elder brother, Jesus Christ? “Love one another as I have loved you.”
We stand on the threshold of not only a New Year but also a positive step forward for our church family. We grow and prosper because of the love, spiritual energy and abundance that you share. Let’s make this year the best one yet, both in our personal lives and the life of our church. Let us hold this affirmation in the year to come:
God is Good ~ All the Time!
One in Christ,
Reverend Stephen P. Horn
MARK'S MUSINGS
January reminds me of the New Year and a time for planning my future – a time to begin again. Do you make New Year’s resolutions? I tend to adjust my goals and/or make new ones. In the spirit of our new beginning, the new early morning Sunday service, I thought I’d share some of my goals in terms of my ways of being.
First, I pledge to myself to be more playful and to learn more about “lightening up” from my son, my wife, my friends, and my clients. I will choose to be less serious and more joyful. Secondly, I pledge to be less fearful and to live a more “faith-filled” life. I feel I have been a bit overprotective to the point where my concerns or fears get in the way, disempowering myself and others. I will choose to consciously place my faith in God. Thirdly, I pledge to stop judging events and actions as “good” or “bad” and to see the perfection in all of God’s creation. My hope is that this will lead to more peace and a sense of security.
Finally, I pledge to look at the big picture and not get overly caught up in the details of my life. My new affirmation: I have all the time in the world. How would you like to live your life? What changes would you make? Jesus said, “Do not put new wine into old wineskins, for they will burst and the wine will be lost.” Are there any changes you might make to release the old and take hold of a new idea or path?
Are we ready as a congregation for our new church? Is it possible that this will be the year we take the next step to own our own church home? Are there new classes or courses you would like to teach at church, or are there committees you have thought about joining, but held back? Have you thought of teaching in our Sunday school?
The great opportunity of a New Year is the chance to begin again. I encourage all who dare to dream to take one step in that direction, be it large or small. The abundant resources of God will come to you quickly and assuredly!
Mark Groblewski
BOARD TALK
by Barb Clemons
Some improvements have been made over the past month. There are new floor cushions for Youth Ed, new storage cabinets for both buildings, new tables in the Gathering Room and various other changes. The Youth Ed beanbags have gone on to serve others!
Dianne Marion will be facilitating a 7-week class, Creative Living, starting on Monday, January 9th.
On Saturday, January 21, 2006, Alice Metcalf will present Exploring the Living Symbols in Your Dreams, a workshop on exploring your dreams. This will be an experiential workshop on dream interpretation and will run from 1 - 5 P.M.
Rev. Steve will resume Wednesday classes in January with Metaphysics I beginning January 18th.
The early service, starting on January 15th, was discussed. It will be more of a meditative and contemplative service, including a longer time of meditation. Jill Kastle will be providing music for both services.
The Outreach Program for December was very successful. We filled the wish list of the family we adopted from Bay Area Turning Point. We were also able to provide Christmas for three additional women in the shelter. The Critter Corral was also well supplied with the toys going to the Bacliff constable's office for their Toys for Tots program. All unspent money was donated to BATP to provide Christmas gifts for last minute needs.
Our congregation is a tithing ministry which demonstrates the principles of prosperity through the law of giving and receiving. You all have been very generous as always. Thanks to all of you for making our Christmas projects a success!
I wish you all a very satisfying, rewarding and successful 2006. Happy New Year!
YOUTH ED
Our Youth Education (a.k.a. Sunday school) had a wonderful year in 2005 as our enrollment grew and we added a few new volunteers to assist on Sundays. I joyfully anticipate that we will grow even more in 2006, both in number and in spiritual understanding. I pray that as we celebrated our Christ Spirit reborn within, that we carry the blessings of Hope, Peace, Love and Joy in our hearts throughout the New Year. I pray for perfect health, a loving home and a growing understanding of God working in and through their lives for our children and teens.
Recently we had one of our children who lost their first tooth…finally! He was so excited because it seemed all the other children his age had already been through this. As you may guess, the tooth fairy visited him that night and left a one dollar bill under his pillow. That morning as he discovered his new treasure, he told his mom that he wanted to give this in the offering basket at church. Of course, his mother was so proud of her son’s thoughtfulness and generosity! This gave me the perfect opportunity to thank all of our parents who instill loving values in our youth through their actions, not just their words. It so clearly brings alive our Fifth Unity principle of living our Truth. The consciousness of one young soul greatly affects and enhances all of our youth. It is important to see that our youth are more than our future; they are our present blessing and teachers too, sometimes! So thank you to all our parents! Thank you for entrusting your children to us on Sundays!
I am really excited about our new early service that begins this month. This will allow any of our teachers and assistants an opportunity to attend the early service and be spiritually fed and still be able to give of their time and energy to our youth in Sunday school. We greatly appreciate all those who presently serve in our Youth Ed ministry, and welcome those that are open to receiving this call to service in the future. Please contact me at 281-339-2096 or the church office for more information. I wish peace and blessings to all in the New Year.
Youthful blessings,
Chris Bennett
Unity Treasures
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.
May Angels watch me through the night,
And wake me with the morning light!
Amen
It’s Here!
What? New Sunday Service at 8:30 A.M.!
Where? Unity Church of the Bay Area!
When? Sunday, January 15, 2006
Why? To give our church attendees a new option on Sunday mornings!
Are you an early riser? Would you prefer a Sunday service that is more contemplative and meditative? Try our new early service!
Calling All Men! Men’s Group Forming!
Men of Unity Church of the Bay Area ~ Greetings! I invite you to join me in creating a Men’s Group. It is sometimes difficult to be a man in today’s society; learning to be a spiritual man is even more difficult. Our men’s group will be simply a gathering of the men to share, support and socialize. We will listen to each other, provide positive feedback and support for each other’s situation and enjoy each other’s company.
Our activities will be defined by us and can range from breakfast or lunch with each other, to golf, watching the Super Bowl or a pot luck dinner and short talk. Wouldn’t it be great to get to know each other better? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to gain trust and appreciation for each other and create a means for exchanging viewpoints and requesting help when needed? We will have a short organizational meeting on Sunday, January 8th, in the Angel Wing briefly after the Sunday service. If you are unable to attend, please feel free to contact me at: (281) 992 -5353.
Ron Blakemore
January Classes
Creative Living with Dianne Marion
Mondays, January 9 - February 20, 2006, from 7-9 P.M.
Class Fee: $30 No book required; class materials provided
Class limited to twelve participants ~ register early!
Through a process based on Unity*s Five Basic Principles, this seven week small group study will focus on helping participants rediscover, claim, and express their creative genius in everyday life. As we increase our understanding of Unity Principles and apply them to our lives, we will realize and express more of our divine potential in all areas of life!
Metaphysics I with Reverend Steve
Wednesdays, January 18 - February 22, 2006, from 7-9 P.M.
Class Fee: $30 ~ Book available in Bookstore
Scholarships available upon request in advance
This class will explore some of the commonly held metaphysical principles and concepts inherent in our Unity system of thought. We will learn the basics of Metaphysics and see how we can realize their principles in our daily lives. Come and learn the basics of Unity!
Welcome Back!
We are pleased to welcome Reverend Diane Plamondon, Ph.D., our Minister Emeritus, as our guest minister on January 8, 2006. Reverend Diane will lead us in the White Stone Ceremony, an honored UCBA tradition. Join us for this special, sacred service!
SUNDAYS IN JANUARY!
January 1, 2006 Burning Bowl and Letters to God! Reverend Stephen P. Horn
January 8, 2006 The White Stone Ceremony! Reverend Diane Plamondon, Ph.D.
January 15, 2006 Let Your Light Shine! Reverend Stephen P. Horn
January 22, 2006 Wired for Love! Reverend Stephen P. Horn
January 29, 2006 You Are The Miracle! Reverend Stephen P. Horn
Unity Church of the Bay Area 2006 Saturday Workshop Series
We will be having a monthly Saturday Workshop Series of special workshops in 2006! One Saturday a month we will have an opportunity to experience different avenues of spirituality and personal growth. See the new informational flyer for this month's workshop!
Exploring the Living Symbols in Your Dreams
A workshop with Alice Metcalf, MSW
Saturday afternoon, January 21, 2006, from 1-5 P.M.
Suggested fee $40 (Scholarships available upon request)
Support your vision for a happier and more prosperous New Year by exploring the deeper story that is informing your life. Dreamwork is a powerful tool to help you reveal the personal myth that you are currently living by and at the same time the parts of yourself that aren't being expressed. Dreamwork is a unique form of exploration that will increase your understanding of your own deepest feelings and needs. By working with and honoring your dreams on a consistent basis you can deal more effectively with important issues in your life: career, relationships, health, spirituality, and life-changing events.
In this experiential workshop basic Jungian concepts will be presented as well as Gestalt Dreamwork techniques. You will be given an opportunity to present your own dreams as well as work with others' dreams.
Alice Metcalf has a Masters degree in Social Work and has worked as a psychotherapist in psychiatric settings. She uses Gestalt, Jungian theory, and Dance Movement in her individual practice with clients in Houston. Call the church office or sign up in the Gathering Room to make your reservation for this exciting workshop!
New Additions!
We welcome two new souls into the world!
Charles and Mary Pat Gunn
Charles Stanley Gunn
November 11, 2005
9 pounds ~ 8 ounces
Cathy Modaro and Carlos Soares
Leah Marie Soares
November 25, 2005
8 pounds ~ 3 ounces
Congratulations to the proud and happy parents!
In Loving Memory of Bob Neill
Bob Neill passed from this earthly existence to the invisible, eternal realm of Spirit on December 2nd. Our lives are a bit better to have known him. He touched countless lives through his special gift of teaching and brought inspiration and a little humor to us all. Even though we sill miss him, we celebrate the great work that God has in store for him in the next experience they will create together. Bob, we know that:
The Light of God surrounds you.
The Love of God enfolds you.
The Power of God protects you.
The Presence of God watches over you.
Now, and forever more!
Amen
The Angel Tree
Thank you to all who donated to our Angel Tree. Your generosity totaled $8887 upon which we will first tithe and then add to our Building Fund. May the blessing you have given be returned to you abundantly! Thank you God!
Chris and Casey Bennett
Linda and Ronald Blakemore
Sharon Brown
Charles and Sharon Carter
Lucia Christian
Carl and Cheryn Clark
Jim and Nancy Clark
Carolyn Clary
Barb Clemons
Mary Ann Curtis
George Cushing
Dawn Davis
Michael and Sylvia Goldreyer
Mark Gray
Roy Green
Pat Grissom
Amy and Mark Groblewski
Leah Haddock
Sylvia Hicks
Pauline Hitt
Judi and Paul Hoggatt
Reverend Stephen P. Horn
Maurine Howard
Mark Kirby
Larry Kuni
Bruce Landry
Pat Lattner
Frank and Ruth Leisey
Stephen Levine
Janie Neill
Jane Noojin
Debra Pease
Reverend Diane Plamondon, Ph. D
Scott and Linda Sartorius
George and Wendy Seibert
Dr. Victor and Michelle Sierpina
James Turner
Tom and Sharon Turnley
Unity Church of Christianity, Houston
Unity of North Houston
Elton and Susan Witt
In Honor of:
Matthew A. Curtis
Carl Wesley Clark
Bob Hicks
Bob Neill
Christine Ryan
Barbara Sawchyn
Christy Wischhusen
Ada Wright
TREASURER’S REPORT
November 11/1/05 – 11/30/05
General Fund Income $ 39, 983.94
Expenses -18,827.58
Net General Fund Income $ 21,156.36
Building Fund Income + 620.00
Total Income 21,776.36
Building Fund (CDs & investments) $152,928.71
Unity Church of the Bay Area's tithe for November was $1,800.00. It was blessed and $100 each was sent to Janie Kelley and William Gill, ministerial students at Unity School of Christianity. Also, $1,600.00 was divided evenly and disbursed to the Association of Unity Churches, the Association of Unity Churches Hurricane Relief Fund, Unity School of Christianity, and Christ in You Fellowship. Your continued financial support allows our church to grow and flourish and carry the message of positive, practical Christianity in the Bay area. Thank you, and thank you God!
Your newsletter contributions are welcome! Please submit them to the church office or e-mail them to info@unityofbayarea.org by the 15th of each month. We ask that articles not exceed 300 words. Our goal is to share your articles in newsletters as soon as possible.
