September 2007

Beloved Friends,

I am excited to return to the Holy Land of Israel this month. I already feel the peace and calm of the energy there. Jesus’ presence can still be felt. There was a peace and gentleness in everyone I met that I expect to again experience. Gentleness is a virtue we clearly see in the life, teachings and the way in which Jesus Christ lived. A gentle nature draws to it like energy – peace and calm, even in the biggest storm. There is an old Latin proverb, “Power can do by gentleness what violence fails to accomplish.”

Aesop’s Fables has a wonderful story which clearly shows the path of gentleness. One of the fables deals with a dispute between the Sun and the Wind. The question came to pass which one was stronger. One day an opportunity arose to settle the dispute. A person dressed in a coat was walking down a deserted country road. The Sun said to the Wind, “Whoever makes that person remove the coat faster will be the winner, the strongest!”

The Wind agreed and decided to go first. He blew and blew, but the more he blew, the tighter the person held onto the coat. Exhausted, the Wind finally gave up. Then the Sun took over. It merely shone in all its glory. Within minutes, the person took off the coat. Aesop said the moral to the story was this, “You can achieve more by gentleness than you can by sheer force or violence.” David wrote of the gift of gentleness given to him by God in the Psalm above. He was a great king, ruling with love and understanding.

The example set by Jesus Christ is one of gentleness through grace. True gentleness comes from love, balanced with wisdom and understanding. In the parable of the Lost Sheep, He didn’t chastise it, beat it or drag it home. No, He gently carried it across his shoulders. We too can be gentle in our dealings with life, with all of its twists and turns and delicate moments. Choose to be a sample of the great example of Jesus Christ. Love first! Let the gentleness of God shine brightly through you!

In Spirit and in Truth,
Reverend Stephen P. Horn

Mark’s Musings

September is upon us! The children are back in school and football
season is about to start. By press time I'm hoping that we have some
resolution on our Unity Church of the Bay Area Build-Out.

September has always been a time of new beginnings. Our household uses this time to re-orient the family to school activities. At UCBA Reverend Steve will
resume teaching classes on Wednesday nights after his return from Israel and
the Holy Land. Guest speakers will be scheduled for September 2nd and
September 9th. Finally, we will receive new members on Sunday, September
16th during services.

Have you thought about what "new" possibilities or lessons you would like to
become involved with? Two new members will be elected to serve on our Board
of Trustees this October. Teachers are needed for our Youth and Family
Ministry Team, and new members of our Chaplain Team are needed. Having
served as a Teacher,  Chaplain and a Board Member in our church, I can
promise you that all these opportunities will glorify God and l challenge you to grow. It will return to you much more than you give – that is God's grace.

I have been wearing my "Complaint-Free World" Band for about a month, and have gone four days without complaining at my apex. However, I have discovered that the only time that I have complained was when I began to discuss insurance companies (being a psychotherapist; or that's my excuse). My awareness was heightened to the point that when someone would ask me a question about insurance, I would ask them if they REALLY wanted an answer. I would then take the band off before the discussion, because I knew, invariably, that I would complain at some point. This has been a major insight, and very challenging for me personally, since I know that "I create my experiences by what I choose to think and feel and believe." I have made some changes in my business and my beliefs through this discovery.

So, take some time to pray and meditate on new beginnings!
Mark Groblewski

Youth & Family Ministry

I often wonder how much of what we try to communicate (notice I didn’t use the word “teach” to our youth is retained and really understood.  It’s interesting that the moment I begin to doubt, someone shares with me something their child said or did that relates back to their Sunday experience.  This is one of those stories:

The family was on their way home after work, and had picked up their children from pre-school.  It was getting late, nothing had been prepared in advance for dinner, and the parents were discussing whether to eat out or pick something up for everyone.  One of the children listening to her parents, piped up from the back seat, “I know what we can do for dinner!”  (I’m not sure, but I think they may have been expecting a suggestion for a happy meal or other child-friendly fast food place.)  To their surprise she said, “We can pray to God and He will help us get something to eat!” 

I think if I had been in their car, I’m not sure what my reaction might have been, especially coming from such a young child.  But I tell you truly as I share this story with you, it brings tears to my eyes.  It humbles me, blesses me, and most importantly reminds me of why I love working with our children every week.  Please don’t think that I am personally responsible for this child’s response – I know better.  All of us are – parents, family members, all those in Youth & Family ministry and all of us at Unity Church of the Bay Area.  We are a spiritual community that nurtures and supports this thinking.  Our children and teens learn this, not because it is “taught” to them.  They learn and come to know this because of what they hear us saying and most importantly because of what we do and how we live our lives.  We are a living testament to God’s grace in action and I am so grateful and blessed to be a part of our spiritual community. 

Youthful Blessings!
Chris Bennett

UNITY CHAPLAINS

Have you ever considered expanding your prayer consciousness and serving others in a very special and meaningful way? Our Unity Chaplains serve our congregation through prayer after services and in monthly wellness calls. Each is trained in listening, holding sacred space and praying affirmatively with others. Does this special way of expressing God touch your heart? We are forming our Chaplain Team for next year, with training scheduled for September 30^th. There will be special prayer classes offered at 7 p.m. on Wednesday September 19^th and 26^th. These will be mandatory for those wishing to join the chaplain team, and also will be open to all members of the congregation. If your schedule will not permit this and you wish to join the chaplain team, it is important to  call the office for an appointment with Rev. Steve. Ask any chaplain for further details!

Nominating Committee for our Annual Meeting!

Our nominating committee for board elections has been formed. The committee is available to take nominations for board members. All Board Nominees must be church members and have a willingness to serve. They can be self-nominated or nominated by you! If you have someone you would like to nominate for the board or have any questions, please contact a committee member. Remember, our Annual Membership Meeting is October 14, 2007.

Chris Bennett          281-339-2096
Barb Flynn                  832-372-5190
Mark Groblewski         281-992-0287
Rev. Steve              832-338-8738

What Makes A Good Board Trustee?
Unity Church of the Bay Area

Serving as a board member of a church is an honor and a privilege. One must feel called by God to serve their church family in this special way. Board members serve both as the fiscal stewards of the church and as its spiritual trust. They must be prayerfully centered in Truth and clear in understanding how the church can serve the needs of its members to the fullest.  Their consciousness, both singly and collectively, influences the ability of the church to function and serve its membership and God.

In our church, one must be a member of the church to be considered for service on the board. A board term is three years, with two members cycling off of the board every year. Each new year creates an exciting mix of energy and talent that comes together to serve the church. Each board member may be asked to serve in a capacity of leadership as a board officer. These positions are voted on among the board each year after the election of new board members. Any prospective board member must be willing to consider serving in these positions during their term on the board.

Board members model the consciousness we are creating in our church. They are active in volunteer activities, regular attendees at services and classes, and live the principles of Truth in their life. They understand the principles of prosperity and tithing and support our church financially. They are ambassadors for our church, spreading the good news of our ministry to their friends. They know that service is the pathway to God and the way to deepen and enrich their life.

Service on the board is a wonderful opportunity to give and stretch at the same time. It deepens your commitment and increases your faith in God. More importantly, it allows God to express through you in ways that will lift and empower you.

World Day of Prayer
Thursday, September 13, 2007

World Day of Prayer is a day filled with the energy from people throughout the world joining in prayer for the love, peace, and healing of themselves and others. It’s a day of renewal, for when we are centered in God, we are transformed. We invite you to attend a special service on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. On Thursday, please pray and hold the affirmation below in your thoughts:

Wednesday September 12, 2007
7:30 p.m. World Healing Meditation

Together we pray:

We are peacemakers, one in the love of God. With hearts united, we establish harmony and peace in our lives and in our world.

Prayer forms are available at church. Please place them in the prayer box or in the box in the Gathering Room.  You can also go online and add them at www.worlddayofprayer.org.

TREASURER’S REPORT for JULY 2007

General Fund Income                        $   39,040.49

Expenses                                              - 20,594.17

    Net General Fund Income               + 18,446.32

    Building Fund Income                             310.00

    Total Income                                $ +  18,756.32

    Building Fund       $ 116,263.26

Unity Church of the Bay Area's tithe for July was $3,935.00. It was blessed and $983.75 each was sent to the Association of Unity Churches and Unity School of Christianity. $983.75 each was sent to Christ Church Unity, Kansas City (A Complaint Free World.org bracelet tithe) and to Unity of the Tri-Cities, Johnson City, TN, to seed their Building Fund. 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!