The Good News of Unity Church of the Bay Area
"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, a day of 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. Abraham Lincoln was one who spoke often about his mother. He said, "All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." A mother’s love is a living example of God's love.

I remember my mother and know she loved me and cared for me. Yet, I did not always understand just how much she did love me. As a young man growing up, I could not see her wisdom and vision of good 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 get older?

My father gave me a copy of a letter my mother 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 which 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 self-will and human judgments. God may feel distant, or worse, unloving. We may think that God has somehow abandoned us.

God is bigger than any of our doubts or fears! God loves us exactly the way we are! God can never leave us, for the Spirit of God is within us. We can begin to see ourselves through Spirit's eyes, the eyes of unlimited possibilities. It is through love that we are made whole and complete. And as my mother’s love was always there, ready for me to accept, so too is God's love. It is ever-present, ever-ready to nourish, transform and heal any concern in our lives. We need simply open ourselves to God, and to love.

Mom will be with me always, just as God is always with me. Celebrate Mother’s Day with those you love! And remember to celebrate God, who loves us exactly the way we are!

In Christ Love,
Reverend Stephen P. Horn

AMY’S ANGLE
Have you ever had one of those days when got an answer - and didn’t like what you got?

I had one of those days recently. I found myself being drawn to a spiritual retreat being given in Santa Fe, by Mary Elizabeth Marlow, a spiritual teacher I’ve followed for several years, on Becoming a Wise Woman. I called my best friend, Dorothy, who had gone with me to a retreat last year, excited with the idea that we could make this happen.

But the timing didn’t work out for Dorothy, nor was she particularly drawn to the subject. Well, I must confess, I had a less than spiritually balanced and mature reaction. I was really bummed! I wanted to go WITH her. I felt very disappointed and now unsure if I was even supposed to go. So, I just let myself feel all of my feelings, doing my best not to judge them, and decided to let it go and pray about it the next morning.

Interestingly enough, after praying the next morning, I glanced at a new CD Mark had left on the counter, a very spiritually soothing CD, called Surrender. Hmmm…

So I did - I chose to surrender to what was, whether I liked it or not. And then I got it! I was supposed to do this retreat alone. It came to me, clear as day, that part of the lesson was to do this for myself, by myself, as an affirmation of my own power and wisdom. It made complete sense, especially given some of the nudges I’ve felt lately to trust myself instead of relying so much on what others think (or more accurately stated, what I THINK others think.)

Funny how powerful a word like Surrender can be. Or Let. Or Listen. Or Peace. So I’m going to Santa Fe in August, by myself. And as Mark commented, I think I’ve already started the workshop, tapping into that inner wisdom. Thank you God!

May Wisdom and Peace be yours,
Amy Groblewski


BOARD TALK by Barb Clemons
Our board discussed the posting of pictures of our attendees on the Internet. The board decided on a simple release form to be signed by congregants for themselves and/or their children. We will be able to post pictures of the happenings of our church on our website.

The Easter services were well attended. Our choir was a great success.

Janie Kelley, Bookstore Team Leader, attended the meeting. She is excited about updating the bookstore and adding great new items to the current bookstore offerings.

The Board was sad to learn that Patti Rabaza, Music Director, is leaving us in May. She has done a wonderful job and will be greatly missed. The good news is that Jill Kastle will be our new Music Director. She brings a wealth of experience to us and will keep our music program going forward to new heights.

Linda Meeker, Administrator, also plans to move on. She will be greatly missed as well. We are advertising for a new Administrator.

Our Mother’s Day service on May 9th will feature mother/daughter presentations. It will be a wonderful service celebrating the joys of motherhood.

The return of the First Sunday Lunch Bunch was well attended.

The Board also discussed and agreed on the minister contract for the coming year. The contract was signed by Rev. Steve and the Board.

YOUTH ED
If I were asked what I have learned about working with our children, there are several things that immediately come to mind - flexibility, faith, and having fun.

I learned rather quickly that flexibility is a key component and this also involves letting go of my perfectionism. No matter how well prepared I am with the lesson and activities, there is more often than not, a time that I need to adapt to the needs of those present. I'm able to view these times as an opportunity, as opposed to a challenge, by relying on faith and remembering to make it fun.

Faith is what allowed me to step up to the position of Youth Ed director in the first place. The gentle tugs on my heart to be more involved with children helped me to seek this new direction. My faith is what assures and sustains me that this is where I need to serve. Whenever I have any doubts, I remember the precious hugs I get every Sunday, and the opportunity I have to contribute to the spiritual education of our youth.

And what about the fun we have in the Angel Wing you may wonder? I don't see how we can't have fun with all the smiling faces and beautiful souls that gather there every Sunday! I learn from the children every week - and they constantly remind me about the joy and laughter in life that I sometimes forget in my serious adult mode. This may be one of the greatest blessings I receive from them.

If you want more joy and laughter in your life, please consider joining us in Youth Ed one Sunday a month as a class assistant or teacher. It is such a great blessing to be a part of their lives and their shining presence will light up your life!

Youthful Blessings,
Chris Bennett

TAKING THE NEXT STEP
We met on Sunday, April 18th, after the service for an open forum discussion on the future of our church. People shared their ideas about the strengths of our church and the areas we might build up. We also considered what might be added to better serve God through our church.

One area of rejuvenation is our Ministry Service Teams. We are bringing back Teams Sundays, which help people to learn more about our teams and find the way in which they can serve in our church. Giving of our time and talents at church is a way to express our joy and thanksgiving for our spiritual home. We have recreated our Special Events Team, which will plan and create events that will help us to build our community socially. We are creating a Finance Team, one which will work with Rick Flynn (our board treasurer) and Reverend Steve to create a financial plan for our church growth.

Our next step is to survey our congregation about the idea of adding a second service, and a possible change in service times. The survey will include space for your comments and suggestions and ideas for how our church can serve you more completely. This is your church. Your voice is important!

We are constantly growing, changing and becoming. There is a Presence and a Power in our church that every person feels when they enter. Yes, our mission statement is true - We inspire minds, awaken hearts and empower lives. We do it through the activity of Spirit within us, and Spirit comes alive through each of you. We are blessed with wonderful, loving people who support our church spiritually and physically through their gifts of time, talent and treasure. Join us in this great adventure with Spirit!

UNITY TREASURES

Memorial Day
by Ruth Yoland Shaw

A day for silence
Sweet and deep;
For joyous knowing
Our departed loved ones
Do not lie asleep
But mingle close,
Bidding us not weep.

A blessed day
For strengthening hope
And faith's renewing;
For inner seeing
That they, with us,
In omnipresence
Have endless being.

UNITYOFBAYAREA.ORG
Our new website is beautiful!
You can:

• Submit a prayer request
  
• Check our calendar of events
  
• Read Unity teachings
• See pictures of us
  
• ...and so much more!

A new feature that will prosper our church is the link to amazon.com on our bookstore page. Bookmark our bookstore page as the starting point for all of your amazon.com purchases. Every time you purchase at Amazon by connecting through this link, the church receives a financial blessing!

Congratulations, Best Wishes and Many Blessings!
to Lori Hanes and Jim Strickland who were married on Saturday, April 24, 2004 in Dayton, Texas.

TREASURER’S REPORT
Weekly Goal $ 3655
March 3/01/04 to 3/31/04
Total Income $15,972.98
Expenses and Tithe $14,977.71
Net Income $995.27

Unity Church of the Bay Area's tithe for the month of March was $1,495.54. It was sent to the Association of Unity Churches.

INTERNET PRAYER PARTNERS WANTED
Would you like to be an Internet prayer partner with a member of our sister church, Unity - Costa Rica? Partners in Prayer! What a beautiful way to deepen and expand the relationship we are building with our sister church. Prayers shared are burdens lessened and blessings multiplied! If you would like to be a part of this group, please send us an e-mail to unityofbayarea@aol.com, and let us know!

CIRCLE OF HEARTS

Inside, outside, all around the town – that’s Circle of Hearts these days! In March, Janie Kelly worked her magic on our outsides with make-up and skin care tips. We had fun trying lots of different make-up and learning all about ancient make-up tricks. We even learned about hair bleach of the Egyptians (it was camel urine – I’m awfully glad cosmetology has progressed past that!) and how important skin care can be for us "not over the hill ‘valley girls’!"

Next, we will work on our "inner selves" with journal making and writing with Sara Thompson. That happens April 22nd, we will show you pictures of our beautiful hand-made journals in the next newsletter.

Now, the "All around the (cyber) town" gang will play "Go Goddess" in May. Goddesses are all over the Internet these days. What is a goddess? Glad you asked – it’s a woman who seeks truth, knows all answers are found within, and always strives to do her best. Sounds like Unity principles to me. This is a game designed to "bring us together to talk honestly, cry openly, and laugh hysterically." So, join us May 20th with Janie Neill for a game of "Go Goddess." For more info, you can visit http://www.gogoddess.com/game/.

We have special evenings planned in the coming months. In June, our very own Jane Noojin will have a workshop to help us learn about nutrition (just in time for swimsuit weather). The theme for July is not set just yet, so if you have something you would like to share with us, please call me, Susan Witt (yes, it’s Witt now ) at 281-474-7187.

Then August 12th, Circle of Hearts will host a special evening with Ms. Freddie Weber. This evening will be for everyone, even the fellas! This will be a "Musical Comedy Concert" by Ms. Weber about "Being Here NOW!" It’s going to be funny, entertaining and "real!" Ms. Weber has appeared on Broadway, has studied with Marianne Williamson, Louise Hay and Eckhart Tolle. This evening will be on a love offering basis. Mark your calendars now, you won’t want to miss this one.

"The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious.
The desire to reach hearts is wise."
- Maya Angelou

Your newsletter contributions are welcome! Please submit them to the church office or e-mail them to: unityofbayarea@aol.com
by the 15th of each month.