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JANUARY 2005 NEWSLETTER Beloved Friends, Welcome to the year 2005! My theme for the year is “Coming Alive in 2005!” There is always room to find more joy, more zest, and more positive expectancy for life itself! I was reflecting on the path of our church in this past year. We have had an incredible year! We came together to see what our core values are, defined our mission and created a powerful vision. Our mission and vision statements are: 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. We envision a magnificent spiritual center of Love, beholding a world in which all people honor each other and live together in peace and harmony. We have been living our mission and vision! The proof is in each of you as you have helped our church to grow and prosper. Our Love in Action teams have been renewed and revitalized. Our Youth Education Sunday school is filled with children, so much that we have added a nursery caregiver. Our classes have drawn record numbers of participants. Our services are filled with your energy and love. We have created a Building Fund for the purchase of our own church home one day. We have been able to set aside over $80,000 since its inception this summer. Thank you God! And thank you to each of 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: With God, all things are possible! In Christ Love, MARK'S MUSINGS One way to support this desire would be to enroll in one of the new classes being offered in January. The first is The Artist's Way, led by Dianna Marion & Sara Thompson, which encourages the participant to find their true creative nature within. I have taken this course and recommend it highly! Finally, I am in awe at the power of our congregation! Our vision is to create a new church home, This Divine Idea sparked a Building Fund, and almost 6 months later we have over $80,000! This is truly remarkable-incredible indeed! I just want to acknowledge everyone, for we are ALL part of this church’s consciousness in creating this result. I am humbled to serve as Board President for such a powerful church. Thank you all, and thank God! So, as you think of being new this year, and the challenges you desire to take on, think of participating in Unity Church of the Bay Area classes to help support you make desired changes! BOARD TALK The Board voted to split the tithe for December, with tithe from the General Fund going to our sister church, Unity of Costa Rica. The Building Fund tithe will go to Unity Church Universal in Kansas City. The Angel Christmas Tree Project has proven successful, a divine idea indeed, with $9,370 contributed at the time of the Board meeting. An anonymous gift of $5,000 provided a big boost to this Building Fund project. Repairs to the outside fascia and roof of our church building have been completed and a three-year lease signed with Mr. Donoho, our landlord. Exit signs have been repaired and one replaced. New blinds have been installed in the Angel Wing. Rev. Steve is researching chairs for the Angel Wing and Light House to replace the aging ones now in use. Members are invited to try out the six new folding chairs, samples of a style under consideration, located in the Angel Wing Special dates in January include a New Year’s Day meditation at 11 A.M., followed by undecorating of our church. On January 2nd, Rev. Steve will hold a Burning Bowl service and on January 16th, Rev. Diane will conduct a White Stone service. New classes beginning in January include The Artist’s Way, facilitated by Dianna Marion and Sara Thompson. This Wednesday evening class begins January 12th and continues through February 16th. Fee is $35 and child care will be available. A Monday evening class on prosperity principles, Keys to the Kingdom, will be led by Mark and Amy Groblewski and Mary Pat Gunn, with Rev. Steve also participating. This class begins on January 17th, and continues eight weeks. Fee for the class will be $40. THE ANGEL TREE Virginia Becker Ed Flinn by Barb Clemons YOUTH ED We are so blessed by all those who give of their time, talent, and love in supporting our Youth Ed program. Their continual dedication is essential to our growing spiritual community. Please take a moment to acknowledge, thank, and bless these wonderful souls who so lovingly give of themselves to our Youth Ed program: Benito Colon, Rachel Fleming, Linda Gellman, Amy Groblewski, Linda Carol Grubbs, Sylvia Hebert-Goldreyer, Mary Pat Gunn, Sarah Hilburn, Bruce Landry, Bob Lawson, Rodger & Dianne Marion, Marlene Mercado, Cindy Plummer, Cindy Regini, Cindy Thomas, Sharon Turnley, Nancy Trimm. Elton & Sue Witt, and Ginger Witt. Also a big thank you to Rev. Stephen Horn, Rev. Diane Plamondon, Marianne Nelson, Jill Kastle and many others who continually support us in many ways. As we begin this New Year, I am filled with joyous expectation of what we can do together through the indwelling Christ Spirit. Youthful Blessings, SUNDAYS IN JANUARY January 2, 2005 January 9, 2005 January 16, 2005 January 23, 2005 January 30, 2005 NEW MEMBER SUNDAY If you would like to become a member of Unity Church of the Bay Area, please fill out a blue membership card and turn it in to the church office. There will be an orientation class for new members on Thursday, January 20, 2005, from 7-9 p.m. CLASSES BEGINNING IN JANUARY! KEYS TO THE KINGDOM We all have different and sometimes limiting ideas on abundance, happiness and success. Most of us would enjoy more money and material things. Yet, our souls yearn for more. The Keys to the Kingdom course will help you to understand the foundation of true abundance and then show you how to live in greater harmony with spiritual law. Giving and receiving is one of Jesus’ most profound teachings. It is the principle underneath all spiritual law. Through this class, you will be able to walk through the door of new and greater possibilities. Your relationship with God will deepen. Your relationships with others will be changed at depth as your ideas about abundance and prosperity become even clearer. This is an eight week class that will begin meeting on Monday, January 17, 2004. Class materials include a workbook with tapes/CDs (your choice) available in the Bookstore for $40. Class facilitators will be Amy & Mark Groblewski, Mary Pat Gunn and Rev. Steve. Are you ready to make a commitment to a new prosperity consciousness? One with a money back guarantee? We invite all interested to attend an information Q&A which will be in the Sanctuary on two different Sundays, January 9th and 16th, 2005, at 11:45 p.m. BEGIN THE NEW YEAR WITH THE ARTIST IN YOU! Communicate and celebrate with your own inner artist through Julia Cameron's book, The Artist’s Way. Led by our own teacher-artist, Dianna Marion and featuring art activities, play and additional experiments! NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! CIRCLE OF HEARTS The end of 2004 has been a very busy time for everyone and I have not had anyone come forward to offer their talents for a Thursday night Circle of Hearts for January or February. So our January meeting will be a time of getting together and planning what will come next. We will meet at Chili’s in Kemah on January 27th for a planning meeting at 7:00 PM. The address is 225 FM 2094 Rd., Kemah, TX and the Chili’s phone number is 281-535-9302. Please call me, Sue Witt, to let me know if you plan on being there. You can reach me at home (281-474-7187) or on my cell phone (832-385-5658). Please leave a message if I am not available when you call. So, ladies, get your thinking caps on, let’s plan and see what new and wonderful ways we can support each other in 2005. COMING IN FEBRUARY! TREASURER’S REPORT 11/01/04 to11/31/04 Weekly Goal / $ 3923.00 Building Fund Income / $ 2415.00 Total Income / $16,044.71 Expenses and Tithe / $15,856.88 Net Income / $ -46.03 IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION Our church is one based in spiritual principles. We tithe faithfully on all contributions. We have a very sound prosperity consciousness. We are grateful for your support and for every financial gift we receive at our church. We give thanks in advance for the abundant blessings that we will receive in 2005! UNITY TREASURES Present Help As I stand at the door of the unknown year And face the days ahead I can meet all that they hold in store Serenely, with lifted head; Knowing that I can face each task, Each test, because I'm sure I have with me a present help: God's promises secure. "Lo, I am with thee, do not fear." "Trust all thy ways to Me." "Be strong and of good courage now." "My truth shall make you free." "Cast all thy care upon the Lord." "Thy path shall be made plain." "Beside still waters He will lead; My soul restore again." These promises, my hope and stay, Make glad and bright the New Year's Day.
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