Friends,

While this is one of the most exciting and powerful times in the history of our communty it is also one of the most compelling and potentially difficult times for us. I use the words potentially difficult, because I believe that with care, interest, individual commitment and support that there will be no difficulty.

 

Our move really began almost two years ago after the sale of the 360 property which enabled this ministry to become debt free. We realized at this time that although we were not in debt, we did not have the funds or numbers in our community to support building or reconstructing our facility.

 

Our prayer work was steady and we used a series of catchy phrases to affirm our willingness to consider all options.  We sang, "We are moving on up." to stir the energy.

We affirmed with all our hearts, "We are out of here." Then we joined the Blues Brothers and declared that "We are on a mission for God.". Our compaign, "We are ready." got some interest and then we settled on "God is up to something Good at Unity of Austin." Did we believe all that? Yes. And what happened was the unsolicited offer and the sale of this property enabled us to buy, yes indeed, that building which used to be (i will not name it) a restaurant on 290 with visibility and parking.

 

So here we are, still on a mission for God and still believing that God is up to something Good at Unity even as we work to clear our building and prepare to move earlier than we had expected to. And that brings us to our potential difficulty.

 

Now that we are not able to occupy our new building as quickly as we wanted, we are  without a meeting place.  We examined the possiblities of converting warehouses, moving temporarily to a school and other options, but found meeting city codes, carrying insurance, and moving all our equipment every week to be unnerving.  So when the Holy

Cross Lutheran Church already located on 290 offered us shelter, we said fine. 

 

They are providing us the use of their chapel on Sundays. Their piano and music structure are availble, as well as the total use of their present youth education building for our youngsters. We expect to use their kitchen and gathering room immediately after church for coffee and sometimes lunch. We are paying rent, but no extra insurance and we are not having to move our equipment in and out.  We are having to change our meeting time on Sundays but otherwise, things are fine. This is an answer to their prayers and ours.

 

Now the potential difficulty is this: because we are in transition and not in our permanent home some of you might not want to participate or be so discomforted by this temporary arrangement  that you might  leave our community for a while or attend irregularly. When any church is in transition, sometimes folks quit and just wait "until things settle back down."  We are asking you and praying that you will not do this. We are also asking you

to be tolerant of a different Sunday service time.

 

Every single person who is a member or an beloved attender is needed NOW!!!!!!

 We also need any of you who have not been in a while to come back and see us through this transition. We need each of you and ask you to remember to call people who come irregularly and let them know we would miss them tremendously if they are not with us.

 

We are also asking that any of you who think of people who used to come to get in touch with them and invite them to  come back and help BUILD A NEW WORLD OF UNITY out on 290.  (I personally run into at least 2 to 4 people a week while I am out and about who used to come during Tim's days or Linda's time or Sally Taylor's ministry) .I explain to them what we are doing  now and ask them to come be with us.  I usually say, "Heck, give us at least a trial visit."

 

My prayer is that you will join me in personally attending, and staying alert to making sure that others know that we need them to love and be with especially during this transition time.

 

Our new facility will be completed soon and we will be back  in  a  community  home base.

Meantime, this is an opportunity, not a challenge.  My belief is that we are all going to have a whale of a time, rejoicing and being together, building a new music program, building more small groups and giving to our community. More than ever we need our tithes, our attendance, our love and our watch care for each other. 

 

I am giving my best, will you join me?