News

In the beginning, Power came to be.  Then, there were elements, the physical forms and expressions of Power.  The Power established and set into motion laws by which the elements would join, combine, separate and reunite to form substances that constituted the matter of a fledgling universe.  Had there been only elements and no Power, the elements would have had no pattern, no "guidelines", and random chance would have prevailed, allowing haphazard combinations of the elements and the formation of substances that would have created a universe of chaos.

Now consider this.  There was a delicate balance in the creation of life.  The forming substance of the fledgling universe was the precursor of life as we know it.  If, by random chance, even one electron had been added to or been taken away from the elements of the forming substance, the universe - and life itself - may be quite different from what we know it to be.  Perhaps life would not even have found favorable conditions to begin existence.  But the set of natural laws established by the Power orchestrated the elements and guided them to form substances that would eventually evolve into conditions where life as we know it could begin.

Everything in the universe came from these elements and formed according to the laws established by the Power in primordial time.  We are evolved descendents of those elements and laws and we have inherited the power to tap into them and touch the knowing that we are the energy and intelligence that created those laws and elements.  When we do, we access awareness of the power to alter and/or correct the process of those elements that repond to aberrant laws, laws not positively ordained by the Power.  Through this access, we can correct and rearrange mutant cells in any element and thereby re-establish the perfection of that element that was intended to evolve as the perfection of life.  We call this healing.  We are Life, and we have a right to that healing, to that perfection.

 

Henry Petru, Reiki Master, EFT Practitioner, Author

December 2008

 

Join us December 21st immediately following 1:00pm service for a Christmas Potluck!  The potluck will be held in "The Retreat" behind the sanctuary at Holy Cross Lutheran Church 4622 S. Lamar Blvd.  You can register online by clicking here or by calling the church office at 892-3000.  Please bring a dish to share, either a casserole, side or dessert.  We hope to see you there! 

MOST OF YOU KNOW that we will be moving into our new facility mid January.   This is an important and powerful milestone for this ministry. We are participating in a powerful spiritual work which will impact not only our community, but the greater human family.

OUR NEW CHURCH HOME is beautiful, peaceful and it is a highly visible sign of the importance that Unity Church is giving to the expansion of the truth principles of Jesus Christ.  Our belief in our oneness with God and each other is in the carved sign about our door: UNITY. Into this place of worship, we are inviting others to come and discover their own spiritual oneness with God. We are indebted to OUR BUILDING COMMITTEE, JONAS OWEN, RICHARD WOODBERRY, DAVID OLD AND DON LUMUS.

One of the very best things that we want to share are the changes and improvements in our new YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY.  JESSSICA CONN IS OUR NEW YOUTH AND FAMILY PASTOR.  She has organized our first Camp Fire USA Club which is open to children of our surrounding community. JESSICA has also completely re-done the website.  The new site offers RSS feeds so people can subscribe to the calendar, the newsletter and the new blog!  It also has offers the ability to update contact information and register for events online.  JESSICA has been writing new curriculum and initiated the use of a program called Godly Play.  JESSICA has changed class room structure and division, started a community service project, developed parenting classes and workshops to begin in January and has created an online parent support group.  We can also look forward to SCHOOL OF ROCK which will be back in action when we move into the new building. THANKS TO INSPIRED NEW LEADERSHIP, OUR YOUTH AND FAMILY MINISTRY IS COMING TO LIFE.

We continue to provide INSPIRATIONAL CLASSES FOR ADULTS interested in spiritual growth. Current classes include:  The Gnostic Gospel of St. Thomas (the Discipleship Training curriculum), Living the Truth: Becoming a Spiritually Mature Adult and a New Earth: Awakening to your Life’s Purpose.  For other classes and times, see Sunday bulletins or check in at our NEW WEB SITE, www.unitychurchofaustin.org which is being organized as we write. See LINDA GILLESEPIE, LUT if you need credit classes.  She and MARY FALOON are our LICENSED UNITY TEACHERS.

MARSHA KRAMER has done a terrific job in organizing and energizing the new group for WOMEN. We currently number 14 and more are joining. This is a pot of fun and great for sisterly prayer and support. HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES ARE PLANNED FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11^TH.

THE PASTORAL ASSISTANTS, after a brief break, will begin to meet again in January to study and practice more effective ministry for our community. The next discussions and classes will be focused on praying for others and supporting congregants in both hospice and hospital care. They are TIM CORDER, MARGO ADKINS, CARMEN SEPULVEDA, NANCY PORTER, ROBIN FRIAR, AND DEB SLAZER. These chaplains will pray with you on the phone, by e-mail and on Sunday mornings after service.

Meantime, NANCY PORTER, OUR PRAYER AND MEDITATION PASTOR, (who has trained with Father Keating and students of Thomas Merton) plans to expand our meditation services to include a monthly prayer service called Taize. The service includes quiet music, silence, and scripture reading. The Wednesday night CENTERING PRAYER SERVICE continues at 7 p.m.  in our business offices at 5501 290 West.

HENRY PETRU deserves our gratitude for continuing the work of the HEALING MINISTRY by appointment at his personal studio. As soon as the new church opens, other practitioners will join him in the practice of healing work with the body’s own energies.

THE SILENT UNITY PRAYER TEAM receives and prays with every individual who seeks prayer support. This prayer team is activated by MARGO ADKINS. Your letters seeking prayer responses are always answered as soon as possible by our letter writer. All prayer requests are mailed to SILENT UNITY at our UNITY HEADQUARTERS IN MISSOURI for more prayer and blessings.

GLEN LANGFORD, MUSIC DIRECTOR is seeking recruits for the Unity Ensemble so there is a place for you if you love music and performance. We need MUSICIANS and SINGERS.  GLEN says there is a place for everyone to sing, play or dance.  We are interested in signing up folks for our bell choir which we hope to introduce at Easter. Ensemble practice takes place on Wednesday nights, 7:00 p.m. at Holy Cross. 

VOLUNTEER AND SOCIAL ACTIVITES COORDINATORS, ANDREA CORDER AND CONNIE WALSTROM, also have a place for you. If you have special interests in serving God through service in this community, there is a place for you. They are at the church on Sunday mornings and may be contacted through the business office.  Find something you love to do and speak up or create a new program. At this time, we need every person who is able to contribute to the smooth operation of our growing ministry’s move into the new church. WE LOVE ALL OF YOU WHO DO THIS WORK.

SUNDAY USHERS have been under the direction of Bob Walston who is now taking a rest after more than 10 years of being HEAD USHER.  USHERS AND GREETERS are the first faces that both our visitors and attendees see. If you like people and you want to get to know others, as well as offer smiles and hugs to our visitors, call the office or see ANDREA CORDER. Our Sunday greeters take turns assisting and we will need more of you in the new building. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU BOB. He is not retiring; he is just cutting back on time spent on Sundays.  Our love to Bob.

Our office is now being managed by AMANDA WAGNER. She is the friendly new face you see on Sundays making sure that everything is going well.  In an economic measure, we replaced two staff people with Amanda. Call the office and the pleasant voice you hear will be hers. WELCOME AMANDA!

We could not operate on Sundays and special occasions without our sound technicians. GREG HUBBARD AND MATTHEW RILEY are assisted by JASON SOUTHERLAND.  They are looking forward to the new sound room and state of the art equipment.  They are also responsible for making the CDs for the Service. They give free copies to all whom request.

BOOK STORE:  Yes, in our new space we will have inspirational books, Bibles, wind chimes, angel critters by Margo, cards, and other wonderful Unity Things.  There will be Sittin’ and Readin’ chairs and folks to help. KATE JORGENSEN will be working with BARRY CRAVEN to stock our store.  We hope to provide snazzy vests to identify all book store volunteers.  If books are your first love, we are looking for you.

YOGA CLASSES will begin in February.  We are aiming for twice weekly. Stay tuned for dates.

AARON, WITH THE HELP OF TWO OF OUR MEMBERS, will be activating a Twelve Step program which will be registered with the Intergroup Office. A steering committee is being formed to serve as a group consciousness pane. Our BOOK STORE will stock Big Books and materials. Every person in recovery willing to commit to the formation of this group and be present to others finding a path to Higher Power and recovery should call our business office at 512/892-3000.

TAMMY CARTER with your help will coordinate the formation of our Dinner Circles in March. This gives all of us the opportunity to share a meal and fellowship with each other in our homes or our brand new kitchen. This is a monthly occasion to meet and greet.

OUR FINANCE TEAM is in full charge, with Board of Director supervision, of our finances and budget. TIM CORDER, TAMMY CARTER, DAVE PORTER AND DON LUMUS are willing to speak with you and answer questions.  These people, with PAT POPE, OUR BOOKKEEPER, have a tremendous responsibility and are eager to have you pray with them. Do!

OUR PET MINISTER!! Not many churches have pet ministers. We are fortunate to have PET PASTOR, SUZANNE GAINES to provide loving services to you and your pets. She will help you arrange care and pet sitting, pray with you and your loved ones, and arrange for pet memorial services. 

KEY LEADERS, our largest small group is composed of a group of leaders who are too numerous to mention and most of them and their projects are already mentioned.  THEY HOWEVER KEEP THE MINISTRY GOING.

WE ARE A PERMISSION GIVING MINISTRY. HAVE AN IDEA, A PROJECT, A PROGRAM YOU WANT TO INITIATE? COME TO SEE THE MINISTER AND STAFF.  IF YOU HAVE THREE PEOPLE TO WORK WITH YOU, IF YOUR PROPOSAL FITS IN WITH THE GOALS AND PURPOSE OF THIS MINISTRY AND IF WE CAN FIND THE FUNDS TO ASSIST YOU ( IF ANY ARE NEEDED), THEN YOU HAVE A NEW ROLE IN MINISTRY.

HAPPY NEW YEAR AND NEW BEGINNINGS!

Unity Church of Austin December 2008 Newsletter

We continue to enjoy new faces on Sundays!  Thanks to everyone who has continued to come in spite of our new meeting time and place.  Construction is underway at the new church building.  We hope you were able to stop by and see the changes when we had an open house in November.

We continue to hold Sunday service in our temporary home at 1:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church located at 4622 S. Lamar Blvd.  We are very excited about the Advent services we have planned this Holiday Season.  We look forward to seeing you and your loved ones every week as we delve into the true meaning of the season.

The adult Sunday School class "A New Earth", based on Eckhart Tolle's recent book, continues to take place at the Retreat (directly behind the Y.E.) Sundays at 11:30am. 

The Women's Group is in full swing.  If you haven't attended a meeting yet, please check it out.  The group normally meets on the 4th Thursday of every month at 7pm at the Unity Offices - 5501 Hwy 290 W.  However, due to the holidays the next meeting is December 11th, at the home of Marsha Endahl Kramer.   Andrea Corder will facilitate a Christmas based discussion.

Visit our website www.unitychurchofaustin.org to check out our new look and layout.  Jessica Conn has redesigned the website.  You can now subscribe to the blog and newsletters via RSS feed.  You can also update your contact information and register for events online.  Check the calendar frequently to keep in touch with what is happening at Unity Church of Austin.

One last concern, we are still really in need of volunteers---youth education, greeters, set-up teams and choir members to name a few areas.  Please visit the volunteering section of our website for specifics.    If you can help out in any way, please email the church offices at unity@unitychurchofaustin.org  Thank you. 

Blessings,

Unity Church of Austin Staff

 

Statement of Faith for December

"The Christ within me is my hope of glory - His brightness clears away the darkness and I am filled with light."

From The Pastor's Pen

“Opening Their Treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11

The book of Matthew records an ancient story of wise men who made a long journey to Jerusalem to find a child who was born into the history of the Jewish people. We do not know who they were or really where they were from. 

We do know  that for over 200 years there had been among the Hebrews an expectation of the coming of the Messiah,  the chosen one, the one sent to save.  In that era some 50 years before the birth of Jesus and recorded by Roman historians, a Persian astrologer named Tiridates traveled to Rome predicting the coming of a Messiah. The world was restless and waiting.

The Armenian Gospel of the Infancy  identifies  the wise men as Melchior (light) King of Persia; Caspar (white) King of India; and Balthasar (Lord of the Treasury) King of Arabia.  Whatever their names and wherever they came from,  they had received revelation of the beginning of a new way to be on planet and a Holy one who was sent to show the way.

In the Hebrew culture of Jesus’s day, the giving of gifts was important. The love gift or “minha” was symbolic of good will and the expression of the loving care and devotion of the giver.  To the infant Jesus, (probably  sometime after His birth) the wise men brought gold, the gift for a king, frankincense, the gift for a priest and myrrh, the gift for one who was to die. In this way they honored the revelation they had received of the role and destiny of Jesus.

As we honor Christmas traditions and give to each other and our community gifts that express our love, care and respect, we are honoring the traditions of  thousands of years.  We are also given three gifts which our Creator God invites us to accept as we choose. 

To the wise men he sent a star, a new reason to look up with hope and expectancy. He sent to the shepherds a song, an new reason to live, and to this formed universe, He sent the perfected revelation of Himself , a new reason to love. The Word, the creative energy of God, became flesh and dwelled among us in love.

The human family received a new reason to hope, a new reason to live and a new reason to love. These are not just seasonal gifts,  rather they are eternal gifts which are offered us every moment of our human experience.

Let me remind you during this special Christmas season, that we may also pass along these eternal gifts to another with our words, action and with the way we reveal the Christ day by day.  

I pray for all of us a greater hope, a greater realization of life and for every one of us to love each other.

 

Rev. Analea  Rawson with gratitude to John Bishop for the history lesson

 

UPCOMING CLASSES

ADULT SUNDAY CLASSES

Time: 11:30 am-12:30 pm               Facilitator: Linda Gillispie
 Location:  Retreat Building            Non-credit classes

A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose

This class will study and discuss Eckhart Tolle's  book, A New Earth (one of Oprah's picks).  From page 6:  This book is about you.  It will change your state of consciousness or it will be meaningless.  It can only awaken those who are ready.  Not everyone is ready yet, but many are, and with each person who awakens, the momentum in the collective consciousness grows, and it becomes easier for others.  If you don't know what awakening means, read on.  Only by awakening can you know the true meaning of the word.  A glimpse is enough to initiate the awakening process, which is irreversible.  For some, that glimpse will come while reading this book.  For many others who may not even have realized it, the process has already begun.

Are you ready?  Come find out.

To sign up for this class please call the church offices at (512) 892-3000 or e-mail unity@unitychurchofaustin.org.  Child care is provided at this and all Unity Church of Austin classes with 1 week prior notice.

 Weekly Services, Classes and Groups- 

Sunday Worship: 1:00 pm at Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Sunday Youth Education:  1:00 pm at Holy Cross Lutheran Church - Qualben Hall
Sunday Uniteens:  1:00 pm at  Holy Cross Lutheran Church - Qualben Hall

"Real Love"  Group:  Sunday, 10:30 am, Holy Cross YE building.

Adult Sunday School 11:30-12:30  Now meeting at the Ministry building behind the YE.  Join us for a stimulating discussion on Eckhart Tolle's book, A New Earth.

The Disciples Study Group:  Meets Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00 pm at the church offices

Centering Prayer & Meditation Service: Meets Wednesdays, 7:00 pm at the church offices

Camp Fire USA Club: Meets Wednesdays, 5:30 - 7:00 pm at Holy Cross Lutheran Church at Qualben Hall.  Dinner is included.

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Youth and Family Ministry

 

Your Help is Needed!

    The Youth Education Department needs you!  We are starting some new programs to revitalize our Youth Ministry and need volunteers to help.  There are a variety of times and positions available for volunteering (it's not just during Sunday services).  Please visit the volunteering section of our website for specifics.  If you would like to volunteer you may contact Jessica Conn at the church office 892-3000 or jessica@unitychurchofaustin.org

Homeless Project

    The Youth have begun an ongoing project to help the Homeless in Austin.  Throughout the fall and winter we will be accepting donations for coats, socks and fleece (2yd batches).  The donation box will be at the back of the sanctuary on Sundays and at the church office during the week.

  Sundays after service interested youth and adults will gather at Qualben Hall to make fleece blankets for the homeless.  These blankets are fun and easy to make and require no sewing!  Each month we will take the blankets to ARCH to hand out to the homeless to protect them from the cold temperatures.  These desperately coats and socks are desparately needed to survive through the winter.

  For more information contact Jessica Conn 892-3000 or jessica@unitychurchofaustin.org

Classes & Workshops for Parents

    Starting in 2009 we will have a workshop each month for parents.  We will also offer a series of classes on a variety of topics related to families and children.  The first workshop is going to be January 24th and the topic is Healthy Habits for Healthy Minds and Bodies, facilitated by Frances Meiser.  The location is to be determined, pending the status of construction on the new church building.

School of Rock

    Starting in January, when we move into the new church building, Jon Owens will be back with his School of Rock to provide musical enrichment for our youth.  The program will take place on Sundays, exact time to be determined and will include a band practice and special guests.

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Prayer Healing Ministry

What is Prayer Healing Ministry?

      A Prayer Healing treatment combines focused prayer and a Reiki treatment.  Reiki is a hands-on spiritual healing art, known in the West as laying-on of hands.  A Reiki session is performed by a Reiki practitioner, laying hands on a recipient's body in specific positions.  Universal healing energy flows through the practitioner's hands to stimulate the recipient's own healing energies.  The recipient is fully clothed and lies comfortably on a massage table.

     The combination of Reiki energy with the heartfelt prayers of the Prayer Healing Ministry practitioners makes for a powerfully relaxing and peaceful experience.  Suggested offering: $15.00

Contact Henry Petru 282-3705 for appointment.

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Piano Passion: Concert for a New World

The Original Music of Will Tuttle

Wednesday, December 3rd, 7:00-8:30 pm, Holy Cross music Church

     Will Tuttle's uplifting original piano mucis evokes deep feelings and a sense of wonder and adventure.  An acclaimed pianist, composer and recording artist, as well as a Dharma Master in the Zen tradition, he had performed widely throughout North America and Europe for the past 15 years, and has created 6 beloved CD albums of all-original piano music.

     This Piano Passion Concert is an affirmative musical prayer for world peace and for celebrating the beauty of the Earth and potential of our Spirit.  Rooted in ancient sacred traditions that see music as a vehicle of consciousness, the concert generates a visionary of healing and insight.  It includes visionar art by Will's spouse, Madeleine, a visionary nature artist from Switzerland.

     Come and expect to be transported, uplifted, and carried to new inner places!

Unity Church of Austin November 2008 Newsletter We continue to enjoy new faces on Sundays!  Thanks to everyone who has continued to come in spite of our new meeting time and place.  Construction is underway at the new church building and it's all very exciting.  If you call the church office you will hear a new voice.  Amanda Wagner has been hired as the new Office Manager. We continue to hold Sunday service in our temporary home at 1:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church located at 4622 S. Lamar Blvd.  With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the lessons we share here instruct, inspire and generally help all of us grow in wisdom and in grace. We will be meeting at Holy Cross until late December or early January when Phase I of our new church facilities are completed.  Join us in welcoming Jessica Conn as our new Youth and Family Pastor.  Many of you have already met her at Sunday services.  Jessica comes to us with a rich and varied background including marketing and education and we're excited about the changes happening in the Youth Ministry! The adult Sunday School class "A New Earth", based on Eckhart Tolle's recent book, continues to take place at the Retreat (directly behind the Y.E.) Sundays at 11:30am.    The Women's Group is in full swing.  If you haven't attended a meeting yet, please check it out.  The group normally meets on the 4th Thursday of every month at 7pm at the Unity Offices - 5501 Hwy 290 W.  However, due to the holidays the next meeting is December 11th, at the home of Marsha Endahl Kramer.   Andrea Corder will facilitate a Christmas based discussion.   Unity Church Ensemble has begun practicing. To participate, please attend a rehearsal at Holy Cross, 7:00pm on Nov 12.   We also have a Camp Fire USA group at the church now.  The group is open to youth in grades K-12 and their families.    Visit our website www.unitychurchofaustin.org to keep in touch with what is happening at Unity Church of Austin. On our website you will be able to listen to recent Sunday lessons or download them to your iPod. You can also view our Sunday lessons via video. A Google Calendar is maintained listing upcoming classes, services and group meetings for the year.   One last concern, we really are in need of volunteers---youth education, greeters, set-up teams and choir members to name a few areas.    If you can help out in any way, please email the church offices at unity@unitychurchofaustin.org  Thank you.      Blessings,   Unity Church of Austin Staff
Statement of Faith for November "There is but one presence and one power in my life, God the good omnipotent." From The Pastor's Pen   "YE SHALL SEEK ME AND FIND ME WHEN YE SHALL SEEK FOR ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART."   Meister Eckhart, the 13th century Catholic priest and mystic, once wrote, "If a man goes seeking God and with God something else, he will not find God. But if one seeks only God and really so, he will never find only God, but along with God Himself, he will find all that God is capable of."   This is a commentary on an important scripture found in Jeremiah 29:13, "Ye shall seek me and find me when ye seek me with all your heart."   Seeking with all your heart means  seeking the presence of God without self importance and without  putting the fulfillment of personal desires and needs first. It  demands surrendering any confidence and investment in human  will so that only God's will and purpose for us can be fulfilled in and through us.   The question that occurs is how do we seek wholeheartedly instead of half heartedly or non heartedly. Most of us first seek the fulfillment of our desires, wishes, wants and dreams and simply include God in a benediction or blessing on them. As Eckhart wrote, we will not find God that way.   To seek wholeheartedly requires prayerful discipline and the practice of humility. Humility is a spiritual strength that comes only with the willful surrender of all life experience to God. The humble person turns himself completely over to God and the fulfillment of God's will in every event and experience . . The first step toward humility begins with the prayer of Jesus, "Thy will be done." That prayer is most often done when a soul has exhausted all choices and is tired of all the inner contradictions and illusions.  However, this prayer is always meant to be first in practice.   A simple way to begin to put God first is to begin each day with an affirmative intention; "God is first in my thoughts, my plans and my action this day, this hour and this minute."  Then pay attention through out the day  renewing   your commitment and claiming the power of God to strengthen and enable you  to do it. At the end of the day review and seek forgiveness for failures.   You cannot do this alone. And you are not alone.  God will assist you as you steadily depend on Him.  A yielded heart and faithful practice will draw you into a living, loving relationship with the Creator and Source of your life.  Remember that God honors intention and God honors your willingness toward His loving direction of your existence. His power will support you and His bounty will provide for you.   Continuous surrender to God's will ensure that God is first. His will for you to experience His Goodness far outweighs your will in putting your limited self interests first.  As always, prayer and practice are the keys to a transformed life.  The more of personal will you surrender, the more of God's will for Good shows up in daily living.