One Presence ...

A couple weeks ago, the Daily Word was "Sacred Space." My physical sacred spaces are: My sitting room with my comfortable chair, candle and various spiritual books; Being outside; Being at Unity, whether working or worshiping, is sacred space.

The affirmation for that day said: I create sacred space inside of me." As I took my dogs out for a walk that afternoon, I repeated that affirmation several times - imagining a space inside me where I can always access Holy Spirit. On that walk (and every walk) I paid particular attention to the birds singing, the breeze on my face and the cool air on my skin.

Although I love the outdoors, I know I don't have to be in a beautiful place to be in sacred space. In fact, all I have to do is remember our first principle: There is One Presence and One Power in the universe and in my life: God the Good, Omnipotent.

~ JEAN

In an Instant ... or Slowly Over Time

Yesterday's Daily Word was "My Dream." Part of it reads: "When I reflect on what I want to do, who I want to be, and where I want to go, my heart's desire is revealed. It may unfold in an instant or slowly over time."

Here is a short nature story.

Last winter's harsh weather killed a lot of plants and trees including our juniper bush. My husband has been removing the brush and roots from that plant over the last month or so.

I told him my objective for that space, when

empty and open, was to plant a bunch of spring flowering bulbs. He bought two bags of daffodil bulbs for me on one of his trips to Lowe's. On another trip to Lowe's, together, we bought three more bags of bulbs, some topsoil and grass seed for that area.

A week ago he finished leveling the soil and together we started digging. Groups of eight or ten plants look best together. In relatively short order, we had planted all 187 bulbs in 5-6 inch deep holes. Then he spread and raked in the grass seed. The above picture is what it looked like.

In the last seven days we have had rain, sun, rain again and sun again. And it seems like, in an instant, grass has begun to grow - an inch or more in some areas.

The bright green (foreground) is the new grass, the dark green (background) is the established grass.

The bulbs will, of course, show up much more slowly - in the spring.

I am open to knowing both in an instant and slowly over time what is mine to do.

~ JEAN

CONFERENCE

This past week, Jean and I had the privilege of attending the annual Unity Worldwide Ministries Eastern Region Fall Conference in Richmond, Virginia.  The Eastern Region of Unity Worldwide Ministries is comprised of Unity churches from thirteen Northeastern states spanning from Maine to Virginia.  Each year, representatives from these churches – ministers, licensed teachers, board members, staff, and lay leaders – converge on one central location for four days of inspiration, education, and rejuvenation.  As usual, this year’s conference was chock-full of opportunities for personal and professional growth, as well as connection with other like-minded individuals from the larger Unity movement.

Unity of Richmond

One of the highlights of my conference experience this year was our visit to two nearby Unity centers – Unity of Richmond and Unity Christ Church of Bon Air.  Traditionally, the host center offers a special evening meal and celebration service during the four-day conference.  This year, we were blessed to have two host centers.  On Tuesday evening we attended a German Oktoberfest dinner and worship service at Unity of Richmond.  On Wednesday evening, we attended a Mexican fiesta dinner and concert at Unity of Bon Air.  Members of both churches greeted us with open arms, full of enthusiasm for their special guests from the Eastern Region.  Both churches recently completed capital campaigns, so their buildings are newly renovated and gorgeous.  They also put together incredibly uplifting, inspirational, and music-filled services for both their members and their guests on these special evenings.  The energy in the room at each service was so high that the people in attendance spent most of the time on their feet, dancing and clapping.  

Meditation Gardens - Unity of Bon Air

In contrast to the experience of being able to relax and enjoy the celebration services at Unity of Richmond and Unity of Bon Air, my other favorite part of this (and every) conference was the time devoted to teaching and learning best practices in ministry.  This year, there were two sessions on this topic.  One centered around the idea of small group ministry and how to effectively organize and conduct small groups.  The other was a breakfast meeting at which people in similar roles in their spiritual communities sat together and discussed the strategies they have developed for “doing” ministry effectively.  I learned many helpful tips, both this year and last year, from other Unity office administrators from around the Eastern Region.

On the long ride home from conference on Thursday afternoon, Jean and I made a list of all of the great ideas we gathered from our various experiences in Richmond.   We are coming back to New Jersey energized by our time spent connecting to the Eastern Region and “Big Unity.”  We look forward to sharing some of these ideas with you and, as always, we continue to look for both innovative and tried-and-true ways to help our spiritual center to grow and thrive.

With gratitude, 

~REBECCA

Those Words

“I hate you!” – I said this to a friend after losing a card game recently – in jest but said out loud nevertheless.

“I hate him!” – I've said this about an athlete playing against “my” team. I've also said this about a politician with whom I disagree.

What I know about this is:

1. I don’t like hearing myself thinking this phrase – much less saying it out loud.
2. I don’t want a friend or acquaintance to have those words in my voice in their memory.
3. What I think and say matters (The Law of Mind Action).
4. I don’t want to hear someone say something hurtful to me that I will remember either.

I woke up the morning after the card game asking myself incredulously: Did I actually say those words to her? I was sad to say that I had. I apologized to my card-playing friend later that day. She said, “Hey, that was in the “heat” of the card game. There’s no need for forgiveness. I love you.” I love her for that … and … I will be paying closer attention to the words coming out of my mouth.

~ JEAN