unity newsletter janfeb2014 · new year, full of things that have never been.” it will be an...

Newsletter

January - February 2014

From the Board President

Welcome to 2014

Wow! It is difficult for me to believe that we are in 2014 already! I guess time really does fly when you are having fun!

I read somewhere that life is like a book. Some chapters are sad, some are happy and some are exciting. But if you never turn the page, you will never know what the next chapter holds.

I realized this in the past year as I struggled with letting go of some chairs that I have had and loved for more than 30 years. The combined efforts of the sun and my beloved furry friends have them in dire need of some repairs. I have been working with this for at least two years but have found no fabric that I like nearly as much as what I already had.

While visiting — and of course shopping with — my daughter, I found an awesomely comfortable new chair. It was a little pricey and perhaps not quite as pretty as my old chairs, but it was much more comfortable. It took me about eight months to finally take the plunge and buy it. And now I am delighted with the feel of this new chair.

This year we embark on our great journey of choosing our next minister. We may not yet know what our perfect match will look like, but I am confident that we will find and embrace our new minister more easily and quickly than it took me to welcome my new chair! I also know we will be happier than we have been, just as I am with my new addition.

So I close with this quote from Rainer Maria Rilke: “And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been.”

It will be an exciting new chapter for us! I hope you will join me in visualizing our minister coming home to our Unity family.

With love, joy and anticipation,

Jacqueline

Unity of Harrisburg January—February 2014 2

Minister Search Process—Update

The Church Information Packet was posted on the Unity Worldwide Ministries website in mid-October with a request that resumes be submitted by December 31, 2013. The Minister Search Team will be reviewing resumes, DVDs, CDs and other materials submitted by interested ministers in January. After this review, a decision will be made on which candidates to interview by phone. Those that have a successful phone interview will be invited for a weekend to be interviewed by the board of trustees. The successful candidate will also be the guest speaker on Sunday and conduct a workshop on Saturday afternoon. Members of the Minister Search Team: Lois Batcheler, Sandy Boothe, Barbara Dominick, Darla Henry, David Mihan, Barbara Nelson, Susan Signore-Smith, Todd Wrightstone.

Winter Book Study

The Only Thing That Matters

Mondays, 7:00 - 8:30 pm, January 13 – February 24 or

Wednesdays, 10:00 - 11:30 am, January 15 – February 26

Our next book discussion groups will be based on The Only Thing That Matters by Neale Donald Walsch. Classes will be in Fellowship Hall, opening with readings or meditation as a large group, and then dividing into smaller groups with a facilitator for each small group.

You may be familiar with Walsch’s series Conversations with God. This is the second of a new series entitled Conversations with Humanity. In his introduction Walsch says:

“98% of the world’s people are spending 98% of their time on things that don’t matter. You have been part of that 98%. Now you are no longer. From this day forward you choose to spend your time on The Only Thing That Matters. The question is, what is that? Here is . . . your answer to that question.”

You are asked to read about 30 pages of the book each week to be ready for discussion. If you would like to be a facilitator of a small group, please indicate that on the sign-up sheet. We will have a short training for facilitators prior to the beginning of the book study. Nancy Kohlstruk and Stephanie Dynan have prepared a study guide and questions to help facilitators with their groups. Sign up sheets will be available December 29 through January 12. If you have any questions please contact Nancy at: [email protected] or 717-731-8502.


January 5:

“The Mystery of Revelation” - guest speaker, Charles Lee This talk will cover some of the cryptic language used in the book of Revelation. We will explore the hidden meanings of such concepts as the "Beast", 666, and the great Harlot. We will also see what they are telling us about our lives today, and what they are showing us about glorious prosperous living.

January 12:

“A Really Big Fish” - guest speaker, Sharon Hillman, LUT The metaphysics of the story of Jonah.

January 19:

“What Unity Teaches” - guest speaker, Darla Henry, PhD, MSW, MARS

The foundations of Charles and Myrtle Fillmore.

January 26:

“The Universal Happiness Plan” - guest speaker, Rev. Pamela Whitman

“The Universal Happiness Plan” is code. Rev. Pamela Whitman will explain what lies beneath using stick figures and a spoonful of sugar.

February 2:

“Knowing Your Purpose” - guest speaker, Charles Lee

We will explore the story of creation in Genesis and see what it is really telling us. We will uncover how it is telling us why we are here and what we are meant to do. .

February 9:

“Transcending Loss” - guest speaker, Sharon Hillman, LUT Transcending Loss, the SOAR Solution, Spirituality, Outreach, Attitude, and Reinvestment, based on the book Transcending Loss by Ashley Davis Prend.

February 16:

“Exploring the Power of Love” - guest speaker, Darla Henry, PhD, MSW, MARS

The sacred art of loving kindness.

February 23:

“Living Originally” - guest speaker, Darla Henry, PhD, MSW, MARS

Spiritual practices to transform our lives.


Special Music

January 5 Charles Lee January 12 Jonathan Frazier January 19 Kate McCutchan January 26 Seasons

February 5 Charles Lee February 12 Kate McCutchan, Alicia Smith, Carol Smith February 19 LEA February 26 Womack and Lowery

Kate McCutchan Carol Smith

During these cold months, we're bringing some heat to our Sunday mornings! Charles Lee will be warming us up with his own style of spiritual fire; Jonathan Frazier brings his amazing flutes to inspire us with the very breath he takes. Kate will remind us of Martin Luther King's dreams, while Seasons Family Band play the strings of our hearts to perfection.

A welcome addition to our musical family, Alicia Smith brings her talent on the flute to join Kate on piano and Carol on drum. LEA is back with her stirring guitar and vocals, while Janie and Julie serenade us with their wondrous harmonies.

LEA's Community Cares Concert has been rescheduled for February 16 at noon in the sanctuary. Please join us for LEA's warm and heartfelt music; 50 percent of the proceeds will be donated to PA Breast Cancer Coalition. This is a project dear to Kate's heart, as a sister and an aunt have been long-time survivors of breast cancer. Come and share a story, a song, a poem, or just enjoy the music - we welcome your support.

Drum Circle will not be happening in January/February. Join us again for our monthly Drum Circle on Sunday, March 30 at noon in the sanctuary.

Community Cares Concert with LEA Sunday, February 16, Noon

Donation $15

Join Unity and LEA in a Community Cares Concert in support of the PA Breast Cancer Coalition.

Anyone who attends will be invited to share a song or spoken word, if they would like.

LEA will then give a 45-60 minute concert. She will be donating 50 percent of the love offering to the PA Breast Cancer Coalition.

LEA is more than simply a singer songwriter. She is a “musical visionary,” specializing in uplifting, thought provoking and positive music. Her sound seamlessly blends gospel, jazz, country and R&B into her own brand of “feel-good” contemporary folk.

Visit her website at www.thisisLEA.com.


Valentine's Day "Love Your Neighbor" Potluck

Come enjoy our Unity love for our second annual Valentine's Day "Love Your Neighbor" potluck dinner and food drive being held February 16 immediately following the Sunday Celebration Service in Fellowship Hall. Your generosity will help support the "Living Manna" meal program at Calvary United Methodist Church in Lemoyne. Along with a potluck dish to share, everyone is asked to bring a donation of at least one large can, available from Costco, BJs or Sam's Club, of vegetables, or boxes of spaghetti/pasta. Let’s surpass last year’s col-lection of 142 pounds of donations for “Living Manna.” Potluck sign-up sheets will be in the foyer closer to the event. Questions can be directed to Travis Neiss or Christine Rapp at [email protected] or 717-919-1470. And then let’s extend our generosity to the PA Breast Cancer Coalition by attending the LEA Community Cares Concert at noon.

Experiencing the SOAR Solution

Sunday, February 9, Noon - 3:00 pm, Eric Butterworth Room

Facilitated by Sharon Hillman, LUT

Loss is an experience that naturally is part of life. We can find opportunity in crisis, and transcend the pain to promise. In her book Transcending Loss, Ashley Davis Prend has created a method called SOAR—Spirituality, Outreach, Attitude, and Reinvestment. In this workshop we will have an experiential opportunity to break through whatever loss may be blocking us in our life. This will be a gentle, loving approach in a safe environment with others who have experienced some loss in their lives. Suggested love offering, $20.

GREEN TEAM Unity of Harrisburg supports the environment and wise stewardship of our planet. To better serve the congregation we have developed the "Green Team" to address various areas in which the congregation has expressed interest.

The leaders for two of our Green Teams, “Green Church” and “Environmental Concerns,” have moved and are no longer available to facilitate these teams.

If you are interested in helping support green initiatives, we would welcome your input. Call the church office at 717-732-9773 and one of the board members will contact you to discuss how you can become involved.


As I write this, the Youth Education Ministry is celebrating another Christmas program well-executed and well-received! The kids had fun this year creating their own interpretation of the beloved classic, The Polar Express, and were thrilled to be able to perform it in front of a full house at Fellowship Hall after the Sunday service. It means so much to all of us that this event is well-supported, and we work really hard to provide a program that is fun, meaningful, and able to accommodate everyone who wants to be included. It's fun to see the kids stretching beyond their comfort zones to play their roles as intended, and supporting each other in their efforts. We have some awesome kids! Now we're looking forward to the calmer days that lie ahead in January and February, and to resuming our normal class schedule. The first and third Sundays of each month will continue to be “one room schoolhouse” days, where all the kids ages 6-18 come together for fun and fellowship. The second and fourth Sundays will have them breaking up into three age groups, with curriculum appropriate to each. Catherine Wrightstone, Jennifer King, and Sandy Pottieger will continue their work with the Unikids, Uniteens and Y.O.U. groups, respectively. Our newer Unitot class will continue to be offered for our littlest members, age

five and under, by Barbara Dominick and Nicole Fortney. On January 5, all the children will be participating in their own Burning Bowl service, similar to that of the adults. They will have an opportunity to write down and burn the things they want to let go of, as well as write a letter to the future affirming what they want to see in the year to come. We are ALWAYS in need of volunteers, and there are various ways to join and serve. We are in need of a couple of teachers for the younger age groups, and we could always use substitutes who are willing to fill in when one of our regulars is una-ble to teach. Finally, we love to have those “angels in the wings,” able to help out with special events, service activities, and the like. Thanks in advance for considering getting involved with our youth – you won't regret it! If you are not already on our e-mail list, and would like to stay up-to-the-minute on Youth Education happenings, please send me an e-mail at [email protected].

In love and light,

Vanessa


Unity of Harrisburg is creating a new directory for members and friends.

Free portrait sessions will be available at Unity from 2:00 - 9:00 pm on Tuesday February 11 and Wednesday February 12.


Key:

Sanc - Sanctuary EH - Ernest Holmes Room BR - Board Room FH - Fellowship Hall BS - Book Store L - Labyrinth EB - Eric Butterworth Room RWE - Ralph Waldo Emerson Room

Having Fun with Our Unity FamilyHaving Fun with Our Unity FamilyHaving Fun with Our Unity Family

Unity Game Night - Food, Fun and a Little Friendly Competition

Our next Game Nights will be held on Friday January 10 and February 14 at 6:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. Come join us for food, games and a fun evening with your Unity family. Bring your favorite game and food to share if you like. All are welcome.

For more information, please contact Mary Fortney at 717-608-7065 or [email protected].

Looking forward to having fun with you ……………….. Mary Fortney

~ January 2014 ~

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Happy New Year

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3

4

5 Sunday Celebration Service Charles Lee – 10:00 am Leadership Council Meeting 11:30 am (Sanc)

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10 Unity Game Night 6:00 pm (FH)

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12 Sunday Celebration Service Sharon Hillman – 10:00 am Reiki Share – 11:15 am (EB)

13 “The Only Thing That Matters” 7:00 pm (FH)

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15 “The Only Thing That Matters” 10:00 am (FH) Board Meeting 5:00 pm (office)

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19 Sunday Celebration Service Dr. Darla Henry – 10:00 am


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22 “The Only Thing That Matters” 10:00 am (FH)

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26 Sunday Celebration Service Rev. Pamela Whitman – 10:00 am


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Leadership Council – Meets the first Sunday of the month at 11:30 am in the Sanctuary. All members are invited to attend.

Reiki Share – Meets the second Sunday of the month immediately following the Celebration Service in the Eric Butterworth room. Our Reiki Share is open to everyone, but only those who have been attuned to some form of Reiki will be providing healing sessions. Facilitated by Krista Wetterhall.

~ February 2014 ~

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

2 Sunday Celebration Service Charles Lee – 10:00 am Leadership Council Meeting 11:30 am (Sanc)


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7

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9 Sunday Celebration Service Sharon Hillman – 10:00 am Reiki Share – 11:15 am (EB) “Experiencing the SOAR Solution” – workshop Noon (EB)


11 Lifetouch Portrait Sessions 2:00 - 9:00 pm


Lifetouch Portrait Sessions 2:00 - 9:00 pm

13

14 Unity Game Night 6:00 pm (FH)

15

16 Sunday Celebration Service Dr. Darla Henry – 10:00 am Valentine’s Day “Love Your Neighbor Potluck” - 11:15 (FH) LEA Community Cares Concert -- Noon (Sanc)


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19 “The Only Thing That Matters” 10:00 am (FH) Board meeting 5:00 pm (office)

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23 Sunday Celebration Service Dr. Darla Henry – 10:00 am


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26 “The Only Thing That Matters” 10:00 am (FH) Choir practice 7:00 pm (Sanc)

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927 Wertzville Road Enola, PA 17025 Phone: 717Phone: 717Phone: 717Phone: 717----732732732732----9773977397739773

Email: [email protected]: [email protected]: [email protected]: [email protected]

Purpose Statement: Purpose Statement: Purpose Statement: Purpose Statement:

Unity of Harrisburg is Unity of Harrisburg is Unity of Harrisburg is Unity of Harrisburg is dedicated to transforming dedicated to transforming dedicated to transforming dedicated to transforming

lives by making the lives by making the lives by making the lives by making the teachings of Jesus Christ teachings of Jesus Christ teachings of Jesus Christ teachings of Jesus Christ practical and relevant to practical and relevant to practical and relevant to practical and relevant to

everyday life.everyday life.everyday life.everyday life.

Prayer, meditation, love Prayer, meditation, love Prayer, meditation, love Prayer, meditation, love and individual and individual and individual and individual

responsibility are responsibility are responsibility are responsibility are emphasized as the way to emphasized as the way to emphasized as the way to emphasized as the way to express spiritual maturity express spiritual maturity express spiritual maturity express spiritual maturity within each individual as within each individual as within each individual as within each individual as

well as within the well as within the well as within the well as within the community.community.community.community.

Sunday Celebration Service Sunday Celebration Service Sunday Celebration Service Sunday Celebration Service 10:00 am10:00 am10:00 am10:00 am

Nursery & Youth Education Nursery & Youth Education Nursery & Youth Education Nursery & Youth Education Sunday 10:00 amSunday 10:00 amSunday 10:00 amSunday 10:00 am

Newsletter Editor: Barbara Nelson Email: [email protected]

First Class Mail

StaffStaffStaffStaff

Cherry Shogren Cherry Shogren Cherry Shogren Cherry Shogren …...…..... Office SecretaryOffice SecretaryOffice SecretaryOffice Secretary Kate McCutchan Kate McCutchan Kate McCutchan Kate McCutchan …...…..... Music DirectorMusic DirectorMusic DirectorMusic Director

Visit Unity of Harrisburg on the Web

unityofharrisburg.org

On Facebook, choose “Like” Unity of Harrisburg.

Board of TrusteesBoard of TrusteesBoard of TrusteesBoard of Trustees

Jacqueline Granite .…...... PresidentJacqueline Granite .…...... PresidentJacqueline Granite .…...... PresidentJacqueline Granite .…...... President

Paul Dominick ……... Vice PresidentPaul Dominick ……... Vice PresidentPaul Dominick ……... Vice PresidentPaul Dominick ……... Vice President

Mary Callaghan ….....….... SecretaryMary Callaghan ….....….... SecretaryMary Callaghan ….....….... SecretaryMary Callaghan ….....….... Secretary

Barbara Nelson …….…..… TreasurerBarbara Nelson …….…..… TreasurerBarbara Nelson …….…..… TreasurerBarbara Nelson …….…..… Treasurer

Richard Beam ……..........….. TrusteeRichard Beam ……..........….. TrusteeRichard Beam ……..........….. TrusteeRichard Beam ……..........….. Trustee

Diana Graham ……..………… TrusteeDiana Graham ……..………… TrusteeDiana Graham ……..………… TrusteeDiana Graham ……..………… Trustee

unity newsletter janfeb2014 · new year, full of things that have never been.” it will be an...

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