The Power of Calling
For me, one of the most interesting facts about Saint Patrick is that he was not Irish. He was born and raised in Roman Britain (which may be in the area we now call Scotland or Wales) and called himself Patricius. Although raised a Christian, in his own biography, he does not describe much of a relationship with God. As a teen, he was captured by invading Irish pirates and taken to l live as a slave in Ireland. He was a shepherd, living an isolated life and apparently being compelled into a conversation with God. Around the age of 20 or so he was guided to flee as a slave and a ship would take him home. Following this message from God, he walked nearly 200 miles to the shore and a boat that delivered him home.
Common sense would tell us to stay where it was safe but Patrick was a changed man. He became a priest and at some point was called to return to the place of his captors and persecution to minister to the people. Christianity was little known and power lay with the pagan and druid priests. It was a dangerous assignment and yet he felt called to return to Ireland.
Whatever we believe about the work and ministry of Patrick, it was a calling that was powerful enough to overcome his natural inclinations towards the familiar and comfortable. His life became dedicated to the service of God, however he understood that great all-ness.
As we contemplate the celebration of Saint Patrick, let us commit ourselves to a life of service. Let us allow our lives to be transformed by a passion and purpose whispered into our hearts by a wisdom beyond our knowing. Let us find the courage to follow the path of Spirit, even if it leads beyond our comfort zone.
Live in peace, love and harmony in the world this week.
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Calendar for this week
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Wednesday 3/14/2018
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7pm Lent Book Study - Centered In Prayer -
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Thursday 3/15
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7pm Choir Practice
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Friday 3/16
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7pm Game Night
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Sat 3/17
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Sun 3/18
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10am It's Not Easy Being Green
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11:30am Healing Service (teen room) |
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11:45am Class: Welcome to ULV (Rev Joy's office) |
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11:45am Choir practice (sanctuary)
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4:30pm Iglesia Emmanuel Service*
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7pm CODA meeting*
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Monday 3/19
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office closed
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6:30pm A Course In Miracles
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Tuesday 3/20
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To listen to our service, The Crazy Dog Guide to Happiness, from 3/11/2018, click on the link
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Dates to Remember:
April 14th-15th: Connection Practice Part 1
April 21st: Michael London concert: One Whole Heart A celebration of Rumi and new music
April 28th: ULV Choir concert: All God's Children
July 13th: Iron Pigs Game
Sept 9th: Annual Picnic
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YFM ACTIVITIES
GAME NIGHT THIS FRIDAY:
March 16th 7pm
Bring a game if you like and we'll have games here. Bring a snack to share.
SORRY JARS: An awareness campaign to benefit YFM
The Youth at ULV invite you to increase your awareness of something you say without thinking and how it might be impacting how you see yourself. Maybe it is "I'm sorry" or maybe it is "I'm so dumb, clumsy, forgetful, old, etc" Each time you catch yourself saying the words, set an amount to put in the jar--a dime, a quarter, a dollar. Enlist others to help you notice how often you say the words! Share the jar and different members of the family pick your own words that trigger a contribution to the "Sorry Jar". Have some fun noticing our words of imperfection!
We will hand out Sorry Jars on Palm Sunday, March 25th (and we'll have some available at church after that). Take your jar home and bring it back the
last Sunday in April, the 29th, with the change collected during your awareness lesson. You are a perfect child of God becoming more aware of your precious value every day!
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Soles 4 Souls Shoe Collection at ULV
One person
'
s unwanted shoes can help provide meaningful opportunities that many in developing nations need, which is why Unity of Lehigh Valley, is launching a shoe drive to collect
new or gently used shoes. Any size shoes for children, women and men are accepted.
The shoes that we collect will be delivered to Soles4Souls
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a non-profit social enterprise that creates sustainable jobs and provides relief through the distribution of shoes and clothing around the world. Founded in 2006, the organization has distributed more than 30 million pairs of new and used shoes in 127 countries.
The shoe drive will kick off on Palm Sunday,
March 25th and run through
April 29th.
There will be a tub inside the church's main door to collect your donations during our shoe drive!
For further information, please click on this link Soles4Souls.
You can also contact Denise with any questions on this worthy cause at this link. Contact Denise
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Easter Flowers
It's that time of year again!! Easter will soon be upon us. Order your Easter flowers now!
The flowers will decorate our Sanctuary on Easter Sunday, and then will be available for you to bring home after the service!
This year we are offering Lilies, Primrose, Dwarf Iris, Crocus, large-flower Daffodils and Tulips of varying colors!
Order forms are at the church or you can download an order form from the link below! Orders with payment are due THIS SUNDAY March 18th.
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Join us for any and all of these services and events
March 18th: Flower Orders Due
March 25th: Palm Sunday
10am Service, "Why Me?"
YFM Easter Egg Hunt and Sorry Jars
Palm Sunday Brunch: Sign up to contribute to our
brunch buffet on the sheet d
ownstairs or contact the ULV
Office.
March 28th: 6pm Pause For Peace meditation
March 29th: 7pm Maundy Thursday Service
April 1: 10 am Service "Easter Is No Joke"
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How can you serve?
The hospitality team is looking for someone to make coffee once a month.
There is some flexibility so if you can do either the 2nd or 3rd Sunday of the month, it could work out.
We are also looking for contributions to the hospitality snacks
If you would rather NOT make coffee but would be willing to bring food for Hospitality, we are looking for people to sign up to bring snacks once a month on the 2nd, 3rd or 4th Sunday. If you could do this once a month, it would help assure we have food for fellowship time. Simple ideas include pastries, fresh fruit, veggie tray or cheese and crackers. Doesn't have to be fancy or expensive!
If you are interested in making coffee once a month or bringing snacks once a month, please see Susan Moll or Rev Joy
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What is a Healing Service at ULV?
What is a healing service at Unity of Lehigh Valley?
Our healing service is a facilitated process that uses energy work, guided visualization, prayer and/ or sound healing techniques to assist individuals with removing blocks and promoting a sense of calm and relaxation. Our facilitators are Unity Prayer Chaplains who also may have training in energetic healing modalities.
The healing services allows one to reconnect with the Divine presence within so one can rediscover his or her own perfect state of health and well-being.
It provides an opportunity to focus on the present and to love and appreciate what is.
Health is our natural and eternal state of being and is independent of our physical condition. As we keep our thoughts in the awareness of the Divine life within us just as we are, we experience a healing sense of peace and well-being.
Join us March 18th after Sunday service for our next Healing Service.
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What are you grateful for?
Thank you to Miranda Whitham and Dave Davies for taking charge of YFM on Sunday in Kari Wyler's absence.
Thank you to Joyce Buchman for filling in as a greeter on Sunday.
Thank you to Peter Burkhart for securing the front down-spout to the building. Hoping the time we have to worry about ice formation is about OVER and we are grateful for this maintenance update!
If you are grateful for something at ULV, send a message to the office: unitylv@rcn.com
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Thinking about Unity based enrichment? Planning a vacation? Why not do both?
SEE in the field in Houston, TX, April 2th -May 4th featuring Rev Robert Brumet
For additional information and registration go to
SEE in the field at Unity Renaissance, Chesapeake, VA
April 16-20, the Gnostic Gospels
For additional information and registration go to
https://unityrenaissance.org
Fillmore Festival at Unity Village: August 16-19 For more information and registration:
CLICK HERE
CHECK OUT RETREATS AT
KIRKRIDGE
Just north of us, Kirkridge offers great opportunities for renewal and spiritual exploration. Bishop John Shelby Spong and Bill Tammeus are scheduled in April with several other spiritual adventures throughout the year. Check out upcoming programs at their website by CLICKING HERE
Bradbury-Sullivan Center Classes, Workshops and Support
Check out the many activities. Go to their website by
CLICKING HERE The Center is located at 522 W Maple Street in downtown Allentown.
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