JANUARY   2018
To Be Humble




Something I read this week set my mind on a quest to consider the phrase "to be humble".  Humility seems to be prized in religious circles and yet often confused in the secular world with humiliated. 

The first definitions seemed troubling: as a verb it means to lower someone in dignity or importance.  There is no trace of spiritual compassion in that!  As an adjective the first meaning was: showing a modest or low estimate of one's own importance with synonyms of submissive and self-effacing.  The second meaning was little better: of low social or political rank.  

To be humble seems to be a new paradox to explore.  There was a hint of this in one quote I found:  "The true way to be humble is not to stoop until you are smaller than yourself, but to stand at your real height against some higher nature that will show you what the real smallness of your greatness is." Phillips Brooks   

The dilemma seems to be the ability to claim the magnificence of the divinity within us and demonstrate that spiritual power to the best of our ability while keeping the pride of our humanity at bay.  I am not a lowly worm of the earth and to proclaim that is no more beneficial than to boast of the beautiful wings I will attain later.  Jesus never denied his power yet always attributed it to the one who sent him into the world.  Can we live into the greatness we were created to be and yet never claim the greatness for the sake of our personality?  Can we stand up when others would dismiss us and yet never believe we stand above others?  

Perhaps the balance is to never believe your divinity is less than another being nor that it is ever possible separate from the eternal One.  To be spiritually humble is to know our oneness and to be humble in our humanity is to be loving and compassionate in our connections.  I invite you to wrestle with your ideas about being humble.    


Live in peace, love and harmony in the world this week!
Rev Joy Wyler-Bradburn
Calendar for this week
Wednesday 1/17/2018
7pm  Book Study: CANCELLED
Thursday 1/18
7pm  Choir Practice
Friday  1/19

Sat  1/20
Board clean up
Sun 1/21
10am: Living in the WOW

11:45 Affirmative Prayer Overview

4:30pm  Iglesia Emmanuel Service*

7pm  CODA meeting*


Monday 1/22
office closed

6:30pm A Course In Miracles*
Tuesday  1/23
7pm: Iglesia Emmanuel Service*


To listen to our service from January 14, 2018 service click on the link
 


Dates to Remember:

January 28th: Guest musician Charles Lee

February 18th: Annual Meeting,  Soup/Chili fellowship after meeting

March 25th: Palm Sunday Brunch

April 21st: Michael London concert


 
 
Transformation Downstairs at ULV
















A miracle is unfolding downstairs at Unity of Lehigh Valley!  Our bathrooms are being transformed.  The Ladies Room is now complete!  

We are grateful for the labor of Eva, Alicia and Roby in replacing the tile on Saturday and adding trim on Monday evening.  

We are grateful that Coqui Plumbing and Teddy worked with our schedule to remove old toilets and replace them with new toilets.  

We are grateful for the funding provided through a gift from Sandy Stober.  

Please join us in expressing our gratitude for the transformation of our downstairs restrooms.  




 
 
Celebrating New Horizons 




Join us in celebrating New Horizons for the Zaharchuks as Deb Christina prepares to move to the dream home they are building in New Hampshire.

We will send Deb Christina off with a pot luck after service on January 28th.  A sign-up sheet with appropriate contributions that honor Deb Christina's food sensitivities is downstairs or contact the ULV Office.  


 
 
Our prayer chaplains continue to pray

Prayer has always been and will continue to be an essential element of the ministry of Unity of Lehigh Valley.  Myrtle Fillmore's healing prayers were the spiritual seeds that Unity sprang from.   Our current prayer team includes Wilma Alvarez, Bev Freeman, Jen Hertwig, TerĂ© O'Malley, Rick Stober, Sandy Stober and Reverend Joy.

This week we are joining with Bette Phelps in holding the high watch  for the soul ongoing of Elizabeth Jean Rivera.   
We pray with Lacia Albino knowing the highest and best for all involved in the surgery for her partner. 

The activity of prayer opens our hearts to the flow of all that we need and desire.  


 
 

Lent begins February 14th this year.  Prepare for the Lent season by getting your Lent Meditation Guide from Unity.  You can download the material or order it without charge from Unity's Website.  
CLICK HERE to get your booklet.  The title is taken from Charles Fillmore's classic text but the booklet is filled with the modern language and ideas of contemporary Unity writers.  
 

New Member Classes for 2018

 
 







If you are interested in becoming an active, voting member of Unity of Lehigh Valley, f ill out an Application for Membership and give it to Reverend Joy to begin your process.  Our classes are open to anyone and a great way to meet new comers or get a refresher.  All 6 classes are required for membership.  
January 21:       Affirmative Prayer
February 4:       Prosperity
February 25:     Metaphysical Interpretation
March 4:            Positive Communication
March 18:          Welcome to ULV

If you are interested in membership and this class schedule won't work for you, please talk to Reverend Joy!  
 


Creative Strategic Planning for ULV


The Board of Trustees of Unity of Lehigh Valley is seeking YOUR input.  The Board is looking for how you see ULV in 1-2 years and in 5-10 years.  How do  you envision our spiritual community serving you and the greater Lehigh Valley, now and in the future?

There are blank sheets in the fellowship area that will remain during the month of January for you to write on.  Also, on our website, under the tab for CONNECT , select CONTACT US from the drop down menu. 

THANK YOU to everyone who has submitted ideas!  Still time to get your input forward for the board.  

 

What are you grateful for?




 


Thank you to Steve Gunn for stepping up on the AV team and to Walt Zaharchuk for his flexibility changing seats on the AV team.  Thanks guys for keeping the back booth running smoothly!  

Thanks to Rev Joy for creating and facilitating the Making Peace With the Past workshop.  You Rock! 

We are grateful for the beautiful flowers brought by Bette Phelps in loving memory of Elizabeth Rivera.  


If you are grateful for something at ULV, send a message to the office: unitylv@rcn.com   









Interfaith offerings from Institute for Jewish-Christian Understanding at Muhlenberg College    www.ijcu.org for registration or call 484-664-3470

Meals of Freedom for Life: A Pre-Lent workshop and congregational learning program
Wed Jan 24th, 10am to 2:30pm at Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Rd, off Walbert at Rt 309   $35 registration, free for first time

Understanding Otherness Within Religious Communities
Thursdays, Jan 25-Feb 15, 7-9pm  $60 registration

Teach Rwanda Benefit:
Saturday, February 17, 2018  Event Time 2:30 to 4:30 pm
Dharma Drummers: 3:15 - 4:00 pm
Location:Wesley Church 2540 Center Street, Bethlehem PA 18017
Cost:  $15 in advance or $20 at the door
There will be Rwandan crafts, jewelry, drums and more for sale as well as a Labyrinth walk before and after the performance TEACH Rwanda is transforming early childhood teacher education in Rwanda. We prepare Rwandan teachers to offer young children engaging, meaningful learning experiences More info at  www.TEACHRwanda.org

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.  
Contact:
Unity of Lehigh Valley
26 N 3rd, Emmaus, PA 18049
610-965-3036

Administrator: unitylv@rcn.com
Reverend Joy: revjoy@rcn.com