E-News for April 20th, 2017

Mother Earth Day
The Compassionate Universe 1/3

 Rev. Sharon Ketchum

 Special Music: 
New Thought Community Choir

           April 23rd, 2017                 10:30 am

        Listen to Our Sermons

 

 All ages are welcome at celebration Services.
Please note that children under 12 must be 
accompanied if they spend time in the lower level of the building. We have "quiet bags" and t.v. tables for kids to use during services. 
 
The Compassionate Universe

    Saturday, April 22nd is Earthday and Sunday April 23rd begins Unity's 3-part Sunday series, focusing on our relationship with the earth.  This series is inspired by the book "The Compassionate Universe", the power of the individual to heal the environment.  The Sunday messages will cover the nature of the Mother Earth, lessons from nature and our responsibilities as trustees of ourselves and the universe. 

   Our newly formed Unity Earthcare Ministry has begun the process to complete the steps to become a certified Unity Earthcare congregation.  The first of three levels  is to pray and vision.  For the past 6 weeks, we have been praying for our planet each Sunday.  On Sunday, April 23, everyone will have the opportunity to sign an Earthcare Covenant.  

EarthCare Covenant

We are committed to bringing forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling and positive human presence on this planet as the guiding principle of our times. We declare our covenant with God upon the Earth for the greater good of all creation.
 
   For 3 weeks, we will have "God Walk Kits" available.   These are simply a tool to help you gain a spiritual awareness of your environment.  Each kit is an egg carton with a "helpful hints" sheet that list the 12 Powers or Divine Faculties within us.  During your walk, you can look for symbols that represent each of these expressions of God in us.  For example, for faith you might find a small rock.

   The Earthcare Team has scheduled a community "God Walk" at Hawk Island on Sunday, May 7th.  All are welcome and you may bring your dogs. 

   There are three copies of "The Compassionate Universe" for sale in the Kiosk bookstore for $15 each.  You can also order the book online.  If you are an Amazon Prime member, remember to click "Smile" and designate Unity Spiritual Center of Lansing as your chosen charity so that a small percentage of your purchase will be donated to Unity.

 
A special members' meetings 


has been called for  Sunday, April 23rd , 2017
following the Celebration Service.  

The agenda for this meeting is to vote on accepting revisions to our originals bylaws adopted at the 2016 Annual Members meeting.  The bylaws have been revised to reflect our holocratic approach, 
including Mission based Ministry Teams.  

You can read the bylaws on our website at 
or you can pick up a paper copy of the bylaws 
on the activity table at the Center.
Would you like to be more involved at 
Unity Spiritual Center of Lansing?
Are you hesitant to join a team because 
of other time commitments?
Considering joining the Possibilities Team.

   The Possibilities Team is a list of names and emails of people who are willing to help out on one time activities if it fits their schedule.  This is a simple, guilt-free, stress-free way to be an active part of the USCL community.
   When we are planning an activity and require more help, we send out an email to the Possibilities Team with a list of tasks that need to be adopted by someone.  If it is something you'd like to do and it fits your schedule, you simply email back a "Yes", I'm willing to take that one!  The Event Coordinator or Team Leader will get back to you with an further information
If it's not something you like to do or something that conflicts with your already scheduled activities, you can just delete the email.  Guilt-free!

       Examples of activities would be

a.   Game Nights

b.   Thanksgiving Potluck

c.    Concerts

d.   Billeting for guest musicians, speakers

e.    Spring cleaning of the ministry building


To become a member of the Possibilities Team, simply sign up with your email on the activity table or email:  revsharonketchum@gmail.com

Smile - Amazon Prime
      

 If you use Amazon Prime, you can now instruct Amazon 
to make a donation to Unity Spiritual Center of Lansing.  
On your first visit to Amazon Smile (smile.amazon.com), 
you need to select a charitable organization to receive 
donations from eligible purchases before you  begin shopping. 
Amazon will remember your selection, and then  every eligible purchase you make at  smile.amazon.com   will result in a donation.   It costs you nothing!  But USCL will receive a donation every time you make an eligible purchase! 


      

Keeping it Simple

For those of you who prefer to donate and make purchases on your credit card, USCL has a new company to process credit cards.  We now have a credit/debit card terminal near the activity table which can be used to pay for purchases in the "bookstore" and to make donations. The simple instructions are located right next to the terminal.

1.       Purchases:  Swipe or insert your card (if it has a chip) then follow the onscreen instructions.  Keep one copy of the receipt and place the "merchant's" copy in the red cash box.

 

2.       Donations:  Use the credit card machine in the same way as you would to pay for a purchase.  Then place one copy of the receipt into a love offering envelope.  To receive a tax receipt for a charitable donation, insure that you put your name on the love offering envelope.

 

3.       Auto donation:  If you have set up an automatic monthly donation, please contact Jessica Shelton, the Administrative Assistant. Jessica can be reached by phone (517 371-3010) or email (UnityLansingOffice@gmail.com).


 

Spiritual Growth & Development
Turkeyville Outing

Dinner -Theatre - Craft Show
 
   A delightful day of eating, shopping,  laughter and fellowship.
 
When Ann Finnery's second husband left her five years ago for a younger woman, she swore off men forever.  Instead of a man, she involves herself with house plans, bridge, puzzles and murder mysteries.   Daughter Julie, twenty, plans to change all that and encourages her mother to take on several suitors.  A warm loving comedy filled with funny situations and delightful characters.
Date:  Saturday - May 20, 2017
Crafts-10:00, Lunch-12:00, Performance-2:00
 
Dinner-Theatre Price:  $39.00 (includes tip) 
Must have 20 people to get this price.
 
       Reserve and Pay by April 23
Only 30 seats available
 
Contact:  Nanette Podany
517-204-5565

TIPS

Mondays 1 pm

A group study and discussion 
of the book  A Course of Love 
by Mari Parron

Now starting from the beginning, again. 
Now is a Great time to join in! 



Wednesdays at 10:30 am 

Starting February 15th 

A group study and discussion of the book
I Can See Clearly Now   by Wayne Dyer

Wednesdays at 6:30 pm

Take a break from the busyness of life 
and join together in prayer 
for yourself and others.



Thursdays at 7:00 pm
Everyone Welcome, 
You can join us at ANY Time!

An open discussion of the book 
A Course In Miracles  

More information call 
Carol  517-719-0151 or 
Dan  517-719-0003
A Note From Lucille Olson

Being Real

    In the classic children's story, "The Velveteen Rabbit", the rabbit and the skin-horse are having a discussion about what is real.  The skin-horse says, "When a child loves you - really loves you, then you become real.  It doesn't happen all at once.  You become.  It takes a long time.  Once you become real, you can't become unreal                                                    again.  It lasts for always."

    As humans, the process of waking up to what is real within us is similar to what the skin-horse describes.  As the love of our creator for us is gradually realized over time, we become more and more real. 

    Webster defines being as the state or fact of existence or life, and real as authentic or genuine, as opposed to pretended, imagined, fictitious, or fake.  Mark Nepo, in his book, "The Endless Practice", describes real as "any moment met face to face and heart to heart without pretense or illusion."

    This kind of connection often happens within small groups who come together with the intention of study and sharing of spiritual ideas.   In small groups we share our struggles to understand the material, our insights, and our processes in coming to a deeper understanding.  We share spiritual food, techniques for learning, and have a healthy exchange of ideas, that help one another on the journey of learning who we really are.  Such groups help us in the unfolding of our lives in the world.  We often come away feeling refreshed and blessed from the interaction and contact with one another. 

    The drama of being human provides us with many opportunities for opening up to what is real within us.  When we follow and explore what is real, it becomes a journey of awakening.  We unfold like the petals of a rosebud, to become a greater expression of who we are.  Just as the skin-horse advised, when you become real, it lasts forever.

Outreach
Keep In Touch


If you, or someone you know, is experiencing illness, 
bereavement or other life challenges, 
contact Debbie Pennington at  517 485-7762 
or by email at dspennin@ gmail.com 
So that those facing challenges can receive a card from  Unity Spiritual Center of Lansing's Outreach team.

Heart to Heart Connections Postings
(of congregants experiencing health challenges)

Know of someone wanting visitation or phone calls? 
Enjoy visiting or talking with members of the congregation? 
Check out the heart to heart connections posting.
Feed Your Spirit For $9.95/ First Year
Unity Calendar
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(517) 371-3010 | unitylansingoffice@gmail.com | www. unitylansing.org