Last Month at
Unity Christ Center!!!
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| In honor of John and Barbara Thomas. |
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In honor of Florence Garrison
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| Another wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner. Thanks Dean!!! |
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About Us
Sunday Service: 10:00am
Sunday School: 10:00am
Youth of Unity: Wednesdays 6pm
1808 Folsom Street
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 836-0010
General Email:
Timothy Haukeness
Administrative Coordinator
Office Hours (Subject to Change)
Mon-Thurs: 9:00am - 2:30pm
Silent Unity Dial A Prayer:
24-Hour Prayer Vigil
1-800-NOW-PRAY
1/800-669-7729
Unity Village, MO
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Rev. Alden Studebaker
Minister
Carol Craig,
President
Steve Friede,
Treasurer
Sue Carlson, Secretary
Larry Metzenbauer, Member
Helen Wright, Alternate
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Transition Journey Update
Carol Craig, Board President
With Rev. Alden's departure, the Unity Christ Center's Board of Trustees is making sure we have a spiritual and smooth transition into our next 'way of Being'. As you can well imagine, YOU, members and friends of Unity, will be a core part of that journey. Each month the Board will include an update in the Unity Newsletter on the "Transition Journey' - and of course we are always available to have face-to- face conversations. The following preliminary modifications have been approved by the Board, including Rev. Alden, at the November 25, 2019 Board Meeting:
- Change in Office Coordinator's Role/responsibilities - Timothy's job description will be modified to include additional tasks and oversight responsibilities that Rev. Alden previously completed; a change in title to "Administrative Coordinator"; and an increase in the number of hours he serves and increase in compensation. The Board will take final action on this at the December 16, Board meeting, so feel free to provide your comments.
- During the preliminary transition phase, the Board approved hiring Heather Larson in an interim position. She will primarily assist with various operational tasks previously completed by Rev. Alden, assisting Timothy as he directs and performing special projects assigned by Board. Heather has resigned from the Board as of November 30, 2019, and will begin working with Rev. Alden and Timothy on December 2, 2019. This position is only for six months and the compensation will not exceed $5,000 over this period.
- The Board has made arrangement with Rev. Greg Cole (whom you'll meet via video on December 15) to provide an energetic exchange with Unity members on 'lessons learned' and 'opportunities for the future'. He is a real gift to us - please mark your calendars to be at the January 26, 2020, Unity Christ Center Service, with dialogue to follow.
Some thoughts on "Winter Solstice" --
United Church of Christ pastor, Mark Longhurst describes how both light and dark are essential for transformation:
In spirituality . . . we elevate the light over the darkness and praise the light and expel the darkness. Light conquers the darkness, the darkness will not overcome the light, John's Gospel says [1:5]. . . . The more Genesis works its wisdom on me, though, the more light and darkness seem bound up together. . . . God separates light from darkness, but they both need each other, and they both bear the breath of God. This, too, I think, is the truth of our lives. The light and the darkness are bound up with one another. Spiritual transformation does not happen only on the light level. We have to do the inner work of facing the shadow, or repressed realities, of who we are, both the beautiful and the bad. Some of our most painful experiences in life-whether death, divorce, or disease-often turn out to create a capacity in us for greater love. What we think is light shows up in what we think is darkness-and vice versa. [1]
Periods of seemingly fruitless darkness may in fact highlight all the ways we rob ourselves of wisdom by clinging to the light. Who grows by only looking on the bright side of things? It is only when we lose our certainties that will we be able to deconstruct our false images of God to discover the Absolute Reality beneath all our ego fantasies and fears.
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Message from the Minister
Message from the Minister
'Tis the Season!
I learned about the seriousness of a certain season in Wisconsin from my realtor. He said, "People don't buy houses during hunting season."
With hunting season over, the Christmas season is now fully upon us. Actually, it's been with us since October if you follow the displays in stores! During this time of the year, there is heightened electricity in the air. There is more energy floating around the ethers than usual. This intensified energy affects people in all kinds of ways. If one's consciousness is clear, free, and unfettered, then this energy is a positive boost. One feels happier, more optimistic. If one's consciousness is cloudy, filled with negative reaction patterns, this energy is also a boost, stirring up one's issues. Whatever is in our consciousness is released according to one's accustomed manner of expression.
This is the nature of Christmas. It influences people regardless of their religious persuasion. When the Spirit (energy) moves, it doesn't ask someone whether they're a Christian, Hindu, or atheist. Like the rays of the sun, the Christmas Spirit touches all equally. How we respond to its influence does differ between individuals.
At the core of all of us is a basic goodness. When we lay aside our personal issues, pessimism, mental garbage, underneath is that goodness, our spiritual selves. Most of us in Unity believe this. More people wished they could believe this. This belief is at the heart of the Christmas holiday: Goodness is our potential, and goodness prevails. This was the message of Jesus.Treat others just as you want to be treated - Luke 6:31.
The Golden Rule has been taught since the beginning of human existence. Consider this:
Judaism
- What is hurtful to yourself, do not to your fellow man.
Confucianism
- Do not to others what you would not they should do to you.
Taoism
- Regard your neighbor's gain as your own gain, and your neighbor's loss as your own.
Zoroastrianism
- That nature only is good when it shall not do to another what is not good for its own self.
Buddhism
- One should seek for others the happiness one desires for oneself. Hurt not others with what pains you.
Hinduism
- Guard and do by the things of others as they would do by their own. This is the sum of duty; do not do to others which if done by you would cause you pain.
Islam
- Let none of your treat his brother in a way he would himself dislike to be treated. No one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.
The Golden Rule sums up the practice of spirituality. It is a philosophy that compels us into doing good, thinking good, believing in good, and looking for the good, AND, to do this in spite of all the reasons not to do it! The Golden Rule helps us approach every challenge as an opportunity for good to come. The Golden Rule is about tithing love, forgiveness, and optimism. What you give out comes back to you multiplied. At its bare minimum, the Golden Rule is simply the rule of just being nice. 'Tis the season!
Merry Christmas,
Alden
Through December 8, Reverend Alden Studebaker is available to support you through spiritual counseling, prayer, hospital and other visitation, weddings, funerals/memorials, christenings, and special blessings. His office hours are variable depending on the week, but he is consistently in his office on Tuesdays - Thursdays. To make an appointment, call the church office at 715-836-0010, or email him at [email protected]. In case of an urgent need, call his mobile no. 715-450-1868.
Message from the Minister
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Prosperity Update
Income: $77,246.64
Expenses: $95,021.80
Net Income: (shortfall) ($17,774.69)
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2020 Unity Calendar
Click on the link before for the PDF
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Ongoing Classes & Events
All events receive a love offering unless otherwise noted. Group/class dates can change, please watch for notices. Check Unity foyer for more information and sign-up sheets. Community events are posted on bulletin board in hallway.
MONDAYS
9:30-10:45am Yoga
with Kathy Boone ($10/class, pkg available)
2:00-4:00pm Unity Board of Trustees (12/16)
5:30-6:30pm Singing Bowl Meditation (12/09)
TUESDAYS
10:00-11:30am A Course of Love (Ongoing)
10:45am-2:30pm Integrative Bodywork with Duree Thatcher (Fee)
Noon-2:00pm Board Agenda Setting Meeting (12/10)
6:30-8:00pm The Seat of the Soul (Book Club) (Ongoing)
6:30-8:30pm doTERRA Oils Meeting
6:30-7:30pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
7:30-8:30pm S.A. 12-Step (Meditation room, closed)
WEDNESDAYS
9:30-10:45am Yoga with Kathy Boone ($10/class, pkg available)
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:15-7:15pm
Y.O.U.
6:30-8:30pm Yata, Sinz & Ordield Concert (12/18) (See Flyer)
THURSDAYS
9:30-10:45am
Yoga with Kathy Boone ($10/class, pkg available)
7:00-8:00pm A.A. 12-Step Big Book (closed)
FRIDAYS
7:00-8:30pm Power of Now (Book Club)
SATURDAYS
9:30am-2:00pm Unity Serves at Community Table (12/14) (See Flyer)
SUNDAYS
10:00-11:00am Sunday Service/Childcare (Weekly)
11:00-noon Fellowship and refreshments (Weekly)
11:15-11:45am Burning Bowl Sunday (12/29)
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Sunday Talk Titles
12/01 10am Rev. Alden Studebaker
12/08 10am Rev. Alden Studebaker
"God's Tenth"
Accompanist: Teresa Luginbill
Special Music: Alden Studebaker
12/15 10am Rev. Raymond Nelson
"These are the Days"
Accompanist: Kathy Johns
Special Music: UCC Choir
12/22 10am Rev. Lyle Schlundt
"Inspirational Message"
Accompanist: Kathy Johns
Special Music: Unity Choir
12/24 6:30pm Sandra Anderson
"Christmas Eve Candlelight Service"
Accompanist: Kathy Johns
Special Music: Unity Choir
12/29 10am Sandra Anderson
"Challenge of Change"
Accompanist: Kathy Johns
Special Music: Unity Choir
Burning Bowl Sunday
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The Power for December is
"Life"
Affirmation: I am filled with life, sweet life.
Life-The ability to energize, vitalize, enliven, animate, and invigorate.
The disciple is Judas. He represents the cleansing of selfishness, allowing the life force to flow to every part of the body.
The corresponding color is red and the location is the generative organs.
Claim God's Gift of Life
By Winifred Wilkinson Hausmann
Many people, in considering the 12 disciples and the powers they represent in life, would like to forget about Judas Iscariot, the man who betrayed Jesus Christ. But Judas had a necessary role in the Messiah story, and the quality he represents-life-plays an important part in our development of the perfect-person idea.
Even though Judas committed suicide after he betrayed Jesus, he wasn't out of the picture completely. After the Resurrection, the other 11 disciples met and chose a successor to Judas to bring their number back to 12. So the faculty of life, operating on a higher plane, continues to work with the powers for the lifting up of the whole being.
... In developing our God-given potential, we cannot ignore Judas. We must learn to recognize his weaknesses and limitations and cope with them by lifting the life idea to a higher plane of consciousness.
... All people are expressing the life idea to a greater or lesser degree, but only those who are keeping this power under the direction of the Christ can enjoy the fullness of life that is their God-given potential. We are to experience life as an idea that not only enriches the soul, but also lifts the physical body into a perfect expression of the pattern God implanted in it from the beginning.
... It takes much cleansing to refine the life idea in soul and body. The selfishness and acquisitiveness of Iscariot must be purified. Life must learn to draw its own sustenance from the universe freely and easily, without the covetousness and hostility that close it in and limit it. Life works best when it is able to flow throughout the whole being as radiant energy, devoted to the
Christ activity and governed by the Christ wisdom and order.
Never deny the life idea or think of any part of your body as unclean. Rather, awaken the life faculty at its center and then feel its animating action radiating through all the cells and atoms of your being as a greater expression of God. This is the way in which death of the physical body will finally be overcome.
... Something begins to take place in our minds and bodies as we praise the Spirit that gives us life and give thanks for its divine activity within us.
... The statements for your progressive development of spiritual life are these:
Recognition: My life is God-life-whole and free.
Sensation: I am alive, alert, awake, joyous, and enthusiastic about life and living.
Appropriation: I accept God's life as a pure stream, healing and harmonizing every part of my being.
Transmutation: I praise the Spirit that gives me life, and I give thanks for divine activity within me.
Regeneration: I am renewed, restored, and reborn through the activity of Christ in me.
Resurrection: I am lifted into eternal life by the Christ within my own being.
Immortality: I am alive eternally in God.
Appreciate your gift of life. Praise it. Bless it. Give thanks for it, and you will find that the supply of life is unlimited and everlasting!
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Is Automatic Giving for you?
Unity Christ Center is pleased to offer you this option for Automatic Giving. Now you can have your gift deducted automatically from your checking or savings account, twice per month, on the 10th and 24th. Your ongoing support is deeply appreciated.
Benefits of the Automatic Giving:
- Saves time - fewer checks to write
- Ensures regular financial support to Unity Christ Center - even if you're on vacation or out of town.
- Easy to sign up for, easy to cancel.
All you have to do is click the link below, print the form and drop it off at the office. Forms will be available in the back of the church also.
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Unity Gift & Book Store
Unique gifts can be found in our Gift & Bookstore.
Used books/CD's for purchase are located on the right side of the bookshelf in the foyer and Unity books for borrowing are on the left side.
Sale Going on Though December
Come check us out.
- Books by Unity based authors and others
- Gifts for all occasions
- Jewelry designed and crafted locally
- Used books, CDs & DVD's for a nominal cost
- We still have a few items for sale that help support the Tanzanian Women's Initiative in Africa
Thanks you for your purchases and your donations of used books, CD's and DVD's.
All sales help to support the monetary needs of Unity Christ Center.
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Un
ity Serving Locally & Globally
Unity Living Vision #4: We envision our innate desire to give to the larger community by living Unity principles through loving service.
JONAH
"A grassroots organization, comprised primarily of diverse faith communities, seeks to bring people in the Chippewa Valley into relationships and empower one another to build a healthier and fairer community for us all."
Unity's liaison to JONAH is Larry Metzenbauer. For more information on how to get involved with JONAH, contact Larry at [email protected] or 715-382-3415.
Like JONAH on Facebook and check out the website for JONAH events at www.jonahjustice.org.
Community Table
We serve our community by volunteering our time and contributions to the Community Table.
The following dates are when Unity Christ Center will be serving at the Community Table. Please join us. Sign up sheet will be available weeks before we are serving.
Time of volunteering is 9:30 am to 2:00pm
December 14, 2019
Unity's liaison to Community Table is Howie Nelsen at 715-833-9729 or [email protected]. Visit
thecommunitytable.org for more information.
It Can Be Done Africa
Unity's liaison to ICBD is Sandi Anderson at [email protected] or 715-456-1391.
All donations can be made on the website at
www.itcanbedoneafrica.org. Credit cards accepted and now offering an automatic giving program.
Thank you for supporting the Tanzanian Women's Acorn Initiative program by purchasing their products
found in the
Unity Gift & Book Shop. The products sold support the Acorn
Women's Initiative and 30% goes to Unity.
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